An Introduction to HinduismThis book provides a much-needed thematic and historical introduction to Hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in India. Dr Flood traces the development of Hindu traditions from their ancient origins, through the major deities of Visnu, Siva and the Goddess, to the modern world. Hinduism is discussed as both a global religion and a form of nationalism. Emphasis is given to the tantric traditions, which have been so influential; to Hindu ritual, which is more fundamental to the life of the religion than are specific beliefs or doctrines; and to Dravidian influences from south India. An Introduction to Hinduism examines the ideas of dharma, particularly in relation to the ideology of kingship, caste and world renunciation. Dr Flood also introduces some debates within contemporary scholarship about the nature of Hinduism. It is suitable both for the student and for the general reader. |
From inside the book
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Page ix
... texts xv Introduction I I Points of departure 5 2 Ancient origins 23 3 Dharma 51 4 Yoga and renunciation 75 s Narrative traditions and early Vaisnavism 103 6 The love of Viṣṇu 128 7 Śaiva and tantric religion 148 8 The Goddess and Śākta ...
... texts xv Introduction I I Points of departure 5 2 Ancient origins 23 3 Dharma 51 4 Yoga and renunciation 75 s Narrative traditions and early Vaisnavism 103 6 The love of Viṣṇu 128 7 Śaiva and tantric religion 148 8 The Goddess and Śākta ...
Page xiv
... devaḥ is devaha ) . Apart from these sounds , two Tamil consonants which have no English equivalents are la and ra which are retroflex sounds . Abbreviations and texts The following are abbreviations for Sanskrit texts xiv.
... devaḥ is devaha ) . Apart from these sounds , two Tamil consonants which have no English equivalents are la and ra which are retroflex sounds . Abbreviations and texts The following are abbreviations for Sanskrit texts xiv.
Page xv
Gavin D. Flood. Abbreviations and texts The following are abbreviations for Sanskrit texts referred to . Assuming that the Sanskrit editions of the texts will be of little use to the readers of this book , only bibliographical details of ...
Gavin D. Flood. Abbreviations and texts The following are abbreviations for Sanskrit texts referred to . Assuming that the Sanskrit editions of the texts will be of little use to the readers of this book , only bibliographical details of ...
Page xvi
... ( University of Chicago Press , 1973-8 ) . W. Buck , The Mahabharata Retold ( Berkeley and Los Angeles : University of California Press , 1973 ) MLBD MS . M.Stav . Nar.U. Pas.Su. RV Sam.Kar . xvi List of abbreviations and texts.
... ( University of Chicago Press , 1973-8 ) . W. Buck , The Mahabharata Retold ( Berkeley and Los Angeles : University of California Press , 1973 ) MLBD MS . M.Stav . Nar.U. Pas.Su. RV Sam.Kar . xvi List of abbreviations and texts.
Page xvii
... ( Poona : Deccan College , 1965 ) Vāyu Purāna . A Board of Scholars , The Vayu Purāṇa , All India Tradition and Mythology ( Delhi : MLBD , 1973 ) Vis.Pur . Vis.Smrt . Yog.U. YS Visnu Purāna . H. xvii List of abbreviations and texts.
... ( Poona : Deccan College , 1965 ) Vāyu Purāna . A Board of Scholars , The Vayu Purāṇa , All India Tradition and Mythology ( Delhi : MLBD , 1973 ) Vis.Pur . Vis.Smrt . Yog.U. YS Visnu Purāna . H. xvii List of abbreviations and texts.
Contents
Points of departure | 5 |
Ancient origins | 23 |
Dharma | 51 |
Yoga and renunciation | 75 |
Narrative traditions and early Vaisnavism | 103 |
The love of Visnu | 128 |
Saiva and tantric religion | 148 |
The Goddess and Sakta traditions | 174 |
Hindu ritual | 198 |
Hindu theology and philosophy | 224 |
Hinduism and the modern world | 250 |
Notes | 274 |
305 | |
329 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Advaita Aryan ascetic asceticism become Bhagavad bhakti body Brahman Brāhmaṇas Buddhism caste centre commentaries consciousness cosmos cult culture darśana deities Delhi developed devotion dharma Dharma Śāstras distinct divine doctrine Dravidian festival Gandhi Gitā Goddess groups guru high-caste Hindu traditions Hinduism householder human hymns icon idea ideology important India Indus Script Indus valley Indus valley civilization jāti Kālī karma Kashmir Kerala king Kṛṣṇa language liberation literature London Lord Mahabharata manifestation Manu Mīmāmsā MLBD myth orthodox Oxford University Press pan-Hindu particularly perform philosophy pilgrimage pūjā Purāṇa Purāņas purity Rāma Rāmakrishna Rāmānuja realm refers regarded religion religious renouncer traditions renunciation revelation Ṛg Veda rites sacred sacrifice Śaiva Śaivism Samhita Samkhya Sanskrit scriptures Śiva social society Soma south Asia spiritual śrauta Śrī Vaiṣṇava SUNY Press Sutra Sūtras symbolic Tamil Tamilnadu Tantras tantric temple term texts teyyam theology tion transcendent Upanisads Vaiṣṇava Vedanta vedic ritual Vidya Viṣṇu worship yoga