Lord of Light Resources

Despite their namesake, Fantasy Book Review spins no fantasy when it comes to the life of Zelazny.

NNDB wants to keep tabs on the entire world and its history. Since Zelazny's a part of that entirety, they've granted him a page of his very own.

Fantastic Fiction chronicles a complete list of Zelazny's novels, series, and short story collections. Wow, that's a lot to read.

For a quick, but informative, rundown of Hindu mythology, click on over to Encyclopedia Mythica.

Curious about Hinduism? This website will scratch that curiosity itch until it's raw. (Sorry—that's just a gross way of saying there's tons to read and learn here.)

Kind of a lot. But to get more specific, check out this link, which has the meanings of many Hindu names.

Got five minutes to burn? While you wait for that video game to update, why not learn the basics of Buddhism?

Buddhanet is the go-to website for all things Buddhism on the net. So, you know, feel free to go.

Religion Facts provides you with the facts, and just the facts, on religion. Buddhism is a religion, so, ah, click on through for some facts.

George RR Martin writes Zelazny a fantastic send off to that undiscovered country. Well said, sir, well said.

Although Zelazny has passed on, his words remain. Case in point: this interview from a 1994 issue of Absolute Magazine.

Ohioana is a site promoting the great artists from Ohio. Wouldn't you know it? Zelazny hails from Ohio. Mary A. Turzillo provides an essay on their home-state hero.

SF Site is stoked to see Lord of Light re-released for a new generation of readers. Guess their positive review was kind of a given, huh?

Guardian blogger Sam Jordison writes on one of his science fiction favs from the past, Lord of Light. Or is that the future?

Io9 dissects Lord of Light and considers the meaninglessness of words, the futility of action, and other issues from Zelazny's great work.

Stephen Prothero, author of Religious Literacy, discusses Hinduism in this interview. He does a good job considering he's discussing thousands of years of religious history in, oh, thirteen minutes.

A BBC documentary on the life of the Buddha, complete with decent production values and those lovely BBC accents.

The distinction between the Hinduism's Supreme Being and the pantheon of gods can be a bit fuzzy if you're not familiar with the traditions. This video will help.

Roger Zelazny reads at the 4th Street Fantasy Convention in 1986. Sorry for the video quality, but we still used these things called VHSs back then.

Antonio Mendez explains why he choose Lord of Light to smuggle hostages out of Iran.

Some traditional Sanskrit chants from one of Hinduism's holy texts, the Rig Veda. Sadly for those unfamiliar with Sanskrit—one of the world's oldest languages—there are no subtitles.

Of course, we have to provide a traditional Buddhist chant as well. This one's the Heart Sutra, one of the best known Sutras, and is performed in Mandarin.

Iron Maiden's song "Lord of Light" shares a name with Zelazny's novel. Is the band giving a shout out? We can't find a definitive answer. What do you think?

The cover for the re-release of Lord of Light. Good to see you again, old friend.

The 1st edition cover for Lord of Light. It is, in a word, blue.

A Lord of Light cover prominently featuring its Hindu mythology roots.

This picture of Zelazny offers up-and-coming writers some wordy wisdom.

Buddha sits beneath the Bodhi tree and reaches a state of enlightenment. Fun Fact: Bodhi trees are named after the fact that Buddha reached enlightenment beneath them and not the other way around.

Shiva the Destroy is a favorite in the Hindu pantheon for many reasons—the fact that he wears a cobra like a necklace the least amongst them.

An ancient stone bust of Brahma and his three heads. We shall make no "three heads are better than one" jokes, so better just move on.

A picture of the multi-armed god for your consideration.

The Trimurti consists of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. The closest equivalent in Western tradition would be the Christian Trinity (close here being used very loosely).

Check it out: a highly stylized take on the night goddess Ratri.

Yama in all his death-dealing glory. Grim Reaper, you have some serious competition in the scary department.

Why have one death god when you can have two? Here's Kali, goddess of time and change (both aspects of life that ultimately end in, yep, death).