Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction
Spiritual India
Hinduism

Chapter One: Sacred Texts
   The Vedic Literature
   Srimad Bhagavatam
   The Bhagavatam: Its Contents
   The Mahabharata
   The Bhagavad-gita
   Gita Commentaries
   Ramayana
   Rama Retellings

Chapter Two: Vaishnava Roots

Table of Contents

Introduction
Spiritual India
Hinduism

Chapter One: Sacred Texts
   The Vedic Literature
   Srimad Bhagavatam
   The Bhagavatam: Its Contents
   The Mahabharata
   The Bhagavad-gita
   Gita Commentaries
   Ramayana
   Rama Retellings

Chapter Two: Vaishnava Roots
   Early Vaishnavism: Southern Roots
   Early Vaishnavism: Northern Roots
   Buddha and Shankara
   Acharyas

Chapter Three: The Godhead
   Three Aspects of God
   Three Aspects: An Analogy
   Sri Krishna
   Expansions of Krishna
   Avataras of Vishnu
   Nrisimha Avatara
   The Original Goddess
   Radha
   The Gopis
   Tulasi Devi

Chapter Four: The Demigods
   Demigods
   Shiva
   Durga
   Maya
   Ganesha
   Brahma
   Sarasvati
   Hanuman

Chapter Five: Time & Space
   The Four Ages
   Time
   Vedic Cosmology
   The Spiritual Sky
   Karma and Reincarnation

Chapter Six: The Hidden Incarnation
   Sri Chaitanya: An Introduction
   Sri Chaitanya: His Life
   Sri Chaitanya: His Teachings
   The Six Goswamis
   Bhakti: Devotional Love

Chapter Seven: Sacred Places
   Temples
   Sacred Architecture
   Vrindavana
   Navadvipa
   Mayapur
   The Ganges
   Jagannatha Puri
   The Festival of the Chariots
   Travel Information

Chapter Eight: The Arts
   Fine Arts
   Poetry
   Drama
   Dance
   Music

Chapter Nine: Practitioners
   What Is a Devotee?
   The Guru Principle
   Srila Prabhupada
   Sadhus
   Women
   Jesus in India?

Chapter Ten: Practices and Teachings
   Varnashrama
   Yoga
   The Yoga System: The Eight Steps of Ashtanga-Yoga
   Meditation
   Mandalas and Yantras
   Idols and Deities
   Deity Worship
   Language
   Dress
   Sacred Cow
   Vegetarianism
   Festivals
   The Modes of Nature
   Ayurveda
   Vedic Astrology
   The Gayatri Mantra
   Sound
   Chanting
   The Maha-mantra

Afterword
Credits