Customer Reviews

Hindu Scriptures (Everyman's Library)

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Wonderful translation and interpretation. For a non hindu, its a nice way to start the study.

I have used this book in my introduction to Hinduism class for eight years now. I haven't found any other source book that stands up to it. Too many other anthologies give us the "Reader's Digest" version of the scriptures and the choice of what to take out and what to leave in tends to reflect the philosophical predilections of the editor. There is a bit of that here (esp. in the Veda section -- which tends to present us with passages that will be developed in later Vedanta), but he gives us an almost complete version of the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya upanisads (i.e., not just the famous passages). His inclusion of the Yajnavalkya smriti as well as a (albeit small) sampling of late medieval tantra and bhakti literature makes for a good base of scripture to build any Hindusim course on. Of course, this book should be complimented by other works discussing what Hindus actually do with these texts (e.g. Pintchman's "Guests at God's Wedding" or Fuller, "Renewal of the Priesthood"). But this is a great place to start!

Used Hindu Scriptures in good condition received. Haven't had a chance to review or understand contents

Hindu Scriptures is good for beginners. Another useful link is http://www.hindujagruti.org go to Dharmic Scriptures. This has been compiled by His. Holiness. Dr Jayant Athavale, a popular Saint in India.
Of course fanatical Christians will find it useless.