Hinduism Books

Book SynopsisThis innovative introductory textbook explores the central practices and beliefs of Hinduism through contemporary, everyday practice.Trade Review"An engaging read, as a textbook as well as general resource, this book has the potential to make instructors re-envision how they teach Hinduism in the classroom." (CHOICE, 2016)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements viii A Note on Transliteration x Map of India xii Introduction 1 The Terms “Hindu,” “Hinduism,” and “Hindu Traditions” 2 Dharma: A Way of Life and Religious Tradition 3 Context and Multiplicity 6 Ethnographic Selection and Chapter Topics 9 A Note on Caste 13 1 Families of Deities 18 The Trimurti 20 Mythological and Narrative Families 21 Vishnu 21 Shiva 25 Devi, the Goddess 28 Gramadevatas, Village Deities 30 Temple Families 34 Ritual Families in Domestic Shrines 36 2 Oral and Visual Narratives and Theologies 46 Oral Performance Genres 47 Visual Narratives and Theologies 49 Verbal and Visual Together 56 Where Does the Narrative Lie? 61 The Ramayana Tradition Performed 62 3 Loving and Serving God: Bhakti, Murtis, and Puja 73Bhakti, Devotion 73 Singing to God and the Goddess 76 Worshipping Deities in Material Form 77 Narratives of God in the Murti 80 The Deity without Form 83 Modes of Worshipping the Murti 85 The Services of Puja 89 Online, Cyber Puja 93 4 Temples, Shrines, and Pilgrimage 97 Temples 98 Sthala Puranas 99 Temple Architecture 101 Temple Worship 104 Shrines 109 Pilgrimage 110 Tirumala, a Southern, Pan]Indian, and Transnational Pilgrimage Site 114 Narsinghnath, a Sub]regional Pilgrimage Site 119 5 Festivals 123 Divali: Festival of Lights 127 Ganesha Chaturthi: Domestic, Neighborhood, and City]Wide Celebrations 129 Place]Bound Festivals: Tirupati’s Gangamma Jatara 138 6 Vrats: Ritual Vows and Women’s Auspiciousness 145 Temple Vrats 146 Domestic Vrats 147 Vrat Kathas: Ritual Narratives 150 Two South Indian Vrat Traditions 151 Gender and Vrats 164 7 Samskaras: Transformative Rites of Passage 169 Pregnancy and Birth 170 First]Year Samskaras 171 Upanayana and Rituals of Transition to Adulthood 172 Ranga Pravesham: Ascending the (Dance) Stage 177 Marriage 178 Death Rituals 186 8 Ritual Healing, Possession, and Astrology 193 Accessing Multiple Healing Sites 194 Healing across Religious Boundaries 199 Possession 203 Astrology 211 Afterword 220 Glossary 227 Index 231

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Book SynopsisParamahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), a Hindu missionary to the US, wrote one of the world's most highly acclaimed spiritual classics, Autobiography of a Yogi. David Neumann tells the story of Yogananda's fascinating life while interpreting his position in religious history, transnational modernity, and American culture.

