Śrī Rudra Sūktam is one of the most famous hymns of the Vedas. God as Rudra is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and the Lord of all. Rudra appears as all, dwells in all, pervades all, is the essence of all and is all. Śrī Rudra Sūktam imparts this vision of the Sages so that we too can see Him and worship Him through prostrations to all – those conducive and unconducive, those exalted and the despicable, those near and far, and those insignificant extra-ordinary. The Sages are generous in asking and Rudra is generous in giving. Śrī Rudra Sūktam has a long wish list presented to Rudra as our daily prayer and worship Swami Tejomayananda’s succinct commentary makes us relish the sweetness of each mantra as we chant and study Śrī Rudra Sūktam, and as promised, fulfils our desire for a good morning and a good day (sūṣā ca me sudinaṁ ca me)! A must read for all who wish to divinize every experience of life and who want everything great in life.

The present book on ‘Satarudriya: Vibhuti of Siva’s Iconography’ is not only the text from the Krishnayajurveda Taittiriya Samhita with its translation but is a discussion of the epithets and their significance in the context of the iconographic concepts associated with Siva and the importance of this Vedic text in understanding the immanence of the Almighty conceived as Rudra. These discussions are illustrated by a bunch of chosen examples of art that form the plates accompanying the text. After a brilliant academic career C. Sivaramamurti entered the Museum profession as Curator for Archaeology in the Madras Museum. He then joined the Archaeological Survey of India as Superintendent, Archaeological Section, Indian Museum, Calcutta, whence he came over to the National Museum as Keeper and rose as Assistant Director and finally became the Director. Closely associated with the International Council of Museums he was in its executive committee and was Chairman of the Indian National Committee of ICOM.

The book is journey through 5000 years of evolution of Hinduism, and is outcome of seven years of study to understand the roots of Hinduism. Tracing the genesis of Hinduism to pre-Indus Valley period, the book explains Hindu, Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma, before it takes one through Hinduism’s oldest scriptures - the four Vedas, the four components of each Veda, and what they contain. How all original translations of Vedic texts were done by Western Sanskrit scholars, and why their works have left scope for doubt about the fidelity of translations. The yajnas (yagya) like Ashvamedha, Rajsooya, Vajpeya, etc., about which we only hear on TV serials and talk shows, have been demystified. The reader will be taken aback reading the sheer size and scale of Soma yajna, described step by step, in great detail. Hinduism’s journey to the Age of Reason, the Upanishads, its encounter with Buddhism, and its transformation into idol worshipping society with many gods and a multitude of stories about its millions of gods is lucidly explained. Puranas, what they contain and what was the reason they were created, has been described and explained next. Hinduism's journey to its modern form - idol worship, the modern puja, detailed description of puja and Sanskaras like Vivaha, their detailed description, the meaning of each action and how they are conducted, the gift to the priest, types of idols, their consecration, all are explained to help a reader understand the why and the how of what we do as a Hindu. The book concludes with a discussion of - Do mantras have power? & Do rituals have meaning?

