Hindu Defined

Author : Swami Nikhilananda
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 138 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2021-11-29
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781000480061

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Hinduism by Swami Nikhilananda Pdf

First Published in 1959, Hinduism written specifically for the modern readers describes and interprets one of the world’s chief religions. For thousands of years Indian sages have speculated on man, creation, and the universe. One result has been an astonishing amount of myth and ritual, of art, asceticism, and philosophy. Swami Nikhilananda provides a brief account of Hinduism in both its theoretical and its practical aspects. It is written mainly from the point of view of non-dualism which the author argues is the highest achievement of India’s mystical insights and philosophical speculation, and her real contribution to world culture. The volume deals with themes like Hindu Ethics; Karma-Yoga; Bhakti-Yoga; Jnana- Yoga; Raja-Yoga; and Tantra. This complete survey of Hindu beliefs and customs is indispensable for scholars and researchers of Hinduism, religion, Indian philosophy, Indian culture, and heritage.

Author : Jai Krishna Ponnappan,Kiran Atma
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2023-04-09
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9798390706244

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Hindu Defined by Jai Krishna Ponnappan,Kiran Atma Pdf

It is widely acknowledged that Hinduism is one of the world's major religious traditions. Yet, this is only partially true. Although while it is one of the most widespread religions, Hinduism really encompasses a wide range of traditions that all have origins in the Indian sub-continent. Hinduism requires a disclaimer because, although being a single worldwide religion, it is really a conglomeration of several systems that share certain characteristics. These religions also go by the identities Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism among others. This book seeks to re-examine the evolving meanings of commonly used identifiers associated with Hindu believers, followers, and practitioners while defining exactly what a Hindu religion encompasses.

Author : Julia Leslie
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 262 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2017-11-22
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781351772990

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Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions by Julia Leslie Pdf

This title was first published in 2003. Can a text be used either to validate or to invalidate contemporary understandings? Texts may be deemed 'sacred', but sacred to whom? Do conflicting understandings matter? Is it appropriate to try to offer a resolution? For Hindus and non-Hindus, in India and beyond, Valmiki is the poet-saint who composed the epic Rà mà yaõa. Yet for a vocal community of dalits (once called 'untouchables'), within and outside India, Valmiki is God. How then does one explain the popular story that he started out as an ignorant and violent bandit, attacking and killing travellers for material gain? And what happens when these two accounts, Valmiki as God and Valmiki as villain, are held simultaneously by two different religious groups, both contemporary, and both vocal? This situation came to a head with controversial demonstrations by the Valmiki community in Britain in 2000, giving rise to some searching questions which Julia Leslie now seeks to address.

Author : J. E. Llewellyn
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 239 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2017-07-28
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781315475639

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Defining Hinduism by J. E. Llewellyn Pdf

'Defining Hinduism' focuses on what Hinduism is, what it has been, and what some have argued it should be. The oldest of the world religions, Hinduism presents a complex pantheon and system of beliefs. Far from being unchanging, Hinduism has, like any faith of duration, evolved in response to changing cultural, political and ideological demands. The book brings together some of the leading scholars working on South Asian religions today.

Author : Margaret and James Stutley
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 650 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 2019-04-09
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780429627545

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A Dictionary of Hinduism by Margaret and James Stutley Pdf

‘Hinduism’ is a term often used to summarize the aspirations of the majority of the Indian people. But any simple definition of it is difficult, if not impossible. This is partly owing to the nuances of the Sanskrit language, in which many texts are written, and partly to the too literal interpretation of Hindu imagery and mythology that often veils its real significance. This book, first published in 1977, is an essential reference source that goes some way to clarifying the difficulties of understanding Hinduism.

Author : Ramesh N Patel
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 166 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2020-09-24
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9798686352964

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Hindu Philosophy of Life by Ramesh N Patel Pdf

