Hinduism Portal
Hinduism is formed of multiple traditions and does not have a founder. Originally, Hindu was a secular term which was used to describe all inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent (or Hindustan) irrespective of their religious affiliation. An important part of Hinduism is the "Vedic religion". It is also called the oldest living religion. A large body of texts is classified as Hindu which includes discussions on theology, philosophy and mythology, and information on the practice of dharma (religious living).
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Overview of all Hinduism books:
added 2012-10-01
Volume I comprises Buddhist and Jaina Philosophy and the six systems of Hindu thought, viz.., Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisesika, Mimamsa and Vedanta.
This is the first of five volumes, that were originally published between 1922 ...
212,082 words read
added 2012-10-23
Volume 2 completes studies in the Sankara School of Vedanta. It also contains the philosophy of the Yogavasistha, the Bhagavadgita and speculations in the medical schools.
This is the second of five volumes, that were original...
241,887 words read
added 2013-01-17
Vol. III contains an elaborate account of the principal dualistic and pluralistic systems such as the philosophy of the Pancaratra. Bhaskara, Yamuna, Ramanuja, Nimbarka, Vijnanabhiksu and philosophical speculations of some of the ...
232,512 words read
added 2014-02-26
Vol. IV deals with the Bhagavata Purana, Madhva and his School, Vallabha, Caitanya, Jiva Gosvami and Baladeva Vidyabhusana.
This is the fourth of five volumes, that were originally published between 1922 and 1955. In these vol...
186,278 words read
added 2014-09-14
Vol. V contains an examination of the literature of southern Saivism, Vira-Saivism, the philosophy of Srikantha, the Saiva philosophy in the Puranas, and Saiva philosophy in some important texts.
This is the fifth and final of ...
79,816 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Adhyatma Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Adhyatm...
2,235 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Amritabindu Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Amr...
692 words read
added 2018-04-17
This is the English translation of the Amritanada Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Amri...
1,203 words read
added 2014-09-04
The Dharmasutra of Āpastamba forms a part of the larger Kalpasūtra of Āpastamba. It contains thirty praśnas, which literally means ‘questions’ or books. The subjects of this Dharmasūtra are well organized and preserved in...
60,011 words read
added 2014-09-05
These Sūtras give some general information about the performance of sacrifices, and may prove useful to the students both of the Śrauta and the Gṛhya sacrifices. Paribhāshā is defined as a general rule or definition applicab...
12,023 words read
added 2014-09-05
The short treatise of Āpastamba on the Gṛhya ritual forms one Praśna of the great corpus of the Āpastambīya-Kalpa-sūtra and stands, among the Gṛhya texts, in closest connection with the Hiraṇyakeśi-Gṛhya-sūtra.
21,043 words read
added 2014-07-31
The Ashtavakra Gita (अष्टावक्रगीता; aṣṭāvakragītā) or the 'Song of Ashtavakra' is a classical Advaita Vedanta scripture.
Ashtavakra Gita (or 'Ashtavakra Samhita') is a dialogue between Ashtavakr...
8,560 words read
added 2014-09-05
Most of the questions referring to the Gṛhya-sūtra of Āśvalāyana will be treated of more conveniently in connection with the different subjects which we shall have to discuss in our General Introduction to the Gṛhya-sūtras.
27,388 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Atmabodha Upanishad (belonging to the Rigveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Atmabodha-upani...
1,287 words read
added 2014-09-04
The praśnas of the Dharmasūtra of Baudhāyana consist of the Srautasutra and other ritual treatises, the Sulvasutra which deals with vedic geometry, and the Grhyasutra which deals with domestic rituals.
The Dharmasūtra of Ba...
56,962 words read
added 2014-07-31
English translation of the Gita-mahatmya. This book represents a conversation between Shiva and his consort Srimati Parvati. It is Lord Shiva’s glorification of the Bhagavad-gita.
Alternative spellings of this book include:
...
15,550 words read
added 2010-09-08
God has a million Names. Select any Name of His, any Name that appeals to you, select any Form of His; every day when you awaken to the call of the brightening east, recite the Name, meditate on the Form; have the Name and Form as...
