Lord of light

From the back cover:

Picture a planet where gods walk as men, but wield vast and hidden powers. Here they have made the stage on which to build a subtle pattern of alliance, love, and deadly eternity. For the rivalry between Light and Dark will last as long as the immortal contestants themselves. Or are they immortal? Who are these gods who rule the destiny of a teeming world?

Their names include Brahma, Kali, Krishna, Ratri, and also he who was called Buddha, Lord of Light, Siddharta. But how did he also acquire the name of Sam? Here too is his antithesis, the deathgod Yama. Yet it is Yama who calls the spirit of Sam back into bodily form at the start of this epic narrative.

Here is fantasy writing of the highest calibre - Zelazny at his unsurpassable best.