AM I A HINDU? International Best Seller about Hinduism
Topic started by Ed Viswanathan (@ pc1.new-orleans.la.us) on Fri Jun 7 09:33:07 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
After the cold, cruel massacre at New York on 9-11 as well as the recent sad events in India, I have come to the firm conclusion that India and Hinduism has a lot to offer during this trouble times and all of us should be very proud of mother culture-religion Hinduism. www.amiahindu.com
At the same time, there is a lot of false propaganda against Hinduism all over the globe and as such it is our duty to eradicate false hood and educate masses about Hindu culture. Apathy on our part will only make our lives over here miserable.
My name is Ed Viswanathan and I am an engineer and author of an international best seller on Hinduism by name Am I A Hindu?[ISBN 1-879904-06-3 Halo Books, USA and Rupa Press, India, which has sold many copies around the globe....For the last so many years, I have sent more than 900 complimentary copies of my book at random to Indian students studying in western universities. At least 4 universities in USA alone are using this book as a medium of instruction in Hinduism. This book is one of a kind with 90 chapters and hundreds of questions and answers.
This book is in the form of thought provoking dialogue between 14 year old American born Indian teenager and his middle aged father on all aspects of Hinduism. Almost all the papers and magazines [such as THE HINDU, Madras, HINDUISM TODAY, INDIA WEST, Indian Express etc] in India have written excellent reviews on this book. In USA many magazines [LIBRARY JOURNAL, BOOKLIST etc] have recommended this book for all libraries. To help every one, especially students understand every aspect of Hinduism, I have set up a web page with many educational flow charts. Kindly visit my web page and write to me for a complimentary copy of my book. Thanking you in advance for reading this message. edvis9@hotmail.com
http://www.amiahindu.com
http://www.udupipages.com/book/hindhu.html
Recently the book is translated to Indonesian language
Am I a Hindu? in INDONESIAN LANGUAGE
Apakah Saya Orang Hindu?
Ed. Visvanathan
N.P. Putra, Sang Ayu Putu Renny
www.saradbali.com/sarads/s1001/cakepan.html
http://www.hindu-indonesia.com/
http://welcome.to/hindu-indonesia
http://www.peradah-indonesia.org/
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- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ pc1.new-orleans.la.us)
on: Fri Jun 7 10:04:16
WHAT ARE THE SACRED BOOKS OF HINDUISM?
The very first sacred books of Hinduism is called VEDAS. VEDAS means KNOWLEDGE. There are four VEDAS and they claim to teach men the highest aspects of truths which can lead them to God. Vedas and Upanishads are SRUTI scriptures.
The word VEDA came from the root word "vid" meaning "to know". Vedas are the very first scriptures of Hinduism.
Vedas as per scriptures were written by God. Vedas state "SELF REALIZATION" is one and the goal of human life.
Vedas also discuss in detail rituals and ceremonies to attain self-realization. There are 4 Vedas. The first Vedas are known as the TRIPLE VEDAS.
They are:
RIG VEDA----------- KNOWLEDGE OF HYMNS --10589 verses --
The Hindu Rig Veda is the foremost book of Hindus. It is the oldest book in the world. Nobody knows when Rig Veda was written.
According to B.G. Tilak it was written in 5000 BC. German philosopher Max Muller dates 1500 BC. According some it took centuries to write this book from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C. Rig Veda is older than GILGAMESH [2500 B.C] and the Old Testament.
The very first Veda, Rig Veda very clearly shows that it was written, when nomad man first settled down on the banks of rivers like Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus etc.
That is the reason why, in Rig Veda one can see people are worshiping natural powers like lighting, rain, Sun, fire [Agni]; water; air, that effects cultivation
It consists of 1028 hymns, comprising of 10,589 verses in 10 chapters known as MANDALAS. 33 gods are worshiped in Rig Veda.
There are 100 hymns addressed to Soma;
250 addressed to Indra;
200 hymns addressed to Agni;
Many addressed to Surya. Few addressed to USHAS, ADITI, SARASWATHI, VARUNA and ASVINS. Lord Vishnu is a minor god in Rig Veda.
- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ pc1.new-orleans.la.us)
on: Fri Jun 7 10:06:40
One of the most important statement came from the Rig Veda is "EKAM SAT, VIPRAH BAHUDHA VADANTI ---meaning "Truth is one but men describe it differently".
Lord Vishnu has minor importance in Rig Veda.
Name of Lord Siva is mentioned as RUDRA. SOMA in Rig Veda is intoxicating drink to gods. The word SURA came those who drink an intoxicating drink which I think is SOMA.
The word ASURA came from those who does not drink that drink. Another word that caught my attention in RIG VEDA is the word RTA which means some kind of cosmic order.
From my research I conclude the word DHARMA originated from the word RTA.
- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ pc1.new-orleans.la.us)
on: Fri Jun 7 10:09:31
One of the most prominent hymns of Rig Veda "Purusa-Sukta -Purusha [man] and the Primordial sacrifice of Purusha for the betterment of man and the world".
Another one is color=”red”>"CREATION HYMN" color=”red”>
Caste system started in Rig Vedic period.
The Rig Vedic Hymn, known as PURUSHA-SUKTA (Mandala-x, 19th hymn, 12th verse) states: THE BRAHMIN WAS PURUSHA'S (cosmic man - the first principle of SANKYA PHILOSOPHY in Hinduism) MOUTH, THE KSHATRIYA HIS ARMS, THE VAISYA HIS THIGHS, AND SHUDRA HIS FEET.
- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ adsl-157-9-13.msy.bellsouth.net)
on: Fri Jun 7 18:38:01
YAJUR VEDA----------- KNOWLEDGE OF LITURGY --3988 verses
deals with KNOWLEDGE OF RITES.
This Veda is based on Rig Veda. It contains rules and regulations explaining how to conduct rituals.
It consists of prose as well verse. This Veda is indeed a priestly handbook, even describing the details of how to make an alter. Sacrifice is one of the most important aspect of this Veda.
- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ adsl-157-9-13.msy.bellsouth.net)
on: Fri Jun 7 18:39:31
SAMA VEDA------------ KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC ---1549 verses
deals with the knowledge of chants. Sama means "melody". The classical Indian music originated from this Veda.
This Veda is also based on Rig Veda. Verses from this Veda is sung when "Soma Sacrifice" is performed.
Sama Veda is similar to Psalms in Christianity. To some extent much of this Veda is a repetition of the Rig Veda sung in melodious format.
Invocations of this Veda is addressed to Soma [moon or the narcotic drink Soma]; Agni [fire]; Indra [god of heaven]. One of the Upanishads that came out of this Veda is Chandogya Upanishad.
- From: Ed Viswanathan (@ adsl-157-9-13.msy.bellsouth.net)
on: Fri Jun 7 18:41:02
ATHARVA VEDA— ---KNOWLEDGE GIVEN BY SAGE ATHARVA—6000 verses ---731 hymns----contains the knowledge given by sage Athrvana.
Some state that sage Athrvana did not formulate this Veda but was the chief priest in the ceremonies associated with it.
Atharvana who is mentioned in the Rig Veda was considered as the eldest son of Lord Brahma [God of creation].
ATHARVA Veda is also known as BRAHMA VEDA, because it is still used as a manul by Hindu priests and Brahmins. AUYRVEDA is a part of ATHARVA VEDA.
A large number of Upanishads came from ATHARVA VEDA. Belief it or not, much of Hindu exorcism of devils came from this Veda. At the same time, the oldest records on Veda do not talk about this Veda.
There is absolutely no reference about this Veda in the Chandogya Upanishad or in the Brahmana tests or in the Jatakas or in the Bhagavad Gita. That very clearly shows ATHARVA VEDA was non-existent when other 3 Vedas were composed.
- From: Thej (@ adsl-67-115-104-200.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net)
on: Mon Sep 1 04:56:15
Have you ever heard of Arya Samaj. They a reform movement in the Hindu religion. They have a much different view of the Vedas than what has been put on your website. Here is the link: www.aryasamaj.com. You can also do a google search. There are many websites on it.
- From: Thej (@ adsl-67-115-104-200.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net)
on: Mon Sep 1 04:56:58
Have you ever heard of Arya Samaj. They are a reform movement in the Hindu religion. They have a much different view of the Vedas than what has been put on your website. Here is the link: www.aryasamaj.com. You can also do a google search for 'Arya Samaj'. There are many websites on them.
- From: Sampath Rani (@ )
on: Fri Oct 31 06:03:34
According to my parents i am Hindu but many people came on way of life and did try to convince me about their culture and i got converted to islam recently for two days but you know soceities pressure ....which ultimately brought me back to Hinduism.......i am so confused...about how to pray God....now i don't really feel like going back to Idol worship and waste time hours together arranging temple....i feel i am enlightened with One god Concept....but i feel i am left half way alone....do guide me Please.
- From: mummudicholan[the real] (@ netcache.spectranet.com)
on: Fri Oct 31 10:53:08 EST 2003
Viswanathan,
A very good site. One thing which impressed me was the article on 'I am God'. It was really good. Good effort.
Try to bring the book in Tamil too.
Many times, I have felt the need to educate Hindus about Hinduism. When the average muslim and the converted Christian is fully aware about the basic tenets of his/her religion, the average Hindu is blissfully unaware about the great Hindu religion from which Islam and Christianity arose as a result of the half-baked spiritualists and mentally retarded fellows who founded such sects.
If you need any help for your work, from India ( I am now located in Guwahati, but travel frequently to Chennai,Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore), feel free to mail me.
Once again congrats!
Anbudan,
Cholan
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