Wisdom Stories of India: Tales of Gods, Sages, and Sorcerers - Hardcover

by Laura Burges (Author), Vinita Prachi Murarka (Author), Wen Hsu (Illustrator)

Explore the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of India with this inspiring picture book of 14 classic stories of timeless life lessons found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, and more.

The stories in this gorgeous collection will encourage younger readers (ages 6+) and adults together to explore the essential skills needed for growing into conscientious individuals.

Wise kings and queens, kind merchants, mystical monks, sorcerers, incarnate gods, and more--this book takes readers on a journey through beloved stories that have been told throughout India for thousands of years. Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, the tales here are set in sunlit halls, crystal castles, humble villages, and vast forests, representing the many wonders of India. Each story explores different aspects of ethics, such as treating strangers with kindness, respecting nature, choosing words thoughtfully, and making informed decisions when faced with difficult choices. They include both historical and spiritual figures, such as Indra (king of the devas), Siddhartha (the historical Buddha), Akbar the Great (beloved sixteenth-century ruler of India), Kabir (acclaimed mystic poet), and more.

All fourteen tales are accompanied by a summary, offering both historical context and intuitive life lessons that can be applied today. The book also includes a glossary to describe unfamiliar terms for greater understanding of the stories and their meanings.

Author Biography

LAURA BURGES (Ryuko Eitai) is a lay-entrusted Buddhist teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and lectures, teaches classes, and leads retreats at San Francisco Zen Center and other practice centers in Northern California. Her book, Buddhist Stories for Kids won Gold in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards in 2023. VINITA PRACHI MURARKA is an Ayurvedic doctor, Waldorf educator, transformational guide, and speaker. Born in India and raised in the United States, she returned to India in her twenties, where she lived as a nun and served as a Loka Mitra Fellow for five years. She is the founder of Matre Sofia, an organization dedicated to birth and holistic family well-being. A storyteller, writer, and curriculum developer, she shares the timeless wisdom of spiritual mythology and folklore, weaving ancient traditions with modern insight. She currently resides in Hawaii and Colorado.

​​WEN HSU is a Taiwanese-Costa Rican illustrator. She has a wide range of styles working with papercuts, ink, watercolor, textiles, and digital art. She has illustrated stories for children in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Korea, and China. Kuan Yin is her most recent book for Bala Kids.​