
Author: Nirad C Chaudhuri
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 340
ISBN/UPC (if available): 019 564013 6
Description
A wholly original exposition of Hinduism, it focuses on Hindu religious psychology and behavior rather than the mythology, dogmas, and rituals as found in the religious texts. General readers who want to understand Hinduism will appreciate Chaudhuri's book for the liveliness and clarity of its picture of Hindu life. Scholars will welcome it for the author's widely admired authority. The author is a born writer. He makes delightful reading, always thought-provoking; imperative to anyone who wants to understand India.
Contents
Explanations
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
What is Hinduism ?
PART ONE
HISTORICAL
CHAPTER ONE
History of Hinduism : Its Methodology
CHAPTER TWO
Historical Data about Hinduism
CHAPTER THREE
Indo-European Core of Hinduism
CHAPTER FOUR
What happened in India
PART TWO
DESCRIPTIVE
CHAPTER ONE
Sources for Description
CHAPTER TWO
Regional and Social Diversity
CHAPTER THREE
Intrinsic Diversity
CHAPTER FOUR
Priesthood and Sects
CHAPTER FIVE
Religious Control of Hindu Life
PART THREE
ANALYTICAL
CHAPTER ONE
Some Special Features of Hinduism
CHAPTER TWO
The Cults of Siva and Durga-Kali
CHAPTER THREE
The Cult of Krishna
CHAPTER FOUR
Gain from Religion
Epilogue
Hindu Spirituality
Bibliography
Index