This work is a solid introduction to Hinduism, the oldest living major religion of the world. It is also much more. Starting with showing how Hinduism stands out rather than fits in with other religions of the world, it develops a Hindu's wish list of desirable ingredients of a model religion.It then enunciates a four-point definition of Hinduism that is clear, coherent and comprehensive. The definition provides a good firm identity to a Hindu who can flaunt it with confidence in dialog with other religions of the world. It is shown how the definition fulfills the Hindu wish list.Further, the book stands out by developing a thematic structure to encompass major aspects of Hinduism in sixteen well-ordered themes. The sixteen foundational themes of Hinduism thus brought out comprise central essence of Hinduism as well as salient contributions of the Hindu genius to the evolution of the spiritual history of the world. The book discusses shruti, smriti, itihasa and purana, the classic sources of Hinduism in relation to its emphasis on experiential spirituality rather than external religion. It illustrates how the Hindu view and way of life can be applied to real life situations, thus showing the living relevance of Hinduism's outlook on the meaning of life.The book sports universal spirituality of Hinduism in a positive and constructive way with appropriate intellectual underpinnings. The book makes manifest the healing potential of the Hindu spirituality for the polarizing conflicts of the present-day world The several outstanding features of the work, together with an accessible style, make the book a truly worthwhile reading.

Author : Ashok Mishra
Publisher : StoryMirror Infotech Pvt Ltd
Page : 540 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2019-08-03
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9789388698139

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Hinduism - Ritual, Reason and Beyond by Ashok Mishra Pdf

The book is journey through 5000 years of evolution of Hinduism, and is outcome of seven years of study to understand the roots of Hinduism. Tracing the genesis of Hinduism to pre-Indus Valley period, the book explains Hindu, Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma, before it takes one through Hinduism’s oldest scriptures - the four Vedas, the four components of each Veda, and what they contain. How all original translations of Vedic texts were done by Western Sanskrit scholars, and why their works have left scope for doubt about the fidelity of translations. The yajnas (yagya) like Ashvamedha, Rajsooya, Vajpeya, etc., about which we only hear on TV serials and talk shows, have been demystified. The reader will be taken aback reading the sheer size and scale of Soma yajna, described step by step, in great detail. Hinduism’s journey to the Age of Reason, the Upanishads, its encounter with Buddhism, and its transformation into idol worshipping society with many gods and a multitude of stories about its millions of gods is lucidly explained. Puranas, what they contain and what was the reason they were created, has been described and explained next. Hinduism's journey to its modern form - idol worship, the modern puja, detailed description of puja and Sanskaras like Vivaha, their detailed description, the meaning of each action and how they are conducted, the gift to the priest, types of idols, their consecration, all are explained to help a reader understand the why and the how of what we do as a Hindu. The book concludes with a discussion of - Do mantras have power? & Do rituals have meaning?

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 484 pages
File Size : 51,9 Mb
Release : 1898
Category : Hinduism
ISBN : NYPL:33433059580369

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The Sacred Books of the East Described and Examined by Anonim Pdf

Author : Eva Rudy Jansen
Publisher : Binkey Kok
Page : 164 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 1993
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN : 9074597076

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The Book of Hindu Imagery by Eva Rudy Jansen Pdf

Hinduism is more than a religion; it is a way of life. Its rich and multicoloured history has made the structure of its mythical and philosophical principles into a highly differentiated maze, of which total knowledge is a practical impossibility. This volume cannot offer a complete survey of the meaning of Hinduism. It is an extensive compilation of important deities and their divine manifestations, so that modern students can understand the significance of the Hindu pantheon.

Author : Peter Gottschalk
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 448 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2012-11-06
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780199908332

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Religion, Science, and Empire by Peter Gottschalk Pdf

Peter Gottschalk offers a compelling study of how, through the British implementation of scientific taxonomy in the subcontinent, Britons and Indians identified an inherent divide between mutually antagonistic religious communities. England's ascent to power coincided with the rise of empirical science as an authoritative way of knowing not only the natural world, but the human one as well. The British scientific passion for classification, combined with the Christian impulse to differentiate people according to religion, led to a designation of Indians as either Hindu or Muslim according to rigidly defined criteria that paralleled classification in botanical and zoological taxonomies. Through an historical and ethnographic study of the north Indian village of Chainpur, Gottschalk shows that the Britons' presumed categories did not necessarily reflect the Indians' concepts of their own identities, though many Indians came to embrace this scientism and gradually accepted the categories the British instituted through projects like the Census of India, the Archaeological Survey of India, and the India Museum. Today's propogators of Hindu-Muslim violence often cite scientistic formulations of difference that descend directly from the categories introduced by imperial Britain. Religion, Science, and Empire will be a valuable resource to anyone interested in the colonial and postcolonial history of religion in India.