31,409 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Bhikshuka Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Bhiksh...
419 words read
added 2018-03-16
The English translation of the Brahma Purana, one of the eighteen major (maha-) puranas. Contents include cosmology, genealogy (solar dynasty etc.), mythology, geology and Dharma.
The text is notable for its extenstive geologi...
243,464 words read
added 2014-03-08
The Brahma sūtras (or, Vedānta Sūtras), are one of the three canonical texts of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy.
The Brahma sūtra is an early exposition of the Vedanta-interpretation of the Upanishads. It is an atte...
126,236 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Brahma Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Brahma-u...
1,418 words read
added 2013-05-08
The Brihad Bhagavatamrita by Sanatana Gosvami is a consummate rendering in Sanskrit verse of Vaishnava devotional spirituality as inspired by Krishna-Caitanya, or simply Caitanya (1486–1533).
This is the English translation i...
552,965 words read
added 2013-07-14
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is revered by devotees as an incarnation of Krishna and Radharani as avatars of the Parmatma, or Supreme Godhead. He was born in an Oriya Hindu family. According to beliefs of orthodox followers Caitanya Mahap...
90,709 words read
added 2013-05-16
The English translation of the Devi Bhagavata Purana. This Sanskrit work describes the Devi (Divine), the Goddess, as the foundation of the world and as identical with Brahman, the Supreme Being.
The Devi Bhagavata Purana is on...
545,801 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Dhyana Bindu Upanishad (belonging to the Samaveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Dhyana-bind...
3,543 words read
added 2017-07-16
This volume of Chola Temples covers Parantaka I to Rajaraja I in the timeframe A.D. 907-985.
The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dyn...
105,501 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Garbha Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Garbha-u...
3,020 words read
added 2014-09-04
The topics in this Dharmasūtra are devoted to the student, the order of a person's life (āśramas), the householder, occupations of the four classes, the king, impurity, ancestral offerings, women and marriage, property, inherit...
41,849 words read
added 2018-04-06
This is the English translation of the Gautami-Mahatmya, which forms the fourth part of the Brahma-purana. The Gautamimahatmya narrates the legends and merits of the various holy places (tirthas) situated around the bank of the Go...
127,137 words read
added 2014-09-05
The Sūtra of Gobhila presupposes, beside the Saṃhitā of the Sāma-veda, another collection of Mantras which evidently was composed expressly with the purpose of being used at Gṛhya ceremonies.
44,344 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Hamsa Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Hamsa-upan...
1,337 words read
added 2013-02-05
This is the English translation of the Hatha-yoga-pradipika: possibly the oldest extant text about Hatha Yoga. It was written around the 15th century CE, by Swami Swatmarama, a disciple of Swami Goraknath.
Alternative titles: H...
25,513 words read
added 2014-09-05
Hiraṇyakeśin was the founder of a ritual and scholastic tradition belonging to the Taittirīya branch of the Black Yajur Veda.
37,649 words read
added 2017-12-22
A comprehensive work on Indian Botany including plant synonyms in various languages, habitat description and uses in traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda.
0 words read
added 2018-01-18
The Isha Upanishad (or, Isopanisad) describes the nature of the supreme being (Isha) and is one of the shortest of the Upanishads. It figures as an important scripture for the Vedanta school of Hindu orthodox philosophy.
This e...
30,313 words read
added 2015-02-28
This is the English translation of the Isha Upanishad: a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. The text discusses the Atman (Soul, Self) theory of Hinduism, and is refe...
45,666 words read
added 2015-02-07
The Kaivalya Upanishad is an advanced philosophy and is in reply to the plea of Ashvalayana, already advanced in both years and practice. Ashvalayana askes for the full understanding and realisation of the truth of his non-dual id...
9,902 words read
added 2018-04-15
This is the English translation of the Kaivalya Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Kaival...
1,043 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Kali Santarana Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The ...
524 words read
added 2015-02-28
The first chapter contains the story of Naciketas and Yama; the second chapter teaches the path to liberation; the third chapter relates to Jivatma and the Paramatma; the fourth to sixth chapters contain the conclusion and verses ...
