Hindu History

In this five part lecture series Gwilym Beckerlegge discusses the life and legacy of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the Hindu teacher who was arguably the first "global guru". Vivekananda has been influential in shaping, among other things, Hindu notions of social activism, and what has come to be known as Modern Yoga, which is now practised beyond India. Gwilym covers the influence of Vivekananda's own guru, the widely revered Sri Ramakrishna, Vivekananda's fascinating journey from India to the United States and Europe at the turn of the 20th century.

Traveling across India, interviewing Hindu zealots, armed insurgents, jailed dissidents, and politicians and thinkers from across the political spectrum, Siddhartha Deb reveals a country in which forces old and new have aligned to endanger democracy. The result is an absorbing—and disturbing—portrait. India has become a religious fundamentalist dystopia, one depicted here with a novelist's precise language and eye for detail.

There are two kinds of Hindu years: solar and lunar. To understand the lunar calendar, we will first explain the solar year, which governs the lunisolar system. Bengal, including Madras' Orissa, Tamil, and Malayalam districts, used solar years for civil purposes. General religious rites and festivals are regulated by the lunar year and the details of private and domestic life, such as choosing auspicious occasions for marriages and journeys, choosing lucky moments for shaving, etc. Almanacs that follow the lunar year contain details about the solar year.

Over three sessions Suzanne explores how yoga came to Britain, covering the individuals and movements that influenced the exchange between the yoga from India, and the cast of characters in Britain that eagerly received these exotic ideas and practices that have become part of mainstream, modern life.

Why are Hindus so ritualistic? Why do they worship idols? Are Hindus supposed to be vegetarian? Why is a Hindu prayer different from a Muslim or Christian prayer? Did the arrival of Muslim invaders a thousand years ago destroy Hindu culture? Answering key questions on Hindu philosophy and associated Indian history in simple, lucid, engaging ways, and exploring the often curious customs and beliefs that are an intrinsic part of the Hindu faith, this Hindi translation of Devdutt Pattanaik's bestseller is a treasure house of information on the complex tenets of Hinduism.

This audiobook will discuss the history and founding of Hinduism, the basics of the four main beliefs of Hinduism, the gods and goddesses that are associated with these beliefs, and how to practice the beliefs of Hinduism in everyday life. Hinduism: What You Need to Know About the Hindu Religion, Gods, Goddesses, Beliefs, History, and Rituals will also bring up some philosophical questions based on the core beliefs of Hinduism that will help to guide decisions on life’s actions.

This audiobook contains an easily accessible overview of the Hindu religion, with a focus on those coming from the Western religions and cultures. While quite a few of us in the west are familiar with at least some aspects of the religion (karma, for instance), most of us lack any real depth of understanding of the complexities and nuances of one of the world's oldest and most diverse religions. I hope that by listening to this book you can at least begin to scratch the surface of this rich and intricate religion.