Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics
Author: Manjari Katju
Publisher: Orient Blackswan
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2003
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9788125024767

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics provides a detailed historical account of the VHP, one of the leading organisations in the Hindutva movement, focusing on its transformation from a loosely-knit body of Hindus aimed at preserving and promoting Hindu dharma, into a mass organisation actively involved in mobilising the urban middle classes, service professionals and religious leaders for the creation and promotion of a strong Hindu nation. Rich in empirical data, the book contains extensive quotations from fifty interviews carried out for this study, including those with central figures in the VHP such as Praveen Togadia and Ashok Singhal and members of related organisations.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad : An Introduction

Vishwa Hindu Parishad : An Introduction
Author: Anil Kumar Mishra
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2015-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9351861953

Embark on a journey of understanding and exploration with "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" by Anil Kumar Mishra, a comprehensive guide to one of the world's largest Hindu organizations. Join Anil Kumar Mishra as he delves into the history, mission, and activities of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), offering readers a nuanced understanding of its origins, principles, and significance in the global Hindu community. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Mishra sheds light on the VHP's role in promoting Hindu unity, culture, and values both within India and around the world. With its rich history and diverse membership, the VHP has played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of India, advocating for the rights and interests of Hindus while also championing social justice and humanitarian causes. Mishra explores the organization's key initiatives and campaigns, from educational programs and social welfare projects to advocacy efforts and cultural preservation. But "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" is more than just a historical overview—it's a thoughtful reflection on the complex interplay of religion, politics, and identity in contemporary India and beyond. Mishra navigates the complexities of Hindu nationalism, secularism, and communalism, offering readers a balanced perspective on the VHP's place in the broader socio-political context. With its accessible writing style and comprehensive coverage, "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" is an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Hinduism and its diverse expressions in the modern world. Whether you're a newcomer to the subject or a seasoned observer, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enrich your understanding of this influential organization. Experience the richness and diversity of Hinduism with "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" by Anil Kumar Mishra. Order your copy today and embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment.

How to Become a Hindu

How to Become a Hindu
Author: Subramuniya (Master.)
Publisher: Himalayan Academy Publications
Total Pages: 411
Release: 2000
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0945497822

"A history-making manual,interreligious study and names list, with stories by Westerners who entered Hinduism and Hindus who deepened their faith"--Cove

Unifying Hinduism

Unifying Hinduism
Author: Andrew J. Nicholson
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2013-12-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0231149875

Some postcolonial theorists argue that the idea of a single system of belief known as "Hinduism" is a creation of nineteenth-century British imperialists. Andrew J. Nicholson introduces another perspective: although a unified Hindu identity is not as ancient as some Hindus claim, it has its roots in innovations within South Asian philosophy from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries. During this time, thinkers treated the philosophies of Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga, along with the worshippers of Visnu, Siva, and Sakti, as belonging to a single system of belief and practice. Instead of seeing such groups as separate and contradictory, they re-envisioned them as separate rivers leading to the ocean of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Drawing on the writings of philosophers from late medieval and early modern traditions, including Vijnanabhiksu, Madhava, and Madhusudana Sarasvati, Nicholson shows how influential thinkers portrayed Vedanta philosophy as the ultimate unifier of diverse belief systems. This project paved the way for the work of later Hindu reformers, such as Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and Gandhi, whose teachings promoted the notion that all world religions belong to a single spiritual unity. In his study, Nicholson also critiques the way in which Eurocentric concepts—like monism and dualism, idealism and realism, theism and atheism, and orthodoxy and heterodoxy—have come to dominate modern discourses on Indian philosophy.

Contemporary Hinduism

Contemporary Hinduism
Author: Robin Rinehart
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2004-07-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1576079066

An examination of the contemporary practices, beliefs, and issues of one of the world's oldest and most enduring religions, both within its Indian homeland and throughout the world. Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice illuminates the modern-day ritual, range, and reach of this ancient and diverse religion. A brief historical overview is followed by discussions of the oral and written origins of Hinduism that give context for the main emphasis—contemporary thought, practice, and key issues. Unique to this work is the consistent attention given to the practice of Hinduism for both men and women. What roles do caste and gender play in modern Hinduism? How are issues like ethics and the environment approached? What are the differences between urban and rural Hinduism, fundamental and secular Hinduism? To what countries has this religion spread, and how do the beliefs and practices of their people compare and contrast? Essays written by Indian and Western scholars answer these and other intriguing questions, introducing readers to the whole world of "living Hinduism" rather than the perspectives and traditions of a small elite.

A Survey of Hinduism

A Survey of Hinduism
Author: Klaus K. Klostermaier
Publisher: SUNY Press
Total Pages: 722
Release: 2007-07-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780791470824

The third edition of this well-regarded introduction to Hinduism adds new material on the religion’s origins, on its relations with rival traditions, and on Hindu science.

The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism

The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism
Author: Torkel Brekke
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2019-06-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0192508202

The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism focuses on developments resulting from movements within the tradition as well as contact between India and the outside world through both colonialism and globalization. Divided into three parts, part one considers the historical background to modern conceptualizations of Hinduism. Moving away from the reforms of the 19th and early 20th century, part two includes five chapters each presenting key developments and changes in religious practice in modern Hinduism. Part three moves to issues of politics, ethics, and law. This section maps and explains the powerful legal and political contexts created by the modern state--first the colonial government and then the Indian Republic--which have shaped Hinduism in new ways. The last two chapters look at Hinduism outside India focusing on Hinduism in Nepal and the modern Hindu diaspora.

The A to Z of Hinduism

The A to Z of Hinduism
Author: Bruce M. Sullivan
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2001-07-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1461671892

With a history of over three and a half millennia, and over 800 million adherents, Hinduism is one of the world's largest and most diverse religious traditions. This book presents the Hindu religious tradition's major events, individuals, texts, sects, and concepts in the context of its historical development through various periods. In addition, sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, the rituals performed as religious practices, the manifestations of Hindu religious sensibilities in biography, art, the caste system of social organization, mythology, and the theories of salvation developed through the history of Hinduism are also presented. A pronunciation guide to Sanskrit and Tamil, and a chronology of the history of Hinduism are included.

Hinduism in the Modern World

Hinduism in the Modern World
Author: Brian A. Hatcher
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2015-10-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1135046301

Hinduism in the Modern World presents a new and unprecedented attempt to survey the nature, range, and significance of modern and contemporary Hinduism in South Asia and the global diaspora. Organized to reflect the direction of recent scholarly research, this volume breaks with earlier texts on this subject by seeking to overcome a misleading dichotomy between an elite, intellectualist "modern" Hinduism and the rest of what has so often been misleadingly termed "traditional" or "popular" Hinduism. Without neglecting the significance of modern reformist visions of Hinduism, this book reconceptualizes the meaning of "modern Hinduism" both by expanding its content and by situating its expression within a larger framework of history, ethnography, and contemporary critical theory. This volume equips undergraduate readers with the tools necessary to appreciate the richness and diversity of Hinduism as it has developed during the past two centuries.