Description

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