Essential Hinduism

As a world religion, Hinduism remains one of the most elusive for many. Its teachings, beliefs, practices, and history are reviewed here by an expert hoping to introduce readers to the world of Hinduism. While there are many forms of Hinduism, and offshoots as well, the complex nature of this faith makes it elusive to many. This straightforward overview, focusing on Vaishnavism-the most common form of Hinduism—is ideal for those who wish to learn more about this ancient tradition.. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, Rosen clearly lays out what is otherwise a complicated history. Providing Hindu terms alongside English translations, he is able to bring the faith alive for readers unacquainted with its varieties and its tenets. Moving on to chapters about practices, including festivals, teachings, chanting, eating habits and more, Rosen brings Hinduism to life in vivid detail.

Hinduism is not just a religious belief, it is also a philosophy based upon certain key concepts. Modern Hindu Thought: An Introduction is devoted to the analysis of the concepts of modern Hindu thought, where modern is understood to begin by c. 1800 by when major changes in the political, social, and religious life of India had begun to occur as a result of the European presence in India. This volume offers readers an excellent grounding in the rich and diverse traditions of Hindu thought and is an essential reading for anyone interested in Hinduism, Indian philosophy, and religion

Introduces the texts and ideas of Hinduism, crystallized during the 4th to the 10th century BCE. This book explains their contemporary relevance and deals with the key concepts, the main gods and goddesses, and texts such as the Purusarthas. It also examines the different systems of yoga.

This book gives clearly written explanations of the basic ideas and practices of Hinduism and its culture. It answers so many questionsDo the Hindus worship many gods? Are the Hindus idol worshippers? What is the purpose of life? What are Hinduism's spiritual practices?and so on, covering the most mundane to the most profound ideas and questions of Hinduism. A comprehensive, clearly written book on Hinduism that removes most of the misconceptions about Hinduism. It explains Hinduism starting with its history, then covers the following topics: God-RealizationGoal of HinduismHoly Books, Indo-Aryans, HinduismA Way of Life, Hindu Society Today, Role of FoodGodDoctrine of Karma, Doctrine of Predestination, Doctrine of Reincarnation, Hindu Ethics, Guru and Disciple Relationship, Different Spiritual Paths, Four Yogas, Worship of God, Mantras and Sacred Symbols, Temples, Three Gunas, Creation, Moksha or Liberation

This book has been chosen by a great number of Hindus and Western students of Hinduism themselves, as the book that best explains the profound ideas of Hinduism in a clear, precise and easily understandable way, with many excellent analogies. The book covers the basis and goal of Hinduism, concepts of God; worship of God; guru and disciple relationship; mantras; the four yogas; creation and the three Gunas; different spiritual paths; moksha (liberation), the holy books, the doctrines of karma, predestination, and reincarnation; Hindu ethics; Indo-Aryans and their society; Hinduism as a way of life; role of food; and more. There are many illustrations.

A free open access ebook is available upon publication. Learn more at www.luminosoa.org. The Emergence of Modern Hinduism argues for the importance of regional, vernacular innovation in processes of Hindu modernization. Scholars usually trace the emergence of modern Hinduism to cosmopolitan reform movements, producing accounts that overemphasize the centrality of elite religion and the influence of Western ideas and models. In this study, the author considers religious change on the margins of colonialism by looking at an important local figure, the Tamil Shaiva poet and mystic Ramalinga Swami (1823–1874). Weiss narrates a history of Hindu modernization that demonstrates the transformative role of Hindu ideas, models, and institutions, making this text essential for scholarly audiences of South Asian history, religious studies, Hindu studies, and South Asian studies.

Hinduism is an ancient religion, philosophy and way of life. Unlike other great religions that are based on a small set of books, there are hundreds of texts in Hinduism, most of which are very voluminous. They span not merely centuries, but millennia. And most importantly, these ancient scriptures are all in Sanskrit which many do not know. Therefore for a beginner with an interest in Hinduism it is a daunting task as you don't know where to start such a study. In The Essentials of Hinduism, Trilochan Sastry unpacks all the ancient texts from the Vedas to the epics covering the entire range of scriptures and everything you need to know about them in an easy-to-read and accessible way making it of special interest to Hindus and those from other religions and nations, and even those who are agnostic or atheistic.