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| The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism | 
 enlarge | Author: Prakashanand Saraswati
Publisher: Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Barsana Dham
Category: Book
Buy New: $36.99 (87.08 RON)
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 689191
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 808
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.4
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.9
ISBN: 0967382319
EAN: 9780967382319
ASIN: 0967382319
Publication Date: January 1, 2003
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 The True History and the Religion of India July 6, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Finally, a true authentic book about Indian history, culture and religion. Hope this book will clear the foggy lenses of westerners bigotry, prejudice toward the most pious, nonviolent, largest democratic nation with a religion and language (sanskrit) of antiquity. Every truth seeker and any individual who wants to enrich his life with wisdom must read this book.
 Could have been a great book September 19, 2007
6 out of 12 found this review helpful
The author is a highly respected Hindu spiritual guru, and has deep knowledge of Hindu traditions. The present book is primarily a Hindu response to muck-raking and mud-slinging which many Hindus feel is the main output of Western scholarship.
The title of the book is slightly misleading, though the word 'True' should have been a warning. I bought this book eagerly hoping for a learned elucidation of Indian religious history. Unfortunately, the book turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. A large part of the book has been devoted to angry attacks on Western scholars (and Western-influenced Indian scholars), who have rejected Indian and Hindu views regarding out scriptures, and have floated their own theories and ideas. While I can empathize with this, the arguments have not been presented well, and some come down to almost a kind of shouting match.
This kind of a running fight has also affected the structure and coherence of the book, as there are frequent side-trips to counter-attack the culture-raiders. Amusingly, this is somewhat reminiscent of Prof. Amartya Sen's style of writing in the 'Argumentative Indian'.
Notwithstanding this blemish, the book offers some useful information about Hindu scriptures, orthodox views of Hindu timelines, and a Hindu perspective on some of the controversial issues.
To conclude, I do humbly submit that it would be useful for us to consider carefully what the Lord himself told Arjuna (Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Ch.2, shlok 62-63): '...unfulfilled desire leads to anger, anger results in loss of judgment. This leads to loss of memory, and loss of memory leads to loss of intellect. This causes loss of 'gnan' (knowledge).'
All in all, a useful book, especially if taken with a large pinch of salt.
 garbage September 13, 2007
2 out of 12 found this review helpful
If I could give 0 I would.
In this book one can find only hate, hate and hate towards everything which does not come from India.
Of course not any scientific proof for history of India except his own interpretation of Puranas and similar scriptures.
Do not waste your time....
 A Hindu perspective from one learned Indians Perspective December 19, 2006
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I gave this book a four star review because it's a hard slog. You've got to be genuinely interested to delve into the details. A fabulously researched view of Hinduism and Indian History from an Indian Perspective. The winners write history and much of Indian History and thought has been, sometimes crudely and other times subtly twisted and changed by people(s) with an ulterior agenda. The author points out where this may have happened, how and the potential reasoning - from his perspective. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a breath of fresh air compared to the tired old 'cows, caste and curry' formula repeated ad nauseum. At the least it is much better than any book written by 'experts' in US universities, who seem to see Hinduism and India through a sadly myopic and sometimes downright hostile view. With friends like these... read this book for a look through Indian Eyes and not through the foggy lens of the West.
Good, but not excellent. August 20, 2006
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought this book with the idea of knowing more about the history and religion of India as the title suggests, but unfortunately, the author seem to have diverted from the main topic and gets into criticizing others works.
I was little disappointed. But, I do give due credits to the author for going into depths and trying to analyze each topics in the book, very good job.
Would I suggest this book to someone who wants to know the history and religion of India, probably a yes. I would also caution the reader not to get too carried away with each and every statments that the author has written and would urge the reader to use his/her own good judgement. Some of the author's reasoning are not that strong enough to prove a point.
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