119,635 words read
added 2013-09-10
This is the English translation of the Kathasaritsagara written by Somadeva around 1070. The principle story line revolves around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the Vidhyādharas (‘celestial being...
1,050,534 words read
added 2015-02-26
The very title of this Upanishad is philosophically significant. Kena in Sanskrit implies a question, and means by ‘by whom?’ Philosophy matures only when it becomes a critical estimate of experience and all its assumptions; o...
28,281 words read
added 2014-09-05
The Khādira-Gṛhya has evidently been composed with the intention of abridging Gobhila's very detailed and somewhat lengthy treatise on the domestic rites
The Gṛhya-sūtra ascribed to Khādirācārya belongs to the Drāhyā...
14,135 words read
added 2017-08-05
This volume of Chola Temples covers Kulottunga I to Rajendra III in the timeframe A.D. 1070-1280.
The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chol...
143,852 words read
added 2015-01-09
The English translation of the Mahabharata: one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India. Besides its epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes, the Mahabharata contains philosophic...
258,337 words read
added 2018-04-15
This is the English translation of the Maitreya Upanishad (belonging to the Samaveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Maitreya-upanis...
2,640 words read
added 2018-04-17
This is the English translation of the Mandala-brahmana Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The...
3,988 words read
added 2016-07-02
This is the English translation of the Manusmriti, which is a collection of Sanskrit verses dealing with ‘Dharma’, a collective name for human purpose, their duties and the law. Various topics will be dealt with, but this volu...
1,381,940 words read
added 2017-07-23
This volume of Chola Temples covers Rajaraja I to Kulottunga I in the timeframe A.D. 985-1070.
The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola d...
141,178 words read
added 2018-04-15
This is the English translation of the Muktika Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Muktika-upanisha...
3,920 words read
added 2018-04-17
This is the English translation of the Nada Bindu Upanishad (belonging to the Rigveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Nada-bindu-upa...
1,867 words read
added 2010-09-08
7,940 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad (belonging to the Atharvaveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Na...
14,587 words read
added 2014-08-02
2,083 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Narayana Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Naraya...
496 words read
added 2013-02-01
The Nectar of Devotion is a summary study of Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, which was written in Sanskrit by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda. He was the chief of the six Gosvāmīs, who were the direct disciples of Lord Caitanya M...
139,860 words read
added 2018-04-15
This is the English translation of the Niralamba Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Nirala...
1,554 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Paingala Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Paingal...
4,019 words read
added 2013-05-26
Stories in English used by Swami Rama to illustrate the highest teaching of Vedanta. The most difficult and intricate problems of philosophy and abstract truths, which may very well tax the brains of the most intellectual, are thu...
102,836 words read
added 2014-09-05
THE Gṛhya-sūtra of Pāraskara, which belongs to the White Yajur-veda and forms an appendix to Kātyāyana's Śrauta-sūtra, has been edited, with a German translation.
27,910 words read
added 2013-07-07
The Advaita tradition traces its inspiration to God Himself — as Śrīman-Nārāyaṇa or as Sadā-Śiva. The supreme Lord revealed the wisdom of Advaita to Brahma, the Creator, who in turn imparted it to Vasiṣṭha.
179,170 words read
added 2018-04-18
The Rasa-jala-nidhi (“the ocean of Iatrochemistry, or, chemical medicine) is a compendium of Sanskrit verses dealing with ancient Indian alchemy and chemistry and its medicinal uses, scientifically known as Rasa-shastra or Rasa-...
0 words read
added 2014-08-02
The is is the english translation of the Sanatkumara Samhita. Sanatkumara in Sanskrit means “eternal youth”.
Sage Sanatkumara was one of the Four Kumaras, the four Manasputras (mind-born-sons) or spiritual sons of Brahma. ...
30,142 words read
added 2014-09-04
The Gṛhya-sūtra ascribed to Śāṅkhāyana, which has been edited and translated into German in the XVth volume of the "Indische Studien", is based on the first of the four Vedas, the Rig-veda in the Bāshkala recens...
37,785 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Sariraka Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Sarira...
718 words read
added 2018-04-15
This is the English translation of the Sarvasara Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Sarvasara-upani...
