The Ramayana and Other Hindu Texts

The Ramayana and Other Hindu Texts

Author: Anita Ganeri

Publisher: Evans Brothers

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 9780237523473

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America's "small wars," "imperial wars," or, as the Pentagon now terms them, "low-intensity conflicts," have played an essential but little-appreciated role in its growth as a world power. Beginning with Jefferson's expedition against the Barbary Pirates, Max Boot tells the exciting stories of our sometimes minor but often bloody landings in Samoa, the Philippines, China, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Russia, and elsewhere. Along the way he sketches colorful portraits of little-known military heroes such as Stephen Decatur, "Fighting Fred" Funston, and Smedley Butler. From 1800 to the present day, such undeclared wars have made up the vast majority of our military engagements. Yet the military has often resisted preparing itself for small wars, preferring instead to train for big conflicts that seldom come. Boot re-examines the tragedy of Vietnam through a "small war" prism. He concludes with a devastating critique of the Powell Doctrine and a convincing argument that the armed forces must reorient themselves to better handle small-war missions, because such clashes are an inevitable result of America's far-flung imperial responsibilities.


The Dharmasutras

The Dharmasutras

Author: Patrick Olivelle

Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks

Published: 1999-09-02

Total Pages: 482

ISBN-13: 0192838822

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"The law codes of ancient India"--Cover.


Gods, Demons, and Others

Gods, Demons, and Others

Author: R. K. Narayan

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1993-05-15

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 0226568253

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Following in the footsteps of the storytellers of his native India, R. K. Narayan has produced his own versions of tales taken from the Ramayana and the Mahabarata. Carefully selecting those stories which include the strongest characters, and omitting the theological or social commentary that would have drawn out the telling, Narayan informs these fascinating myths with his urbane humor and graceful style. "Mr. Narayan gives vitality and an original viewpoint to the most ancient of legends, lacing them with his own blend of satire, pertinent explanation and thoughtful commentary."—Santha Rama Rau, New York Times "Narayan's narrative style is swift, firm, graceful, and lucid . . . thoroughly knowledgeable, skillful, entertaining. One could hardly hope for more."—Rosanne Klass, Times Literary Supplement


The Hindus

The Hindus

Author: Wendy Doniger

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 808

ISBN-13: 9781594202056

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An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the world's oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds. The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkers have kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms to consider history as a whole.


Hinduism For Dummies

Hinduism For Dummies

Author: Amrutur V. Srinivasan

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-07-12

Total Pages: 397

ISBN-13: 0470878584

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Your hands-on guide to one of the world's major religions The dominant religion of India, "Hinduism" refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed over thousands of years. Today, the United States is home to approximately one million Hindus. If you've heard of this ancient religion and are looking for a reference that explains the intricacies of the customs, practices, and teachings of this ancient spiritual system, Hinduism For Dummies is for you! Provides a thorough introduction to this earliest and popular world belief system Information on the rites, rituals, deities, and teachings associated with the practice of Hinduism Explores the history and teachings of the Vedas, Brahmans, and Upanishads Offers insight into the modern daily practice of Hinduism around the world Continuing the Dummies tradition of making the world's religions engaging and accessible to everyone, Hinduism For Dummies is your hands-on, friendly guide to this fascinating religion.


Sundara Kãnda

Sundara Kãnda

Author: BS Murthy

Publisher: Self Imprint

Published: 2011-09-16

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 8190191179

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While Mahabharata's Bhagvad-Gita is taken as a philosophical guide, Ramayana's Sundara Kãnda is sought for spiritual solace; many believe that reading it or hearing it recited would remove all hurdles and usher in good tidings! Miracles apart, it's in the nature of this great epic to inculcate fortitude and generate hope in man for it’s a depiction of how Hanuman goes about his errand against all odds. Besides, it portrays how Seetha, on the verge of self-immolation, overcomes despair to see life in a new light? With rhythm of its verse and the flow of the narrative this sloka to sloka transcreation of the canto beautiful of Valmiki's adi kavya - the foremost poetical composition in the world, Hanuman's Odyssey that paves the way for Rama to rescue his kidnapped wife is bound to charm the readers and listeners alike. Interestingly, as the following verse illustrates, it was the forerunner of the magic realism of our times – “Gripped she then him by shadow / Cast which Hanuman coast to coast, Recalled he in dismay then / What Sugreev said at outset / That one fiend had aptitude / To grip its prey by mere shadow.” On a personal note, my paternal grandfather, Bulusu Thimmaiah-garu, like many in his time, was a life-long practitioner of Sundara Kãnda parayana (the epic’s daily recital in part or full), whose spirituality could have providentially guided me in this, rather an effortless, trans-creative endeavour.


The Universe Within

The Universe Within

Author: Partha Rajagopal, Ph.d.

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2013-10-01

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 9781492808282

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The author of this book grew up in India and has lived half his life in the United States. Through this unique experience of growing up in a culture that is rooted in the ancient spiritual traditions and living in a country that defines the modern world and outlook, a unique spiritual message is conveyed through the pages of this book. The essence of Hindu religions in India is simply to use what is available to explore the inner dimensions and realize the Universe within. Through various examples of how this is done, the author shows how simple it is to look inward and find the peace and solace within that people are chasing.