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This erudite and wide-ranging anthology offers a panoramic view of Vedānta in Śaṅkara’s own words, with selections from standard translations of his commentaries on the Upaniṣads, the Brahma-sūtra (Vedānta-sūtra) and the Bhagavad-gītā—texts which together form the scriptural canon of Vedānta—and an independent treatise, the Upadeśa Sāhasri, on whose authenticity there is unanimity. Exhibiting a deep empathy with the living tradition, Sudhakshina has selected passages that explain all the important concepts and teachings, including up-to-date deliberations on Śaṅkara. Her general and sectional introductions illuminate and demystify the esoteric concepts, providing a holistic perspective of Vedānta and making it eminently accessible to the modern reader.

The first single, reliable collection of primary material from the source traditions of yoga

Despite the immense popularity of yoga today, there is surprisingly little knowledge of its roots among practitioners. This book brings together, for the first time, the core teachings of yoga in the words of their authors, rather than in the secondary versions of modern interpreters. Including key passages from the Upanishads, the Buddhist and Jaina traditions, the yoga sections of the Indian Tantras, and many texts that are being critically translated for the first time, Roots of Yoga provides a comprehensive and immediate insight into the essential texts of the Indian traditions of yoga. This book is a first stop for anyone wishing to learn more than they are told at their yoga class, and an indispensable resource for serious yoga practitioners and teachers.

One of India’s two greatest epics, the Ramayana pervades the country’s moral and cultural consciousness. For generations it has served as a bedtime story for Indian children, while at the same time engaging the interest of philosophers and theologians. Now this magnificent translation makes the monumental work available to a new audience. Believed to have been composed by Valmiki sometime between the eighth and sixth centuries BC, the Ramayana tells the tragic and magical story of Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, an incarnation of Lord Visnu, born to rid the earth of the terrible demon Ravana. Exiled for fourteen years because of his stepmother’s fit of jealousy on the eve of his coronation, Rama enters the forests of Dandaka with his beautiful wife Sita and devoted brother Laksmana. Sita is abducted from the forest by Ravana who takes her to his isolated kingdom on the far side of the southern ocean. The two brothers set out to rescue her and, along the way, make an alliance with a dispossessed monkey, king Sugriva. At the end of a bloody war Ravana is killed and Sita, reunited with her husband, and victorious Rama returns to Ayodhya to claim the throne that is rightfully his. An idealized heroic tale ending with the inevitable triumph of good over evil, the Ramayana is also an intensely personal story of family relationships, love and loss, duty and honour, of harem intrigue, petty jealousies and destructive ambitions. All this played out in a universe populated by larger-than-life humans, gods and celestial beings, wondrous animals and terrifying demons. In her translation Arshia Sattar has successfully bridged both time and space to make this ancient classic accessible to the present-day English reader. An added attraction is her superb introduction which provides new insights and background information for both the general reader and scholar alike.

His unknown life before and after the crucifixion. Why has Christianity chosen to ignore its connections with the religions of the East, and to dismiss repeatedly the numerous claims that Jesus spent a large part of his life in India? This compelling book presents irrefutable evidence that Jesus did indeed live in India, dying there in old age. The result of many years of investigative research, Jesus Lived in India takes the reader to all the historical sites connected with Jesus in Israel, the Middle East, Afghanistan and India. As well as revealing age-old links between the Israelites and the East, the evidence found by theologian Holger Kersten points to the following startling conclusions: In his youth Jesus followed the ancient Silk Road to India. While there he studied Buddhism, adopting its tenets and becoming a spiritual master. Jesus survived the crucifixion. After the resurrection Jesus returned to India to die in old age. Jesus was buried in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, where he continues to be revered as a saintly man. The tomb of Jesus still exists in Kashmir.

Overview

Is there any truth to the numerous claims that Jesus spent a large part of his life in India? Why has Christianity chosen to ignore its connections with the religions of the East? In this compelling work of investigative research, theologian Holger Kersten presents overwhelming evidence that provides answers to these intriguing questions. Exploring the historical sites connected with Jesus in Israel, the Middle East, Afghanistan and India, Kersten's detailed study discloses age-old links between the Israelites and the East and presents some startling revelations, including how Jesus survived the Crucifixion and, after the Resurrection, returned to Srinagar, India to die in old age, where he continues to be revered as a saintly man.