1,524 words read
added 2013-07-18
The English translation of the Satapatha Brahmana, including annotations and footnotes. The Sanskrit brahmanas are commentaries on the Vedas, detailling the vedic rituals and various legends.
The text contains details on altar...
730,838 words read
added 2017-06-25
A collection of papers and essays addressing the Śakti aspect of the Śākta school of Hindu philosophy by John Woodroffe, also known as Arthur Avalon.
243,591 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Shandilya Upanishad (belonging to the Atharvaveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Shandilya-u...
7,337 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Skanda Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Skanda-u...
589 words read
added 2013-05-07
The Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu is an ontological analysis of the pastimes of Shri Krishna presented in Shrimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), in terms of the internal structure and stages of development of uttama-bhakti, pure devo...
180,912 words read
added 2014-08-14
Gaudiya Kantahara was published by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to train devotees in the philosophy of Krishna-consciousness and to be able to quote the authoritative parts of the Vedas. A collection of over a thousand verses, ...
83,221 words read
added 2014-08-14
The book contains the essence on how devotees develop love of Krishna, and how they bring Krishna under control through their love.
14,715 words read
added 2014-08-13
Sri Krishna Vijaya is the description of Lord Krishna's pastimes when He appeared on earth more than five thousand years ago.
Compiled by the famous Vaishnava Poet Gunaraja Khan (also known as Maladhar Vasu).
5,981 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Subala Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Subala-up...
5,729 words read
added 2015-10-23
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
148,756 words read
added 2015-11-12
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
37,609 words read
added 2015-12-07
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
36,821 words read
added 2015-12-12
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
123,229 words read
added 2015-12-13
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
24,963 words read
added 2015-12-19
The Sushruta Samhita is the most representative work of the Hindu system of medicine. It embraces all that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine.
Susruta-samhita is recognized as the first authoritative book on Ayurv...
113,078 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Tarasara Upanishad (belonging to the Shukla-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Tarasar...
1,058 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Tejobindu Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Tejob...
10,374 words read
added 2016-01-26
Volume 8, The Sacred Books of the East. This part Contains the english translation of the Anugita (a portion of the Ashvamedhika Parva from the Mahabharata).
64,929 words read
added 2014-08-01
Volume 8, The Sacred Books of the East. This part Contains the english translation of the Bhagavad-gita.
125,859 words read
added 2018-04-07
After writing the Bhagavatam, also known as Bhagavata Purana, Vysa imparted the knowledge of Bhagvatam to his son Suka Bramha rishi.
599,625 words read
added 2014-08-31
The Hitopadesa is a work of high antiquity, and extended popularity. The prose is doubtless as old as our own era; but the intercalated verses and proverbs compose a selection from writings of an age extremely remote.
33,335 words read
added 2013-05-25
The Brahma Purana (Brahma Purāņa) is one of the major eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts. It is divided into two parts:
1) the Purvabhaga and
2) the Uttarabhaga.
The first part narrates the story be...
19,470 words read
added 2015-02-23
This Upanishad is widely known for its philosophical statements and is ascribed to Yajnavalkya. It looks at reality as being indescribable and its nature to be infinite and consciousness-bliss. Ethics revolve around the five Yajna...
272,359 words read
added 2014-09-04
The Ganesha Purana is a Hindu religious text dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesha (Gaṇeśa). It is an upapurāṇa that includes many stories and ritualistic elements relating to Ganesha.
Ganesha Purana – Translated by Prof...
11,149 words read
added 2013-05-26
The Garuda Purana (Garuḍa purāṇa) is a smriti Purana (smṛti, Hindu customary law). Its first part contains a dialog between Vishnu and Garuda, the King of Birds. The second half contains details of life after death, funeral...
19,037 words read
added 2013-07-18
This is a translation of an abridged version of the Garuda Purana. The Garuda Purana is one of the Vishnu Puranas. It is in the form of a dialog between Vishnu and Garuda, the King of Birds. The second section of this Purana (give...
