Introduction To Hindu Dharma

His Holiness the 68th Jagadguru of Kanchi died in 1994 at the age of 100. He was one of the most beloved and honored spiritual figures of the twentieth century. This book has the distinction of introducing him and his spiritual legacy in the form of an irreplaceable introduction to Hinduism in today s world. His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandra-sekharendra Saraswati Swamigal was installed at the tender age of 13 as the pontiff in Kanchi of the hallowed line of succession back to Adi Sankara; thus more than 87 years of his life was dedicated to preserving and perpetuating traditional Hindu dharma The discourses in this book cover all three categories of teaching : prayer and virtue; an explanation of Hindu metaphysical Truth; and an exposition of the conflict between traditional Hindu dharma and modernity. The text was selected from a large number of his discourses which have been recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. In many instances the Jagadguru s own Tamil definitions for Sanskrit terms have been translated into English. While these definitions have been retained, additional definitions have been incorporated into the text to facilitate compre-hension without constant resourse to glossary.