The Heart of Hinduism:
The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination
By Stephen Knapp
This is a definitive and easy to understand guide to the essential as well as
devotional heart of the Vedic/Hindu philosophy. You will see the depths of
wisdom and insights that are contained within this profound spiritual
knowledge. This presentation
contains numerous references from a variety of the ancient Vedic texts to
provide a direct view of the spiritual knowledge that they hold. Thus, it is
especially good for anyone who lacks the time to research the many topics that
are contained within the numerous Vedic manuscripts and to see the advantages
of knowing them. This also provides you with a complete process for
progressing on the spiritual path, making way for individual empowerment,
freedom, and spiritual illumination. All the information is now at your
fingertips.
Some of the topics you will find include:
A complete review of all the Vedic texts and the wide range of topics they contain. This also presents the traditional origins of the Vedic philosophy and how it was developed, and their philosophical conclusion.
The uniqueness and freedom of the Vedic system.
A description of the main yoga processes and their effectiveness.
A review of the Vedic Gods, such as Krishna, Shiva, Durga, Ganesh, and others. You will learn the identity and purpose of each.
You will have the essential teachings of Lord Krishna who has given some of the most direct and insightful of all spiritual messages known to humanity, and the key to direct spiritual perception.
The real purpose of yoga and the religious systems.
What is the most effective spiritual path for this modern age and what it can do for you, with practical instructions for deep realizations.
The universal path of devotion, the one world religion.
How Vedic culture is the last bastion of deep spiritual truth.
Plus many more topics and information for your enlightenment.
So to dive deep into what is Hinduism and the Vedic path to freedom and spiritual perception, this book will give you a jump start. Knowledge is the process of personal empowerment, and no knowledge will give you more power than deep spiritual understanding. And those realizations described in the Vedic culture are the oldest and some of the most profound that humanity has ever known.
Contents
PREFACE
The “Essential” Heart of Hinduism * The “Devotional” Heart of Hinduism
INTRODUCTION
About the Name “Hinduism” * What is Vedic * The Purpose of the Vedic System * The Uniqueness of the Vedic System
PART ONE:
UNDERSTANDING THE MANY LEVELS OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH IN THE VEDIC TEXTS
CHAPTER ONE:
A REVIEW OF VEDIC LITERATURE AND THE KNOWLEDGE WITHIN
If You are New to the Study of Vedic Culture * The Four Primary Vedas * Thirty-Three Million Gods? * Brahmanas and Aranyakas * The Upanishads * The Upa-Vedas and Vedangas * The Sutras and Supplements * The Smritis * Vedanta and Vedanta-Sutras * The Itihasas * The Puranas * A Review of the Puranas * The Srimad-Bhagavatam * The Preeminent Nature of the Srimad-Bhagavatam * Different Paths in the Vedas * The Ultimate Path to the Absolute * Conclusion * Vaishnavism
CHAPTER TWO:
THE YOGA PROCESSES
Purpose of Religion * Hatha-Yoga * Karma-Yoga * Jnana-Yoga * Yoga * Raja-Yoga * Instructions on Raja-yoga From Bhagavad-gita * Mystic Powers * Kundalini-Yoga * The Chakras and Koshas * Laya-Yoga * Kriya-Yoga * Mantra-Yoga * The Grace of God * Bhakti-Yoga
PART TWO:
UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTERISTICS AND POSITIONS OF THE VEDIC GODS--THE DEVAS AND DEVIS
CHAPTER THREE:
THE IDENTITY OF LORD SHIVA AND GODDESS DURGA
