This new edition of the Rgveda, the oldest Indian text in archaic Sanskrit, is the first to present the text (in Roman characters) in its original metrical arrangement and in a form that most closely approximates the pronunciation of the time of its composition. Nevertheless, as all the restorations deviating from the received traditional Samhita text are printed in italics, the traditional text can easily be reconstituted without reference to other editions. This had been sought for over a hundred years, yet a systematic restoration of the whole text has never before been attempted. Added is a study of the meters found in the text, their patterns and anomalies, and an appendix with a detailed discussion of each metrically problematic line.

This is an authoritative, uncompromising, altogether real guide to spiritual practice. Rohini Ralby spent eight years as head of security, appointments secretary, and personal assistant to the great Swami Muktananda, and in their many hours alone together, this world-renowned guru taught her, one on one, the essence of spiritual practice. In Walking Home with Baba, an expert guide to spiritual practice, Rohini draws on that experience and her subsequent study and work as a spiritual director to convey, in clear and concise terms, what spiritual practice truly is: walking home, and retracing our way back to God -- to Absolute Truth, Absolute Consciousness, and Absolute Bliss. Walking Home with Baba combines intimate stories about Ms Ralby's own experiences with Muktananda and others with chapters explaining the actual work of spiritual practice. She provides tools that she has developed for freeing ourselves from misery. One chapter is perhaps the most masterfully clear and concise companion to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali available today. Readers will learn not only about Ms Ralby's experience of travelling the path and being the close disciple of a great Guru; they will gain practical guidance in walking that path themselves.

A fresh English translation laid out facing the original Sanskrit for easy reference and accompanied by a wealth of essential ancillary materials that make this book a complete course on the "Bhagavad-Gītā "in a single volume.
This translation stands out from the many others first of all in its careful faithfulness to the original language, but also for the extensive tools for understanding it provides. It is accompanied by detailed explanatory notes, as well as by the entire Sanskrit text on facing pages--both in the original Devanagri alphabet and in a romanized version that allows the reader to approximate the sounds of this work (a pronunciation guide is also provided). Also included is a literal, word-for-word translation for comparison; extensive material on the background, symbolism, and influence of the "Gītā"; and an exhaustive glossary of terms.

Steiner sees Krishna as a great spiritual teacher and the Bhagavad Gita as a preparation, though still abstract, for the coming of Christ and the Christ impulse as the living embodiment of the world, law, and devotion, represented by the three Hindu streams of Veda, Sankhya, and Yoga. For him, the epic poem of the Bhagavad Gita represents the fully ripened fruit of Hinduism, whereas Paul is related but represents the seed of something entirely new. In the last lecture, Steiner reveals Krishna as the sister soul of Adam, incarnated as Jesus, and claims Krishas Yoga teachings streamed from Christ into Paul.

"Don't miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher."
-"The Washington Post"
An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth, "The Hindus" offers a new way of understanding one of the world's oldest major religions. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account. Many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated within a century; its central tenets arise at particular moments in Indian history and often differ according to gender or caste; and the differences between groups of Hindus far outnumber the commonalities. Yet the greatness of Hinduism lies precisely in many of these idiosyncratic qualities that continues to inspire debate today. This groundbreaking work elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds, the inner life and the social history of Hindus.

The Bhagavad Gita which is often referred to as simply the Gita, is a 700-verse scripture that is part of a Hindu epic. It is a sacred text of the Hindus.

Why don't Hindus eat beef? Why do Hindu women wear a dot on their forehead? Who is the Monkey God? Who's that God with the elephant head? Children can ask the weirdest of questions and sometimes it's difficult to tell them the answers to these questions. The reality is that even the adults don't know the answers to many of these questions. The fact is, Hinduism is a complex religion even to those who are born Hindus. This book covers a complex religion in simple questions and answers.

'Hinduism For Kids: Beliefs And Practices' is designed mainly for children of all ages of reading abilities for all nationalities and religious beliefs. The book can be used by non-Hindu parents who want to teach their children about Hinduism, its beliefs, practices and rituals. It will also be useful to children and adults alike who are considering taking a course on Hinduism or simply those who want to learn about Hinduism. Those thinking of visiting India especially those in pursuit of spirituality will find some of the answers in this book. Finally, parents of Hindu children who want to teach their children about their ancestral religion will also find the book useful.

