Bhagavad Gita
Edwin Arnold — The Song Celestial
The Song of the Lord — a 700-verse dialogue and cornerstone of Hindu philosophy.
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ReligionAncient (pre-history)~1.2 billion adherents
Hinduism
- Founder
- No single founder
- Origin
- Indian subcontinent
A family of diverse Indian traditions sharing concepts of dharma, karma, and liberation (moksha), with no single founder.
Overview
Hinduism
Hinduism is the oldest of the major living religions, an ancient and pluralistic tradition that emerged across the Indian subcontinent with no single founder or central authority. It is better understood as a vast family of philosophies, devotions, and practices.
Its foundational texts include the four Vedas, the philosophical Upanishads, and the beloved epics — the Mahabharata (containing the Bhagavad Gita) and the Ramayana. Core ideas include dharma (cosmic and moral order), karma (action and consequence), samsara (rebirth), and moksha (liberation).
Hindu worship spans the one ultimate reality (Brahman) expressed through many deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.
Sacred Scriptures
Read in full on John Shaqi, in our reader.
The Upanishads
Max Müller
The philosophical foundation of the Vedanta, exploring the self and ultimate reality.
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Rig Veda
Ralph T. H. Griffith
The oldest of the four Vedas — ancient Sanskrit hymns of Hinduism.
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Mahabharata
Kisari Mohan Ganguli
The great epic of ancient India, containing the Bhagavad Gita.
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Critics, Defenders & Scholars
Critics
B. R. Ambedkar
Jurist & Social Reformer · 1891–1956 · Indian
A jurist and reformer who sharply critiqued the caste system and the religious texts upholding it.
Annihilation of Caste
Defenders
Swami Vivekananda
Monk & Reformer · 1863–1902 · Indian
The monk who introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the West and defended Hindu thought on the world stage.
Raja Yoga; Chicago Addresses
Scholars
Adi Shankara
Philosopher (Advaita Vedanta) · c. 788–820 CE · Indian
The consolidator of Advaita (non-dual) Vedanta, whose commentaries shaped Hindu philosophy.
Brahma Sutra Bhashya; Vivekachudamani
Sacred & Scholarly Books
Well-known works on Hinduism — readable in full, right here in the Library.
1921 · Read on site →
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1966 · Read on site →
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1914 · Read on site →
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1870 · Read on site →