Krishna Devotees are Dear to Shiva and Shiva is Dear to Them * Lord Shiva’s Position * Shaivism * The Shivaratri Festival * The Shiva-Lingam * The Goddess Durga * The Identity of Durga and Difference Between Mahamaya and Yogamaya * The Shaktas and Tantrism * The Tantras * How Shiva and Durga are Considered the Mother and Father of the Universe * How Lord Shiva Appeared in this World * How Lord Shiva Assists in the Universal Destruction * Lord Shiva’s Ultimate Spiritual Advice
CHAPTER FOUR:
LORD BRAHMA
Brahma’s Main Function * How Brahma is Manifested From Lord Vishnu * Brahma and The Dawn of Creation
CHAPTER FIVE:
LORD VISHNU
Lord Vishnu is an Expansion of Lord Krishna * The Functions of Lord Vishnu
CHAPTER SIX:
THE GODDESSES
Lakshmi * Sarasvati * The Meaning of Navaratri * Gayatri * Srimati Radharani
CHAPTER SEVEN:
GANESH AND MURUGAN
Ganesh * Murugan * Ayyappan
CHAPTER EIGHT:
THE MINOR DEMIGODS
Adityas * Agni * Asvins * Indra * Kubera * Maruts * Soma * Varuna * Vasus * Vayu * Visvadevas * Yama * The Navagrahas * Surya
CHAPTER NINE:
SRI KRISHNA
Differences in Realization and Perception of the Supreme * Who is Sri Krishna? * What Sri Krishna Says About Himself * The Mistake of Accepting Krishna as a Representation of Something Higher * Krishna is the Source of All Creation * Krishna is the Source of All Incarnations of God * Why Lord Krishna Descends into this World * How Lord Krishna Took Birth in the Material World * Janmastami--Krishna’s Birth Festival * Misunderstanding the Activities of Lord Krishna * The Beauty of Krishna * How to Understand God * Result of Failing to Know Krishna * Krishna’s Eternal Spiritual Abode
PART THREE:
THE ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS OF LORD KRISHNA--THE HEART OF THE HINDU PATH SANATANA DHARMA
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER TEN:
WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE
What Lord Krishna Says to be the Most Important Knowledge * How This Vedic Knowledge is Descending Down Through Time
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
THE RARITY OF HUMAN BIRTH
CHAPTER TWELVE:
THE TEMPORARY NATURE AND PURPOSE OF MATERIAL EXISTENCE * The Affects of Maya * Real Fulfillment
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
OUR REAL IDENTITY AS SPIRITUAL BEINGS
The Living Being in Material Existence * Seeing the Spiritual Unity Between Us
CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
REINCARNATION AND THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
THE WAYS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND REAL FREEDOM
Jnana-yoga * How to Perform Karma-yoga
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
HOW TO PRACTICE MYSTIC YOGA
Worshiping the Brahman: Lord Krishna’s Impersonal Aspect * Lord Krishna’s Instructions on Yoga * It Is Not Easy for One to Reach Spiritual Perfection in this Form of Yoga * The Essential Points in this Yoga System * Devotional Meditation Frees One From the Illusion * The Highest Levels of Spiritual Enlightenment * The Mystic Perfections Attained Through Yoga * The Way to Meditate * Leaving the Body Through Yoga: The Ultimate Perfection
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
RECOGNIZING THE ENERGY OF GOD EVERYWHERE
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
LORD KRISHNA AS THE SUPERSOUL
CHAPTER NINETEEN:
LORD KRISHNA AS BHAGAVAN, THE SUPREME BEING
The Process of Devotional Service--Bhakti-yoga * The Foundational Principles * The Essential Ways for Developing Love for Krishna * The Way to Worship the Deity Form of the Lord * In the End You go Back to Krishna * Why Lord Krishna Advises us to Engage in the Process of Bhakti-yoga * Those Who Render Devotional Service to Lord Krishna * Those Who Do Not Take up Devotional Service * Bhakti-yoga Gives the Same Results as Mystic Yoga and More * How to Meditate or Think of Lord Krishna * Chanting Lord Krishna’s Holy Names * The Bhakti Process Erases Past Karma * Even the Worst Sinners Can be Delivered and Reach Peace * The Conclusive Decision is Up to Us * The Need to Spread This Knowledge
