Showing titles in Hinduism

In My Gita, acclaimed mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik demystifies The Bhagavad Gita for the contemporary reader. His unique approach - thematic rather than verse by verse - makes the ancient treatise eminently accessible. In a world that seems spellbound by argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt highlights how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships.

The series Brilliant as the Sun aims to make this sublime work accessible to any listener by presenting it in the style of a modern novel. Adhering closely to the original text, it brings out the deep meaning of Srimad Bhagavatam and helps the listener easily follow its flow. In this fourth volume, we hear about the appearance of Vishnu’s stupendous boar incarnation, Lord Varaha, who rescues the earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. We also meet the great sage Kardama, who marries Devahuti, daughter of the earth’s emperor Manu.

According to the legend, Sage Vasugupta received a divine revelation in a dream where Lord Shiva instructed him to seek out a specific stone near a serene stream. To his amazement, the stone turned over at his touch, revealing the sacred Shiva Sutras etched upon its surface. These profound sutras, reserved for those deemed worthy of divine grace, unravel the mysteries of our true nature and the illusory existence we inhabit. Ranjit Chaudhri has translated some important texts of Kashmir Shaivism from Sanskrit into English.

Spiritual Teachings of Ancient India by Swami Tadatmananda resident Teacher

The world of yoga is astonishingly rich in its array of schools and practices. Yet, as diverse as they seem, they share a common aim: the discovery of the essence of existence that can be found at the core of our being, and the liberation that comes from that discovery. With this worthy goal in mind, Richard Freeman presents an enlightening overview of the many teachings, practices, and scriptures that serve as the basis for all the schools of yoga - hatha, bhakti, jnana, karma, tantra, and others.

Why do Hindus feed their dead ancestors? And why do they prefer burning the dead to building tombs? Does Hinduism have no concept of Judgement Day? What is the impact of death on its notions of womanhood and caste? Is the Vedic approach to death different from the Tantric one? The idea of death and rebirth is embedded in the Hindu mind through ritual and story. Death is not just tragic, but ambiguous too. For instance, it is the end of one journey, but it is also the beginning of another.

The mythology, rituals, meditations, and practices used in Tantric worship of the goddess Kali in the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism Reveals the practices of Vamachara, known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti Includes a Kali ritual from the...

Written in the ancient language of Sanskrit, the Bhagavad-Gita is a compelling epic poem that holds within it all of the answers to the questions that have baffled humankind since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so well into the future. Through powerful interpretation, storytelling, and the personal insights that he has experienced throughout his own life, Steven sheds great light on the many layers of teachings that are presented in this short yet sometimes perplexing text.

What Hinduism needed, amidst the general disintegration of the modern era, was a rock where she could lie at anchor, an authoritative utterance in which she might recognize her self. And this was given to her, in these words and writings of the Swami Vivekananda. What Hinduism had needed, was the organizing and consolidating of its own idea. What the world had needed was a faith that had no fear of truth. Both these are found here.

How had Gandhi transformed himself from an ineffective young lawyer into the Mahatma, the “great soul” who led 400 million ordinary men and women in their nonviolent struggle for independence? To find out, Easwaran visited Gandhi’s ashram and watched the Mahatma absorbed in meditation on the Bhagavad Gita – the wellspring of Gandhi’s spiritual strength.

The Upanishads are a collection of texts that contain some of the central philosophical concepts of Hinduism. They are based on principles like samsara, brahman, atman, karma, dharma and moksha and form the core of Indian philosophy. This version is an English translation by Swami Paramananda as part of his mission to spread the eastern teachings of Hinduism to the Western world.

When European missionaries first arrived in India in the sixteenth century, they entered a world both fascinating and bewildering. Hinduism, as they saw it, was a pagan mess: the worship of devils and monsters by a people who burned women alive, performed outlandish rites and fed children to...

The ancient texts of India speak of a “knowledge for kings, guarded by kings”. The Book of Dharma charts Simon Haas’ journey to India and his “excavation” of the dharma code: a powerful system for making enlightened choices and manifesting our highest potential. Haas apprenticed with an elderly master practitioner in the Bhakti tradition for 16 years and learned from him the system formerly used by kings and queens to effect personal transformation in their lives and rule wisely.

THE RAMAYANAM, an itihasa of the highest order, is considered adi kavya, the first poem to have been composed. Written by Valm ki during Rama’s time, and ratified by him, this timeless epic has been treated with utmost care by all acaryas in their famed commentaries. Since the advent of human civilization, it has inspired many poets and dramatists across the subcontinent and has been transcreated in almost all Bharat ya languages. Multiple layers of philosophy and theology are an embellishment to this classic. Its influence on Bharat ya music, dance, sculpture and textiles is unfathomable.

The chakras can be thought of as the sense organs of the ethereal body, and this audio represents a fascinating introduction to each chakra and its role in our lives and relationships. The discussion draws on Western scientific discoveries and psychology to explain the chakras system and its effects on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives.

Lectures on the Mandukya Upanishad and Karika by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York.

In this insightful rendition of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Nikhilananda provides a profound interpretation of the sacred text. Exploring the timeless wisdom and teachings of Lord Krishna, he illuminates the path to self-realization and offers practical guidance for navigating life's challenges.

There is a secret energy you possess that has been hidden inside you for a very long time. While there are several miracles and blessings modern science and technology has bestowed upon us, there are few things it has done which lead us to more truly fulfilling lives. The possible solution? Tapping into our dormant inner energy by activating and healing the body’s energy chakras to facilitate a never experienced before physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Each of these prayer-poems has been spiritualized by this great man of God. Open this book, pick a poem at random and read it. Mentally repeat whatever phrase appeals to you. Within a short time, you will see your consciousness transformed. This book has the power to rapidly accelerate your spiritual growth, and provides hundreds of delightful ways for you to begin your own conversation with God.

In this heart-centered book, a student in conversation with his teacher, Kamlesh D. Patel - affectionately known as Daajii, the current spiritual guide of the century-old Heartfulness tradition - present a unique method of meditation with the power to facilitate an immediate, tangible spiritual experience, irrespective of a person's faith. Based on Daaji's own combination of approaches and practices for the modern seeker, Heartfulness is a contemporized version of the ancient Indian practice of Raja Yoga, a tradition that enables the practitioner to realize the higher self within.