Author : David B. Zilberman
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 386 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2012-12-06
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9789400914315

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The Birth of Meaning in Hindu Thought by David B. Zilberman Pdf

In his letter to B. K. Matilal, dated February 20, 1977, the author of this book wrote about his work on Advaita-Vedanta: " ... It was not to present Advaita in the light of current problems of the logic of scientific discovery and modern philosophy of language ... but just the contrary. I do not believe that any 'logic without metaphysics' or 'philosophy of language without thinking' is possible." This passage alone may serve as the clue to Zilberman's understanding and mode of explaining that specific and highly original approach to (not 'of'!) philosophy that he himself nicknamed modal. Four points would seem to me to be most essential here. First, a philosophy cannot have 'anything un-thinking' as its object of investigation. Language, to Zilberman, is not a phenomenon of con sciousness but a spontaneously working natural mechanism (like, for instance, 'mind' to some Buddhist philosophers). It may, of course, be come used for and by consciousness; consciousness may see itself, so to speak, in language, but only secondarily, only as in one of its modifica tions, derivations or modalities. That is why to Zilberman linguistic- as to Kant psychology - cannot and must not figure as the primary ground for any philosophical investigation.

Author : Keshav Prasad Varma
Publisher : Notion Press
Page : 247 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2015-10-28
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9789352061921

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The Children of the Immortal by Keshav Prasad Varma Pdf

“Who is a Hindu?” This question mystifies both Hindus and non-Hindus around the world. Many Hindus, having lived in cosmopolitan cities across the globe, have not been brought up in a traditional Hindu society and are often at a loss to comprehend and describe their own identity. Their claim to being Hindu rests solely on their birth in a Hindu household. Western society also finds that Hinduism, with its countless gods, rituals and beliefs, does not fit its concept of an organised religion. In popular view, Hinduism may just be ‘a way of life’ and consequently the Hindu identity is perceived to be vague and non-uniform. Which of their many ancient books do the Hindus follow? How do they choose which gods to worship? What does karma actually mean? These questions are natural. The Hindu identity is complex, and bears the social, philosophical and religious influences of a long past. However, it continues to be well-defined. This book explains how it is so, and shows how the Hindu identity remains relevant in contemporary times and the global context. The varied elements that have shaped the Hindu identity are explored in the book. It demystifies ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas and the Manusmriti, and provides engaging summaries of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It tracks the influence of philosophies such as Vedanta, Tantra and Yoga, as well as the effect of exposure to Western thought. It also discusses contemporary issues such as the status of women, religious pluralism and the caste system today. The anecdotal style of narration makes subtle and complex topics easily comprehensible to all ages. Anyone who seeks an explanation of the Hindu identity, regardless of belief or age, will enjoy reading this book and will benefit from its contents.

Author : Steven Vertovec
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2013-10-11
Category : History
ISBN : 9781136367052

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The Hindu Diaspora by Steven Vertovec Pdf

Hinduism outside the Indian subcontinent represents a contrasting and scattered community. From Britain to the Caribbean, diasporic Hindus have substantially reformed their beliefs and practices in accordance with their historical and social circumstances. In this theoretically innovative analysis Steven Vertovec examines: * the historical construction of the category 'Hinduism in India' * the formation of a distinctive Caribbean Hindu culture during the nineteenth century * the role of youth groups in forging new identities during Trinidad's Hindu Renaissance * the reproduction of regionally based identities and frictions in Britain's Hindu communities * the differences in temple use across the diaspora. This book provides a rich and fascinating view of the Hindu diaspora in the past, present and its possible futures.

Author : Dr. Vinod K. Mishra
Publisher : Motilal Banarsidass
Page : 122 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2021-01-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9788120842892

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Hindu Dharma by Dr. Vinod K. Mishra Pdf

Among the living religions of the world, Hinduism (also known as Hindu Dharma) is one of the oldest continuous spiritual traditions. It has shaped the cultures and civilizations of India and Southeast Asia from the prehistoric era to the present times in the most profound manner. This book presents its core essentials and their implications for the current times and differentiates it from other religious traditions. It focuses more on its timeless aspects independent of the ebb and flow of history. In addition, it emphasizes Dharma's implications for a life centred on a deep and universal spiritual quest.

Author : Kim Knott
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 168 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Religion
ISBN : UOM:39015047126308

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Hinduism by Kim Knott Pdf

Hinduism is practised by about 80% of India's population, and by about 30,000,000 people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? This work gives concise insights into the central preoccupations of Hinduism.