CHAPTER TWENTY:
THOSE WHO WILL REMAIN IN MATERIAL BONDAGE
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:
THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR LIBERATION
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO:
REAL LIBERATION MEANS RETURNING TO LORD KRISHNA
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:
KRISHNA THE EVER-LOVING GOD
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
ABOUT OTHER FORMS OF RELIGION AND ACTIVITIES
A Closer Look at the Effects of the Modes of Material Nature * Different Qualities in the Modes of Nature * Observing the Interactions of the Modes of Material Nature * Types of Knowledge in the Modes * Types of Foods in the Modes * Types of Actions in the Modes * Types of Residences in the Modes of Nature * Determination in the Modes * Happiness in the Modes * The Conclusion and Ultimate Purpose of the Vedic System--How to Become Free From the Modes of Material Nature
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:
HOW TO BE A SPIRITUAL PERSON IN THIS MATERIAL WORLD
Helpful Duties for Women * On Serving Parents * Criticizing Others * Duties of a Ruler
PART FOUR:
THE DEVOTIONAL HEART OF HINDUISM--AWAKENING THE LOVING CONNECTION
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
THE REAL PURPOSE OF YOGA AND RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS
Purifying the Mind * Spiritualizing Our Existence * The Supreme Yoga
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:
THE SPIRITUAL PATH FOR THE PRESENT AGE
Bhakti-yoga * How Bhakti-yoga Works * Devotion to Vishnu is Best Way to Salvation * Different Types of Service * Bhakti-yoga is the Most Practical Method of Spiritual Advancement * Rare Association With Devotees * The Devotee’s Direct Experience and Reciprocation With God * The Ecstasy of Devotional Service
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
MANTRA-YOGA: A NECESSITY FOR THIS AGE
The Om Mantra * Om Meditation Technique * Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra * Lord Vishnu’s Names are More Powerful than the Greatest Holy Places * The Power of the Maha-Mantra: How It Works * Attaining Liberation Through Chanting * God Inaugurates Chanting the Holy Names * How to Chant the Maha-Mantra * Conclusion
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:
QUALIFICATIONS OF A SPIRITUAL LEADER
What Is a Spiritual Master * Parampara--The System of Disciplic Succession * Is It Necessary to Have a Spiritual Master? * The Effects of a Proper Spiritual Master * How the Spiritual Master Teaches * Duty of a Disciple
CHAPTER THIRTY:
THE ONE WORLD RELIGION
APPENDIX ONE:
THE 108 UPANISHADS
APPENDIX TWO:
SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
APPENDIX THREE:
THE FOUR AGES
APPENDIX FOUR:
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEITIES AND DEITY WORSHIP
APPENDIX FIVE:
THE MEANING OF THE PHRASE “GOD IS LOVE”
APPENDIX SIX:
SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT: A CURE FOR SOCIAL ILLS
APPENDIX SEVEN:
THE INCARNATIONS OF LORD KRISHNA
The Lord Incarnates in Each Universe * The Main Incarnations of the Supreme Being * The Manu Incarnations * The Yuga-Avataras * The Shaktyavesha-Avataras
APPENDIX EIGHT:
THE DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE VEDIC LITERATURE AND ITS BRANCHES
Rig-Veda * Yajur-Veda * Sama-Veda * Atharva-Veda * The Puranas
APPENDIX NINE:
MORE ABOUT THE NAME “HINDU”
APPENDIX TEN:
VEGETARIANISM: STRONGLY RECOMMENDED IN VEDIC SCRIPTURE
Vedic References Against Meat-Eating and Animal Slaughter * The Principle of Being Merciful * The Benefit From Cows
APPENDIX ELEVEN:
VEDIC CULTURE: THE LAST BASTION OF DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH
DEITY PHOTOGRAPHS
CHAPTER NOTES
REFERENCES
GLOSSARY
INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ordering Information
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