Thank you for your interest in learning about Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre has compiled succinct write-up of the basic tenets and major scriptures of Dharma.
You may also consider referring to the following book sources for more information.
| Subject | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Tenets | Encyclopaedia of Hinduism by Sunil Sehgal (1999) | A five-volume English encyclopaedia to the terms and basic ideas in Sanatan Dharma |
| Basic Tenets | Perspectives of reality: an introduction to the philosophy of Hinduism by Jeaneane D. Fowler (2002) | Includes some explanation on how Sanatan Dharma is not polytheistic |
| Vedas | The Wisdom of the Vedas by Jagdish Chandra Chatterji (originally published as "India's Outlook on Life", 1931; Quest Books edition, 1992) | A short book (about 150 pages) by a pre-eminent scholar of Sanskrit in modern times Recommended here for its audience of Western- and Western-minded readers |
| Vedas | Rig-Veda-Sanhita: A Collection of Ancient Hindu Hymns by Edward Byles Cowell Will Hayman Wilson | Rgved is the source for the Saamved and a good portion of the Atharvaved Serves as a reference for |
| Vedas | Rigveda: the rise of Aryan power by Brij B Nigam (2003) | An ex-space scientitst, Dr. Nigam contends that all translations of the Rgved are flawed, primarily because they wrongly refer to the Devas as Gods. Instead, he proposes, the Devas were a clan |
| Upanishads | Upanishads by Juan Mascaro | Contains a very succinct introduction, with moving prose about spirituality |
| Upanishads | Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran | Contains remarkably high-quality translations of the principal Upanishads An accurate reference for key spiritual concepts in the Vedas |
| Ramayan | The Ramayana and Mahabharata: Abridged by Romesh C Dutt (1898) | Contains key verses from Valmiki Ramayan Translated into 32-metre-form rhyming English verses, i.e., no small feat and perhaps a work of genius |
| Bhagvad Gita | Bhagavad-gita As It Is by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972) | A widely-read and -used English translation with succinct commentary on each verse Contains all original Sanskrit verses, with transliteration |
| Bhagvad Gita | The Bhagavad Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda | Written by a modern-times authority on Bhagvad Gita Contains extensive commentary on each verse Contains numerous reference sections such as an index to topics and the names of Krishn Bhagwan used in the Bhagvad Gita |
The following is a selection of resources on various religious topics that you may informative or useful.
| Printed Publication : | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Source | Notes |
| Hinduism | Hinduism: An Introduction By Shakunthala Jagannathan | This is an excellent source for getting an introductory lesson in Hinduism |
| Hinduism | Hinduism By Swami Vivekanand | Suited for Youth - Swamiji talks about the Vedas, Upanishads and the four yogas of Hinduism |
| Hinduism | The symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals By A Parthasarathy | Explains the different Gods and Goddesses and the various rituals related to Hindu Dharma |
| Bhagavad Gita | Gita for Children By Swami Vivekanand | In this book Swamiji explains the essence of Gita in a simplified way with simple language and lots of examples |
| Bhagavad Gita | Baal Geeta (Gujarati) By Madhukanta Doshi | This book is based on the discourses of Dr. Vinoba Bhave |
| Upanishads | Upanishads By C Rajagopalachari | This book gives you a brief view of the ancient wisdom embedded in the Upanishads as deciphered by the great seers of Bharat |
| WEBSITE REFERENCES: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Source | Notes |
| Hinduism | http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/hinduism.htm | This is a good site where the basics of Hinduism are explained in kid friendly language and it answers many of the questions our kids get from non-Hindu kids |
| Hinduism | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism | This site is a good reference site for all the people |
| Timeline of Hinduism | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Timeline | This site gives us some amazing facts on the origins of Hinduism etc. |
| Stories | http://www.searchforlight.org/Anubhuti/Anubhuti%20Vol%202/Stories_for_the_Kids2.htm | This site has some great stories for kids told by Sri Aurobindo's Mother |
| Stories | http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/international/ | Amar Chitra Katha Online - You can read stories online through story of the week etc. |
| Stories | http://www.chandamama.com/ | Chandamama Magazine online has lots of stories to read online |
| Activities related to Religion etc. for children | http://www.hindunet.org/ | This site has a lot of different information and activities related to Hinduism, gods and goddesses, festivals, etc. |
| Activities and stories for Hindu Kids | http://www.hindukids.org/stories/ | Interactive stories like Ramayan, Mahabharat etc for kids to listen and follow at their own pace |
| Activities related to Religion etc. for children | http://www.chinmayakids.org/ | An excellent site where kids can learn a lot about Hinduism, play games, join clubs, learn bhajans and shlokas etc. |
| Bhagavad Gita | http://www.bhagavad-gita.us/articles/662/1/Famous-Reflections-on-the-Bhagavad-Gita/Page1.html | This site contains the whole Bhagavad Gita with translation and it gives reflections of philosophers and famous people on the essence of Gita |
| Hindu Dharma & Swaminarayan Dharma | http://kids.baps.org/ | Excellent website with lots of things to learn in a fun and easy way. Also a good website for learning Gujarati |