Here are the topics covered in 'Hinduism For Kids: Beliefs And Practices What is Hinduism?
Who are the Hindus?
Where do Hindus live?
Where do Hindus worship?
When was Hinduism discovered?
What are the Hindu holy books?
What are the Vedas?
What is a bhajan?
What is Aum?
What is the swastika?
What is Ishvara?
Who is a sadhu?
Meaning of aarti in Hinduism?
What is ahimsa?
Do Hindus eat meat?
Why don't Hindus eat beef
? Do Hindus eat pork?
Why is the River Ganges holy?
What is the importance of the lotus in Hinduism?
Why do Hindu women put a dot on their head?
Why do Hindus put a dot on their forehead?
Who is Lord Ganesha?
How did Ganesha get the elephant head?
Who is Lord Rama?
Who is Lord Shiva?
Who is Lord Krishna?
Who is Lord Vishnu?
Who is Goddess Durga?
Who is Goddess Lakshmi?
Who is the Monkey God?
What is Holi?
What is Diwali?
What is Raksha Bandhan?
What is the caste system?
What is reincarnation?
What is moksha?
What is yoga?
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
What is the Ramayana?
What is the Mahabharata?
What is aatma?
What is maya?
What is the Gayatri Mantra?
What is the Saraswati Mantra?
What are the other Hindu Festivals?
What is Namaste?
Where do Hindus go for pilgrimage?
Why are cows sacred in Hinduism?
Is Buddhism the same as Hinduism?
Who are the Jains?
Who are the Sikhs?

Since its inception over two hundred years ago, Swaminarayan Hinduism has flourished into a transnational movement described as one of the fastest growing Hindu groups in the world. Despite being one of the largest and most visible Hindu traditions both in India and the West, surprisingly little is known about what the Swaminarayan fellowship believes. An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition's belief system, drawing on its rich corpus of theological literature, including the teachings of Swaminarayan himself and classical commentaries on canonical Vedantic texts. Part I delineates the sources and tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology, while Part II systematically expounds upon its distinctive five eternal entities - Parabrahman, Aksarabrahman, maya, isvara and jiva - and mukti (spiritual liberation). In presenting these key themes theologically and lucidly, Swami Paramtattvadas makes the Swaminarayan Hindu belief system intelligible to scholars, students and serious readers.

To many outside India, Hinduism is envisioned as the foundation of an ideal, all-embracing society. Yet this is far from the truth. Though historically the practice of Hinduism does promote the idea of an inclusive and tolerant way of life, in the past decade Hindu extremists have captured the religion and perverted it to their own ideological ends. In "The Hindu Case, "Indian journalist""Salil Tripathi meticulously documents how Hindu fundamentalists have succeeded in censoring and banning many cultural works, tampered with university teaching, and prevented academics from continuing in their jobs. In addition, Tripathi shows that these extremists are in the process of rewriting the ancient Hindu scriptures. This title in the Manifestos for the 21st Century Series, published in collaboration with the "Index on Censorship," the only international magazine dedicated to promoting and protecting free expression, focuses on the rights, tolerance, censorship, and dissent within India's complex society, and it is an essential read for those interested in the struggle between religious fundamentalism and free expression.""

2013 Reprint of 1949 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Yukteshwar was an educator, astronomer, a Jyotisha (Vedic astrologer), a yogi, and a believer in the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible. He was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya of Varanasi and a member of the Giri branch of the swami order. Yogananda considered Yukteswar as Jnanavatar, or "Incarnation of Wisdom." Yukteswar wrote "The Holy Science" in 1894. In the introduction, he wrote: "The purpose of this book is to show as clearly as possible that there is an essential unity in all religions; that there is no difference in the truths inculcated by the various faiths; that there is but one method by which the world, both external and internal, has evolved; and that there is but one Goal admitted by all scriptures." The work introduced many ideas that were revolutionary for the time - for instance Yukteswar broke from Hindu tradition in stating that the earth is not in the age of Kali Yuga, but has advanced to Dwapara Yuga. His proof was based on a new perspective of the precession of the equinoxes. He also introduced the idea that the sun takes a 'star for its dual', and revolves around it in a period of 24,000 years, which accounts for the precession of the equinox.

The sixth book of the Ramayana of Valmiki, the Yuddhakanda, recounts the final dramatic war between the forces of good led by the exiled prince Rama, and the forces of evil commanded by the arch demon Ravana. The hero Rama's primary purpose in the battle is to rescue the abducted princess Sita and destroy the demon king. However, the confrontation also marks the turning point for the divine mission of the Ramavatara, the incarnation of Lord Visnu as a human prince, who will restore righteousness to a world on the brink of chaos. The book ends with the gods' revelation to Rama of his true divine nature, his emotional reunion with his beloved wife, his long-delayed consecration as king of Kosala, and his restoration of a utopian age. The Yuddhakanda contains some of the most extraordinary events and larger-than-life characters to be found anywhere in world literature. This sixth volume in the critical edition and translation of the Valmiki Ramayana includes an extensive introduction, exhaustive notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Tukoba (Tukaram) was a seventeenth-century Bhakti Sant (saint-poet) of the Varkari movement in Maharashtra. He is still considered the best Marathi poet. These new translations by Gail Omvedt and Bharat Patankar seek to capture the wonder of his writing, his lyricism and his profound meanings.

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest and greatest religious traditions. In captivating prose, Shashi Tharoor untangles its origins, its key philosophical concepts and texts. He explores everyday Hindu beliefs and practices, from worship to pilgrimage to caste, and touchingly reflects on his personal beliefs and relationship with the religion. Not one to shy from controversy, Tharoor is unsparing in his criticism of 'Hindutva', an extremist, nationalist Hinduism endorsed by India's current government. He argues urgently and persuasively that it is precisely because of Hinduism's rich diversity that India has survived and thrived as a plural, secular nation. If narrow fundamentalism wins out, Indian democracy itself is in peril.

