These 1028 poems, grouped as 10 ‘Circles’ (mandalas), have variously been called hymns, poems or songs by Sanskrit scholars. The Rik (so pronounced by the ancient Angirases clans, or Seer-Priest families) was an experiment with sound. The emphasis is always on sounding the words perfectly. The focus tends to be on the ideas rather than on the authors in Vedic literature, they are largely religious in nature, reflecting the world view and spiritual preoccupations of ancient India.

The Vedas are a large body of religious literature that dates back to ancient India. Written in Vedic Sanskrit, the writings form the earliest stratum of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda are the four main Vedas. This book guides and offers the reader with a grasp of the theological place, purpose, and spiritual essence of the Vedas as well as other additional texts that constitute a whole.

In the Upanishads, illumined sages share flashes of insight, the results of their investigation into consciousness itself. In extraordinary visions, they experience directly a transcendent Reality which is the essence, or Self, of each created being. They teach that each of us, each Self, is eternal, deathless, one with the power that created the universe.

Unlock the secrets of ancient wisdom with The Four Vedas for Beginners: Understanding India's Sacred Texts. This guide is your key to exploring the profound and timeless teachings of the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. These texts are the spiritual foundation of Hinduism, offering insights that have shaped a civilization. Immerse Yourself in History: Travel back in time to the origins of Vedic wisdom. Discover how these texts were composed, preserved, and transmitted through generations. Learn about the sages and seers who brought these teachings to life. Master the ...

A massive tome on this specific subject would not even begin to touch the surface of the many teachings that make up Hinduism. Indeed, this short book does not attempt in anyway to provide a succinct summary of Hindu thinking; such an undertaking would be doomed to fail in the face of millennia of collective knowledge. Yet we shall briefly examine some of the intellectual foundations upon which the whole Hindu metaphysical philosophy rests.

Easwaran's classic manual is a unique source of practical spiritual support for new and experienced meditators, and gives all the instruction needed to establish a vibrant meditation practice and keep it going. In passage meditation, you focus attention on passages, or texts, drawn from all the world's sacred traditions. You choose the passages that appeal to you, so this universal method stays fresh and inspiring, prompting you to live out your highest ideals.

The dominant religion of India, "Hinduism" refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed over thousands of years. Today, the United States is home to approximately one million Hindus. If you've heard of this ancient religion and are looking for a reference that explains the intricacies of the customs, practices, and teachings of this ancient spiritual system, Hinduism for Dummies is for you!

If the Vedas are the cornerstone upon which all Hindu philosophy rests and the Epics the framework built upon it, then the Puranas are the finished dwellings in which Hindus live and practice their faith. The Hindu deities are depicted in Puranic scriptures in all their glory, religion and all. The Hindu deities are presented in their fullness, in intricate detail, and with theology unlike anything else before in the Puranic writings. This book briefly introduces the reader to the essence of the Puranas, and the vital role they play in bridging antiquated Hindu beliefs, scriptures, and ...

The Upanishads are often considered the most important literature from ancient India. Yet many academic translators fail to capture the work's philosophical and spiritual subtlety, while others convey its poetry at the cost of literal meaning. This new translation by Vernon Katz and Thomas Egenes fills the need for an Upanishads that is clear, simple, and insightful - yet remains faithful to the original Sanskrit.

Gods who play a significant role in one or more of the four Vedas are considered part of the Vedic pantheon. People of Vedic culture once revered these deities. They honored their deities with ceremonies and offerings. The Brahman, or Supreme Being, formed the Gods and mankind in the Vedas in such a manner that they needed each other to survive. Gods wield power but are appeased by the sacrifice and adoration of humans. Similarly, human beings depend on God's favor as they go about living their lives. The gods aid mankind, in both material and spiritual ways. Many deities are listed in the ...

Said to be the world's longest poem, Mahabharata was originally composed in 100,000 Sanskrit verses by the ancient Indian sage Vyasa. Revered as a sacred text within Hinduism, it contains the great spiritual teaching Bhagavad-gita. Krishna Dharma has condensed the epic into a fast paced novel that fully retains the majestic mood of the original. A powerful and moving tale, it recounts the history of the five heroic Pandava brothers, sons of the Emperor Pandu.

Stephen Mitchell brings to life his acclaimed translation of these most famous and revered Hindu scriptures - the timeless story of the paths of knowledge, devotion, action, and meditation.

Itane vistrit aur vrihad granth ko alpakaay pustak ke roop mein prastut karna tha, atah saar-sankshep-pravritti varnit vishay ko ek jagah karke sankshep roop mein hee prakat kiya gaya hai. Jaise maan leejiye, adhyaay mein Ëœagniâ„¢ se sambandhit sookt das hain, kintu ve ek kram mein na hokar alag-alag bikhre hain, to hamne un sabko ek jagah karke sankshep mein prastut kiya hai. Rigved vigyaankaand ka granth hai. Rigved shabd do shabdon ke milne se bana hai-'rik' aur 'ved'.

The Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of the Lord", is the best known of all the Indian scriptures, and Easwaran's reliable and accessible version has consistently been the best-selling translation. Easwaran's introduction places the Gita in its historical setting and brings out the universality and timelessness of its teachings. Chapter introductions give clear explanations of key concepts in that chapter.

This is the first book to offer the great master's incisive wisdom in short selections taken from the whole range of his voluminous works. The pithy and powerful readings, arranged according to theme, provide a perfect introduction to Dogen - and inspire spiritual practice in people of all traditions.