Since times immemorial, India has been synonymous with spiritual knowledge and people have been drawn to her sacred land. Some were philosophers, poets, writers, historians, scientists and travelers. Some came to India; others read translations about her rich and imaginative literature and felt genuine enthusiasm for her. The fourth Caliph in the 7th century is reported to have said: The land where books were first written and from where wisdom and knowledge sprang is India. Despite the wars and imperialism, ancient India s spiritual influence and wisdom has had considerable impact on the West, especially on its imagination, science, and literature: English Romantic poetry in particular, Scientists, scholars, poets, writers and philosophers all have paid the highest compliment to India s wonderful metaphysical, religious, artistic, linguistic, and cultural genius by imitating and incorporating some of these ideas and theories into their own work.

An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the world's oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds. The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkers have kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms to consider history as a whole.

This book, in a short space, covers an extensive ground of Hindu teachings. It provides a panoramic view of a Hindu approaches to religion, philosophy, science, politics, mythology, art, the role of women, and the past andthe future of humanity.—Dr. David Frawley Redundancy of the idea of religion seems to be growing inan age in which any mystery can be demystified by science. It also seems as if patronising religion is outdated in today’s so-called progressive world. However, adaptability and progressiveness have been the basic requisites of Hindu philosophy. Hence it requires its followers to evolve with change. Through this book, the authors have tried to endorse the role of Hinduism in the formation and development of human society. They have looked back at the conception, evolution and sustenance of Indian society through the lens of Hinduism, and have tried to explain this process through short Hindu mythological tales. We believe decoding folklore is also a source of understanding the history of any given period. Different tales spanning different ages and times bring forth a completely different picture of the mores and morality of our society, which still abide with the constant basic principles of Hinduism. This signifies the adaptability of this great religion with changing times.The reader will discover that, eventually, the core values of Hinduism remain the same and support its relevance today and will continue to do so for eternity. The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms.—Muriel Rukeyser, Writer and Poetess

Hinduism, the world's oldest living religion, embodies a wide spectrum of philosophies, beliefs, and customs. It has prompted thinkers from an array of cultures and ages-from Apollonius Tyaneus, a first century Greek thinker, to Voltaire, Mark Twain, and Albert Einstein-to extol its influence. Now, Dr. Hiro G. Badlani brings you Hinduism: Path of the Ancient Wisdom, an easy-to-understand guidebook that delves into Hinduism's spiritual and historical perspectives. For more than ten years, Dr. Badlani has passionately channeled his resources and inner reflections into learning about this ancient religion. His meticulous research, combined with guidance from spiritual masters, sages, and swamis has brought forth in this volume. This mini-encyclopedia covers all aspects of Hinduism in a series of small chapters. Spiritual teachings form the book's core, for without the spiritual teachings, what function can any religion play? Still, however, information is presented in a non-dogmatic manner, stressing the basic unity and homogeneity of all religions. With its powerful narrative and roots in spiritual storytelling, this book is perfect for anyone who desires authentic information on Hinduism. Engaging with this book will not only educate you, but imbue you with personal peace and happiness, becoming an experience both elegant and empowering.

ÿThe roots of Hinduism reach deep into pre-historic hoary past. It has evolved over these millennia, and still this process continues. Dynamism, tolerance, cattholicity, assimilation, inclusiveness, optimism and unity in diversity have always been its hallmarks. Its multiplicity is more apparent than real. In the ultimate analysis, Hinduism proves to be a great synthesis of many diverse and even conflicting and contradictory trends and elemaits. Thus, its multiplicity and ambivalence are not only incompatible with the concept of essential unity of life and its creator, but also mark its strength. The Vedas and Vedanta form the earliest source of our knowledge of Hinduism. The Vedanta literature reflects mainly the early ritual-side of the Hindu way of living. So do the Puranas, as they throw significant light on the various mundane aspects of later Hinduism. The two Epics and the Gita also delineate the basis tenets of Hinduism, and underline the desirability of dharma and righteous living leading to ultimate triumph of the forces of good over evil.