Religions and Faiths in India/Raj Kumar Pruthi and Rameshwari Devi.
Jaipur, Mangal Deep, 2004, vii, 286 p., $39. ISBN 81-7594-169-3.
Religions and Faiths in India/Raj Kumar Pruthi and Rameshwari Devi.
Jaipur, Mangal Deep, 2004, vii, 286 p., $39. ISBN 81-7594-169-3.
Contents: Preface. 1. Gods and Indus Valley Civilisation. 2. Indus Gods and Shaktism. 3. Aryan Gods and their worship. 4. Non-Aryan Gods and their worship. 5. Hindu Gods and their origin. 6. Religious revolution against Vedic Orthodoxism. 7. Jainism. 8. Buddhism. 9. The ministry of Gautama Tathagata. 10. The revolution in Buddhism. 11. The cult of Bodhisattva in Buddhism. 12. Resurgence of Hinduism. 13. Vaishnavism. 14. Sufism, saints and shrines. 15. Sikhism. 16. The Indian philosophy of history. Subject Index.
"Religion is the spiritual aspect of human life and is related with intellect and consciousness. Faith is the first tenet of religion. When this faith in a man grows stronger, he gains the prerogative of knowledge and character. Faith in moral law or conduct generated through a religious medium roots deep in human conscience. When this faith is commonly observed and followed by a community of people it becomes religion.
During the period of Indus Valley Civilisation many Gods were worshipped. The book "Religions and Faiths in India" brings before the readers who these Gods were, how they were worshipped, what faiths were prevailing then, how Vedic Orthodoxy led to the religious revolution which resulted in new religions. With elaborate description on Jainism and Buddhism the book incorporates how resurgence in Hinduism resulted in various faiths like Vaishnavism, Sufism and Sikhism, what these faiths are and how they impacted on Hinduism.
In this thorough presentation, and effort has been made to encompass all religions and faiths in India, their impact and change in rites and rituals, along with related aspects." (jacket)