All About Hinduism
by Swami Sivananda
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Book Code: ES5
Paperback: 288 + xvi pages
ISBN: 8170520479
Book Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 320 grams
Table of Contents
| Publishers’ Note | vii |
| Universal Prayers | ix |
|
1. HINDU RELIGION |
|
| Purpose of Religion | 3 |
| Distinguishing Features of Hinduism | 3 |
| The Glory of Vedanta and Yoga | 5 |
| Emphasis on Practice | 6 |
| Who Is a Hindu? | 7 |
| Origin and Significance of the Term | 8 |
| The Spiritual Soil of India | 9 |
| The Facts of History | 11 |
| Reasons For Survival of the Hindu Religion | 11 |
| Its Future | 12 |
|
2. HINDU SCRIPTURES |
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| Sanskrit Literature | 13 |
| The Scriptures | 13 |
| The Secular Writings | 36 |
| Conclusion | 37 |
|
3. HINDU DHARMA |
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| Definition of Dharma | 38 |
| The Sole Authority of the Vedas | 40 |
| The Changing Dharma | 40 |
| Dharma in Other Religions | 41 |
| Benefits of the Practice of Dharma | 41 |
| Kinds of Dharma | 42 |
| Sanatana Dharma | 43 |
| Samanya Dharma | 44 |
| Varnasrama Dharma | 50 |
| Yuga Dharma | 61 |
| Conclusion | 62 |
|
4. HINDU ETHICS |
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| Conduct and Character | 63 |
| Ethics or the Science of Conduct | 63 |
| Ethics, Spirituality and Religion | 64 |
| Benefits of the Practice of Ethics | 64 |
| Ethical Codes in Hinduism | 65 |
| The Foundational Principles of Hindu Ethics | 66 |
| Service As Worship | 67 |
| Ethical Culture or the Process of Purification | 68 |
| Philosophy of Right and Wrong | 69 |
| Yogic Gardening | 73 |
| Conclusion | 74 |
|
5. HINDU TENETS |
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| The Law of Karma | 75 |
| The Doctrine of Reincarnation | 81 |
| The Concept of Avatara | 85 |
|
6. HINDU RITUALS |
|
| Sandhyopasana | 87 |
| The Ten Scriptural Samskaras | 92 |
| The Pancha Mahayajnas | 96 |
| Sraaddha and Tarpana | 99 |
| Pitripaksha and Mahalaya Amavasya | 101 |
| Navaratri or the Nine-Day Worship of Devi | 103 |
|
7. HINDU WORSHIP |
|
| Worship or Upasana | 108 |
| Benefits of Worship | 108 |
| Saguna-Upasana and Nirguna-Upasana | 110 |
| The Bhavas in Bhakti Yoga | 111 |
| Puja and Ishta-Devata | 112 |
| The Philosophy and Significance of Idol-Worship | 115 |
| From Ritualistic Bhakti to Para-Bhakti | 124 |
| The Glory of Hindu Philosophy and Hindu Mode of Worship | 125 |
| Conclusion | 126 |
|
8. HINDU YOGA |
|
| The Four Paths | 129 |
| Karma Yoga | 129 |
| Bhakti Yoga | 131 |
| Raja Yoga | 132 |
| Jnana Yoga | 135 |
| The Yoga of Synthesis | 137 |
|
9. HINDU THEOLOGY |
|
| Theological Classifications | 140 |
| The Vaishnavas | 141 |
| The Saivas | 146 |
| The Saktas | 147 |
| Miscellaneous | 147 |
| The Arya Samajists and the Brahma Samajists | 147 |
| Sadhus and Sannyasins | 148 |
|
10. HINDU MYTHOLOGY |
|
| Hindu Mythology | 153 |
| Hindu Symbols | 155 |
| Conclusion | 165 |
|
11. HINDU PHILOSOPHY–I |
|
| Philosophy–Its Origin and Its Limitations | 166 |
| The Orthodox and the Heterodox Systems of Indian Philosophy | 168 |
| The Shad-Darsanas or the Six Orthodox Schools | 168 |
| The Nyaya | 172 |
| The Vaiseshika | 178 |
| The Sankhya | 184 |
| The Yoga | 198 |
| The Purva Mimamsa | 206 |
| The Vedanta Philosophy | 211 |
|
12. HINDU PHILOSOPHY–II |
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| Introduction | 216 |
| The Advaita Philosophy of Sri Sankara | 219 |
| The Visishtadvaita Philosophy of Sri Ramanuja | 223 |
| The Dvaita Philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya | 229 |
| The Dvaitadvaita Philosophy of Sri Nimbarka | 234 |
| The Suddhadvaita Philosophy of Sri Vallabha | 241 |
| The Achintya Bhedabheda Philosophy of Sri Chaitanya | 247 |
|
13. HINDU PHILOSOPHY–III |
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| The Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy | 254 |
| The Sakti Yoga Philosophy | 258 |
|
14. EPILOGUE |
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| Unity–The Need of the Hour | 268 |
| Who Is Qualified To Serve Religion Efficiently | 269 |
| Education and Nation-Building | 270 |
| Call For Consolidation of the Nation | 273 |
|
APPENDICES |
|
| I. The Siva-Linga | 277 |
| II. Indian Culture Based On the Bhagavad-Gita | 280 |
Publishers’ Note
Hinduism is veritably the fountain-head of all religions. It contains within itself the seeds of all religions. It includes all religions and excludes none.
It is but natural that people all over the world should show increasing interest in a religion with so universal an appeal.
“ALL ABOUT HINDUISM” is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is Hinduism. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and there, and is now released in its fifth edition.
We do hope that all serious students of Hindu Religion and Philosophy will find the book useful and interesting.
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY