A Handbook On Vedas Sastras And Samskaras - English | by G. H. Ananthanarayanan/ Vedas Book

• To write about Hinduism is a great challenge at any time because of its vast literature, all couched in the Sanskrit language which few know and fewer still wish to learn today. As a result, the vast mass of Indians are ill-equipped to read and understand the vast storehouse of literature on the Vedas, Sastras, Puranas, Samskaras and so on and so forth. What little is known is largely through translation, notably English translation rendered by many eminent scholars.
• In today's world, the pressures of work do not allow a person even to breathe, not to speak of sitting in a cozy corner and mull over the vast literature on Hinduism. It is the compulsion of times to condense everything and take only the kernel. The author has therefore confined themself to giving only a synoptic view of the most important aspects of Hindu sacred literature.
• The subject of Hindu Sastras is so vast and deep that, it is not easy for today's man-in-a-hurry to go through them, much less master them. The present volume will whet the curiosity of the serious readers to delve deep into the subject. For the convenience of the reader, the subject has been divided into 4 parts.
• In Part I of the contents, the Upanishads, Advaita, Brahmasutra and Vedangas are covered, each one of which is vast by itself.
• In Part II the author has gone through Samskaras. He has dealt with in depth the Samskaras from Garbha dharana, various steps of Upanayana, the meaning of Gayatri Mantra etc. Vivaha ceremony has been described in detail giving various steps in the ritual and the significance of these steps which requires study by the bride and bridegroom who are going to get married.
• Part II-B has dealt with the Anthyeshti Ceremony - The mentor of death and the Anthyeshti ceremony carry fear in the ordinary people. Studying this portion would enable us to understand that death is inevitable for all living beings. The whole life is being spent as a sacrifice and Anthyeshti is the culmination of that sacrifice. He has gone into the details of all the steps, reading which will take away the fear from the mind of people.
• He has touched on the Asoucha days to be followed by relatives.
In Part III, i.e., Medley of articles, he has started with Nasadiya Sukta. The reading of this will make every thinking person to ponder over life and the creation of Universe. Faith and idol worship has been touched upon.
• Hindu festivals like Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam, Makara Sankaranthi and other festivals have been described and their significance been brought out.
• Lastly he has touched on Hindu time measure and a brief glimpse of astrology which will give basic insights of Jatakamn and few other related topics.
• In the present day fast life of society it is not easy to study the Vedas and allied subjects exhaustively. Hence a handy book like this one written by Shri G.H. Ananthanarayanan will help to have an overall understanding of the vast ocean of knowledge contained in the Vedas and Sastras.