The groundbreaking Buddhist art, architecture, and literature parallel to the Hellenistic culture of the Roman world introduced a new evolution in South Asia. Emblematic symbols intersect mythologies and ancient Mysteries; divine humans transfigure through Inventive iconography and secret rituals. The author reveals the protective goddesses, astral motifs, and magic sigils through morphology, etymology, and Comparative religion. Throughout, enigmatic Jataka rebirth stories provoke new transformative learning.

Magical Maha Maya: Epic Dimensions in Buddhist Art, Arputharani Sengupta, Agam Kala Prakashan, Hardcover, 272 Pages, $100.00

Arputharani Sengupta was Professor of Art History (1996-2010) and Department Director at the National Museum Institute (Deemed University), New Delhi. She specialized in the History of Fine Arts at Stella Maris College, University of Madras, and has thirty-five years of experience teaching Ancient World Art. The author of best-selling books on early Buddhist Art and Indo-Greek transcultural exchanges uncovers the secrets of symbols intersecting art and religions through interdisciplinary investigative research.