Sri Rudram has been described by some of the Vedic scholars as “Yajusham Saaram,” or the essence of the entire Yajur Vedam. It has 169 Manthrams, organized in eleven Anuvakaas or chapters. Sri Rudram is also known RudrOpanishad and Sata Rudreeyam. The latter name is associated with the fact that the Upasana Moorthy of Sri Rudram is praised in all the 101 branches (Sakas) of Yajur Vedam as inferred from the comment of Sri Bhatta Bhaskara, a celebrated commentator (Bhashyakarar) of Sri Rudram. Besides Sri Bhatta Bhaskara, Sri Sayana, Sri Abhinava Sankara and, most recently, Brahma Sri Mutthu Krishna Sastrigal have written commentaries on Sri Rudram. Brahma Sri Sastrigal's commentary is in Tamil and was published approximately Fifty-five years ago as a Hitha Bhashini release from Tanjavoor. Sri Sayana's commentary, on the other hand, dates back to the era of the Vijaya Nagara empire. The Abhinava Sankara's Bhasyam includes the listing of appropriate Rishis (Sages), Chandas (Meters) and Devathaas (Godheads) for each of the 169 Manthras as required for the individual Veda Mantrams . The present commentary in English is based on the above original sources in general and on Brahma Sri Mutthu KrishNa Sastrigal's commentaries in particular. The purpose of adding yet another commentary on Sri Rudram is to address the needs of overseas Residents of Indian origin, who worship Lord Siva at the many Hindu Temples and in their own homes across the landscape of the many continents. It is sincerely hoped that this publication would serve the goals of gaining a fuller appreciation by them of the majesty and beauty of Sri Rudram as a Veda BhAgam . As a Sri VaishNavan and a Prapannan totally committed to Kaayika , Vaachika and Maanasa Kaimkaryams to Sriman NaarAyaNan , I have been moved by the Prapatti made by Sri Rudran to His Supreme Master , Sriman NarAyaNan in the Mantra Raaja Padha StOtram and in AhirBudhnya Samhita .Lord Sri Rudra-Sivan is recognized and revered as a Parama Bhaagavta , Prapannan and a Sarvajn~an by ParamaikAnti Sri VaishNavaas including Swamy Desikan . Sri Rudran emphasises in His SaraNAgathi that He is a dhAsabhUtan (liege) of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan .

One of the three great gods of Hinduism, Siva is a living god. The most sacred and most ancient book of India, The Rg Veda, evokes his presence in its hymns; Vedic myths, rituals, and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. In a lively meditation on Siva--based on original Sanskrit texts, many translated here for the first time--Stella Kramrisch ponders the metaphysics, ontology, and myths of Siva from the Vedas and the Puranas. Who is Siva? Who is this god whose being comprises and transcends everything? From the dawn of creation, the Wild God, the Great Yogi, the sum of all opposites, has been guardian of the absolute. By retelling and interweaving the many myths that keep Siva alive in India today, Kramrisch reveals the paradoxes in Siva's nature and thus in the nature of consciousness itself.

Hymn to Tripurasundarī (Hindu deity).

The Guru can grant us everything - from the most mundane to the highest. His glories are infinite and his position, especially for a spiritual seeker, is supreme. Then what to speak of the glory of his padukas that serve him always, and which represent all that he stands for - Truth, God, knowledge, divinity and virtues. Shri Guru Paduka Stotram is a hymn that enumerates 25 glories of the padukas of the Guru. Swami Tejomayananda, with words soaked in devotion of his own Guru and the entire lineage of Gurus, expounds on these glories in a though-provoking and heart touching way. Reading, reflecting and revelling in this hymn will surely bring all that is promised.

Rudra Puja has been practised in India since the beginning of time. Shiva means Auspicious. Rudra is a synonym for Shiva. Puja means that which is born of fullness. The Vedic scriptures hail the Rudram chants as a method to remove sufferings, attain desires and bestow all round prosperity in one's village. This book presents the complete Rudra Puja Abhisheka procedure in SANSKRIT using clear Devanagari font. Headings are given in English for the performer to follow the text correctly. The Rudram Verses for the SOUTH INDIAN Krishna Yajur Veda are given with VEDIC Accents (Svara). All Mantras for Pancamrit Snanam, Sankalpam and Aarti are given. Durga Suktam, Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, Linga Ashtakam and ENGLISH translations of Om Namah Shivaya & Maha Mrityunjaya mantra enhance the book value immensely. Rudram chants are popular on Mondays, Masik Shivaratri, the rainy month of Shravan, and Maha Shivaratari. A handy verse book for use at home or in the temple.

This collection of twenty-two short monographs describes some of the living traditions of Indian Culture—‘the acumen of ages and the experience of centuries’. Imprints of living culture refer to the impressions or marks of a culture which is alive, still in vogue (and not just as object of learned studies or museum display). Indeed, Indian Culture continues to intrigue and amaze anyone who comes in touch with it. This booklet explains some of the Indian cultural practices such as ‘Namaste’, ‘Bhajan’, ‘Prasada’, ‘Arati’, besides Indian way of dressing, dining, and medicine.