India's Spiritual Heritage I

"Hindu philosophy is the most precious flower and fragrance of Hindu religion" -Max Muller, German Scholar "In the whole world there is no study except that of the Upanishads, which are so beneficial and elevating. It has been the solace of my life, and it will be the solace of my death" - Schopenhauer, German Scholar "The people of India may be poor but they are happy. In America the people are rich but very unhappy" - An American Tourist at the Himalayas. The history of any nation is not made in a day but the result of centuries of silent working of all the creative forces in the land. Bharata Varsha, presently known as India, alone has the unique claim to make that she is the home of many great religions, rushis and saints. She can take pride in the fact that she possesses a spiritual culture of very high order. The backbone of Indian national life is religion. Our land has passed through many spiritual crises. Religion has always been an integral part of our education from very early times. It is very unfortunate that after the advent of the British in India, our teachers have been imparting a godless, soul-less and secular education to their pupils on account of the policy of neutrality followed by our rulers in matters religious. The present-day parents who are the products of such un-religious education are not in a position to import religious instruction to their own children. The result is telling on the full development of body, mind and soul of our pupils. A nation without a religious education will become spirituality bankrupt. Education is not a mere preparation of the individual for life but it is the very life itself. Our educationists and statesmen should not forget that neutrality in religion does not and cannot mean abstention from teaching religion. Our children will grow into better citizens with character if they learn properly in their school days all about their religion at the feet of their teachers who have been specially trained in their own religion as well as comparative religion. Keeping the above in view, this book, written by my illustrious father, Late Prof. Sabharatnam (H.H. Swami Skandananda) and published in 1950 is republished in 2016 by me as I felt that this is quite an appropriate time for the children and youngsters of this country to revisit their heritage and understand that how we are degenerating by the influence of culture foreign to us by willful distraction through irresponsible persons at the helm, media and society. It is their responsibility to bring back the glory of our heritage and culture through another spiritual revolution. Reviews of earlier edition * I feel that our Embassies abroad should possess this book as one of the means of establishing cultural contacts with other nations - H.H. Sri swami Sivananda Saraswati, Rishikesh * I hasten to acknowledge the excellently written book 'India's Spiritual Heritage.' It is a very good book - Hon'ble C. Rajagopalachari, Former Governor General, India * Mr. Sabharatnam traces the ancient traditions, ethics and teachings in a readable, illustrated and well-produced book indicating the ebbs and tides of Hinduism - The Hindustan Times, New Delhi -This is a Masterpiece in comparative Religion which is sure to inspire, instruct and guide the Reader in Life. It is specially meant for our Secular state where seven out of the ten World Religions are practised. -The learned Author has discussed the history of the growth of Hinduism from Vedic Times to the present day in this succinct yet comprehensive work in a lucid and forceful style. -No College, School, Public or Private Library should be without this brilliant book. -It makes an ideal gift to deserving pupils on the occasion of a Prize Distribution.