He is the Blue God, infinite as space, deep as the oceans. Scriptures call him the Poorna Avatara, the complete manifestation of Godhead. But he is also the adorable imp of Vrindavan, the playmate of the gopas (cowherds), Radha's beloved, Draupadi's sakha (friend), the saviour of the Pandavas, the protector of righteousness. He is God. He is man. He is Krishna. The book weaves and melds stories and myths, legends and folklore, with devotion and passion, from sources like the Bhagavata Purana, the Harivamsa and the Mahabharata to piece together, in one whole, the awe-inspiring picture of Vishnu’s avatara (manifestation) as the alluring One, Krishna.

One of the oldest living religions in the world, with approximately a billion adherents, Hinduism is both a school of thought and a way of life. Drawing from a colossal pool of texts written across the ages - from the Upanishads and the Vedas to the Gita and the Puranas - the religion melds together a range of voices. Yet, given the complexity of its philosophical thrust, the contradictions in its discourse, and the sheer immensity of its bank of wisdom, Hinduism remains a mystery, even to its followers. Hinduism - An Introduction then attempts to simplify an undeniably complex belief-system, and shed light on its eternal laws.

Balaji-Venkateshwara: An Introduction attempts to unravel the life of one God and study one temple, nestled in the hills of South India. It is said that Lord Vishnu, to rescue a world in distress, took the form of Balaji-Venkateshwara, the Destroyer of all Sins. Yet, who really was Balaji? What is the legend behind His incarnation? What are the stories behind His temple's origin? What are the meanings behind the rituals He demands? The books attempts to answer these questions, and more, for the pilgrim-soul.