Seduction of Shiva by A. N. D. Haskar

"Seduction of Shiva" by A. N. D. Haskar. This book is published by Penguin India in 2014 and has 256 pages.

This book is translation of Sanskrit stories written by various writers between BCE 12th century and CE 4th century that is over a period of 1500 years. These stories are from Purana, Jaiminiya, Mahabharata, Kathasaritsagara, Brihatathaslokasamgraha, Ramayana, Divyavandana, Dasa Kumara Charitram, Shuka saptati, Harivamsa etc. 

'The seduction of Shiva' is the tale of Samudramanthan and how Shiva gets smitten by Mohini. 

'Life and love: An allegory' is just that. Allegorical tale of Prince Puranjan. 

'Mukti and Viveka: The dialectic of intercourse' is also an allegorical tale of Prince Sudhanva, who decides to challenge Ashwamedh horse of Pandav, and his wife Prabhavati. 

'The sons of Vichitravirya' is story of birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur. 

'An appointment with Upakosha' is story of a beautiful married woman, Upakosha, who's husband has gone for penance and who is hounded by four men. What will she do?

'The barber's tale' is the story of a barber who's wife has become object of carnal pleasure of the King? What will barber do?

'A stupid demon' is story of a Brahman who propitiates a pishacha to heal his wound and how his daughter helps him get rid of it. 

In 'Man or woman' Bhishma answers the question of who gets greater pleasure in intercourse, man or woman, through the story of King Bhangasvana. 

'History of a marriage' is the story of Kundamalika who marries a handsome young imposter standing in for a hideous one eyed ugly. Can she save herself?

'Agastya and Lopamudra' is a bit strange tale of their marriage and birth of their son. 

In 'Vriddha kanya', a virgin ascetic can attain salvation only if she marries. Who will marry her. 

'The rape of Rambha' answers why Ravan did not force himself on Sita. 

'The life and love of a Bodhisattva' is the love story if Prince Sudhana of Hastinapur and Nymph Manohara. 

'Of husbands and wives' is a tale of importance of wife in a man's life. 

'Arjuna and Urvashi' is the story where Arjuna rejects amorous advances if Nymph Urvashi and she curses him. What was the curse?

'The wedding of Radha and Krishna' is an unheard story of Radha Krishna wedding performed by Brahma. 

In 'The sage and the siren' a courtesan Kama Manjari approaches Sage Marichi for help. He allows her to stay in the ashram. What happens next? What is her problem?

'The story of Devayani' starts from Kacha, moves to Sanjeevani, goes on to Sharmishtha and ends at marriage with Yayati. 

'Shriya devi's ordeal' is the tale of how an adulteress passes a chastity test. 

'In quest of a consort' tells us how Usha, grand daughter of Demon King Bali, found her divine husband, Aniruddha, grandson of Krishna. 

All the stories are very brief, as was the norm in those days when written literature was sparse and oral traditions were strong.  

The storIes talk about relations and relationships. It includes love, desire, duty, need, responsibility, seduction, restraint, sex, marriage etc. However a large number of stories are about love, lust, sex, seduction and adultry. 

It's a mix of story types. Some are racy, some finely cultivated, some romantic, some erotic, some cynical, some satirical and some edifying. The geographical area covered by the stories ranges from present day Kashmir to Tamilnadu. 

Many of the stories are known stories and hence nostalgic. Some were unknown and hence interesting. Since they are from various authors and from different time periods, narration style differs from story to story.

Penguin should be applauded for bringing the translation of Sanskrit literature to modern readers through Penguin Classics. Cover, though not eye catching, portrays the theme of the book depicted by outline of a lady, a blooming bud and a wing. 

Recommend reading.