Author: D S Sarma
Publisher: Sri Ramakrishna Math
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 170
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171204449
Description
A book for the modern Hindu who is brought up in an non-Hindu environment, as also for those who want an authentic exposition of Hinduism in a short compass.
Originally published five decades back, this new edition carries an introductory essay and selection of representative scriptural passages. While the author calls the book a primer, it is much more than that. It touches briefly on all the fundamental doctrines of Hindu religion and philosophy, and can very well form the basis of a detailed exposition.
Contents
Author's Preface
Introduction
CHAPTER I: OUR GUIDES
Prologue
The authority of the Sruti
The Smrtis
The Itihasas
The Puranas
The Agamas
The Darsanas
The three main Pramanas
The relative importance of the various scriptures
Their Common aim
CFHAPTER II: THE FIRST ASCENT
The meaning of Dharma
The use of rites and ceremonies
The cultivation of virtues
The Cardinal Virtues
Purity, Self-control, Detachment, Truth and Non-violence
The formation of a virtuous character
The standards of morality
The meaning of sin
The use of purificatory rites
Samsara and the Law of Karma
The Grace of God
CHAPTER III: THE SECOND ASCENT
Morality and Religion
The meaning of Bhakti
The forms of God
The doctrine of Ishta-devata
The worship of Idols
The aims of Hindu art
The doctrine of Adhikara
The degrees of Bhakti
The forms of Bhakti
The ways and means of Bhakti
Renunciation, knowledge and the practice of Yoga
The meaning of Prapatti
The obstacles to Bhakti
Vanity, Extra-vagance and loss of faith
The characteristics of an ideal Bhakta
CHAPTER IV: THE THIRD ASCENT
The meaning of Jnana
The nature of God
The significance of Aum
The problem of evil
Theories of Creation
The meaning of Maya
The nature of the soul
Its relation to God
Its Moksha
Jivanmukti
Different schools of Vedanta
The system of Ramanuja
The points of difference between Samkara's system and Ramanuja's system
Ramanuja's system compared with Madhva's
The Essentials of Hinduism
CHAPTER VI: Epilogue
Appendix: Selected verses from the Upanishads and the Gita