ABC of Hinduism


Book Description

Chief Justice P.B. Gajendragadkar of the Supreme Court of India, in a ruling in 1995 wrote, "When we think of the Hindu religion, unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one god; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any religion or creed. It may broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more."ABC of Hinduism introduces innumerable Hindu gods and goddesses that are known by many names in a simple language. It shares a glimpse of how the gods, humans, demons, Yaksh and the Gandharv along with the vast animal and plant world intermingle to shape this vast universe. It gives an insight how the ancient sages, saints and seers sought, interpreted and shared the great wealth of knowledge revealed and brought forward by them. It narrates the special instances in the lives of the important characters in the great epics Ramayan and Mahabharat that have over hundreds of years shaped the lives of those who follow Hinduism. Listed in alphabetic order it simplifies everyday life, explaining what makes Hinduism a flexible and convenient way of life.




Why I Am a Hindu


Book Description

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.




The Little Book of Hindu Deities


Book Description

Pixar animator and Academy Award–nominated director Sanjay Patel (Sanjay’s Super Team) brings to life Hinduism’s most important gods and goddesses—and one sacred stone—in fun, full-color illustrations, each accompanied by a short, lively profile. The Little Book of Hindu Deities is chock-full of monsters, demons, noble warriors, and divine divas. Find out why Ganesha has an elephant’s head (his father cut his off!); why Kali, the goddess of time, is known as the “Black One” (she’s a bit goth); and what “Hare Krishna” really means. “Throw another ingredient in the American spirituality blender. Pop culture is veering into Hinduism.”—USA Today




Contemporary Hinduism


Book Description

Publisher description




Dancing With Siva


Book Description

This 1,008-page sourcebook answers many questions to quench the soul's thirst for God and Self-knowledge. Every spiritually-inclined human being will be enriched by the path revealed in this extraordinary book. India's tolerant and diverse vision of the Divine is all here: meditative, devotional, philosophical, scriptural and yogic. In question-and-answer style, Dancing with Siva guides the aspirant deep into the Hindu heart. Lavishly illustrated with 165 black and white reproductions of paintings from India. Resources include a Hindu timeline, comparisons of 12 world religions, a children's primer and more.




ABC Hindu mythology in Art


Book Description

Learn the alphabet and Hindu mythology through art.




Judaism and Mental Health


Book Description

This book is for mental health professionals, clergy, and researchers interested in the relationship between religion, spirituality and health in Judaism. A concise description of Jewish beliefs and practices is followed by a systematic review of the research literature, and then by recommendations for clinical practice based on the research findings. The author is a physician researcher who has spent over 30 years investigating the relationship between religion and health, and directs Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health. He is also a clinician who for decades has treated clients with a wide range of emotional disorders using a faith-based approach. In this well-documented and highly cited volume, he brings together over 50 years of research that has examined how religious faith impacts the mental health of those who call themselves Jews, and explains what this means for those who are seeking to provide hope, meaning, and healing to members of this faith tradition.




Handbook of Hindu Mythology


Book Description

Unlike many other ancient mythologies, Hinduism thrives in the modern world. One billion followers and countless others have been captivated by its symbolic representations of love, karma, and reincarnation. Handbook of Hindu Mythology offers an informative introduction to this dauntingly complex mythology of multifaceted deities, lengthy heroic tales, and arcane philosophies-all with a 3,000-year history of reinterpretations and adaptations. Williams offers a number of pathways by which to approach Hinduism's ever-changing gods and goddesses (e.g., Brahma, Vishnu, Siva), spiritual verses (such as the vedas), secular epics (including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata), myths within myths, devotional and esoteric traditions, psychic and yogic disciplines, and magical practices. With this handbook, readers can explore the history of Hindu mythology, follow a detailed timeline of key episodes and historical events, and look up specific elements of historical or contemporary Hinduism in a beautifully illustrated reference work. It is the ideal introduction to the origins of Hinduism, the culture that shaped it from antiquity to the present, and the age-old stories, ideas, and traditions that speak to the human condition as eloquently today as ever. Including annotated bibliographies, a glossary of cultural and mythological terms, and numerous illustrations, here is a gold mine of information on Hindu mythology. "




Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality


Book Description

In this indispensable reference tool for parents, students, and pastors alike, Larson analyzes dozens of world religions and spiritual movements from Islam to UFOs, New Age movements to witchcraft. This volume helps address tough questions from a biblical perspective.




My First Book of Hindi Words


Book Description

My First Book of Hindi Words is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young children to Hindi language and Indian culture through everyday words. Organized as an ABC rhyming book, My First Book of Hindi Words incorporates common Hindi words into charming English-language rhymes, beginning with: "A is for akash. A sky so blue where little birds fly and big planes, too," and on through "Z is for zukhaam. Achoo! I sneeze. I must have a cold. Mama, hug me please!" Winsome, full-color pictures illustrate each word and allow even very young readers to make their first foray into India's official language. A helpful glossary at the end makes it easy for readers—including parents and teachers—to review what they've learned! With the help of this book, we hope more children (and adults) will soon be a part of the 300 million people worldwide that speak Hindi!