Overview

Of all Vishnu's avatars, Krishna is regarded as the purna avatar, the complete incarnation, for he encapsulates in himself the entire gamut of emotions and attributes that constitute the ideal human personality. He is the most accessible of gods, and bridges the gap between the mortal and the immortal. In this book, Pavan Varma, the best-selling author of Krishna: The Playful Divine, succeeds brilliantly in communicating the exuberance, the charm and the complexity of this popular deity. Drawing upon the Puranas, classical literature, bhakti poetry and folklore, he has painted a rich and varied portrait of the blue god-as the delightfully mischievous child, the uninhibited lover, the formidable warrior, the wise and pragmatic philosopher, and the Supreme God.

Overview
Hindus have one God. They also have 330 million gods: male gods; female gods; personal gods; family gods; household gods; village gods; gods of space and time; gods for specific castes and particular professions; gods who reside in trees; in animals; in minerals; in geometrical patterns and in man-made objects. Then there are a whole host of demons. But no Devil. In this groundbreaking book Dr Devdutt Pattanaik; one of India’s most popular mythologists; seeks an answer to these apparent paradoxes and unravels an inherited truth about life and death; nature and culture; perfection and possibility. He retells sacred Hindu stories and decodes Hindu symbols and rituals; using a unique style of commentary; illustrations and diagrams. We discover why the villainous Kauravas went to heaven and the virtuous Pandavas (all except Yudhishtira) were sent to hell; why Rama despite abandoning the innocent Sita remains the model king; why the blood-drinking Kali is another form of the milk-giving Gauri; and why Shiva wrenched off the fifth head of Brahma. Constructed over generations; Hindu myths serve as windows to the soul; and provide an understanding of the world around us. The aim is not to outgrow myth; but to be enriched and empowered by its ancient; potent and still relevant language.

How many names does Arjuna have? Why was Yama cursed? What lesson did a little mongoose teach Yudhisthira? The Kurukshetra war, fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas and which forced even the gods to take sides, may be well known, but there are innumerable stories set before, after and during the war that lend the Mahabharata its many varied shades and are largely unheard of. Award-winning author Sudha Murty reintroduces the fascinating world of India’s greatest epic through the extraordinary tales in this collection, each of which is sure to fill you with a sense of wonder and bewilderment.

National Award Winner: 'Best Book On Film' Year 2000. Film Journalist Anupama Chopra Tells The Fascinating Story Of How A Four-Line Idea Grew To Become The Greatest Blockbuster Of Indian Cinema. Starting With The Tricky Process Of Casting, Moving On To The Actual Filming Over Two Years In A Barren, Rocky Landscape, And Finally The First Weeks After The Film'S Release When The Audience Stayed Away And The Trade Declared It A Flop, This Is A Story As Dramatic And Entertaining As Sholay Itself. With The Skill Of A Consummate Storyteller, Anupama Chopra Describes Amitabh Bachchan'S Struggle To Convince The Sippys To Choose Him, An Actor With Ten Flops Behind Him, Over The Flamboyant Shatrughan Sinha; The Last-Minute Confusion Over Dates That Led To Danny Dengzongpa'S Exit From The Fim, Handing The Role Of Gabbar Singh To Amjad Khan; And The Budding Romance Between Hema Malini And Dharmendra During The Shooting That Made The Spot Boys Some Extra Money And Almost Killed Amitabh.

In 1893, when Mohandas Gandhi set sail for South Africa, he was a briefless lawyer who had failed to establish himself in India. In this remarkable biography, Ramachandra Guha argues that the two decades that Gandhi spent in the diaspora were the making of the Mahatma. It was here that he forged the philosophy and techniques that would ultimately destroy the British Empire.
Based on archival research in four continents, this book explores Gandhi's experiments with dissident cults, his friendships and enmities, and his failures as a husband and father. Gandhi Before India tells the dramatic story of how he mobilized a cross-class and inter-religious coalition, pledged to non-violence in their battle against a racist regime.
Deeply researched and beautifully written, this book will radically alter our understanding and appreciation of modern India's greatest man.

Inner Engineering is a fascinating read, rich with Sadhguru’s insights and his teachings. If you are ready, it is a tool to help awaken your own inner intelligence, the ultimate and supreme genius that mirrors the wisdom of the cosmos’—Deepak Chopra In his revolutionary new book, visionary, mystic and yogi Sadhguru distils his own experiences with spirituality and yoga and introduces the transformational concept of Inner Engineering. Developed by him over several years, this powerful practice serves to align the mind and the body with energies around and within, creating a world of limitless power and possibilities. Inner Engineering is your own software for joy and well-being.

