Review by Choice Review
Rosen (independent scholar) provides a clear, concise introduction to Vaishnavism, the forms of Hinduism adhered to by the approximately two-thirds of "Hindus" who acknowledge Vishnu as the supreme deity. This tome discusses the Vaishnava holy texts, including the Vedas; the Puranas; and both sacred epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, with special emphasis on the Bhagavad-Gita. This work is not exclusively about the textual, philosophical, and theological aspects of Vaishnavism, but also introduces the way in which adherents worship and live. It discusses temples, forms of worship, dietary practices, festivals, and Varnashrama dharma (the social order, or caste system). Included is an interesting chapter on sonic theology, which examines the practices of chanting, and the theology and metaphysics behind them. The weakest sections are those that are often strongest in many books on Hinduism, namely discussions of metaphysics. Classics, such as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's edited work, with Charles Moore, Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy (1957), or his Indian Philosophy (1923, 1927) are still recommended. The other weakness is acknowledged by Rosen: that the term Hinduism is misleading. This text focuses on Vaishnavism; significant traditions, such as Advaita Vedanta, are outside its scope. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-/upper-level undergraduates, general readers. G. J. Reece American University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Hinduism, the world's oldest "living" religion, is also the third-largest faith, boasting one billion adherents. Rosen (Introduction to the World's Major Religions) is the ideal author to unravel the mystery of this diverse and complex faith. As editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, he is especially qualified in his highlighting of Vaishnavism, the most popular form of Hinduism, throughout. The book is made up of 13 chapters and is divided into two conceptual parts: "The Basis," which focuses on Hinduism's history and holy texts, and "The Practice," which discusses philosophical ideas and specific practices such as vegetarianism, meditation, and worship. Hindu terms appear alongside English translations. There is a solid bibliography and notes, but a glossary would have been helpful. What's more, illustrations or photographs would have enhanced the text's richness. The content, however, is of a high caliber. This book will appeal to scholars as well as general readers. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.-C. Brian Smith, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