She is benevolent and nurturing, yet fierce and terrible, a warrior and a lover. She creates and gives life, is death personified, and the one who grants eternal salvation. She is the ultimate form of reality, the cosmos. The Goddess inspires deep devotion and it is not surprising to see Her being worshipped and revered across homes in India. Shakti delves into this rich tradition of the Divine Feminine as She is represented across India and the subcontinent. In Shakti, encounter the Goddess in all Her glory and numerous forms. Dive deep into Her fascinating mythology and rituals. Unravel the philosophy behind Her worship and Her adaptation within many belief systems. From the origins of the Goddess in the ancient civilization of Harappa to Her evolution and changed character in contemporary times, Shakti tells the complete story of the Goddess in a linear fashion. During the course of its narrative, it brings together the diverse threads from different cultures, regions, and traditions to create a wonderful web within which the Goddess can be perceived and understood.

Defending Vedic Dharma: Tackling the Issues to Make a Difference The Vedic culture and its philosophy is one of the most deeply spiritual and all encompassing traditions in the world, and has been a major contributor to philosophical thought and the development of civilization. It does not take that long to understand, but it can take some serious consideration. Until then, there can be some aspects of it that are misunderstood or misinterpreted. Therefore, this book takes some of the issues of the day and describes what they are and the remedies for dealing with them in order to make a difference in how we participate in Vedic culture, how we can make it more effective in our lives, and how it can be perceived in a more positive way. All of this makes a difference in the objectives of preserving, protecting, promoting, and perpetuating the Vedic spiritual path. So this book shows some of the many uplifting and insightful qualities we can find in the Vedic tradition, of which everyone should be aware and can appreciate. Some of the stronger and important issues discussed within include: Why it is important to use the proper vocabulary to express Vedic concepts. Why all religions really are not the same, though many Hindus and gurus like to think they are. Time to wake up to reality. The power of a united Vedic community, and how it could rapidly change things if Hindus actually became more united and worked together. The importance of becoming a Dharmic leader and to do your part, and the danger of Hindu teachers who really do not lead in a way they should. The long-term but realistic cure for the corruption in India. The importance of Vedic temples as centers of sacred knowledge, and why temples should be open to everyone. How and why the Vedic texts say that the knowledge within them must be shared with everyone. The real purpose of the natural Vedic way of social arrangement, but why the present caste system in India should be changed or thrown out completely. An eight point action plan for how Hindus in America can best use the freedoms they have, which often exceed the decreasing freedoms in India, to cultivate their tradition to its fullest extent while they have the means to do so. The clarity with which these and other issues are addressed make this an important book for consideration.

A Divine Soul who came to the earth as a Human Being, lived as a Karmyogi, spoke as a Prophet, taught like Jesus, served as Buddha, and left this world as Sai Baba - The God of Millions! He had said, "When I will no more be in the body, my bones will speak to you from the Mahasamadhi, whenever you call me with love and faith". Sai Baba still keeps His promise. You will hear Him speak to you within; you will find Him always beside you, extending His hand to you for your help; and believe me, you will never find yourself alone at times of crises. Sai Baba is a God who is practically yours - always - if you have faith in Him.

This fascinating and innovative book explores the relationship between the philosophical underpinnings of Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism and the experiential journey of spiritual practitioners. Taking the perspective of the questioning student, the author highlights the experiential deconstructive processes that are ignited when students' "everyday" dualistic thought structures are challenged by the non-dual nature of these teachings and practices.
Although Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism are ontologically different, this unique study shows that in the dynamics of the practice situation they are phenomenologically similar.
Distinctive in scope and approach "Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism: Deconstructive Modes of Spiritual Inquiry" examines Advaita and Zen as living practice traditions in which foundational non-dual philosophies are shown "in action" in contemporary Western practice situations thus linking abstract philosophical tenets to concrete living experience. As such it takes an important step toward bridging the gap between scholarly analysis and the experiential reality of these spiritual practices.

The Ramayana is, quite simply, the greatest of Indian epics - and one of the world's supreme masterpieces of storytelling 'Almost every individual living in India,' writes R. K. Narayan in the Introduction to this new interpretation, 'is aware of the story of The Ramayana. Everyone of whatever age, outlook, education or station in life knows the essential part of the epic and adores the main figures in it - Rama and Sita. Every child is told the story at bedtime . . . The Ramayana pervades our cultural life.' Although the Sanskrit original was composed by Valmiki, probably around the fourth century BC, poets have produced countless variant versions in different languages. Here, drawing his inspiration from the work of an eleventh-century Tamil poet called Kamban, Narayan has used the talents of a master novelist to recreate the excitement and joy he has found in the original. It can be enjoyed and appreciated, he suggests, for its psychological insight, its spiritual depth and its practical wisdom - or just as a thrilling tale of abduction, battle and courtship played out in a universe thronged with heroes, deities and demons.