Gheranda Samhita - A Treatise on Hatha Yoga (Sanskrit English) by Srisa Chandra Vasu

Gheranda Samhita is one of the three classic texts of hatha yoga (the other two being the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita). It is a late 17th century text and is considered to be the most encyclopedic of the three classic texts on hatha yoga. Gheranda Samhita is a manual of yoga taught by Gheranda to Chanda Kapali. Unlike other hatha yoga texts, the Gheranda Samhita speaks of a sevenfold yoga:

1. Shatkarma for purification
2. Asana for strengthening
3. Mudra for steadying
4. Pratyahara for calming
5. Pranayama for lightness
6. Dhyana for perception
7. Samadhi for isolation

The text itself follows this division in seven chapters, and has a focus upon the shatkarmas, thus this text is sometimes said to describe ghatastha yoga. For nstance, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describes an eightfold path (yama and niyama instead of shatkarma and mudra, and addition of dharana). The closing stanzas on samadhi teach different methods than those described by Patanjali.

Srisa Chandra Vasu was a great scholar of Hindu Scriptures and had authored and interpreted various sacred texts of Hinduism such as Upanishads, Ashtadhyayi, Siva Samhita, etc.

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Arthashastra of Chanakya - English

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military trategy authored by Chanakya (350-283 BCE).

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was an adviser and a prime minister to the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta, and architect of his rise to power. Other important works of Chanakya are 'Chanakya Sutras' and 'Chanakya Niti Darpanam'.

R. P. Kangle defines Arthashastra as "science of politics," a treatise to help a king in "the acquisition and protection of the earth". This text is divided into 15 books:

01 Concerning Discipline
02 The Duties of Government Superintendents
03 Concerning Law
04 The Removal of Thorns
05 The Conduct of Courtiers
06 The Source of Sovereign States
07 The End of the Six-Fold Policy
09 The Work of an Invader
10 Relating to War
12 Concerning a Powerful Enemy
13 Strategic Means to Capture a Fortress
14 Secret Means
15 The Plan of a Treatise

source of e-text: www.bharatadesam.com

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Four Vedas - English Translation

English Translation of all four Vedas - Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda & Atharva Veda.

The Vedas (वेद - knowledge) are a large body of texts that originated in Ancient India. Vedas form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. Each of the four Vedas consists of the metrical Mantra or Samhita' part and the prose 'Brahmana' part giving discussions and directions
for the detail of the ceremonies at which the Mantras were to be used and explanations of the legends connected with the Mantras and rituals. Both these portions are termed shruti (which tradition says to have been heard but not composed or written down by men)

This ebook has an exhaustive table of contents that makes it easier for the readers to navigate from one chapter of the book to another.

Translations of all four Vedas are from 'Sacred Texts of the East' series.

E-text Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com

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The life and teaching of Tukaram by J. N. Fraser & J. F. Edwards

 
Sant Tukaram, a prominent Maharashtrian saint and religious poet, was born and lived most of his life in Dehu, a town close to Pune in 17th century CE. Tukaram was a devotee of Lord Vittala (or Vithobā) - an incarnation of Lord Krishna, who in turn, is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is quite renowned for his contribution to the Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra.

Like Namdev, Janabai, and Eknath, Tukaram wrote in archaic Marathi a large number of devotional poems identified in Marathi as abhang (अभंग). A collection of 4,500 abhang known as the Gāthā is attributed to Tukaram. It is believed that he was a contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj.

Tukaram puts bhakti at the centre of his spiritual life. In one of his verses, he declares that Bhaktimarg is "the only way to God in this age". Another provides a succinct statement of his philosophy of religion: "God has no form, nor any name, nor any place where he can be seen; but wherever you go, you see God."

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Vishnu Purana - English Translation by_Manmatha_Nath_Dutt

The Vishnu Purana is one of eighteen Maha Puranas. It is considered one of the most important Puranas and has been given the name Puranaratna (gem of Puranas). Presented as a dialogue between Parashara and his disciple Maitreya and divided into six parts, the major topics discussed include creation of the universe, stories of the avatars (divine descents) of Vishnu, etc.

