Hinduism

This book gives clearly written explanations of the basic ideas and practices of Hinduism and its culture. It answers so many questions—Do 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.

Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of India's population, and by about 30 million people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of Hindus and Hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been affected by colonialism and modernity.

Knott offers succinct explanations of Hinduism's central preoccupations, including the role of contemporary gurus and teachers in the quest for spiritual fulfillment; and the function of regular performances of the Mahabharata and Ramayana--scriptures which present the divine in personal form (avatara) and provide models of behavior for everyone, from kings and warriors to servants and children, and which focus on the dharma, the appropriate duties and moral responsibilities of the different varna or classes. The author also considers the challenges posed to Hinduism at the end of the twentieth century as it spreads far beyond India, and as concerns are raised about issues such as dowry, death, caste prejudice, and the place of women in Hindu society.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

The third edition of this well-regarded introduction to Hinduism adds new material on the religion’s origins, on its relations with rival traditions, and on Hindu science.

Imagining Hinduism examines how Hinduism has been defined, interpreted and manufactured through Western categorizations, from the foreign interventions of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Orientalists and missionaries, to the present day. Sugirtharajah argues that ever since early Orientalists 'discovered' the ancient Sanskrit texts and the Hindu 'golden age', the West has nurtured a complex and ambivalent fascination with Hinduism, ranging from romantic admiration to ridicule. At the same time, Hindu discourse has drawn upon Orientalist representations in order to redefine Hindu identity.
As the first comprehensive work to bring postcolonial critique to the study of Hinduism, this is essential reading for those seeking a full understanding of Hinduism.

This now-classic book provides a description and interpretation of Hinduism, focusing particularly on the religious psychology and behavior of Hindus. Rejecting familiar assumptions about early Hinduism, Chaudhuri provides illuminating insights into its formative influences and examines temple and image worship as well as the three major cults of Siva, Krishna, and the Mother Goddess.

One of the incidental consequences of the success of British arms in eighteenth-century India was the appearance of a number of publications which reflect the intense curiosity of contemporary Europeans about strange peoples, their manners and religions. Of the three principal religions of India, Hinduism attracted the most attention. European contact with Islam was several centuries old, while few travellers could identify Buddhism with any certainty. This book reprints some of the most significant English contributions to the early European understanding of Hinduism.

About 80% of the population in India belongs to Hindu religion. Our religion and caste are the same as those of our father, unless we have got converted into another religion. A Hindu might or might not believe in God (an atheist), or he might or might not go to temples, perform Hindu rituals at home or attend Hindu functions, yet he will be included in the Hindu religion unless he specifically wants to be excluded. Although many Hindus know that they belong to Hindu religion, their knowledge about Hindu religion is limited.The purpose of this book is to explore, by giving a brief account of the Hindu religion, the options available and minimum requirements to call oneself a Hindu. The fact that one or both parents of the person belong to Hinduism is sufficient to be called Hindu. For a person to continue to claim to be a Hindu, the person has to observe the laws of the countries he or she lives in. There is nothing that a Hindu is forced to perform as a Hindu except that he should be a law-abiding citizen of the country he is living in. Every Hindu however, will benefit by knowing the minimum beliefs and traditions of Hinduism and then decide for himself or herself, how he or she should behave or act to practice Hinduism.Those who are born to parents belonging to Hindu, Lingaayats, Veerashaiva, Brahmo, Prarthana, Arya Samaj, etc. are all Hindus. Those belonging to Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew religion are not Hindus. The name Hindu is the most commonly used name for this religion although there are other names like Vaidik, and Sanathana. The word Hinduism represents Hindu Dharma. The word 'Dharma' is equal to the word 'religion' for all practical purposes. In fact the names 'Vaidik Dharma' and 'Sanathana Dharma' are the names, which are really more suitable for Hindu Dharma or Hinduism.The names Hindu Dharma and Hinduism are therefore used here to indicate the religion practiced by the majority of the Indians.Hindu Dharma is practiced in India from time immemorial. Those who practice Hindu Dharma are called Hindus (plural for Hindu). The name Hindu is a modern name given to this ancient religion, by travelers and invaders from outside India. Many historians believe that the word Hindu is a derivative of the word Sindhu. Sindhu is a river that flows from the Himalayan Mountains to the Arabian Sea. This River Sindhu is so wide and long that it was initially thought to be the continuation of the Arabian Sea.

This booklet gives step-by-step instruction to prepare a sacred space and perform a worship ceremony for SARASWATI in the privacy of your home with family and friends.
Foreword by Swami Satchidananda. Mantras in Sanskrit are followed by English transliteration and translation.

The present volume, although It professes to be only a new edition of a book which has already met with considerable acceptance ,contains so many improvements and additions that it may be regarded as almost a new work, and as needing a new Preface. I ts aim has been stated in the first page of the introductory observations, but there is one expression in the second line which requires explanation. The word Englishmen must be understood to include allE nglish-speakers everywhere. It has been my earnest endeavour in the following pages to give such a clear account of a very obscure and intricate subject as shall not violate scholarly accuracy, and yet be sufficiently readable to attract The first edition was called Religious Thought and Life in India (denoted by the initials RTL. in the new edition of myS anskritE nglish Dictionary published by the University ofO xford), that title being given to it because it was intended to be the first volume of a series treating of the religions of I ndia. When, however, my volume on Buddhism appeared a volume printed in larger type it was thought better to distinguish the third edition of the present work by the title Brahmanism and Hinduism, and this title has also been adopted for this new edition.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.

Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org