Outlines of Hinduism

by T.M.P. Mahadevan

This book is a complete survey of Hinduism in all its aspects. In the first chapter the author introduces us to the essentials of religion in general: in the second he sets forth the essence of Hinduism. In chapter VII the doctrines of the Hindu philosophies are explained. In chapter VII an account is given of the beliefs and practices of the Tantrik cults. The concluding chapter, entitled living hinduism, is devoted to the teachings of four great sages of modern India: Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramana Maharishi and Mahatma Gandhi.

The two broadcast talks constituting Appendix I recapitulate the essential doctrines and practices of Hinduism, and the article given as Appendix II makes a survey of the state of religion in India today. A valuable glossary and an index are given at the end of the book.

Dr S Radhakrishnan, in his Foreword says: Prof T M P Mahadevan has written a very valuable introduction to the study of Hinduism in its religious, philosophical and ethical aspects. I hope that the book will have large number of readers both in India and Abroad.

The richness, beauty and greatness of Hinduism lie, no doubt, in its spirit of accommodation. But that does not mean that Hinduism is a medley of ill-assorted creeds, with no cohesion, no common purpose, and no unified understanding. The very fact that it has survived to this day in spite of the vicissitudes of history, and does not show any great sign of decay, proves that there is a soul to it which holds together its different limbs in an indissoluble unity.

It is true that Hinduism gathered round it, with the march of time, certain encumbrances and inessentials, as was the case with every other religion. But a unique feature of India’s religious history has been the appearance of great reformers-seers of the truth-from time to time, whose special mission it was to reorganize the people’s faith, and infuse in them a sense of unity and purpose. Nowhere else in the world has there been such a galaxy of spiritual leaders who, after having realized the supreme truth, came down to the level of the masses and conveyed to them intimations of the high dignity and glory of their faith.

Table of Contents:

• Foreword
• Preface
• The Concept of Religion
• What is Hinduism?
• The Scriptures
• The Rituals
• Ethics
• Spiritual Disciplines
• The Philosophies
• The Cults
• Living Hinduism
• Appendix I - Two Talks on Hinduism
• Appendix II - Religion Today in India
• Glossary
• Index.