Conforming to the Puranic tradition, Vishnu Purana also expounds the most sublime Vedantic truths through stories.

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Brahma Sutra by Swami Sivananda

An English Commentary on Brahma Sutra with Sanskrit text, word by word meaning and running translation by Swami Sivananda.

Brahmasutra by Vyasa (Badarayana) is one of the three pillars of Vedanta known as 'Prasthana Traya'. Knowledge of Brahmasutra is considered essential for a proper understanding of Vedanta.

Over the centuries, there have been many commentaries on the Brahma Sutras, but either they are too short and in sufficient to be useful for a comprehensive study of the Sutras, or are extremely tough and abstruse to be utilized by men of ordi nary understanding. This work of Swami Sivananda is of a unique type in it self, unrivalled by any other. This commentary is neither too short to be useless, nor too verbose to be unintelligible, but follows a via media course, use ful to one and all, mainly the spiritual aspirants.

An elaborate introduction precedes the work in addition to a short introduction and a summary of the different Adhikaranas preced ing each Pada. These are all a boon to the student of the Brahma Sutras for which the author has to be eulogised. Each Sutra also contains a word-by-word meaning and a running translation.

The text of the Brahma Sutras has been included herein to enable the readers to do Svadhyaya and get them by heart for purpose of meditation.

For more free books of Swami Sivananda, visit http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

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Hindu Fasts & Festivals - Swami Sivananda

A hand-book explaining the spirit and significance of all major Hindu fasts and festivals.

All Hindu festivals have a deep spiritual import or high religious significance. All great Hindu festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them. In every festival there is bathing in the morning before sunrise in the river or tank or well. Every individual will have to do some Japa, prayer, Kirtan, recitation of Sanskrit verses and meditation.

Man gets tired on account of hard work or monotonous actions. He wants some change or variety. He wants relaxation. He wants something to cheer him up. These festivals make him cheerful and happy, and give him rest and peace.

In this book, the author has explained the significance and the philosophy of many of the important Hindu fasts and festivals like Deepavali, Shivaratri, Navaratri, Ram Navami, Krishna Jayanti, Makar Sankranti, etc.

For more free books by Swami Sivananda, visit http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

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Manu Smriti - English (with extracts from 8 commentaries)

This book is an English translation of Manusmriti, with extracts from eight different commentaries, by Buhler.

Manusmṛti ( मनुस्मृति) is the most important and earliest metrical work of the Dharmaśāstra textual tradition of Hinduism. Generally known in English as the Laws of Manu, it was first translated into English in 1794 by Sir William Jones. The text presents itself as a discourse given by the sage called Manu to a group of seers, or rishis, who beseech him to tell them the "law of all the social classes".

Since Manu Smriti is the most misunderstood and most criticized Hindu scripture, one would be surprised to read the following comment of great thinker Friedrich Neitzsche on this text in his famous book "Anti-Christ".

It is with an opposite feeling that I read the law of Manu, an incomparably spiritual and superior work: even to mention it in the same breath with the Bible would be a sin against the spirit. One guesses immediately: there is a real philosophy behind it, in it, not merely an ill-smelling Judaine of rabbinism and superstition—it offers even the most spoiled psychologist something to chew on. Not to forget the main point, the basic difference from every kind of Bible: here the noble classes, the philosophers and the warriors, stand above the mass; noble values everywhere, a feeling of perfection, an affirmation of life, a triumphant delight in oneself and in life—the sun shines on the whole book — all the things on which Christianity vents its unfathomable meanness—procreation, for example, woman, marriage—are here treated seriously, with respect, with love and trust".

Here is verse from this book for those who brand Manu as an oppressor of women which shows they are presenting only one side of the story.

"Women must be honored and adorned by their fathers, brothers , husbands and brothers-in-law, who desire their own welfare.Where women are honored, the Gods are pleased , but where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields rewards"
Manu Smriti ch.3 verse 55

The present ebook has active hyperlinks, which makes it easy to navigate from one chapter to another.

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Vichar Sagar of Nischal Das - Hindi Text & English Translation

An English translation of popular Vedantic text "Vichar Sagar" (Hindi) of Nishchal Dasji (1791-1863), by Lala Sreeram.

The English translation is titled "Metaphysics of the Upanishads". Vichar Sagar has been so popular in northern parts of country that it has been used for daily reading for more than centuries by common man who did not have access to Sanskrit scriptures of Vedanta.

Nischal Dasji, who was a Dadu panthi sadhu, had authored many books dealing with Vedanta. Vichara Sagara is the most popular among them. This book is very useful for understanding various prakriyas of Vedanta.

DOWNLOAD Sri Vichar Sagar of Sadhu Nischaldas with Hindi Tika by Pitambara 1917

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Sakuntala of Kalidasa - English Translation

English Prose Translation of "Abhijnaana Saakuntalam of Kalidasa" by Sir Monier Williams (1819–1899).

The term Shakuntala means one who is brought up by birds (Shakun). There are references stating that Shakuntala was found by Rishi Kanva in a forest as a baby surrounded by or as some believe being fed by birds, after being left by her mother, Menaka. In Hindu mythology Sakuntala is the mother of Emperor Bharata and the wife of Dushyanta who was the founder of the Paurav Dynasty. Her story is told in the Mahabarata, Adi Parva and was dramatized by Kalidasa in his play Abhijnaana Saakuntalam (The Recognition of Sakuntala).

Kalidāsa is widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. His place in Sanskrit literature is akin to that of Shakespeare in English. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu mythology and philosophy.

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Bhagavad Gita Dictionary

The Bhagavad Gita (भगवद् गीता - "Song of God") is one of the most revered sacred scriptures of Hinduism and is considered as one of the most important religious classics of the world.

This dictionary of Bhagavad Gita comprises of transliteration, simple translation and sloka and chapter index of almost every word from all 18 chapters of Gita, arranged alphabetically. This Gita dictionary will come in very handy for a beginner in studying the Gita.

Source of e-text: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/advaitin/


Bhagavad Gita Dictionary -


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Panchatantra - English - Arthur W. Ryder

A complete English translation of Panchatantra - A vivid retelling of India's most famous collection of fables.

According to Indian tradition, the Panchatantra was written around 200 BCE by Pandit Vishnu Sarma, a sage. However, based as it is on older oral traditions, its antecedents among storytellers probably hark back to the origins of language. One of the most influential Sanskrit contributions to world literature, it is "certainly the most frequently translated literary product of India" and there are over 200 versions in more than 50 languages.

In the Indian tradition, the Panchatantra is a nitisastra, a treatise on political science and human conduct, or niti. It is said that Vishnu Sarma's objective was to instruct three dull and ignorant princes in the principles of polity, by means of stories. Panchatantra consists of five books, which are called:

1. Mitra Bhedha (The Loss of Friends)
2. Mitra Laabha also called Mitra Samprapti (Gaining Friends)
3. Kakolukiyam (Crows and Owls)
4. Labdhapranasam (Loss Of Gains)
5. Aparikshitakaraka (Ill-Considered Action / Rash deeds)

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Thirty Minor Upanishads - English Translation K. Narayanasvami Aiyar

English translation of 30 Vedanta and Yoga Upanishads.

Among the Hindu Scriptures, the Vedas hold the pre-eminent place. The Upanishads which are culled from the Aranyaka-portions of the Vedas - so-called because they were read in the Aranya (forest) after the learner had given up the life of the world - are regarded as the Vedanta, or the end or final crown of the Vedas. Vedanta is also the end of all knowledge, since the word Veda means according to its derivation 'knowledge'. Rightly were the Upanishads so considered, since their knowledge led a person to Atma, the goal of life.

The study of Indian philosophy cannot be complete without the study of Upanishads.

