Exploring Hinduism

This book studies the diverse and often competitive strands of Hindu traditions, Hindu festivals and life-cycle rituals and examines them in the context of globalized religions.

Dive into the ancient and vibrant world of Hinduism, one of the oldest and most diverse spiritual traditions on Earth. "Exploring Hinduism: A Journey Through Faith and Philosophy" offers an insightful and comprehensive guide to understanding the rich tapestry of beliefs, practices, and philosophical schools that define this major world religion. From the mystical chants of the Vedas to the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, from the colorful celebration of Diwali to the sacred rituals of daily worship, this book unravels the complexities and beauty of Hindu thought and culture. Each chapter delves deeply into key aspects of Hinduism, including its pantheon of gods and goddesses, its sacred texts, and the significance of rituals and festivals. Whether you are a student of religion, a practitioner of Hinduism, or a curious explorer, this book provides a thorough understanding of the foundational principles and contemporary practices of Hinduism. It examines the religion's influence on art, politics, and society, and addresses the challenges and transformations it faces in the modern world. Join us on this enlightening journey through the heart of Hindu philosophy and faith, as we explore how ancient teachings continue to enrich the lives of millions around the globe today. "Exploring Hinduism" is your essential guide to grasping the enduring allure and profound depths of this fascinating religion.

Hinduism has a rich cultural heritage spanning the past four thousand years or more. In this long epoch starting from the Vedic times and its evolution through spiritual and Puranic periods in a multi-ethnic and multi -linguistic settings, the religion had absorbed many changes and modifications to blossom into modern Hinduism. In this book, an attempt is made to bring out the symbolisms apparent or hidden in the ideas of Hindu mythology, rituals and cultural practices touching some visible parallel thoughts in modern science. Explaining the concept of God in India, the book discusses at length the Hindu mythology of earthly life, cultural advance, network of Hindu godheads, Vedic symbolism, rituals, iconography, marriage customs, temple culture, and music and dance.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the ancient religion of Hinduism. It explores the history, beliefs, practices, and major texts of Hinduism, covering a wide range of topics such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and various schools of Hindu philosophy. The book examines the key concepts and teachings of Hinduism, including karma, dharma, samsara, and moksha, as well as the Hindu gods and goddesses, their significance and symbolism. It also delves into the various forms of worship, rituals, and festivals that are an integral part of Hinduism. The book provides readers with a detailed understanding of the diversity within Hinduism, including the different branches of Hindu philosophy, such as Advaita, Visishtadvaita, and Dvaita Vedanta, as well as various schools of Hinduism such as Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism. The text also includes a glossary of Hindu terms and concepts, making it an accessible and valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex and fascinating world of Hinduism. Whether you are a student of religion, a practitioner of Hinduism, or simply interested in learning more about this rich and diverse tradition, this book is an essential guide that will deepen your understanding of one of the world's oldest and most influential religions. Chapters: Introduction to Hinduism Origins of Hinduism The Vedas The Upanishads The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Cosmology The Hindu Pantheon Hindu Myths and Legends Hinduism and the Concept of God Karma and Reincarnation Dharma The Four Paths of Yoga Bhakti Yoga Jnana Yoga Karma Yoga Raja Yoga Hatha Yoga Kundalini Yoga Tantric Yoga Meditation in Hinduism Mantras and Chanting Hindu Rituals and Ceremonies Festivals in Hinduism Hindu Temples and Shrines The Caste System Hinduism and Women Hinduism and the Environment The Concept of Maya Advaita Vedanta Visishtadvaita Vedanta Dvaita Vedanta Shaivism Shaktism Vaishnavism Smartism The Mahabharata The Ramayana The Puranas The Vedanta Sutras The Bhagavata Purana The Devi Mahatmya The Shiva Purana The Vishnu Purana The Skanda Purana The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The Hatha Yoga Pradipika The Shiva Samhita The Gheranda Samhita The Tirumantiram The Tirukkural The Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai The Srimad Bhagavatam The Devi Bhagavata Purana The Linga Purana The Narada Purana The Brahma Purana The Markandeya Purana The Matsya Purana The Agni Purana The Varaha Purana Conclusion Glossary

Hinduism has a rich cultural heritage spanning the past four thousand years or more. In this long epoch starting from the Vedic times and its evolution through spiritual and Puranic periods in a multi-ethnic and multi -linguistic settings, the religion had absorbed many changes and modifications to blossom into modern Hinduism. In this book, an attempt is made to bring out the symbolisms apparent or hidden in the ideas of Hindu mythology, rituals and cultural practices touching some visible parallel thoughts in modern science. Explaining the concept of God in India, the book discusses at length the Hindu mythology of earthly life, cultural advance, network of Hindu godheads, Vedic symbolism, rituals, iconography, marriage customs, temple culture, and music and dance.

Hindus have received their religion through revelation, the Veda, which is the sourcebook of Hindu tradition. Hindus maintain that the Veda is without beginning and without end. How can a book (or books) be without beginning or end? By the Veda, Hindus do not mean books. They mean the accumulated treasure of spiritual laws discovered by numerous sages and saints at different times in the course of the long history of Hindus and Hinduism in India. The Vedas teach that creation is without beginning or end and appears in eternal cycles of creation and dissolution. Hindus believe that the soul of man (Sanskrit: atman) is eternal and immortal, perfect and infinite, and death means only a change of center from one body to another. The present is determined by our past actions; and the future by the present. The whole purpose of Hindu religion is to become perfect, to become divine, to reach God, and see God. This reaching God, seeing God, and becoming perfect

This edited volume seeks to build a scholarly discourse about how Hinduism is being defined, reformed, and rearticulated in the digital era and how these changes are impacting the way Hindus view their own religious identities. It seeks to interrogate how digital Hinduism has been shaped in response to the dominant framing of the religion, which has often relied on postcolonial narratives devoid of context and an overemphasis on the geopolitics of the Indian subcontinent post-partition. From this perspective, this volume challenges previous frameworks of how Hinduism has been studied, particularly in the West, where Marxist and Orientalist approaches are often ill-fitting paradigms to understanding Hinduism. This volume engages with and critiques some of these approaches while also enriching existing models of research within media studies, ethnography, cultural studies, and religion.