The Philosophy of Religion in India

by Swami Dayanand

The book is a creditable attempt to present within a small compass some of the most important and salient features of Hindu religion. It offers a vivid exposition of all features of the vast and comprehensive Hindu faith.

The coloured paintings are a graphic illustration of much of the symbolism and metaphor, which are usually misunderstood by students of Hinduism. The discussion is based on Shastric references, giving weight to the authority of the book. The language is easy and fluent, and the arrangement excellent.

This book is so well detailed and so clearly thought out that it can, with full justification, take on the name 'The Philosophy of Religion in India.'

About the Author:

Swami Dayanand (1824-1883) was the founder of the Hindu reform organization Arya Samaj, which he established on April 7th 1875 in Bombay India. He also created the 10 principles of Arya Samaj. Throughout his life, Swami Dayanand preached against many Hindu traditions which he felt were dogmatic and oppressive. These included traditions such as idol worship, caste by birth, and the exclusion of females from the study of the Vedas.

One of his main messages was for Hindus to go back to the roots of their religion, which are the Vedas. By doing this, he felt that Hindus would be able to improve the depressive religious, social, political, and economic conditions prevailing in India in his times.