K. Narayanasvami Aiyar was a great scholar of Hindu scriptures. He has authored many books including the scholarly translation of "Laghu Yoga Vasishtha".

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A Vedic Reader - Arthur Anthony Macdonell

A 296-page reader containing Devanagari text, transliteration and translation of thirty Rgvedic hymns, with exhaustive introductory and grammatical notes for each hymn. It has, in addition, an excellent glossary (with Indo-European cognates) and index.

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The Vedic Literature Collection at mum.edu

 

The Vedic Literature Collection at Maharshi University of Management site is perhaps the largest collection of Hindu scriptures available on the world wide web. This collection comprises of more than 300 Hindu scriptures with original Sanskrit texts (there is no translation) in pdf format. Since almost all the texts are digitized, the whole collection is only around 1GB in size (sizes of some of the texts are less than 100 KB). As you can see in the image given above, the collection contains all the vedas, upavedas, vedangas, six darshanas, 18 puranas and upapuranas, stotras, etc.

Vedic Literature Main Page

Index of Vedic Literature
 

The Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata - English

The Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata (CE 476–5500 is one of the most important texts in the history of Indian mathematics and astronomy. He composed this work at the age of 23.

Here are some of his noted achievements that are found in Aryabhatiya:

1. Aryabhata asserted that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight and that the orbits of the planets are ellipses.

2. He also correctly explained the causes of eclipses of the Sun and the Moon.

3. His value for the length of the sidereal year at 365 days 6 hours 12 minutes 30 seconds is only 3 minutes 20 seconds longer than the true value of 365 days 6 hours 9 minutes 10 seconds.

4. He estimated the value of 'Pi' as : "Add four to one hundred, multiply by eight and then add sixty-two thousand. The result is approximately the circumference of a circle of diameter twenty thousand. By this rule the relation of the circumference to diameter is given." In other words, Pi=62832/20000 = 3.1416, correct to four rounded-off decimal places.

5. Aryabhata accurately calculated the Earth's circumference as 24,835 miles, which was only 0.2% smaller than the actual value of 24,902 miles. This approximation remained the most accurate for over a thousand years.

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Tripura Rahasya - English Translation

English Translation of Tripura Rahasya,an ancient prime text on Advaita (Non-Duality) in Sanskrit.

Tripura Rahasy was highly commended by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi for study by seekers. Through fascinating stories and analogies the entire spectrum of spiritual pursuit and attainment is laid out in clear terms for the aspirant.

In Sutra Bhasya (the commentary on Brahma Sutras), Sri Sankara has quoted the story of Samvarta as found in Tripura Rahasya, in his commentary on "Apicha Smaryate" (Suutra), with approval.

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To download books by Ramana Maharshi, visit

http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/resource_centre/publications/

In Search of Truth - Swami Akhandanandaji

English Translation of "Satya Ki Khoj Me" by Swami Akhandananda Saraswati Maharaj of Vrindavan.

Anantshri Swami Akhandanandji Saraswati (known as "Maharajshri" to his followers) (1911-1987), was an exponent of Shrimad Bhagvata and a scholar of Vedanta and Bhakti Shastras. He authored over 180 books which cover Shrimad Bhagwat, Gita, Ram Charit Manas, and Upnishads of the Vedanta.

This book will help us clear many of our doubts and confusions regarding spirituality in general and Hindu Culture in particular.

For more E-books in English by Swami Akhanadanandaji please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnandVrindavan/files/E-Books/

To know more about Swami Akhandanandji (Maharajji) visit http://anandvrindavan.org/

To listen to Maharajji's Hindi discourses on Gita, Upanishads, Brahmasutra, Bhagavat, etc visit http://maharajshri.net/

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Chidakasha_Gita - Bhagavan Nityananda

This books is a compilation of teachings of Bhagawan Nityananda of Vajreswari

Bhagawan Nityananda (1897-1961) was a great siddha who was born in Quilandy (Pandalayini), Kerala South India and later lived at Vajreswari near Mumbai. "Chidakash Gita" is the only book that contains the teachings of this great sage in his own words.
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Glimpses of Swami Dayananda (Biography)

Biography of Swami Dayananda Saraswati (स्‍वामी दयानन्‍द सरस्‍वती) (1824-1883), one of the greatest leaders of Hindu revivalism and the founder of the Arya Samaj. He was a renowned Vedic scholar who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas.

