CONTENTS

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
THE UNIVERSAL PRAYERS
HINDU RELIGION
Purpose Of Religion
Distinguishing Features Of Hinduism
The Glory Of Vedanta And Yoga
Emphasis On Practice
Who Is A Hindu
Origin And Significance Of The Term
The Spiritual Soil Of India
The Facts Of History
Reasons For Survival Of The Hindu Religion
Its Future
HINDU scriptURES
Sanskrit Literature
The scriptures
The Secular Writings
Conclusion
HINDU DHARMA
Definition Of Dharma
The Sole Authority Of The Vedas
The Changing Dharma
Dharma In Other Religions
Benefits Of The Practice Of Dharma
Kinds Of Dharma
Sanatana Dharma
Samanya Dharma
Varnasrama Dharma
Yuga Dharma
Conclusion
HINDU ETHICS
Conduct And Character
Ethics Or The Science Of Conduct
Ethics, Spirituality And Religion
Benefits Of The Practice Of Ethics
Ethical Codes In Hinduism
The Foundational Principles Of Hindu Ethics
Service As Worship
Ethical Culture Or The Process Of Purification
Philosophy Of Right And Wrong
Yogic Gardening
Conclusion
HINDU TENETS
The Law Of Karma
The Doctrine Of Reincarnation
The Concept Of Avatara
HINDU RITUALS
Sandhyopasana
The Ten scriptural Samskaras
The Pancha Mahayajnas
Sraaddha And Tarpana
Pitripaksha And Mahalaya Amavasya
Navaratri Or The Nine-Day Worship Of Devi
HINDU WORSHIP
Worship Or Upasana
Benefits Of Worship
Saguna-Upasana And Nirguna-Upasana
The Bhavas In Bhakti Yoga
Puja And Ishta-Devata
The Philosophy And Significance Of Idol-Worship
From Ritualistic Bhakti To Para-Bhakti
The Glory Of Hindu Philosophy And Hindu Mode Of Worship
Conclusion
HINDU YOGA
The Four Paths
Karma Yoga
Bhakti Yoga
Raja Yoga
Jnana Yoga
The Yoga Of Synthesis
HINDU THEOLOGY
Theological Classifications
The Vaishnavas
The Saivas
The Saktas
Miscellaneous
The Arya Samajists And The Brahma Samajists
Sadhus And Sannyasins
HINDU MYTHOLOGY AND SYMBOLS
Hindu Mythology
Hindu Symbols
Conclusion
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—I
Philosophy—Its Origin And Its Limitations
The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy
The Shad-Darsanas Or The Six Orthodox Schools
The Nyaya
The Vaiseshika
The Sankhya
The Yoga
The Purva Mimamsa
The Vedanta Philosophy
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—II
Introduction
The Advaita Philosophy Of Sri Sankara
The Visishtadvaita Philosophy Of Sri Ramanuja
The Dvaita Philosophy Of Sri Madhvacharya
The Dvaitadvaita Philosophy Of Sri Nimbarka
The Suddhadvaita Philosophy Of Sri Vallabha
The Achintya Bhedabheda Philosophy Of Sri Chaitanya
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—III
The Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy
The Sakti Yoga Philosophy
EPILOGUE
Unity—The Need Of The Hour
Who Is Qualified To Serve Religion Efficiently
Education And Nation-Building
Call For Consolidation Of The Nation
APPENDIX
I. The Siva-Linga
II. Indian Culture based On The Bhagavad-Gita



PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

Hinduism is veritably the fountain-head of all religions. It contains within itself the seeds of all religions. It includes all religions and excludes none.

It is but natural that people all over the world should show increasing interest in a religion with so universal an appeal.

“ALL ABOUT HINDUISM” is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is Hinduism. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and there, and is now released in its fifth edition.

We do hope that all serious students of Hindu Religion and Philosophy will find the book useful and interesting.