Sri Deva Sthanam

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Hindu Primer

Sri Deva Sthanam

This Hindu Primer is the online version of a published book, Ganga Flows West. It is a collection of practical "snapshots" of various aspects of Hindu practice as it is seen in contempory Hindu temples and families in the West. It was written primarily for the Western born generation of Hindu young adults and for their non Hindu family members, friends and associates who would like a concise overview of modern Hindu culture.

 

The Origins

  • Introduction
  • The Nature of Religion
  • Models of Religion and the Hindu Way of Seeing
  • The Origins of Hinduism
  • Hinduism and The Indus Valley Civilization
  • The Term Hinduism
  • The Importance of Sanskrit to Hinduism
  • Vedas: the Sacred Writings of Hinduism
  • The Religious Order: Sampradaya

Philosophy

  • Spiritual Qualification and Ownership: Adhikara
  • What is Dharma?
  • Yoga and the Yogi
  • Fasting: Upavasana
  • Voluntary Service: Seva
  • Hindu Caste: Varnashrama Dharma
  • Action: Karma, Punya and Papa
  • Liberation: Moksha/Mukti/Nirvana
  • Non Harming: Ahimsa
  • God in Hinduism
  • What is a Guru?
  • What is Vedanta?

Time and Hinduism

  • Time In Hinduism: The Yuga
  • The Hindu Calendar: Panchanga
  • Choosing the Moment: Muhurta
  • The Making of the Hindu Calendar

Ceremonies

  • Hindu Festivals: Utsavas
  • A Ladies’ Vow: Karwa Chauth
  • Installing a Sacred Image Murti Sthapana/Prana Pratishta
  • Ways of Worship: Puja and Archana
  • The Fire Ritual: Havan/Homa
  • Sacred Bathing: Abhishekam
  • Initiation: Diksha
  • The Satya Narayana Puja

Sacred Images

  • Do Hindus Worship Idols?
  • Nine Planets: Nava Grahas?
  • The Sacred Image: Shri Murti
  • Special Murtis: Balaji, Jagannatha and Shri Nathji
  • Shiva Lingam

Practice

  • Mantras
  • Sacred Songs: Bhajana/Kirtana
  • The Meaning of Sounds
  • Gayatri Mantra
  • Hindu Samskaras
  • Religious Practice: Sadhana
  • Chanting: Japa

Sacred Objects

  • Sacred Objects: Trees, Lotuses, Cows
  • What is the meaning of a Swastika?
  • The Offerings of Food and Lamps (aarti)
  • Rituals, Lamps, Holy Ash
  • Feet in Hinduism
  • Namaste and Bowing as Signs of Respect
  • Why do Hindus wear marks on the forehead?
  • Divine Blessings: Prasada
  • A Sacred Plant: Tulasi
  • Religious Marks: Tilaka/Tika
  • The Shathari: God’s Feet
  • Sacred Designs: the Yantra

Miscellanea

  • Hindu Astrology, Its Foundations
  • Hindu Astrology, A Summary
  • Hindu Architecture: Vaastu Shastra
  • Hinduism and Science
  • A Note about Western Perceptions of India
  • Divine Sages: Rishis
  • Hindu Education: Guru Kula and Bal Vihar
  • About Us
  • Hindu Primer
  • Biography
  • Translations
  • Articles
  • Vedic Chants
  • Sanskrit

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