Indian mythology is a vast layer of plots and images enshrined in monuments of ancient literature and spanning thousands of years of history. The authors of this edition, much like N. A. Kuhn with his "Legends and Myths of Ancient Greece," rendered the myths of Ancient India in an accessible form. Their main sources were the "Mahabharata," the "Ramayana," the Puranas, and other texts. The plots of Ancient Indian myths partly overlap with ancient mythology. Here you will find tales of the creation of the world by Brahma and of the war between gods and asuras over the abduction of the beautiful Tara, as well as stories of Indra’s adventures. The myths explain how the world works: why each month Soma—the moon god—grows thinner and fuller; why the dragon Rahu devours the Sun and the Moon, which is why solar and lunar eclipses occur; and why, because the god Yama died, night appeared. At the same time, on the pages of the book you can find references to the biblical story of the universal flood. Despite some similarity to the myths of Ancient Greece, Indian myths are unique. A significant role in them is played by holy sages and ascetics who place harsh vows upon themselves, thereby becoming more powerful than the gods. Demons also often resort to asceticism. Only through cunning do the gods manage to defeat the crafty asuras and restore their influence over all three worlds. The edition is equipped with illustrations, an introductory article, and commentaries that provide a fuller understanding of what you read.