Synopses & Reviews
Shiva and Dionysus are the Hindu and Greek gods of magical power, intoxication, ecstatic sexuality, and transcendence who initiate us into communion with the creative forces of life. Revealing the earliest sources of the traditions of Shiva and Dionysus, Alain Danielou reconstructs the fabric of our ancient relationship with creation, vividly relating practices that were observed from the Indus Valley to the coasts of Portugal at least six thousand years ago.
Review
"Danielou's books are remarkable for their clarity, scholarship, and uninhibited celebration of erotic and mystical ecstasy."
Review
"Gods of Love and Ecstasy makes compelling reading with so much information on the role played by gods and goddesses, revealing the theological complexity of this ancient cult. This book also includes many references and sources along with a fascinating chronological chart dating back to 15,000 BC. Highly recommended!"
Review
"Danielou's books are remarkable for their clarity, scholarship, and uninhibited celebration of erotic and mystical ecstasy."
Review
"Gods of Love and Ecstasy makes compelling reading with so much information on the role played by gods and goddesses, revealing the theological complexity of this ancient cult. This book also includes many references and sources along with a fascinating chronological chart dating back to 15,000 BC. Highly recommended!"
Review
"While written nearly thirty years ago, the message of Gods of Love and Ecstasy is more critical today than ever, as it points the way towards reestablishing our links to the energies these archetypes represent, and their power in the material world."
About the Author
One of the most distinguished living Orientalists, Alain Danielou was an intimate of Stravinsky, Jean Cocteau, and Nabokov, and spent more than 20 years in India studying music and philosophy with eminent pandits of the Hindu tradition. Danielou is the author of Myths and Gods of India; While the Gods Play; Yoga: Mastering the Secrets of Matter and the Universe; Virtue, Success, Pleasure, and Liberation; The Phallus; The Complete Kama Sutra and Music and the Power of Sound. He is the founder and former director of the International Institute for Comparative Musicology in Berlin, is a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and Officier du Merite National.
Table of Contents
Danilou examines the earliest traditions of the Hindu and Greek gods of magical power, ecstatic sexuality, and transcendence.
One of the most distinguished living Orientalists, Alain Danielou wasan intimate of Stravinsky, Jean Cocteau, and Nabokov, and spent more than20 years in Indiaandnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; studying music and philosophywith eminent pandits of the Hindu tradition. Danielou is the author ofMythsand Gods of India; While the Gods Play; Yoga: Mastering theSecrets of Matter and the Universe; Virtue, Success, Pleasure, andLiberation; The Phallus; The Complete Kama SutraandMusicand the Power of Sound. He is the founder and former director of theInternational Institute for Comparative Musicology in Berlin, is a Chevalierde la Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and Officierdu Merite National.andnbsp;
Gods of Love and Ecstasy
The Traditions of Shiva and Dionysus
Forewordandnbsp;
Introductionandnbsp;
1.andnbsp;andnbsp; Originsandnbsp;
2.andnbsp;andnbsp; Aspects and Legends of the Godsandnbsp;
3.andnbsp;andnbsp; The Goddessandnbsp;
4.andnbsp;andnbsp; Sons of the Goddess and the Godandnbsp;
5.andnbsp;andnbsp; The Companions of the Godandnbsp;
7.andnbsp;andnbsp; Sacred Placesandnbsp;
8.andnbsp;andnbsp; Man in the Worldandnbsp;
9.andnbsp;andnbsp; Rites and Practicesandnbsp;
10.andnbsp; God of the Dance and the Theaterandnbsp;
11.andnbsp; Life and Societyandnbsp;
12.andnbsp; the Modern Ageandnbsp;
Chronological Tableandnbsp;
Bibliography
andquot;Danielou's books are remarkable for their clarity, scholarship, and uninhibited celebration of erotic and mystical ecstasy.andquot;and#160;
<>p > <>i > Interview Magazine <>/i > <>/p >
andquot;Gods of Love and Ecstasymakes compelling reading with so much information on the role played by gods and goddesses, revealing the theological complexity of this ancient cult.and#160; This book also includes many references and sources along with a fascinating chronological chart dating back to 15,000 BC. Highly recommended!andquot;and#160;
<>p > <>b > Jane Lee <>/b > , <>i > New Dawn <>/i > , May-June 2002 <>/p >