Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Hi MSBauju: Nice to see you back! Good query: *** If you were to recommend a "first five things to read" to a new (Western) group member who is not knowledgeable about Hinduism, what would those five things be? *** 1. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism" by Linda Johnsen I hate the "Idiot" format, but this is an exceptionally good, accurate introduction, in an easy-to-understand format. And it's really no use trying to understand Shaktism without first having a reliable grasp on Hinduism. 2. The Bhagavad Gita I know, I know. It's not a Shakta text. But (a) Shaktism is a part of Hinduism; and (b) only scholars and theorists are interested in drawing hard-and-fast lines of deliniation between the different schools. Relax and sink into this gorgeous masterpiece of world literature and religion. I like Juan Mascaro's translation best for capturing the spirit and poetry of the original, though there are more literally accurate texts. 3. The Ramayana Again, this is essential for getting your bearings. You have no business mouthing off about Hinduism unless you've made at least an attempt at reading the Epics (Ramayana is one; Mahabharata is the other, of which Bhagavad Gita is a tiny section). Every Hindu -- regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, language, socio-economic status -- knows at least the basic stories from childhood. The most user-friendly, length-friendly version of Ramayana for introducing a Westerner is R. K. Narayan's. 4. The Devi Mahatmyam Having gotten some feel for the larger Hindu context, you can now start getting into Shaktism proper. The very best version I've seen -- with parallel Sanskrit, Roman transliteration, English translation, and clear explanatory commentary -- just came out last year: "In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning," by Devadatta Kali. 5. "Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition," by David Kinsley. After reading all of the above, check out this book to expand your fluency in Hinduism's feminine pantheon. THEN you can move on the the stuff like TRIPURA RAHASYA, DEVI GITA, SUNDARALAHARI, the various Tantras, etc. Happy Reading! DB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Thank you, DB, for your "first five" list, and SE101, for your "top five" list. This is wonderful information. Bless you both! After I posted my "first five books" query, I thought about a recent posting by DB about sadhana.... As a companion query, what might be appropriate first sadhana practice(s)? (I don't mean to draw discussion away from the book issue! I am quite excited about the prospect of additional input.) , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta> wrote: > > [msbauju wrote:] *** If you were to recommend > a "first five things to read" > to a new (Western) group member > who is not knowledgeable about > Hinduism, what would those five things be? *** > > [DB's list:] > 1. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism" by Linda Johnsen > [....] > 2. The Bhagavad Gita > [....] > 3. The Ramayana > [....] > 4. The Devi Mahatmyam [Devadatta Kali trans.] > [....] > 5. "Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu > Religious Tradition," by David Kinsley. > > [....] THEN you can move on the the stuff like TRIPURA > RAHASYA, DEVI GITA, SUNDARALAHARI, the various Tantras, etc. -------------------- >From SE101's post: Here are [sE101's] top 5 not a very systematic list or approach but they will provide good information: 1. Tripura Rahasya Tantra 2. The World as Power (J. Woodruff) 3. Devi Gita 4. Tantra The Path of Ecstasy (G. Feurstein) 5. Shakti the Power in Tantra (R. Tigunait) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Thank you so much for this list Devi Bhakta! I have read a translation of the Bhagavad Gita and a few basic Hindu books and sites, but otherwise, I have had much trouble trying to find good offline sources that would give me a decent feel of Shaktism. Thank you for giving me a starter's list! Blessings, >"Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta > > > First Five Books: Shakti Sadhana >Thu, 07 Oct 2004 22:32:50 -0000 > > >Hi MSBauju: > >Nice to see you back! > >Good query: *** If you were to recommend a "first five things to read" >to a new (Western) group member who is not knowledgeable about >Hinduism, what would those five things be? *** > > >1. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism" by Linda Johnsen > >I hate the "Idiot" format, but this is an exceptionally good, accurate >introduction, in an easy-to-understand format. And it's really no use >trying to understand Shaktism without first having a reliable grasp on >Hinduism. > >2. The Bhagavad Gita > >I know, I know. It's not a Shakta text. But (a) Shaktism is a part of >Hinduism; and (b) only scholars and theorists are interested in >drawing hard-and-fast lines of deliniation between the different >schools. Relax and sink into this gorgeous masterpiece of world >literature and religion. I like Juan Mascaro's translation best for >capturing the spirit and poetry of the original, though there are more >literally accurate texts. > >3. The Ramayana > >Again, this is essential for getting your bearings. You have no >business mouthing off about Hinduism unless you've made at least an >attempt at reading the Epics (Ramayana is one; Mahabharata is the >other, of which Bhagavad Gita is a tiny section). Every Hindu -- >regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, language, socio-economic status >-- knows at least the basic stories from childhood. The most >user-friendly, length-friendly version of Ramayana for introducing a >Westerner is R. K. Narayan's. > >4. The Devi Mahatmyam > >Having gotten some feel for the larger Hindu context, you can now >start getting into Shaktism proper. The very best version I've seen -- >with parallel Sanskrit, Roman transliteration, English translation, >and clear explanatory commentary -- just came out last year: "In >Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning," by Devadatta >Kali. > >5. "Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu >Religious Tradition," by David Kinsley. After reading all of the >above, check out this book to expand your fluency in Hinduism's >feminine pantheon. THEN you can move on the the stuff like TRIPURA >RAHASYA, DEVI GITA, SUNDARALAHARI, the various Tantras, etc. > >Happy Reading! > >DB > > > > > > > > _______________ Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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