Defying a precise definition, Hinduism (a term introduced by English writers in 1830s), properly denotes the Indian Civilization-with a chequered history of over five millennia. Integrating, as it does, "a large variety of heterogeneous elements, it constitutes a very complex but largely continuous whole", covering every aspect of life: religious, philosophic, social, economic, literary, artistic.....

Unlike the world's other major faiths, Hinduism has not grown as a perspective religion, but rather as a way of life: in myriad manifestations, myriad moods. And, inevitably, in rhetoric/terminology as well-because Hindu contexts (far from being static), have been devolutionary, even a bit too metamorphic! This 6-volume Dictionary tries to spell out the Hindu phraseology/contexts in all their changing nuancest-through pre-Paninian, Paninian, Classical, post-Classical and pre-Medieval ages, with essentials of the pristine spiritual culture of the subcontinent", called Hinduism.

Dictionary of Hinduism: Volumes 2-5, sets out Sanskrit and Vernacular words/terms/phrases: in Romanized letters, with their meanings/explanations in easy-to-understand English. Classifying the entire vocabular stock by a vast range of themes/topics of intimate relevance, among others, to Hindu religion, sacred writings, philosophy, arts, literature, culture and society; the author has incorporated each lexical item here in the Word Index (volume 6), with cross-references to facilitate its location in the main body of the compilation. Volume I, in the nature of an introductory volume, offers a comprehensive overview of Hinduism, its beginnings, traditions, religious/sectarian movements, teachings, socio-cultural parameters, and arts, in sum of the whole Hindu heritage.

Also included here numerous illustrations: b/w photographs and line-drawings, highlighting the Hindu way of life in its diversity; ranging from mundane, everyday pre-occupations of the Hindus to their creative expression in art and architecture.

K.V. Soundara Rajan, who retired as Additional Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, is a distinguished archaeologist and historian, and also brilliant exponent of Indian arts, culture and scriptural literature. Extensively published, he has been a visiting Professor to the Universities of Chicago, California, and Los Angeles; Visitor-under the British Council to the United Kingdom; and Member of the Consultative Committee for a UNESCO-project on Port Cities of the Indian Ocean region.

Of all the world religions, noge has been more admired, discussed, emulated and even altruistically owned, and all the while less understood-often by its own practitioners then others--but all the same universally respected, than Hinduism, an unrepresentative term that had got stuck to the pristine spiritual culture of India.

This Hinduism, in its best and comprehensively consistent presentations, defies dogma, or parochial interpretations which not unoften are foisted on it. and is closest to the aspirations and hankering of all souls tormented by life's problems; and has a prevailingly lofty note. It exhorts, enthralls, and suffuses the subconscious sentience of all humankind, despite its often enigmatic metaphysical structurisations. It has consoled, comforted and also baffled numberless learned, illiterate, worldly, saintly and sinning multitudes of men and women by its accessibly and intimately realistic and distantly idealistic dichotomy. The degenerating caste system of the same Hindu society in which it is claimed as a substratum construct, even in its stagnant traits, does not sully the noble mission of Hinduism. It stands, in the sequel, as the beacon-light for the pathless journey of life and of the worlds beyond, helping each according to his or her level of comprehension, keeping its ministrations and prescriptions open for all that may need them without distinction of caste, colour, race or sex.

This Hinduism certainly manifested itself in several moods, across the millennia and centuries since the time it was first bequeathed to India in the Vedic times. It had since then taught like a teacher, led like a parent, fondled like a doting Mother and blessed like a god. Its message suited all times and climes and was truly called sanatana (perennial) on that score.

It is difficult to confine its expansive domain and evaluate it within the bounds of a single prefatory volume. On the other hand, presenting it through this introductory volume and the four-volume Concise Classfied Dictionary of Hinduism can be a rewarding exercise, as it tends to illumine by its lexicographic sparks the many dim-lit corners of history and the socio-cultural processes inherent in the known, less known and unknown phases of India, that is Bharat.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages