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Contributed papers presented at the 9th European Conference of Modern South Asian Studies at Wihelmsfeld in 1986.

This volume presents for the first time a complete English translation of all 99 Tamil Letters gathered and translated into German by the early Lutheran Pietist missionaries to India, namely Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg (1682-1719) and his colleague Johann Ernst Grundler (1677-1720). They attempted to help their European readers to engage with what Tamil people said of themselves, their history, literature, religions, women, children, agriculture and the like. The missionaries disclosed their theological and missiological intentions to the Tamils. The Tamils, in turn, did not accept them uncritically. They sent written responses to their inquiries in which they disclosed their deepest loyalties and practical priorities that gave them meaning, purpose, and satisfaction. The missionaries believed that the more European readers would familiarize themselves with the worldviews and customs of the Tamil peoples, the more appreciation, care, and concern they would have for their own religious institutions and cultural symbols. This kind of cross-cultural impact has very few paral-lels in the 18th century. These Tamil Letters are now nearly 300 years old; yet they have retained their authentic freshness. Modern readers can still discern, though faintly, Tamil voices and interactions with Europeans and European attitudes towards the Tamils. Even today, this kind of Hindu-Christian self-disclosure, in an atmosphere of mutual trust and friendship, may have relevance for the ways in which we try to promote better understanding between people of different faith communities living and working in our own neighborhoods. The Tamil Letters are given in translation with rich annotations and explanations.

Neo-Hindutva explores the recent proliferation and evolution of Hindu nationalism – the assertive majoritarian, right-wing ideology that is transforming contemporary India. This volume develops and expands on the idea of ‘neo-Hindutva’ –– Hindu nationalist ideology which is evolving and shifting in new, surprising, and significant ways, requiring a reassessment and reframing of prevailing understandings. The contributors identify and explain the ways in which Hindu nationalism increasingly permeates into new spaces: organisational, territorial, conceptual, rhetorical. The scope of the chapters reflect the diversity of contemporary Hindutva – both in India and beyond – which appears simultaneously brazen but concealed, nebulous and mainstreamed, militant yet normalised. They cover a wide range of topics and places in which one can locate new forms of Hindu nationalism: courts of law, the Northeast, the diaspora, Adivasi (tribal) communities, a powerful yoga guru, and the Internet. The volume also includes an in-depth interview with Christophe Jaffrelot and a postscript by Deepa Reddy. Helping readers to make sense of contemporary Hindutva, Neo-Hindutva is ideal for scholars of India, Hinduism, Nationalism, and Asian Studies more generally. This book was originally published as a special issue of Contemporary South Asia.

Hindus make a clear distinction between morality and spirituality, for their aim is not merely to become perfect human beings but to become one with the personal God through love in union with him or to become identified with the universal Spirit of the Absolute. They propose, besides morality, higher paths of spiritual wisdom and love of God. The book deals with the religious quest of Hinduism, the seers and God-men as founders of Hindu spirituality, faith in the guru, the ideal of the spiritual person (sadhu), Hindu hospitality and tolerance, the Hindu way to peace, the experience of God through love and union, and finally, the Hindu meaning of death and eschatology.

The fourth edition of World Religions in America continues its lauded tradition of providing students with reliable and nuanced information about America's religious diversity, while also reflecting new developments and ideas. Each chapter was updated to reflect important changes and events, and current statistics and information. New features include a timeline of key events and people for each tradition, sidebars on major movements or controversies, personal stories from members of various faiths, a theme-based organization of subjects, more subheads, three new chapters exploring America's increasing religious diversity, and suggestions for further study.

A popular and critical success when it first appeared in France, Yoga and the Hindu Tradition has freed Yoga from the common misconceptions of the recent Yoga vogue. Jean Varenne, the distinguished French Orientalist, presents the theory of classical Yoga, in all its richness, as a method—a concrete way to reach the Absolute through spiritual exercises—which makes possible the transition from existence to essence. This excellent translation, including line drawings and charts, a glossary of technical terms, and a complete translation of the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, begins with a brief description of the metaphysical and religious history on which Yoga is based. Varenne discusses the theoretical conception of Yoga as the search for liberating knowledge, concluding with a brief indication of the physical practices and extra Yogic themes such as Kundalini and Tantrism. It is the author's hope that "those who read [this book] will come to realize that it is in fact dishonest to reduce Yoga to some sort of physical training, or to just an occult doctrine; it is a 'world view' a Weltanschauung that comprehends reality in its totality." "The straightforward, well-organized presentation makes the book itself a microcosm of what Varenne singles out as a dominant feature of classical Hindu thought—a bringing of the complex and multitudinous into a unity."—Judith Guttman, Yoga Journal

Cultural biography of Bhåaratendu Hariâscandra, 1850-1885, major Hindi writer of the nineteenth century.

This book sets out major beliefs and practices which form Hinduism today. It is about living religion - what it is to be Hindu in today's world. It depicts the rich colour and diversity of the many dimensions of Hinduism and deals with the fundamental beliefs which underpin the religion. Contents include the Hindu concept of God; samsara, the cycle of reincarnation; karma, the law of course and effect; dharma, what is right; moksa, the final goal of enlightenment. Hindu scriptures include sruti and smrti literature, the Mahabharat, The Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. There is a chapter on Gods and Goddesses: Vishnu the Preserver, Krishna, Siva, the auspicious Ganesh, and the Mother Goddess. Other chapters explain worship in the home and temple, Hindu sysbols, food and caste, festivals and pilgrimages, and life cycles in the Hindu family - particularly, birth, marriages and death. The history and tradition of Hinduism is dealt with in relation to the Indus valley civilization, the Vedic period, the Vedanta, and devotional Hinduism. The book contains a glossary of Hindu terms.

I wrote this book for the reason listed in the title, to call and welcome my fellow americans to Hinduism. I feel like the message of Hinduism is one that is sorely needed in these times. In this book I’m not going to try to explain everything about Hinduism, there are a million very fine books that already do that and they’re written by scholars much more qualified than me to do that. What I’m aiming to do is to introduce you to Hindu dharma and present the case as to why you should look into it and seriously consider embracing it. I feel like a lot of people out there are genuinely interested in Hinduism but don’t know what to do about it. Or maybe they’re practicing some kind of Hindu..ish spirituality at home in private but are nervous or shy for some reason about going to the temple or taking their Hinduishness to the next level. If you feel like I’m talking about you right now, I wrote this book for you. Maybe you’re pagan/heathen and you’re interested in Hinduism too because of Paganism’s ancient connection to Hinduism. This book is for you too. I try to answer basic questions people have about Hinduism and address misconceptions people might have. I also give advice on spiritual practice. I’m not an english major, I write in the common tongue, like I speak so I feel like this book is probably going to be really easy to understand and it’s going to be a lot like having a deep spiritual conversation with your uncle or good friend. If you’re a fellow seeker on the spiritual path, this book is for you. Namaste and enjoy.

A major contribution toward the ongoing debates on the nature and history of Hinduism in India Hinduism in India: The Early Period covers the major thematic and historical aspects of Hinduism in ancient and medieval India, emphasising primarily on belief structures, rituals, theology, art, and myths. Although the book focuses on the period from 200 BCE to 1200 ACE, the chapters make several references to ideas and practices preceding and following this period. This is a reflection of the fact that the cultural entity named “Hinduism” has been in a process of constant change and evolution, and continues to demonstrate many recognizably ancient elements even today.