DID THE GREAT FLOOD OF INDIAN LEGEND ACTUALLY HAPPEN? WHY DID THE BUDDHA WALK TO SARNATH TO GIVE HIS FIRST SERMON? HOW DID THE EUROPEANS MAP INDIA? The history of any country begins with its geography. With sparkling wit and intelligence, Sanjeev Sanyal sets off to explore India and look at how the country’s history was shaped by, among other things, its rivers, mountains and cities. Traversing remote mountain passes, visiting ancient archaeological sites, crossing rivers in shaky boats and immersing himself in old records and manuscripts, he considers questions about Indian history that we rarely ask: Why do Indians call their country Bharat? How did the British build the railways across the subcontinent? Why was the world’s highest mountain named after George Everest? Moving from the geological beginnings of the subcontinent to present-day Gurgaon, Land of the Seven Rivers is riveting, wry and full of surprises. It is the most entertaining history of India you will ever read.

How do you find your original self? Osho perceives man as becoming increasingly alienated from his inner self, gradually losing his natural innocence and creativity in the mindless quest for worldly power and success. To appear strong, the average man suppresses his innate qualities of love and compassion. For Osho, the ideal man is Zorba, the Buddha—a perfect blend of matter and soul. This seamless collection of discourses takes the reader through the various stages of man’s evolution: from Adam to Slave, Son, Homosexual, Priest and Politician, until he attains the pinnacle of his consciousness as the Rebel or Zorba. Sparkling with anecdotes and enriched with brilliant repartee, The Book of Man is a remarkable blend of wisdom and wit

The bestselling vision document for the future from one of India s most eminent scientists and thinkers
In this ground-breaking vision document, first published in 1998, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan offer a blueprint for India to be counted among the world s top five economic powers by the year 2020. They cite growth rates and development trends to show that the goal is not unrealistic. Past successes the green revolution and satellite-based communication linking remote regions of the country, for instance bear them out. The same sense of purpose can make us a prosperous, strong nation in a matter of years, assert Kalam and Rajan.

This is a book that every citizen who hopes for a better India must read.

About the Author
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of India s most distinguished scientists. He was responsible for the development of India s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3, and the development and operationalization of strategic missiles. As chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, he pioneered India Vision 2020, a road map for transforming India into an economically developed nation by 2020, focusing on PURA as a development system for countrywide implementation.

The President of India between 2002 and 2007, Kalam has been awarded honorary doctorates from thirty-eight universities and the country s three highest civilian honours Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).

Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan is a well-recognized authority and a thought leader on technology development, business management and society linkages. He held various positions of responsibility related to science and technology between 1988 and 2002, and has shaped key policies and implemented several successful R&D projects with industry participation.

He was responsible for creating a series of documents related to Technology Vision 2020. After a thirty-year stint with the government, he joined the Confederation of Indian Industry in 1996, where he was principal adviser from 2004 to 2010. Currently an honorary distinguished professor at ISRO, Bangalore, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012.

3rd Century BCE, Pataliputra, India Madhura lives in the legendary city of Pataliputra during the reign of King Ashoka of the Maurayan dynasty. She works in the palace as the maid and companion of Princess Sanghamitra. Madhura does not like it at all! Life is so boring. She dreams of travelling across the land like her brother Kartik, who is a trader and growing up to become a soldier, fighting with swords and riding horses. Madhura's dream suddenly come true as she travels with Kartik from Pataliputra to Ujjaini in a caravan. On the way mysterious things begin to happen. Who is that fat man giving out packets full of gold and silver coins to Kartik? Why are they stopping at Vidisha to meet a Buddhist monk? Kartik is up to something and Madhura has to find out the truth. Read this fascinating account of Madhura's life, and discover what it was like to grow up in the past!

About the Author
Bipan Chandra, recipient of the Padma Bhushan, was born in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He was educated at Forman Christian College, Lahore and at Stanford University, California. He was Professor of Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. He was honoured as National Professor and was also the Chairperson of the National Book Trust. Professor Chandra has authored several books on nationalism, colonialism and communalism in modern India.

The Penguin History Of Early India From The Origins To AD 1300 gives its readers an exhaustive idea about the history of India, from the time of its formation, through its gradual coalition, to its structure in AD 1300. The account is not a chronological narration of the events that took place to form India, but the narration of the story of India. Romila Thapar s version of the history of India is composed of many stories of the different parts of India which gradually came together to form one great country.

