Applied Hinduism - Ancient Wisdom for Today's World
Book Specification
Item Code: | NAO938 |
Author: | Gyan Rajhans & Subhamoy Das |
Publisher: | Indus Source Books |
Language: | English |
Edition: | 2018 |
ISBN: | 9789385509247 |
Pages: | 146 |
Cover: | Paperback |
Other Details | 8.5 inch X 5.5 inch |
Weight | 160 gm |
Book Description
Indian culture is a rich reservoir of mystical wisdom handed down over millennia. This spiritual knowledge can help in healing the restlessness and the stress faced by the current generation. Unfortunately, despite our long heritage of spiritual teachings, many of today's global citizens, especially the youth, are disdainful of spiritual pursuits, trashing them as 'unfashionable' although inwardly they long for peace and quiet - to make sense of the frenetic world they inhabit.
This book offers an understanding of India's ancient spiritual wisdom - not just for seekers of spirituality and peace, but also for those who want to make sense of the faith they follow mechanically, and make the most of the knowledge that lies buried in our great scriptures by applying them in everyday life.
Gyan Rajhans is a health and safety professional based in Canada. He has been broadcasting the only non-commercial Vedic religion radio program in North America since 1981, and a global webcast on bhajanawali.com since 1999. Rajhans is a widely published author of religious and spiritual books, which includes a translation of the Bhagavad Gita in English for the younger generation.
Subhamoy Das is arguably India's first professional blogger. Since 1999, he has been writing on Hinduism in his blog on About.com, formerly part of the New York Times Company, and among the most popular websites on Hinduism. Das has worked as a journalist with India's leading media companies such as Hindustan Times and India Today Group and co-authored several books on Indian culture for children.
The vast wealth of spiritual wisdom that ancient Vedic sages and scholars have left behind can be of immense help in healing the restless minds and bodies of today's generation.
Most of us today find ourselves caught in a web of relentless pursuit of everyday goals. The stress and negative energies produced by the daily toil manifest themselves as maladies of the mind and body. Spiritual knowledge has the power to bring even the busiest of men and women from the brink of burnout, help them enjoy the fruits of their labor, and assist them in making the choices they need to make at every crossroad in life.
Unfortunately, despite our long heritage of spiritual teachings, many of todays globally aligned people, especially the youth, are disdainful of spiritual pursuits, trashing them as 'unfashionable. Inwardly, of course, they long for peace and quiet to make sense of the mad race they are in.
This book is not just for seekers of spirituality and peace, it is also for those who want to make sense of the faith they follow mechanically, and make the most of the wisdom that lies buried in our great scriptures.
Contents
PREFACE | xiii | |
I | BACK TO BASICS | 1 |
What makes up the building blocks of Sanatana Dharma and Vedic tradition | ||
Making Sense of Sanatana Dharma | 2 | |
The Genesis of Hinduism | 5 | |
Dharma Versus Religion | 8 | |
What's the Deal About Karma? | 11 | |
Are Hindus Idol Worshipers? | 14 | |
Symbols We Live By | 17 | |
The Basis of Caste System | 20 | |
The Story of Creation: From Brahman to Big Bang | 23 | |
Of Heaven and Hell | 26 | |
The Idea of Reincarnation | 29 | |
Adi Shankaracharya and Advaita Vedanta | 32 | |
II | GOODNESS OF THE SCRIPTURES | |
What we can apply in our everyday life from the teachings of Hindu holy text | 35 | |
Immensity of the Vedic Scriptures | 36 | |
Veda Vyasa: Protector of the Vedas | 42 | |
The Gita's Relevance in Modern Times | 45 | |
The Gita's Analysis of Anger | 48 | |
The Gita's Karmayoga: A Difficult Discipline | 50 | |
The Gita's Techniques of Mind Control | 53 | |
The Three Debts of Life | 55 | |
What the Scriptures Say About Vegetarianism | 57 | |
III | GODS AS SYMBOLS | |
What we can learn from the symbolism and iconography of Hindu deities | 61 | |
Goddess Lakshmi and Her Nine Symbols | 62 | |
Decoding Mother Durga's Symbols | 65 | |
Hanuman: Simian Symbol of the Ideal Character | 68 | |
The Significance of Ganesha's Symbols | 71 | |
The Symbolism of Saraswati | 73 | |
IV | INNER STRGTH | |
How simple lessons from ancient Indian tradition can change our life | 75 | |
Ten Commandments for Peace of Mind | 76 | |
Three Ways to Deal with Jealousy | 79 | |
How to Keep Pride, Ego, and Arrogance at Bay | 81 | |
Ten Commandments for a Successful Married Life | 84 | |
Ideals of a Hindu Marriage | 86 | |
How to Approach Death | 88 | |
Karma and Free Will | 91 | |
Glory of the Guru | 94 |
Sample Pages