“Let what comes come, let what goes go.”
Most scholars agree that Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. The ‘term’ Hinduism is an umbrella term that encompasses many shared concepts around mythology and theology, with the Hindu texts revealing how its origins extend beyond human history. The broad themes for Hindus include karma and the four Purusarthas (goals for life) include dharma (ethics and duties), artha (prosperity and work), kama (passions and desires) and moksha (freedom from desires and the cycle of death and rebirth). Hindus practice these beliefs through devotion, worship, sacrificial rites and meditation. With over 1.2 billion followers, 94% of which currently live in India, Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, and its influence has increasingly found its way to the West through practices such as yoga. If you’re looking to learn more about Hindus and their beliefs, join us at What We Reading for the best books on Hinduism!
Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction – Kim Knott
First up on our list of Hinduism books is Kim Knott’s Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. Designed to be a quick and snappy guide through the core beliefs and authority of the religion, and how it has been affected by colonialism and modernity.
Knott offers concise explanations of Hinduism’s central pillars, including the role gurus and teachers play in the journey for spiritual fulfilment. The book also tackles the responsibility of regular practices of the Mahabharata and Ramayana for providing every follower, regardless of standing, with guidance on what is a proper life. And, as Hinduism continues to spread out from within India’s borders, Knott ponders on the challenges faced by Hinduism including the issues of caste prejudice and the place of women in contemporary Hindu societies.
Autobiography Of A Yogi – Paramahansa Yogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi presents a compelling portrait of one of the most significant spiritual leaders in history. Delivered with candour, warmth and elegance, Paramahansa Yogananda takes readers through his remarkable childhood, encounters across India with many saints and sages, the decade he spent training in the hermitage under a revered yoga master, and the three decades he spent living and teaching all he had acquired in the United States. He also recounts his meetings with the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Luther Burbank, as well as a number of other celebrated spiritual personalities from both East and West.
Considered one of the most essential books on Hinduism and spirituality, Autobiography of a Yogi introduces the ancient science of yoga, and meditation and explains the subtle laws that separate everyday wonder from miracles.
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The Essentials Of Hinduism: The Introduction To All The Sacred Texts – Trilochan Sastry
Hinduism is an ancient religion, philosophy and way of life. Unlike other major religions around the world, which are all founded and followed on a number of small books, Hinduism encompasses hundreds of texts that span millennia. Crucially, the majority of these texts are all in Sanskrit, which many of us aren’t typically fluent in.
So, if you’re a reader looking to learn more about the texts and teachings that make up Hinduism, a book like Trilochan Sastry’s The Essentials of Hinduism needs to be on your TBR list! Across his 2022 book on Hinduism, Sastry unpacks everything from the Vedas to the epics that cover the entire range of scriptures. Succinct and easy to read, Sastry’s book is accessible to Hindus, those with an interest in Hinduism and even agnostics and atheists looking to understand more about the world’s third-largest religion.
Why I Am A Hindu – Shashi Tharoor
In his Hinduism book, Why I am a Hindu, Shashi Tharoor, one of the finest intellectuals in Indian history, gives readers a sweeping rundown of the world’s oldest religion. Beginning with a close examination of his own beliefs in Hinduism, Tharoor sweeps through his extensive studies of the faith. He explains the Great Souls of Hinduism, Adi Shankara, Patanjali, Ramanuja, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and countless others who made contributions to the essence of Hinduism.
With clear and accessible language, he also explores the most important schools of thought in Hinduism such as the Advaita Vedanta, as well as important features and concepts of Hindu philosophy including Purusharthas and Bhakti. Finally, he looks at the manifestations of Hinduism in the political world, as well as the extremist individuals and organisations that have committed violence in its name. Through his sharp analysis and deft descriptions, Why I am a Hindu is one of the most important books on Hinduism and present-day India that is sure to inspire and spark debate.
Myth = Mithya: A Handbook Of Hindu Mythology – Devdutt Pattanaik
Hindus have one God. They also have 330 million gods. Male gods, female gods, gods for specific castes, family gods, village gods, gods who live in nature, in animals, in objects and in geometric patterns. They also have a number of demons, but no devil. In his groundbreaking book on Hinduism, Dr Devdutt Pattanaik, one of the most popular mythologists in India, searches for answers and unravels an inherited truth about life and death, nature and culture, perfection and possibility.
Through retelling sacred Hindu stories and decoding symbols and spirits across the faith, Pattanaik explains why the villainous Kauravas was able to go to heaven, whilst the virtuous Pandavas were sent to hell. Why, despite abandoning the innocent Sita, Rama remains the model ruler. And why the blood-drinking Kali is another form of the milk-giving Gauri. This is the essential go-to for anyone looking to learn more about the myths, legends and teachings behind Hindu mythology.
My Gita – Devdutt Pattanaik
In My Gita, Pattanaik demystifies the Bhagavad Gita for modern-day readers. His innovative approach, distinctive voice, illustrations and simple diagrams help make the ancient treatise totally accessible whatever your understanding of Hinduism is.
In a world that seems obsessed with an argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt recounts how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships. Contemporary society often feels more marginalised and divided than ever before, but My Git is quick to remind us how we exist in an ecosystem with others. Devdutt explains in his work how, even when we’re fighting, we can nourish others with food, love and meaning.
Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide To Joy – Sadhguru
Hatha yoga is one of the eight branches of the body of knowledge that is the Hindu practice of yoga. Yoga is an ancient and sophisticated system of self-improvement that has the potential to activate inner energies that allow our minds and bodies to work at their optimal capacity.
Hindu yogis live their lives in this expansive state and, in his book on Hinduism, Sadhguru tells his own story of transformation. Growing up as a young boy with an affinity for the natural world, he recounts his moment of enlightenment atop a mountain in southern India where time stood still and he descended radically changed. These days, the founder of Isha is one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the world. A self-help book that captures the importance of self-transformation as one of the central pillars of Hinduism, Inner Engineering presents a new way of thinking about the opportunity to live a life filled with joy.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
