Hinduism Book Recommendations

[Riverwolf]

Yea his Rig Veda is atrocious. There are glaring errors. I've heard that his other texts are similar although after the RV I didn't have it in me to try and read more of his work.

You're not going to find another free translation....not that I know of anyway. You may find a better one at the library. If not you can order them online but I don't know how expensive it will be.

Hari Om!

There are small compilations of Vedic hymns in various books in my library's system, but nothing extensive. (The main one being a collection published by Penguin Classics, but it's selection is very small.) Most of them come in collections of Hindu Scriptures (often with that very title or something like it), but very few hymns are included.

grr... I'm trying to become Hindu and I don't even have access to the primary texts!!! Maybe when I'm older and can read Sanskrit I can work on an unabridged translation of the Rig Veda myself...

 

[Madhuri]

There are small compilations of Vedic hymns in various books in my library's system, but nothing extensive. (The main one being a collection published by Penguin Classics, but it's selection is very small.) Most of them come in collections of Hindu Scriptures (often with that very title or something like it), but very few hymns are included.

grr... I'm trying to become Hindu and I don't even have access to the primary texts!!! Maybe when I'm older and can read Sanskrit I can work on an unabridged translation of the Rig Veda myself...

The Bhagavadgita is online!

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita

 

[Riverwolf]

The Bhagavadgita is online!

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita

I've got three Gitas myself. (Eknath Easwaren's translation, a commentated one by... Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja... (seriously, what's with these names!?!?), and the one by Swami Tapasyananda.

The Bhagavad-Gita is really easy to come across. It's actually almost annoying that I have access to many different translations and commentaries on the BG, but very little access to anything else other than the Upanishads, and it's hard to find good translations of those. :sad4:

Yeesh, if I could read Sanskrit I'd translate the most important texts myself and put them online for free so people wouldn't have to pay hundreds of dollars to read them.

 

[Madhuri]

I've got three Gitas myself. (Eknath Easwaren's translation, a commentated one by... Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja... (seriously, what's with these names!?!?), and the one by Swami Tapasyananda.

The Bhagavad-Gita is really easy to come across. It's actually almost annoying that I have access to many different translations and commentaries on the BG, but very little access to anything else other than the Upanishads, and it's hard to find good translations of those. :sad4:

Yeesh, if I could read Sanskrit I'd translate the most important texts myself and put them online for free so people wouldn't have to pay hundreds of dollars to read them.

I say you should do that asap because I want to read thsoe texts too! I have never seen a copy off the Rigveda in my life.

 

[Riverwolf]

I say you should do that asap because I want to read thsoe texts too! I have never seen a copy off the Rigveda in my life.

Well, I'm currently 22 in Junior College taking first-term Mandarin, and next term (and subsequent terms) I'm going to resume my Japanese studies so I can find work as a translator in a language that's still widely spoken.

You might have to wait a while... (unless I get the ambition to try learning more than one language at once. )

 

[anupj]

I have always wanted to read Tulesidasa's Ramchritmanas now I can do it for free thank you so much. what a big help.

if you want to read any other books please mention, if possible, i will find those for you

 

[Madhuri]

Well, I'm currently 22 in Junior College taking first-term Mandarin, and next term (and subsequent terms) I'm going to resume my Japanese studies so I can find work as a translator in a language that's still widely spoken.

You might have to wait a while... (unless I get the ambition to try learning more than one language at once. )

You can totally do it man!! Easy...

 

[Riverwolf]

You can totally do it man!! Easy...

Well, since my last post, I'm now learning some Devangari Vowels... considering the fact that Mandarin and Sanskrit have pretty much nothing in common (I can tell that much already just by listening to them), maybe it won't be so hard, after all...

(yeah, I think you can guess what one of the skills I've been blessed with is. )

 

[Metempsychosis]

Most important books on advaita
Vivekachudamani--Crest Jewel of Discrimination

Vivekachudamani - Works of Sankaracharya, Advaita Vedanta and Hindu Sacred Scriptures

For me this book is better than Bhagavath-Gita.
Other good ones are
» Avadhuta Gita
» Astavakra Gita

Find them in that site.

 

[Onkara]

Can anybody recommend good guides or books on learning Sanskrit?
Thanks
Onkarah.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Can anybody recommend good guides or books on learning Sanskrit?
Thanks
Onkarah.

Look at this
American Sanskrit Institute

 

[anupj]

i have come across many resources for learning sanskrit. of them those which i remember right now, i am mentioning here

Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath, Sirigere -- sanskrit grammar software
Sanskrit
AVG :: Weekend Programs, Children's Classes, Dance, Yoga

Sanskrit step-by-step -- very good resource to learn

i hope this helps

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

» Avadhuta Gita

This is a very fun read. It is one of the few scriptures of mankind that is not philosophical speculation or instruction on sadhana. It is just a world view from the perspective an enlighten sage.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Avadoota Gita is oldest authority of non-dualism .Because dattatreya lived b4 Ram(5000 B.C).

