The Bhagavad Gita is the most important scripture that crystallizes the essence of Hinduism. Here's the English translation.
Our desire to live in this world drives our life. And we all seek heaven on earth. But what happens after we die? Where do we go? How is sin related to death? Is there anything like immortality? Do you believe in the concept of heaven and hell?
Bhagavad Gita for Modern Times: Secrets to Attaining Inner Peace and Harmony by Swami Sadashiva Tirtha is a unique commentary on the Gita - the most profound of Hindu scriptures. He draws parallels from the verses of the Gita and casts them in the chapters of our everyday lives. Read Review
More About the Holy Gita
According to the scriptures, a Hindu marriage is indissoluble in life. Marriage is sacrosanct, for the Hindus believe that marriage is not only a means of continuing the family but also a way of repaying one's debt to the ancestors. Nevertheless, polygamy was rampantly practiced in ancient Hindu society.
In India, most people tend to equate Hindu marriage with arranged marriage. Even today, love marriage is indicted by orthodox Hindus and priests. This is mainly because such a wedlock usually defies the barriers of caste, creed and age.
Polygamy is not for Hindus. It is banned by the law of the land. Interestingly, when it was found that an increasing number of Hindu men have been showing a propensity to convert to Islam whenever they wanted a second wife, the Indian Supreme Court plugged this legal loophole for all potential Hindu bigamists. In a historic ruling, on May 5, 2000, the apex court said that if it is found that a newly converted Muslim has embraced the faith only to embrace another wife or two, he should be prosecuted under the Hindu Marriage Act and the Indian Penal Code. Thus, bigamy for all Hindus, was ultimately outlawed. Read more
Women of the Vedic period (c 1500-1200 BCE), were epitomes of intellectual and spiritual attainments. The Vedas have volumes to say about these women, who both complemented and supplemented their male partners.
Myriad hymns of the Vedic era bear testimony to the wisdom of contemporary women and names of 27 women-seers emerge from them. But most of them are mere abstractions except for a few, such as Ghosha, Lopamudra, Sulabha Maitreyi, and Gargi, who are some of the most significant female figures of the Vedic period. Read more
QUICK POLL: Do You Chant?
Ten common misconceptions about Islam debunked. More >
Use these prayers to inspire and inform your own conversations with God. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.
