Tulsidas' Ramayana


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The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas Selections and Commentaries


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AN EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND BUT LAYERED INTRODUCTION TO LORD RAM AS A GOD AND AS A MAN The Ramcharitmanas is undoubtedly one of the greatest lyrical compositions in Hindi literature. Writing in the sixteenth century, Tulsidas chose to pen verses in Awadhi rather than Sanskrit, thus breaking with literary tradition and importantly making Lord Ram more relatable to the layperson. Pavan K. Varma, author of the best-selling Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker has selected some of the most evocative stanzas—offering a succinct commentary for each—that capture the very core of the original. While centring the philosophical aspect of the Ramcharitmanas—the immutability of the soul over the merely corporeal; the transience of worldly pleasures; the placing of wisdom above knowledge—The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram describes a devoted son, a loving sibling, a committed lover, an ideal ruler and also a human, almost bereft of divinity. Indeed, Ram is a god and a man; he is comprehensible. Tulsidas’s seminal work employs a unique poetic linguistic tool that unravels even the most profound concepts with utmost simplicity, blending philosophy with breath taking verse. Varma’s compelling new selection and commentary achieves this effect by combining the aesthetics, romance and imagery of the original work with the unadulterated spirituality that sparkles through the conduct of a great god.







Encyclopedia of Hinduism


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An illustrated A to Z reference containing more than 700 entries providing information on the theology, people, historical events, institutions and movements related to Hinduism.




Sundarakanda


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This is the Fifth Canto of the Tulsi Ramayana composed by the medieval saint Tulsidas. Contains the Original Devnagari Text, Transliteration, and English Translation. Also contains a list of Samput-Mantras popular amongst devotees during recitation.




Banaras


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Great Indian Sant


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Indian religions , especially Hinduism , Jainism , Sikhism and Buddhism , the saintly man is revered as "truth-exemplary" for his knowledge of "self , truth and reality". In Sikhism it is used to describe human beings who have attained spiritual enlightenment and divine wisdom and power by uniting with God. A saint has an important place in the life of a devotee. The importance of a saint is also mentioned in Hindu scriptures. According to Hindu scriptures, by taking refuge in a true saint and performing devotional service according to the scriptures, the worshiper becomes free from the diseases of birth and death. The identity of a true saint has also been told in the holy scriptures of Hinduism that a true saint will have complete knowledge of all the holy scriptures and will take diksha three times in the name of three types of mantras. A saint , a theologian or a bhagat is any human being who has attained God and is in spiritual contact with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by man on earth. This is achieved through constant chanting of the Lord's name (Naam Japo / Naam Simran) and spiritual introspection. Sikhs generally use reality as the name of God which cannot be merely mouthed but must be lived in truth. Saints can be of any religion. Individuals like Kabir , Ravidas , Namdev , Farid , Bhikkan and others are known as saints or bhagats , irrespective of their belonging to Islam or Hinduism . The divine knowledge is universal , and after attaining knowledge through Naam Simran their knowledge is compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism , Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Saints are holy persons of the highest order , they are among the ideal human beings. Thus , Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and pious company of saints (saadh- sangat) , learn from them , and attain "sainthood" through intense reading and meditation on the Sikh scriptures (gurbani) and Naam Simran. Do it. The virtuous life associated with a saint or Brahmagyani (one who has complete knowledge of God) is defined in Sikh Gurbani , specifically in the Sukhmani Sahib passage of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism advocates people of all faiths to unite by realizing God , and union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment. Author David Smith defines guru as "a teacher , spiritual guide or deity". To receive the title of guru , one must undergo a standard initiation process known as initiation , in which they receive a mantra or sacred Sanskrit phrase. Hindu sages have often renounced the world and are called guru , sadhu , rishi , swami and other names. Many people consider the words "saint" and "saint" to be synonymous. This book is a list of religious figures of Hinduism , including gurus , saints , monks , yogis, and spiritual leaders.




Glimpses of Indian Culture


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This Book Is An Attempt To Remember Our Venerable Ancestors Who Have Shaped Our Cultural Consciousness. Also Depicted Are The Symols Of Our Culture. A Fully Coloured Book With Photographs And Illustrations.




Saints of India: Tulsidas


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Rapt in the Name


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In Rapt in the Name, Ramdas Lamb provides an intriguing account of the Ram bhakti tradition in India. Less well-known in the West than the tradition of devotion to Krishna, the Ram tradition is an important component of Hinduism. Ram is the most-worshipped form of the divine in North India today and has long been particularly important to those of the lower castes throughout India. Lamb explores both the evolution of the tradition and the rise of lower caste religious movements devoted to Ram, specifically the Ramnami Samaj, an Untouchable religious movement in Central India. Lamb's study of the Ramnamis has spanned nearly three decades, first on a personal level as a Hindu monk and later as both a friend and a researcher. He discusses the historical origins, as well as present-day forms and structure of the Samaj, including a description of its distinctive ritual dress and practices. Among the more innovative aspects of the sect is its adaptation of the story of Lord Ram that is uniquely woven into its devotional repetition of his name (Ramnam). In addition, Lamb shares biographical sketches of six Ramnamis, each of which reveals the freedom of individual exploration and expression that is integral to the sect. This is a fascinating account of religious life and adaptation on the periphery of society.