Darsan – Seeing The Divine Image in India 3e (Translations from the Asian Classics (Paperback)) Paperback – Illustrated, 12 Jan. 1999

A very accessible introduction to the practice of image worship in Hinduism. Eck's account is sensitive, well-informed and deeply insightful. She focuses usefully on the myriad aspects involved in the practice of image worship and in so doing offers an important 'visual hermeneutic' with which students can learn to see 'the divine image in India'.

Classic text, central for cultural studies of South Asia. Prof. Eck’s writing is clear and very accessible to the general reader, as well.

An interesting introduction to hindu worship... if you read it twice. A lot of foreign terms here. Not long though. A book you can cover in 1-3 hours.

good

Diana Eck is a wonderful scholar who has written several great books on Hinduism. Darsan (or "darshan," if you're transliterating it simply for an English-speaking audience) is a wonderfully simple introduction to Hindu iconography and the related ritual experience, a subject that is overwhelmingly broad and often unwieldy.If you are an undergraduate studying Eastern religions, a graduate student new to Hinduism, a Western devotee wanting better cross-cultural knowledge of how to respectfully relate to your chosen god or goddess as Hindus do, or a curious layperson wanting to know more about the Hindu religious experience and what all the images and rituals are about, this is a great book for you to begin with. This slim volume doesn't go into elaborate depth, but covers a lot of ground and introduces many key terms in a very readable way, and is a useful introductory work.

Excellent explanations but pictures were poor quality.