Table of Contents

List of Figures Acknowledgments A Note on Translations and Abbreviations 1. Introduction 2. Vedic Antecedent to the Avataric Nature of Visnu 3. Brahmanic Antecedents to the Avataric Nature of Visnu 4. The Blink of an Unblinking Eye 5. Myths of the Narasimhavatara: Motif Analysis and Discussion 6. Myths of the Vamanavatara: Motif Analysis and Discussion 7. Conclusion Appendix I. Translations of Narasimha Myths Brahmanda Purana II.5.3-29 Brahma Purana 213.44-79 Visnudharmottara Purana I.54 Matsya Purana Ch. 161-163 Padma Purana V (Uttara) .42 Skanda Purana VII.2.18.6--130 (see Vanama myths: SK.P. VII. 2.14-19) Appendix II. Translations of Vamana Myths Bhavisya Purana 4.76.1-27 Brahman Purana 73 Brahman Purana 213.80-105 Brahmanda Purana II.73.75-87 Matsya Purana Ch. 244-246 Narada Purana I.10-11 Padma Purana Srstikhanda 25 Padma Ourana Uttarakhanda 266-267 Skanda Purana I.1.18-19 Skanda Purana V.1.74 Skanda Purana VII.2.14-19 Skanda Purana VII.4.19.10-14 Vayu Purana 98.59-88 Visnudharmottara Purana I.21 Visnudharmottara Purana I.55 Bibliography Index

About the Author

Deborah A. Soifer is Lecturer in the Asian Studies Program at Bowdoin College.

Reviews

"The book's strength is its in-depth analysis of two neglected figures in Hindu mythology: Vamana and Narasimha. Treating them comparatively along the trajectories of creation and eschatology is original and illuminating. The book also has insights about myth in relation to cosmology and ideology that are subtle and sophisticated." -- Paul B. Courtright