Romila Thapar s The Penguin History Of Early India From The Origins To AD 1300 takes its readers on a journey. The journey begins from the prehistoric era of the Indus Valley Civilization and other such ancient civilizations. It continues through to the emergence of the great empires of the Mauryas, Cholas, and the Guptas. It also talks about the creation of the great epics of The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, and the lives of great scholars and saints who had a huge impact on the life of India and its people such as Gautam Buddha and King Ashoka. The narration of history ends with the year AD 1300, with the reign of Rajendra III, the last Chola King.

The Penguin History Of Early India From The Origins To AD 1300 aims at showing the connections between the social, political, economic and religious aspects of each period. The focus is on tracing the continuities in the history of Early India. Diverse subjects such as religion, art, erotica, language, society are analyzed in conjunction with each other.

This updated edition contains added research on the history of India based on new excavation data, new methods of interpretation of history and changes in academic understanding of the discipline.

About the Author

Romila Thapar is an acclaimed Indian historian.

Her books include Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations, Asoka And The Decline Of The Mauryas, Somanatha: The Many Voices of History, Somanatha: The Many Voices of History, and Dissent in the Early Indian Tradition.

She graduated from Panjab University and received her doctorate degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies from the University of London. Her prime area of research is ancient Indian History. She has won many awards for her excellent work in the field of history. These include the Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity in 2008 and numerous honorary doctorates from universities such as the University of Calcutta, University of Hyderabad, University of Oxford and University of Edinburgh.

What is it that we as a nation are missing?

Why, given all our skills, resources and talents, do we settle so often for the ordinary instead of striving to be the best?

At the heart of Ignited Minds is an irresistible premise: that people do have the power, through hard work, to realize their dream of a truly good life. Kalam s vision document of aspiration and hope motivates us to unleash the dormant energy within India and guide the country to greatness.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of India s most distinguished scientists, responsible for the development of India s first satellite launch vehicle and the operationalization of strategic missiles. He also pioneered India Vision 2020, a road map for transforming India.

About the Author

The President of India between 2002 and 2007, Dr Kalam has been awarded honorary doctorates from thirty-eight universities and the country s three highest civilian honours the Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997). A prolific and bestselling author, he now conducts lectures on societal development in many international institutes and is involved in research on different societal missions.

Bundi has had a long and chequered history of wall paintings. But curiously enough, the walls at Bundi, did notcome to the notice of any art historian so far. In this book an attempt has been made for the first time to give a detailed account of these murals and their place in the history of Indian painting. The Book first of its kind, bringing to light the existence of a school of wall paintings in this region, is well illustrated with line-drawings and numerous photographs.

The book focuses on cult and cultural synthesis in India. The terracotta images are of profound nature and have significant role in fertility and funerary rituals. The terracotta temples of Bishnupur have also been dealt with. The main focus in on votive terracotta, which includes portable icons and sculptured veneer on architectural monuments of Bengal in the late medieval period. The images are vaishnavite and saivite krishna, Buddha as avatara or vishnu, Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes, etc. have been depicted. T

The book is an excellent study of geographical and chronological distribution pattern of the temples built under royal patronage, rites and rituals performed, gods under worship, religious centres, main features of religions etc. The religious history of the Chalukyas of Kalyana has been reconstructed on material and literacy evidences

Unakoti in north Tripura enjoys singular distinction in possessing colossal rock-cut sculptures with tribal features forming a class by themselves. The 8th-9th century sculptures are venerated by the ancient people of the region like the river Ganga and Varanasi in the entire country. Brahmanical sculptures have also been influenced by the tribal culture.

This excellent book brings to light 70 rock-cut caves excavated from 1st century B.C. to 15th century A.D. It is a welcome addition to literature on Jain architecture. Buddhist and Brahmanical cavesites the Ajanta Ellora and Elephenta are world famous but Jaina caves except Ellora are little known. This book documents each Jaina cave that has come to light in the region so far its architecture, iconography, stylistic features, etc.

The book gives a detailed account of the development of iron technology on Global perspective after Bronze Age, development in metallurgical identities and microstructure of metal at different temperatures. History of iron to philosophy and conservation of iron including technique of casting deterioration and metallographic studies for measuring types and level of decay of metals are covered.

This new cultural study by the learned authorlooks at the intersection of Hellenistic andEgyptian - Lycian art forms in the religious sphereof dynastic India that was ushered by Buddhist cult during the early Christian era. The Kailasanatha temple at Ellora (Deccan) and at Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) are both architectural marvels of the Dravidian style. The first one is rock-cut while the other is the earliest structural temple, both derived from Buddhist