I have come across Illustrations of The Hindu Puranas.
They are vivid, though the comments/observations are not correct.
Tales Of Creation
Brahma Dreaming is a collection of mythological adaptations in three parts, each centring on one of the great gods within the Hindu trinity, or ‘trimurti’. Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu correspond to the cosmic forces of Creation, Destruction and Preservation, and it is largely their adventures that drive the story forward. From the moment that Lord Brahma dreams the world into existence, Hindu mythology is filled with moments that are also an illustrator’s dream – and my collaborator Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini has really made the most of the opportunity. This wonderful picture shows the 60,000 sons of King Sagara, who were ‘the seeds’ born from a melon.
The Ocean of Milk.
In this story, the gods realise they are losing their struggle with the demons. They need to obtain divine ambrosia (amrita) in order to gain the upper hand – and that can only be done by churning the Milk Ocean. The gods use mount Mandara as a churning stick and the cobra Vasuki as a rope – and even trick the demons into helping them. All manner of creatures, objects and substances rise to the surface as they gradually succeed. This story exemplifies what fascinates me about Hindu mythology – the combination of fantastical details with behaviour that we can all recognise.
All religions need to explain how ‘bad’ things like envy and deceit entered the world. This tale concerns the snake Kadru, and Vinata, her sister, who is envious of Kadru’s fecundity. Daniela has depicted the moment in their dispute when Kadru encourages her children to hang from a white horse’s tail to create the impression that it is black. I have always been fascinated with the tendency of myths and fables to ascribe immoral behaviour to animals – a neat way of sparing human blushes. Just as in Genesis, here it is the snake’s fault!
Tales of Destruction
The ‘Tales of Destruction’, which focus on the fearsome Lord Shiva, follow the ‘Tales of Creation’ (focusing on Brahma) and precede the ‘Tales of Preservation’ (focusing on Vishnu). This illustration shows Sati, a shy princess who falls in love with Shiva and marries him despite her father Daksha‘s disapproval. Their story is a tragic one, because Sati throws herself on a fire during a banquet at king Daksha’s palace when she cannot bear his rejection. Until prohibited by the British Raj, Hindu wives were permitted to demonstrate wifely devotion by incinerating themselves on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Although Sati perishes, her body remains intact. This illustration demonstrates Daniela’s ability to home in on the key moments within a story.