This introductory chapter begins with a description of the oral narrative of Devnārāyan. The objectives of the study are then discussed. The study is divided into two parts: the first deals with questions relating to the verbal and the visual narrative, the second focuses on a series of questions related to the content of the narrative, in particular, it attempts to establish an “intertextual” framework in which to understand important features of the narrative such as the notion of Devnārāyan's status as an avatāra, or the occurrence of epic and puranic motifs and patterns in the narrative.

This introductory chapter begins with a description of the oral narrative of Devnārāyan. The objectives of the study are then discussed. The study is divided into two parts: the first deals with questions relating to the verbal and the visual narrative, the second focuses on a series of questions related to the content of the narrative, in particular, it attempts to establish an “intertextual” framework in which to understand important features of the narrative such as the notion of Devnārāyan's status as an avatāra, or the occurrence of epic and puranic motifs and patterns in the narrative.