Among Swami Dayananda's immense contributions is his championing of the equal rights of women - such as their right to education and reading of Indian scriptures - and his translation of the Vedas from Sanskrit to Hindi so that the common man may be able to read the Vedas. The Arya Samaj is rare in Hinduism in its acceptance of women as leaders in prayer meetings and preaching. Considering his contributions to the reformation and revival of Hinduism, all Hindus are indebted to this great soul forever.

He was also the first to proclaim India for Indians. His book SATYARTH PRAKASH contributed to the freedom struggle by inspiring the freedom fighters. On the basis of these facts some believe that Swami Dayanand rightfully deserves to be called as Grandfather of the Indian Nation.

To read Satyarth Prakash or Light of Truth in various languages, visit http://www.satyarthprakash.com/

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Misconceptions about Sankara by Satchidanandendra Saraswati

There are a number of misconceptions that have gained currency, both in India and abroad, with regard to the biography, mission in life and the lasting work wrought by the great Sankadicharya of world-wide fame. In this book, the author trys to dispel these misconceptions about Sankaracharya since he feels that any assessment of Sankara's Vedantic System, is bound to lose much of its value, unless these misconceptions are first removed from the public mind by a consensus of opinion of Vedantic scholars.

Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati (1880-1975) is without doubt one of the greatest exponents of Saankara Vedanta in modern times. He is well-known for having shown that the later Vedantic tradition had in fact deviated from the teachings of the classical acharyas Gaudapada, Shankara and Sureshvara. He authored some 200 works (sanskrit & english), and he dedicated his life to teaching about the pristine
pure Advaita Vedanta philosophy of Shankara.

In this books he breifly outlines how Sankaracharaya's Advaita Vedanta has been misconceived by modern day vedantic scholars.

To read online and download books on Advaita Vedanta by Sri Satchidanandendra Saraswati, visit http://www.adhyatmaprakasha.org/

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Sakti and Sakta - John Woodroffe (Ebook on Tantra)

Shakti and Shakta is an anthology of essays and Addresses on the Shakta Tantra Shastra, by Sir John Woodroffe (1865–1936).

Sir John Woodroffe was a British Orientalist whose work helped to unleash in the West a deep and wide interest in Hindu philosophy and Yogic practices. He is known as the father of Tantric Studies. His works on Tantra such as "Serpant Power, Shakti and Shakta, Garlanda of letters, etc" have remained very popular even after many decades.

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A Catechism of Hindu Dharma by Srisa Chandra Vasu

This book, primer of Hindu Dharma first published in 1919, nonetheless continues to be very much useful to beginners who want to learn more about Hinduism (Hindu Dharma).In this book, Srisa Chandra Vasu explains various important aspects of Hindu Dharma in the form of questions and answers. Unlike other books on Hinduism, all the answers are authenticated by quotes from Vedas, Smritis, Puranas and other Hindu scriptures.

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120 Upanishads - Original Sanskrit Texts

This book is a compilation of well known 120 Upanishads in Sanskrit.

The Upanishads (उपनिषद्) are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of Vedanta.They are latter part of the four Vedas and are also known as Jnana Kanda (The Knowledge Part). Shankaracharya defines Upanishads as "knowledge of the Self or Brahman (ब्रह्मविद्या / आत्मविद्या) which removes ignorance about the Self". Other dictionary meanings include "esoteric doctrine" and "secret doctrine".

Shankaracharya has composed commentaries on eleven mukhya or principal Upanishads, those that are generally regarded as the oldest. The list of 108 canonical Upanishads is found in Muktikopanishad.

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