Hinduism: A Very Short IntroductionHinduism is practiced by about eighty percent of India's population, and by about 30 million people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of Hindus and Hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been affected by colonialism and modernity. Knott offers succinct explanations of Hinduism's central preoccupations, including the role of contemporary gurus and teachers in the quest for spiritual fulfillment; and the function of regular performances of the Mahabharata and Ramayana--scriptures which present the divine in personal form (avatara) and provide models of behavior for everyone, from kings and warriors to servants and children, and which focus on the dharma, the appropriate duties and moral responsibilities of the different varna or classes. The author also considers the challenges posed to Hinduism at the end of the twentieth century as it spreads far beyond India, and as concerns are raised about issues such as dowry, death, caste prejudice, and the place of women in Hindu society. |
Contents
Revelation and the Transmission of Knowledge | 13 |
Understanding the Self | 27 |
the Epic Tradition | 42 |
Copyright | |
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action advaita Agni Ambedkar Aryan associated avatara Ayodhya Bengal Bhagavad-gita bhakti birth brahmins British Buddhism century Chapter Christianity communities culture dalits darshana deities Devi devotional dharma disciples divine dowry duism Durga duty early festival Gandhi Ganesha gods and goddesses groups gurus Hindu scriptures Hindu spirituality Hinduism ideas images important India ISKCON Kabir karma Kim Knott Krishna later live Lord low caste Madho Singh Madhva Mahabharata mantra Manusmriti means modern mother movement Muslims neo-Hindu non-Hindus offer Oxford University Press philosophical popular practices puja Purana Ram Mohan Roy Rama Ramakrishna Ramanuja Ramayana Ravana referred relationship religion religious Reproduced courtesy Rig Veda ritual role sacred Samaj sampradaya Sanskrit sati scholars Shankara Shankara-acharya Shiva Short Introduction shruti Sikhs Sita Sita's smriti social society story Swaminarayan symbol teachings temple texts tion traditions truth ultimate reality untouchables Upanishads varna vedanta Vedic Vishnu Vivekananda Western wife women worship yoga