Dr Lavanya Vemsani

Balarama in Hindu and Jain Mythology Dr Lavanya Vemsani

Balarama in Hindu and Jain Mythology is the most comprehensive study of the God Balarama to date. The book analyzes historical understanding of Balarama through comparative analysis of mythology of Balarama from Hindu and Jain texts. Examination of Balarama in Hindu and Jain mythology demonstrates that cultural and religious symbolism is deeply rooted in the myths of Balarama. A comparison of Hindu and Jain myths indicates that although there are similarities between the two traditions, Jain traditions demonstrate sufficient differences to postulate that they may have been derived from an independent historical tradition separate from Hindu tradition.