Author: Janaki Abhisheki
Publisher: Akshaya Prakashan
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 462
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8188643033
Description
This book is a serious attempt at informing the average Indian, and particularly the Hindu, of his philosophy, culture and heritage. Although India’s is the oldest continuous civilization, for various reasons the Hindu today is largely ignorant of his heritage. While some of the reasons for this ignorance are historical viz. the loss of freedom etc., some of it is due to our own neglect.
Religion is not meant for the next world but this world itself, Hindu philosophy was concerned with knowledge, which meant a study of all material image, to search for its relevance and meaning. On the basis of this philosophy the ancient Hindu thinkers worked out a practical and dynamic pattern of living based on a Law, Order and a Work Ethic.
The Hindu philosophy relating knowledge to action will be seen to have helped Hindus adapt to each age and place. It has given Hinduism its demonstrable staying power. It provided the essential needs of a civilization. Hindu thought concerns the whole. Dharma, Artha and Kama with the final goal of Moksa are the four aims of man’s existence. The chapters cover the most prominent of the Dharmasastra works and the literature that influenced the Dharmasastras.
This book consists of 20 chapters apart from the Introduction. The chapters are, A Brief Historical Background, Sanatana Dharma, Veda, Upanishad, Smriti, Purana, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Aarthasastra, Kamasastra, Karma, Chaturvarna, The Six Philosophical Systems, Saints, Women in Hinduism, Meanings and Symbols in Hinduism, Hindu Contribution to World Knowledge, Some problems of Indology, and Conclusion.
Contents
ABBREVIATIONS
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
1. A Brief Historical Background
2. Sanatana Dharma
3. Veda
4. Upanishad
5. Smriti
6. Purana
7. Ramayana
8. Mahabharata
9. Bhagavad Gita
10. Arthasastra
11. Kamasastra
12. Karma
13. Chaturvarna
14. The Six Philosophical Systems
15. Saints
16. Women in Hinduism
17. Meanings of Symbols in Hinduism
18. Hindu Contribution to World Knowledge
19. Some Problems of Indology
20. Conclusion
Chronological Table of Important Works
Pronunciation of words rendered from English to Devanagari
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX