Dimensions of Indian Culture (A Collection of Articles)

About the Book Indian culture has fascinated hundreds of writers all over the world. Its uniqueness and fragrance have been so varied; each author has been able to perceive a unique quality in it. This is what the present author Sri P.N. Santhanagopal has done in this collection.

This is a collection of Twelve articles and stories written by the author at different times; but the main theme is Indian Heritage. The novel way of bringing a family atmosphere into this has made it more charming and attracts the readers at once. Thus the first essay 'Dimensions' and the last story `From the Known to the Unknown' keep the readers' interest abiding. The other articles on Karma, Third Birth, Prayer, Power of the Manthras, Miracles, Power of love and the Discovery of a Brahmin are highly educative. 'Who says we are alone' is an elegant essay giving us an assurance of a rare type. The other article 'Why pluck only berries from trees when you can pluck stars off the Sky' envisages a wonderful approach to the way of life. Thus the author lays emphasis on the zeal for noble life as propounded by our ancient thinkers. This is the attraction of this collection.

Foreword The Vedas are Apourasheya implying there was no originator. The Vedas are Sanatana meaning eternal. The Vedas speak of Purusha and Prakriti and the indescribable power of the Supreme Reality. The Vedas also deal with ritualism with exacting rites laid down for performance. Unfortunately, with the passage of time the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the Vedas went into the background overshadowed by the more tangible ritualism which was easier to practise and hence became more popular. Without the knowledge of philosophy and understanding the true meaning of the Vedas, rites and rituals became the object of misuse and the all-pervasive benefits of these rituals were lost sight of.

With the arrival of foreign rulers, there ensued an era to decry our religion without the critical and analytical knowledge of our ancient scriptures. Hinduism was thus subjected to ridicule. What remained with us were only dogmas.

Sandhya Vandana is the most important daily ritual for Hindus who perform Upanayana. In the modern age very few people perform Upanayanam. Sri Santhanagopal has done great justice to the significance of Sandhya 14Indana by explaining the nuances of various mudras. In a very simple manner he also explains the Universe and our Solar World in keeping with our age-old tradition, when knowledge was imparted to an inquisitive grand-child by his grand-father. This is how the Sanskar was handed down to an advent of the next generation. All the doubts and questions were explained in a most rational and lucid manner. It was the sublime groundwork for the child who would now believe in what he was doing rather than just going through the motions mindlessly.

The book, Dimensions of Indian Culture, is a systematic attempt to revisit the Vedic notions of God, Karma, Spirituality, and most significantly, self, truth and Reality.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages