An analysis of the bhagavad gita a fundamental teaching in hinduism

There are four Upa-Vedas or subsidiary Vedas: Siksha is the knowledge of phonetics. Siksha deals with pronunciation and accent. The text of the Vedas is arranged in various forms or Pathas.

There is no central ancient text that succinctly sums up the religion's basic tenets, no single leader that Hindus can call the founder of their faith and no single modern-day organization to which all Hindus belong.

What people call "Hinduism" today is actually a collection of different philosophies, teachings and traditions.

If you're seeking to explore Hinduism more deeply, you've come to the right place. This week, our ReligionReads series features essential books on Hindu spirituality that both practitioners and religious seekers can use to learn more about this ancient way of life.

Are there any books that we missed? Tell us in the comments below. Comprising 24, verses in seven cantos, the epic contains the teachings of the very ancient Hindu sages. One of the most important literary works of ancient India, it has greatly influenced art and culture in the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, with versions of the story also appearing in the Buddhist canon from a very early date.

The story of Rama has constantly been retold in poetic and dramatic versions by some of India's greatest writers and also in narrative sculptures on temple walls. It is one of the staples of later dramatic traditions, re-enacted in dance-dramas, village theatre, shadow-puppet theatre and the annual Ram-lila Rama-play.

Appearing in its present form about ce, the Mahabharata consists of a mass of mythological and didactic material arranged around a central heroic narrative that tells of the struggle for sovereignty between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas sons of Dhritarashtra, the descendant of Kuru and the Pandavas sons of Pandu.

It is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. It comprises of verses in eighteen chapters chapter 25 to 42 occurring in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. Holy Gita is a handbook of instructions as to how every human being can come to live the subtle philosophical principles of Vedanta in the actual work-a-day world Although there are many commentaries on the Gita, it is the careful analysis and brilliant reasoning of Swami Chinmayananda's version that makes it so exceptional.

There is a constant attempt to bring forth from each verse not only its literal meaning, but also its hidden import that reveals a wealth of information.

Each verse is given in Devanagari along with its translation in English and the Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda. Learn through these aphorism how to control your mind and achieve inner peace and freedom.

Although these methods were taught over years ago, they are as alive and effective today as they have ever been. This translation draws on the inspired commentary from both Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood.

Elements of Hindu Devotion, by Stephen P. Huyler Amazon "The author provides descriptions of the many devotional rituals that occupy Hindus as they seek darshan, seeing and being seen by God Using stories and photographs, Huyler describes the elements of public worship in a Hindu temple, the rituals accompanying worship in the home, the practices surrounding community festivals, processions that honor specific deities and the coming-of-age ceremonies that mark adolescence and old age.

Photos grace every page: Huyler's riveting prose and lavish photos bring Hinduism and its practices to life in all their richness and diversity. Flood traces the development of Hindu traditions from ancient origins and the major deities to the modern world. Hinduism as both a global religion and a form of nationalism are discussed.

Emphasis is given to the tantric traditions, which have been so influential; to Hindu ritual, more fundamental than belief or doctrine; and to Dravidian influences. It introduces some debates within contemporary scholarship. Klostermaier Amazon "Instead of dividing Hindu history into periods, Klostermaier arranges it thematically, tracing the parallel histories of the major sub-traditions.

He devotes individual chapters to the histories of early Vedic religion, Vaisnavism, Saivism, Saktism, Hindu philosophy, and modern Hinduism.

Hindu Wisdom - Hinduism's influence

This approach has several advantages. Second, because the histories of all these traditions are interrelated, the chapters often overlap in their coverage. This repetition puts the material in a new light by applying it in different contexts.

For example, in describing the four Vedas in each chapter, the author shows how the same texts have been used for different purposes by the various traditions. At the same time, vehement in his desire to know the truth about God, he questioned people of holy reputation, asking them if they had seen God.

The Gita is not meant for any one person or creed or nation; it is meant for humanity. It speaks to a mind that has fought in life, a mind that is dissatisfied with constant want, a mind that is alert and thinking, and that has many conflicts. Swami Dayananda from the Teaching of the Bhagavad Gita. "ALL ABOUT HINDUISM" is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is Hinduism. This is a good introduction to all the basic tenets of advaita vedanta. This book is not for a casual reader, but as long as you know a little about vedic religion you will be able to read it carefully and come away with a very good understanding of advaita vedanta.

He found such a person in Sri Ramakrishna, who became his master, allayed his doubts, gave him God vision, and transformed him into sage and prophet with authority to teach. After Sri Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda renounced the world and criss-crossed India as a wandering monk.

His mounting compassion for India's people drove him to seek their material help from the West. Accepting an opportunity to represent Hinduism at Chicago's Parliament of Religions inVivekananda won instant celebrity in America and a ready forum for his spiritual teaching His lectures and writings have been gathered into nine volumes.The Gita is not meant for any one person or creed or nation; it is meant for humanity.

It speaks to a mind that has fought in life, a mind that is dissatisfied with constant want, a mind that is alert and thinking, and that has many conflicts. Swami Dayananda from the Teaching of the Bhagavad Gita. This is a good introduction to all the basic tenets of advaita vedanta.

Hindu Scriptures

This book is not for a casual reader, but as long as you know a little about vedic religion you will be able to read it carefully and come away with a very good understanding of advaita vedanta. "ALL ABOUT HINDUISM" is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is Hinduism.

About Aron Wall In , I will be studying quantum gravity and black hole thermodynamics as a Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.

Before that, I read Great Books at St. John's College (Santa Fe), got my physics Ph.D. from U Maryland, and did my postdocs at UC Santa Barbara, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and Stanford.

Before examining the Bhagavad-Gita I believe it is necessary to have a general understand of the fundamental teaching of Hinduism. I have some knowledge of Hinduism from friends, but really have no understanding of what it really means to be Hindu. Glossary combined from various Sahaj Marg publications.

Please note that alternative common spellings are given after some words, e.g.: aavarana or avaran, and the phonetic spelling of each Sanskrit word is put in parentheses after the word, e.g.

jiva or jivatma (jivaatmaa). aalayam: Tamil word for a Hindu temple.. aavarana or avaran: Layers of grossness; coverings.