Vivekachudamani---Probably The Bible of Adhvaita .It is very high on philosophy.It is metaphorically very very rich.

Bhaja Govindam-Has a tinge of devotion .Probably Bhakti guys can appreciate it better..But it is widely considered to be vedanta in a nutshell.
It starts with Sankara criticizing a man for trying to cram Sanskrit (very tough one that,considering the language is has many rules).

.""Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.".This does not relate to our discussion tough.

Site on Eastern Religions here
http://www.cosmicharmony.com/

Book on Hindu Mystic "Yoga"--With it workings and conceptualization
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12573399/Kundalini-Tantra

 

[Riverwolf]

Bhaja Govindam-Has a tinge of devotion .Probably Bhakti guys can appreciate it better..But it is widely considered to be vedanta in a nutshell.
It starts with Sankara criticizing a man for trying to cram Sanskrit (very tough one that,considering the language is has many rules).

.""Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.".This does not relate to our discussion tough.

Wait a minute. Wasn't Sankara a devotee of Siva? (Or is it a different Sankara?)

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Avadoota Gita is oldest authority of non-dualism .Because dattatreya lived b4 Ram(5000 B.C).

Vivekachudamani---Probably The Bible of Adhvaita .It is very high on philosophy.It is metaphorically very very rich.

Bhaja Govindam-Has a tinge of devotion .Probably Bhakti guys can appreciate it better..But it is widely considered to be vedanta in a nutshell.
It starts with Sankara criticizing a man for trying to cram Sanskrit (very tough one that,considering the language is has many rules).

.""Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.".This does not relate to our discussion tough.

I read Sankaracharya's Sadhana Pancakam every day It contains all you need to know on how that you should live your life in just 5 verses.

I have also been studying Saundarya Lahari or wave of beauty. The way we are Inundated by divine splendor. It is a Tantic text book in Sakti worship, it covers the Sri Cakra, kundalini, devotion and Advaita all in around 100 verses. It is an amazing text it has something for us all.

What a mind the acharya had who could match him.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Wait a minute. Wasn't Sankara a devotee of Siva? (Or is it a different Sankara?)

Sankara wrote books on Advaita philosophy but he also went all over India setting up temples. Many of the Mother temples in south India it was He who installed the Sri Yantra . His methodology of worship is used in most the important Holy sites in the Himalayas. Even the followers of Vishnu do Puja His way at Badrinath ( One of the most Important temples in India.) He set up many of the rules used by all Hindus all over India. The Panchadevata or 5 division of Hindu Dharma. Siva,Sakti, Visnu, Ganesha, and Surya was all set up in its modern form by Adi Sankara. Hinduism owes much to him. So he wrote poems of devotion for all the main sects of Hinduism.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Wait a minute. Wasn't Sankara a devotee of Siva? (Or is it a different Sankara?)

Yes ,it is same sankara. Advaitins give respect to Vishnu. Non-duality never negates duality.They are just written different standpoints.

Siva is no different Govinda or Vishnu.They are the same .

Truth is beyond name,form,book,and most importantly religion.

 

[Madhuri]

Yes ,it is same sankara. Advaitins give respect to Vishnu. Non-duality never negates duality.They are just written different standpoints.

Siva is no different Govinda or Vishnu.They are the same .

Truth is beyond name,form,book,and most importantly religion.

:clap:bow:

 

[Metempsychosis]

Sankara wrote books on Advaita philosophy but he also went all over India setting up temples. Many of the Mother temples in south India it was He who installed the Sri Yantra . His methodology of worship is used in most the important Holy sites in the Himalayas. Even the followers of Vishnu do Puja His way at Badrinath ( One of the most Important temples in India.) He set up many of the rules used by all Hindus all over India. The Panchadevata or 5 division of Hindu Dharma. Siva,Sakti, Visnu, Ganesha, and Surya was all set up in its modern form by Adi Sankara. Hinduism owes much to him. So he wote poems of devotion for all the main sects of Hinduism.

He is of the order of Buddha and Socrates.

Life History :

Age 8:Masters vedas
Age 12(i think):Becomes Ascetic.
In ten years:Realizes the mystic Goal.
Then write commentaries on all the Shrutis.
Travels all over India and sets up centres at four corners.
Age 32ies

One problem ,He sent Buddhist scratching their heads in religious debates.That led to the decline of Buddhism in India.
This was pretty sad, Buddhism generally has the highest values(certainly better than Hinduism for daily life) and it is only religion that does not foolish things like caste system.