An Introduction to HinduismCambridge University Press, 1996 M07 13 - 341 pages This book provides a much-needed thematic and historical introduction to Hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in India. Dr Flood traces the development of Hindu traditions from their ancient origins, through the major deities of Visnu, Siva and the Goddess, to the modern world. Hinduism is discussed as both a global religion and a form of nationalism. Emphasis is given to the tantric traditions, which have been so influential; to Hindu ritual, which is more fundamental to the life of the religion than are specific beliefs or doctrines; and to Dravidian influences from south India. An Introduction to Hinduism examines the ideas of dharma, particularly in relation to the ideology of kingship, caste and world renunciation. Dr Flood also introduces some debates within contemporary scholarship about the nature of Hinduism. It is suitable both for the student and for the general reader. |
Contents
Points of departure | 5 |
Ancient origins | 23 |
Dharma | 51 |
Yoga and renunciation | 75 |
Narrative traditions and early Vaisnavism | 103 |
The love of Visnu | 128 |
Saiva and tantric religion | 148 |
The Goddess and Sakta traditions | 174 |
Hindu ritual | 198 |
Hindu theology and philosophy | 224 |
Hinduism and the modern world | 250 |
Notes | 274 |
305 | |
329 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Advaita Aryan ascetic asceticism become Bhagavad bhakti body Brahman Brāhmaṇas Buddhism caste centre commentaries consciousness cosmos cult culture darśana deities Delhi developed devotion dharma Dharma Śāstras distinct divine doctrine Dravidian festival Gandhi Gitā Goddess groups guru high-caste Hindu traditions Hinduism householder human hymns icon idea ideology important India Indus Script Indus valley Indus valley civilization jāti Kālī karma Kashmir Kerala king Kṛṣṇa language liberation literature London Lord Mahabharata manifestation Manu Mīmāmsā MLBD myth orthodox Oxford University Press pan-Hindu particularly perform philosophy pilgrimage pūjā Purāṇa Purāņas purity Rāma Rāmakrishna Rāmānuja realm refers regarded religion religious renouncer traditions renunciation revelation Ṛg Veda rites sacred sacrifice Śaiva Śaivism Samhita Samkhya Sanskrit scriptures Śiva social society Soma south Asia spiritual śrauta Śrī Vaiṣṇava SUNY Press Sutra Sūtras symbolic Tamil Tamilnadu Tantras tantric temple term texts teyyam theology tion transcendent Upanisads Vaiṣṇava Vedanta vedic ritual Vidya Viṣṇu worship yoga