An Introduction to Hinduism

About the Author Joseph Vellaringatt, S.J., is a member of the Patna Province of the Society of Jesus. He holds a doctorate in Indian Philosophy and Religion from Banaras Hindu University. He taught Hindu religion for several years in the Regional Theology Centre in Patna and in various other Regional Theology Centres in India. Based on his deep knowledge of Hinduism he has written a book in Hindi titled Hindu Dharma: Ek Laghu Parichay (A Brief Introduction to Hinduism). The present book is a slightly enlarged English version of his first book. The author has always shown a keen interest in inter-religious dialogue and harmony. The purpose of writing An Introduction to Hinduism is, as he makes it clear in the introductory chapter of  the book, to present the readers, especially Christians, with a correct understanding of Hindu religious beliefs and practices so that they may have a positive attitude towards them. Fr. Vellaringatt has also written three other books, Walking with Pope Francis: Good News for Our Times, Central Themes of Ignatian Spirituality and The Mind and Heart of Jesus. He is an experienced retreat director and a specialist in Ignatian spirituality. For several years he was one of the well appreciated Tertian Instructors of the South Asian Assistancy of the Society of Jesus. At present he is on the staff of Atmadarshan Centre for Spirituality and Counseling, Patna. CONTENTS DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 THE ESSENCE OF HINDUISM CHAPTER 2 SOME SALIENT FEATURES OF HINDUISM CHAPTER 3 HINDU RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES CHAPTER 4 THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN RIG VEDA CHAPTER 5 UPANISHADIC CONCEPT OF GOD CHAPTER 6 SHIVA CHAPTER 7 VISHNU CHAPTER 8 BRAHMA CHAPTER 9 SURYA CHAPTER 10 GANESHA CHAPTER 11 VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF THE FEMININE ASPECT OF GOD CHAPTER 12 THE DOCTRINE OF THE INCARNATIONS CHAPTER 13 THE CONCEPT OF MAN IN HINDUISM CHAPTER 14 VARNASHRAMA: FOUR CASTES AND FOUR STAGE OF LIFE CHAPTER 15 WORSHIP IN HINDUISM CHAPTER 16 HINDU SACRAMENTS (SAMSKARAS) CHAPTER 17 EVIL SPIRITS CHAPTER 18 DAILY HOUSEHOLD RITUALS CHAPTER 19 PILGRIMAGES (TIRTHA) CHAPTER 20 THE THREE PATHS OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE (SADHANA) CHAPTER 21 HINDU FESTIVALS CHAPTER 22 TANTRIK SADHANA CHAPTER 23 EROTICISM IN HINDU RELIGIOUS ART CHAPTER 24 YOGA CHAPTER 25 SANNYASA (ASCETICISM) CHAPTER 26 SANNYASA SCHOOLS CHAPTER 27 SAINTS AND HOLY PERSONS CONCLUSION INDEX