What is Hinduism /Mahatma Gandhi, National Book Trust India, 1994

This book was published on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Gandhiji . Published on behalf of the Indian Council of Historical Research the book is a selection of articles drawn from Young India ,Harijan and Navajivan . I thought of writing about this book because this is one of the most simplest and easiest book I have read on the theme till date.I must confess I have read very little . For people like me who are not scholars but are interested in knowing more about our culture it is difficult to find a relevant book that is not too burdened with scholarly expositions.


The chapter explaining the opening lines of Isa , incidentally my favourite quote and a goal I would like to achieve in life , is the best I have read. Gandhiji speaks straight from the heart. His pride in his faith is evident from the articles . Essence of hinduism is in its all inclusiveness. Many ancient civilisations have died but the hindu way of life still survives and the culture still fascinates many foreigners and Indians alike. A British gentleman who was in Kolkata this week for the first time had a glimpse of the excitement in the city around Durga Puja and was simply astounded. He kept on saying he had witnessed living art in the manner pandals were being made which he called "art installations". This year Germans are involved in the planning and designing of Ekdalia Evergreen Club's Puja.

Gandhiji's writings carry this essential spirit of the Indian culture in words which ordinary people can follow easily.He writes about equality of religions, non-violence being common to all religions, his conviction that God is, that Truth is God, about the message of Gita and it’s Ideal, about Hinduism and why he has chosen to remain a Hindu. Some of the extracts are from his daily discourses and retain the conversational style which makes you feel you are listening to the great man directly. I also liked the very practical nature of the messages which gels with the thought process of a modern sceptical mind. It is a 119 page book with 43 chapters .It is a good publication to possess and read and to reread.