These translated extracts from all forms of Hindu literature, from the ancient scriptures to modern political writings, are accompanied by the author's commentary describing and analyzing the texts.Klaus K. Klostermaier, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, is University Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Manitoba in Canada, and Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Vaisnava and Hindu Studies. He has studied numerous sacred texts in their original languages, and his many publications include Hinduism: A Short Introduction and Hinduism: A Short History, both published by Oneworld.Introduction 1 1. The vedic Indra Religion 2. Vaisnavism 23 3. Saivism 58 4. Saktism 83 5. The Smartas 104 6. Hindu Philosophies 106 7. Modern Hinduism 120 8. Hindu Nationalism Hindu Jagaran 131 9. Opposition to Hindu nationalism 147 10. The New Universal Hindu Gurus 150