Synopsis
For thousands of years, spiritual seekers as well as ordinary people have immersed themselves in the sacred writings of Hinduism, finding there the answers to life's deepest questions. As relevant today as ever, these scriptures, breathtaking in their beauty and transforming power, are still undiscovered by most Westerners, who find their complexity daunting. Windows into the Infinite: A Guide to the Hindu Scriptures has come to the rescue. In a highly readable style, the author takes the readers step-by-step through each of the major Hindu scriptures, clarifying the principal themes, figures and terms as well as demonstrating their significance.
While this unique book is of enormous value to spiritual aspirants as well as people with a general curiosity about Hinduism, it is also ideal for the academic environment. With its systematic format, extensive glossary, cross-referenced index and diagrams, it is an invaluable reference source.
Reviews
In this good introductory text for students who wish to become acquainted with the principal sacred texts of Hinduism in English translation, Powell provides a detailed summary of and commentary on the mainstream of Hindu scripture--the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Itithascas. Readers will find in this accessible guidebook a framework within which to organize a bewilderingly diverse body of literature and an excellent starting point for further study. The book includes an extensive glossary, a good introductory bibliography, and a detailed index, all of which enhance its value as a reference guide inside the classroom or out. Steve Schroeder
These two marvelous books complement each other well. Goodall has significantly revised R.C. Zaehner's book on Hindu scriptures (Everyman, 1966) by deleting some parts and adding the Yajnavalkya-Smrti (a work on conduct, legal proceedings, and penitential rites), the first seven chapters of the Kirana-Tantra (a work on initiation into the Saiva Siddhanta cult), and the Bhagavat-Purana (a work expressing popular devotionalism). Goodall's brief introduction is helpful, but mainly the book provides fresh translations of portions of the Rig and Athavara Vedas, some Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita. Powell's work is a useful introduction to the Hindu scriptures. It gives information on their composition, summaries of their content, and demonstrations of their significance for Hinduism. The first chapter provides solid guidance on how to read a sacred text and offers an overview of the immense and complex Hindu canon. Powell also includes a glossary of Hindu terms and even diagrams such as the one showing the Mahabharata family tree. While Goodall's work provides an excellent place to begin becoming familiar with the most significant Hindu scriptures, Powell's work offers a more extensive introduction to many of the same basic Hindu texts. Both books are highly recommended for any library seeking to provide patrons with seminal and introductory material on Hindu scripture.?David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernadino
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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