34,987 words read
added 2015-04-16
The English translation of the Garuda Purana: contents include a creation theory, description of vratas (religious observances), sacred holidays, sacred places dedicated to the sun, but also prayers from the Tantrika ritual, addre...
245,256 words read
added 2014-08-31
The Harsha-charita of Banabhatta, trans. by E. B. Cowell and F. W Thomas, 1897
81,679 words read
added 2016-02-21
The Ishavasya Upanishad (or simply Isha) is one of the shortest of its kind, and basically represents a brief philosophical poem discussing the soul/self (Atman). This edition contains the Kanva recension, consisting of 18 verses....
6,692 words read
added 2016-02-20
The Ishavasya Upanishad (or simply Isha) is one of the shortest of its kind, and basically represents a brief philosophical poem discussing the soul/self (Atman). This edition contains the Kanva recension, consisting of 18 verses....
8,461 words read
added 2016-02-23
The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (god of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of s...
24,483 words read
added 2016-02-21
The Kena Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems discussing the attributes of Brahman: the unchanging, infinite universal spirit. Brahman is further proposed as the cause for all the forces of nature, symbolized as Gods. ...
13,836 words read
added 2010-12-27
The Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. In it are records of the adventures of mythological beings, wars among the gods and stories of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas ...
233,931 words read
added 2014-09-05
The Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. In it are records of the adventures of mythological beings, wars among the gods and stories of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas ...
63,554 words read
added 2012-02-29
The Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. In it are records of the adventures of mythological beings, wars among the gods and stories of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas ...
75,824 words read
added 2012-12-14
The Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. In it are records of the adventures of mythological beings, wars among the gods and stories of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas ...
328,783 words read
added 2015-02-24
The Mandukya Upanishad is a short, just twelve verses, description of the material manifestation and the eventual return to unmanifest form of the Universe.
31,733 words read
added 2016-02-15
This is the English translation of the Mandukya Karika by Gaudapada, which is a commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad. The school of philosophy this book attempts to expose is ‘Advaita Vedanta’, a non-dualistic path to spiritua...
115,582 words read
added 2014-09-13
This is the English translation of the Markandeya Purana, one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas (purāṇa) are a genre of Hindu religious texts. Its leading feature is narrative; and it presents an uninterrupted succession...
247,181 words read
added 2016-01-16
The Abhinaya-darpana by Nandikeshvara is an encyclopedic manual of the art of gesticulation. It belongs to a wide range of literature known as Natya-shastra: the art of dramatic performance, theatrics, dance and music.
The Abh...
17,422 words read
added 2016-02-21
The Mundaka Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems used to teach meditation and spiritual knowledge regarding the true nature of Brahma and the Self (Atman). It is composed of the three main parts (mundakas):
1) The f...
20,528 words read
added 2013-05-25
The Narada Purana (Nārada Purāṇa) is one of the major eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts. It deals with the places of pilgrimages and features a dialogue between the sage Narada, and Sanatkumara.
During...
18,115 words read
added 2017-01-16
The English translation of the Natyashastra, a Sanskrit work on drama, performing arts, theater, dance, music and various other topics. The word natyashastra also refers to a global category of literature encompassing this ancient...
240,273 words read
added 2014-08-02
Om auspiciousness. Salutation to the auspicious Ganes'a.
Salutation to the venerable Vasudeva Om.
31,992 words read
added 2016-02-25
The Prashna Upanishad is a series philosophical poems presented as questions (prashna) inquired by various Hindu sages (Rishi) and answered by Sage Pippalada. The questions discuss knowledge about Brahman, the relation of the indi...
19,733 words read
added 2016-01-26
Volume 8, The Sacred Books of the East. This part Contains the english translation of the Sanatsujatiya (a portion of the Udyoga Parva from the Mahabharata).
19,694 words read
added 2014-05-29
The Sarva-darsana-samgraha (English translation) of Madhava Acharya is a compendium of different philosophical schools of Hindu thought and Pancadasi, an important text in the Advaita Vedanta tradition.
Full title: Sarvadarśan...
102,190 words read
added 2014-08-29
The following story of the appearance of Lord Nrisimhadeva is from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapters 2-10.
