Preface
There has been misconception, confusion and haziness in defining, describing and analysing Hinduism or Sanatana, and this has been so not only because of misunderstanding of the non-Hindus but of millions of Hindus as well about the nature, depth, meanings of the religious symbols, rituals and deeper philosophy of the 'Dharma' that Hinduism has been as the earliest of the world religions devoid of significant inner changes and philosophical modifications for some millennia. The chapters of this book focus the light of clarity on all the aspects of Hinduism all along the course of its formative evolution since the remote antiquity of the Harappan and Vedic Civilization and later time developments in all the ages, though, its inner tune, music, melody, meaning and essence have remained almost the same to be rightly called or named Sanatana or Eternal. Hinduism is the earliest of all monotheistic religions; but it considered everything of the universe as the expression of the Absolute or the Divine called Brahman in the Upanishads out of which the universes have evolved with all material, energetic, sensible and conscious contents and constituents. Hinduism, therefore, never prohibits one worshipping the Absolute in any form or without form: rather, keeping aside this coreless controversy, it has so long given emphasis on meditation and realization of the Divine within the human body and soul. which are the microscopic constitutions of Divine energy and consciousness. It considers everything in any form of the universe just as a reflection of Brahman: therefore, it respects everything as the image of Brahman. Naturally one can worship Brahman in any form. Hinduism embraces all human beings. irrespective of divisions of class, race and religions, as equal in the domain of the Divine; therefore, it is the most tolerant religion of the world. All misconceptions about Hindu pantheon, monotheism or polytheism or idolatry have been cleared of all doubts in this book. The philosophical and symbolic meanings of all gods and goddesses as well as myths have been explained in the light of unity and the summum bonum of human life. The impact of Hinduism across the world has been narrated in different chapters according to appropriate contexts and thematic relevance. Hope, this book will guide the readers to a state of scientific and rational vision about the oldest living religion of the world.
About the Book
'Hinduism and the World' is a delineation of the inner meaning, essence, scientific foundation and evolution of Sanatana (Dharma), called Hinduism by foreigners, from its genesis in the abyss of time in the past, with distinct progress of Yoga, meditation and the concept of 'Pasupati Siva' in the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization and subsequent stages of evolution with the emergence of the Vedas, specifically the in-depth studies of Brahman and Atman in the Upanishads and the Geeta, all through the Vedic Age; the long Buddhist millennium from sixth century B.C. to fourth century C.E.; and then through the Age of Sankara's Vedanta and medieval 'Bhaktivada'. The world-wide impact of the Upanishads and of the Geeta and further proliferation of Hindu view of life, time and the universe in the recent centuries are well explained. The concepts of the Hindu pantheon, symbols of 'Sura and Asura' (like matter and anti-matter), the lotus, Kalpavriksha, Samudra Manthan have seen the light of deeper interpretations.
About About the Author
Dr. Sailen Debnath, Ex-Professor, Dept. of History, Alipurduar University, has long been engrossed in research and writing books wrapping up different aspects of socio-cultural and intellectual history of India for the last many years. The following are the books hitherto authored by him
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
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