WHY I AM A HINDU

In Why I Am a Hindu, one of
India?s finest public intellectuals gives us a profound book about one of the
world?s oldest and greatest religions. Starting with a close examination of
his own belief in Hinduism, he ranges far and wide in his study of the faith.
He talks about the Great Souls of Hinduism, Adi Shankara, Patanjali,
Ramanuja, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and many others who made
major contributions to the essence of Hinduism. He delves deep into
Hinduism?s most important schools of thought (such as the Advaita Vedanta).
He explains, in easily accessible language, important aspects and concepts of
Hindu philosophy like the Purusharthas and Bhakti, masterfully summarizes the
lessons of the Gita and Vivekananda?s ecumenism and explores with sympathy
the ?Hinduism of habit? practised by ordinary believers. He looks at the
myriad manifestations of political Hinduism in the modern era, including
violence committed in the name of the faith by right-wing organizations and
their adherents. He analyses Hindutva, explains its rise and dwells at length
on the philosophy of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, its most significant ideologue. He
is unsparing in his criticism of extremist ?bhakts? and unequivocal in his
belief that everything that makes India a great and distinctive culture and
country will be imperilled if religious ?fundamentalists? are allowed to take
the upper hand. However, he also makes the point that it is precisely because
Hindus form the majority that India has survived as a plural, secular
democracy.A book that will be read and debated now and in the future, Why I
Am a Hindu is a revelatory and original masterwork.