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

Sanskrit Literature 13
The Scriptures 13
The Secular Writings 36
Conclusion 37

3. HINDU DHARMA

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

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

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
AND SYMBOLS

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

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

The Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy 254
The Sakti Yoga Philosophy 258

14. EPILOGUE

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

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