At the performance of the Rajasuya sacrifice by Maharaja Yudhisthira, the celestial sage Narada Muni appeared to giv...
22,703 words read
added 2014-07-20
The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads, part of the Yajur Veda. It says that the highest goal is to know the Brahman, for that is truth. It is divided into three sections, 1) the Siksha Valli,...
206,351 words read
added 2013-05-25
The Vishnu Purana (Viṣṇu Purāṇa) is a religious Hindu text and one of the (most important) eighteen Mahapuranas. It is also known as Puranaratna ("gem of Puranas").
Presented as a dialogue between Parashara and...
27,616 words read
added 2014-08-29
The English translation of the Vishnu Purana. This is a primary sacred text of the Vaishnava branch of Hinduism. It is one of the eighteen greater Puranas, a branch of sacred Vedic literature which was first committed to writing d...
288,780 words read
added 2014-03-03
Tirukkuṟaḷ is a classic of couplets or Kurals (1330 rhyming Tamil couplets) or aphorisms. It was authored by Thiruvalluvar, a poet who is said to have lived anytime between 2nd century BCE and 5th century CE. Most believe he w...
52,982 words read
added 2014-03-03
Thiruvasagam is a volume of Tamil hymns composed by the ninth century Shaivite bhakti poet Manikkavacakar. It contains 51 compositions and constitutes the eighth volume of the Tirumurai, the sacred anthology of Tamil Shaiva Siddha...
27,722 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Vajrasucika Upanishad (belonging to the Samaveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Vajrasucika-...
759 words read
added 2018-04-17
This is the English translation of the Varaha Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Varaha-u...
8,759 words read
added 2014-09-04
The Dharmasūtra of Vasiṣṭha forms an independent treatise and has no relationship with the Kalpasutra. The chapters of this text are divided in a way that resemble the practice of later Smritis. This Dharmasūtra has a unique...
44,713 words read
added 2013-07-21
The Brahma sūtras (aka. Vedānta Sūtras) are one of the three canonical texts of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy.
The Brahma sūtra is the exposition of the philosophy of the Upanishads. It is an attempt to systemati...
203,611 words read
added 2013-07-21
The Brahma sūtras (aka. Vedānta Sūtras) are one of the three canonical texts of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy.
The Brahma sūtra is the exposition of the philosophy of the Upanishads. It is an attempt to systemati...
149,353 words read
added 2016-02-21
The Vivekachudamani is a collection of poetical couplets authored by Shankara around the eighth century. The philosophical school this compilation attempts to expose is called ‘Advaita Vedanta’, or non-dualism, one of the clas...
49,798 words read
added 2014-08-24
The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali are 196 Indian sūtras (aphorisms) that constitute the foundational text of Ashtanga Yoga, also called Raja Yoga.
The commentaries are based upon the ancient commentaries written by Vyasa and Bhoj...
46,295 words read
added 2014-12-14
Yoga Vasistha (Sanskrit: योग-वासिष्ठ) is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki. It is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, and can help one to attain Moksha...
168,371 words read
added 2014-12-21
Yoga Vasistha (Sanskrit: योग-वासिष्ठ) is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki. It is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, and can help one to attain Moksha...
124,412 words read
added 2014-12-21
Yoga Vasistha (Sanskrit: योग-वासिष्ठ) is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki. It is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, and can help one to attain Moksha...
175,372 words read
added 2015-01-02
Yoga Vasistha (Sanskrit: योग-वासिष्ठ) is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki. It is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, and can help one to attain Moksha...
72,109 words read
added 2015-01-18
Yoga Vasistha (Sanskrit: योग-वासिष्ठ) is a Hindu spiritual text written by sage Valmiki. It is believed by some Hindus to answer all the questions that arise in the human mind, and can help one to attain Moksha...
226,115 words read
added 2018-04-17
This is the English translation of the Yoga-kundalini Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The ...
4,927 words read
added 2018-04-16
This is the English translation of the Yogatattva Upanishad (belonging to the Krishna-Yajurveda): a minor Sanskrit treatise selected amongst a collection 108 extant upanishads, dating to at least the 1st millennium BC.
The Yoga...
3,651 words read