Gods Demons and Others Author:R.K. Narayan Here is R.K. Narayan's delightful selection of stories from India's vast treasure-house of myths and legends handed down through the ages. Drawing his stories for The Ramayana, The Mahabharata and other great Indian epics, Narayan tells the tales as they might be recounted by the wise village storyteller. In the legends, where all things are ... more »possible, one thousands years seem only a second, and good ultimately triumphs over evil. The Devi, who is the personification of the highest beauty and energy, vanquishes the demon Manisha who has invaded the heavens: Manmata, the god of love, is burned up physically when he engages the austere god Shiva. Yama, the god of death, is persuaded for the first the first time to relinquish a soul when the mourning but determined savitri pleads for the return of her husband.« less