Hinduism is said to be the oldest living religion in the world. This handy resource written by Virender Kumar Arya and edited by Malcolm Day contains a succinct and accessible overview of the timeless wisdom from Indian tradition. Early on we learn: "There developed in Hinduism a number of techniques of self-control aimed at restoring peace of mind and harmony with the world. The goal for Hindus became this mastery of mind and emotion. Whoever can negate passion, desire, fear, and anger — the forces that militate against tranquility — will be set free on the path to spiritual salvation."
The classic texts of Hinduism, the Vedas and the Upanishads, provide guidance and inspiration for those on this path. The authors add summaries of the laws for living in the Dharma Sutras and Dharma Shastras, the folklore in the Puranas, the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, and the much-loved Bhagavad Gita. They explain many of the gods and the goddesses, including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Lakshmi, Krishna, Ganesha, and Hanuman. Worship at home is an important ingredient of Hinduism with various rites performed there.
The authors cover karma and rebirth, the practice of dharma or right living, the many forms of yoga, the stages of life which include four phases to liberation, holy persons, gurus, temples as the abodes of the gods, the sacred cow and reverence for life, pilgrimage, and faiths related to Hinduism (Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism).