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Book SynopsisDeepen your practice and discover the myths, gods, sacred animals and imagery that lie hidden in your favourite yoga posturesMeet the monks and maharajas, gods and gymnasts who shaped yoga as we know it.Have you ever wondered why yoga postures look the way they do, or how they got their names? From Lotus to Warrior, Cobra to Happy Baby, this book takes a fresh look at the stories behind 30 familiar poses. By drawing in on Hindu scripture, mythology and the animals, birds and flowers the original Indian yogis saw around them, Curious Poses explores the symbolism of yoga postures many of us practise every week and offers inspiration to regular practitioners and yoga teachers alike. Let this book take you on a journey into a treasure trove of yoga history, mythology, philosophy and pop culture that enlightens and entertains by turns. Featuring full-colour illustrations, Curious Poses is an ideal mat companion for the curious yoga enthusiast.Trade ReviewThis magical little compilation of the back-stories of some of Hatha Yoga's best known postures is a treasure... A rich seam of material for yoga teachers and a wonderful resource for practitioners. -- Tara Fraser, bestselling yoga authorLucy Greeves aims to demystify the practice, get people interested in its history, and empower them to dig deeper into how, why and what yoga is today. * The Observer Magazine *A treasure trove of yoga history, mythology, philosophy and pop culture that enlightens and entertains. The ideal companion for the curious yoga enthusiast * Top Sante Health & Beauty *Fascinating…Greeves combines history, popular culture and practice notes to inspire your understanding of yoga, both on and off the mat. * Women's Fitness *Table of ContentsIntroduction Lotus (padmasana) Hero (vajrasana) Bharadvaja's pose (bharadvajasana) Matsyendra's pose (matsyendrasana) Marichi's pose (marichyansana) Lion (simhasana) Cow face (gomukhasana) Preliminaries (pawanmuktasana) Sun salutation (surya namaskar) Mountain (tadasana) Tree (vrksasana) Chair (utkatasana) Downward-facing dog (adho mukha svanasana) Warrior (virabhadrasana) Triangle (trikonasana) Gate latch (parighasana) Crow (bakasana) Half-moon (ardha chandrasana) Headstand (sirsasana) Lord of the Dance (natarajasana) Peacock (mayurasana) Wheel (chakrasana) Cobra (bhujangasana) Pigeon (kapotasana) Forward fold (paschimottanasana) Squat (utkatikasana) Child (balasana) Happy baby (ananda balasana) Corpse (savasana)

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Book SynopsisA captivating collection full of the sights and sounds of India, this is a book of stories from Ancient Hindu epics, myths and folk traditions. Thousands of years in their telling and retelling, these stories invite readers of all ages to explore one of the world's most ancient and varied religious traditions. Vivid dramas featuring gods, goddesses, kinds, sages and fools have been selected from Ancient Hindu epics, myths and fold traditions across India. The stories themselves convey key values such as honesty, generosity, devotion and justice and, also, introduce readers to unique religious and cultural observances. Included are vibrant colour illustrations and a resources section which provides background information on Hinduism.Table of ContentsPreface The Pauranika The Miracle of the Banyan Tree Brahma and Vishnu The Egg of the Universe The Dhoti Heaven and Hell Yudhishthira’s Wisdom Lord Kamadeva, the God of Love The Barking Dog Shankara and the Outcaste The Birth of Ganesha The Wise Girl Chaitra and Maitra Indra and the Ants The Wise Minister The Story of Goddess Durga Ganesha and the Mango Churning the Ocean of Milk The Well-Digger Krishna and the Serpent Kaliya Maya God Is in Everything On Hinduism Story Notes and Sources Glossary About the Authors

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Book SynopsisThis work contains almost everything written by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, his inspired compositions, and a number of translations from ancient Advaitic texts, representing the essence of his teachings. They fall into two categories-those which exemplify the path of surrender through love and devotion to the Divine, and those which are more doctrinal. The first group included the Five Hymns to Sri Arunachala, of which the first poem, The Marital Garland of Letters, "is among the most profound and moving poems in any language" and expressses the attitude of the soul aspiring for union with God.Sri Bhagavan has affirmed that seekers who study these works are certain to attain the Bliss of Liberation.

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Book SynopsisThe earliest version of the New Testament, now in English for the first time! History preserves the name of the person responsible for the first New Testament, the circumstances surrounding his work, and even the date he decided to build a textual foundation for his fledgling Christian community. So why do so few people know about him? Jason BeDuhn introduces Marcion, reconstructs his text, and explores his impact on the study of Luke-Acts, the two-source theory, and the Q hypothesis.

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Book SynopsisTantra is the Hindu-based religion which links ecstatic sexual practice with meditation and direct spiritual experience. It originated in India some 1200 years ago, when the great sacred erotic temples were built. In the West it is best known for its inspiration of tantric yoga, and its associated ritualistic forms of sex. But is tantra just about esoteric sex or does it amount to something more? This lively and original book contributes to a more complete understanding of tantra's mysteries. Without minimising its sexual dimensions, Gavid Flood argues that within tantra the body is more than just a sexual entity. It is a vehicle for the spirituality that is fundamental to people's minds. "The Tantric Body" makes an important and fascinating contribution to the study of South Asian religion, and will have strong appeal to students of South Asian cultures and societies as well as to those of comparative philosophy.

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