These Books Must Be Read to Understand Hindu Dharma

There are many Hindus who want to understand Sanatan Dharma—or what we call Hindu Dharma—in its most authentic form. However, without proper guidance, they often struggle to find the right path. Hindu Dharma is both beautiful and challenging; unlike Islam with the Quran or Christianity with the Bible, it cannot be fully understood by reading just one book. Hindu Dharma is limitless. Therefore, based on my studies, I am recommending some essential books in this article, complete with download links. These are invaluable for anyone eager to grasp the essence of Hindu Dharma and Hindutva. To truly understand dharma (cosmic law) and the shastras (scriptures), one must read authentic texts and the works of ascetic acharyas, saints, and devotees deeply rooted in tradition, approaching them with utmost shraddha (reverence). Authors like Devdutt Pattanaik and Amish Tripathi, who impose arbitrary, modern interpretations on Hindu Dharma and scriptures, will not be discussed here.

■ 1) Gita Press is a publisher so reliable that you can walk into their store, close your eyes, pick any book, and buy it. You can blindly trust their publications of the Gita, Puranas, Ramayana, Upanishads, and all works by Swami Ramsukhdas ji, Hanuman Prasad Poddar ji, and Jaydayal Goyandka ji. Original scriptures like the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, Ramcharitmanas, and Yogasutras should only be purchased from Gita Press. Their literature guarantees spiritual upliftment and will never mislead you. Links to download some important shastras:-

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita
Shri Ramcharitmanas
18 Puranas

■ 2) To understand the origins of the Vedas, Vedic science, concepts like Agni and Soma, and Sanatan practices like shraddha, avatars, and samskaras, Mahamahopadhyay Pandit Giridhar Sharma Chaturvedi’s book "Vaidik Vigyan Aur Bharatiya Sanskriti" is unmatched. While 33% of it is difficult to understand, the effort rewards you with a profound glimpse into Vedic greatness, resolves contradictions regarding Vedic subjects, and introduces the supremely divine nature of Sanatan Dharma. For those who wish to understand the Vedas and Vedic science, this is a fundamental and mandatory book. This book is rare; this 1972 publication is attached in this link--

Vaidik Vigyan Aur Bharatiya Sanskriti

■ 3) Most people harbor many doubts and questions regarding the Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, and are often misled by malicious propaganda. The best remedy is to read the Puranas and their related narratives completely on your own. A comprehensive study of the Puranas is necessary. Puranas are not false stories or myths; they are the true history of Sanatan Dharma and the essence of the Vedas given by the rishis. Therefore, those who read the shastras with the mindset of them being myths can never understand their true meaning. To understand the origin of the Puranas, their process, Puranic science, their harmony with the Vedas, and to resolve most objections and questions, one should read these three books.

●-> Authored by Pandit Giridhar Sharma Chaturvedi ji: "Puran Parishilan"
●-> Authored by Shastrartha Maharathi Pandit Madhavacharya Shastri: "Puran Digdarshan"

■4) Nowadays, influenced by the Leftist education system, it has become the habit of many Hindus to constantly ask "Why?", "Why?" about every aspect of dharma. It is due to an intellect corrupted by Leftism and a lack of reverence in tradition that they keep raising absurd questions like why this, why that. Asking questions is a good thing, but they practically draw swords. Therefore, to answer all those questions and completely dismantle those objections, Shastrartha Maharathi Pandit Madhavacharya Shastri wrote a powerful book aptly titled "Kyon" (Why)!! The name of the book is "Kyon". In this, all your "Whys" will be resolved.

●-> In Hindi, "Kyon?"
●-> In English, "Why?"

■5) To understand Hindu Dharma, Yoga, the Upanishads, Vedanta, and Hindutva, the works of Swami Vivekananda ji are the absolute best; he expressed the core spirit of Hindu Dharma in beautifully profound words. A reader of Swami Vivekananda can never fail in life. One must certainly read Swami Vivekananda's greatest works: Karmayoga, Rajayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Premayoga, Life After Death, Powers of the Mind, Yogasutra Bhashya, and O Hindu Rashtra! Arise! Awake!

Swami Vivekananda Literature

■6) In Sanatan Dharma, according to the Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita, Dvaitadvaita, and Shuddhadvaita interpretations of Vedanta, there are 5 major sampradayas (traditions) respectively: the Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, and Vallabha sampradayas. Instead of wandering aimlessly here and there, one should read the texts of only these authentic sampradayas. To understand Advaita Vedanta, Bhagavan Adi Shankaracharya's 'Prabodha Sudhakar' is a small text that holds an ocean of wisdom. This is personally very dear to me.

■7) To understand Hindutva, every Hindu must read the books of Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar ji. The father of Hindutva and the architect of the Hindutva ideology in modern times is revered Veer Savarkar ji himself. Even if not his complete literature, one must definitely read "Essentials of Hindutva" / "Hindutva", "Gomantak", "Moplah", etc. Along with these, one must read the book "Vichar Navneet" (Bunch of Thoughts) and the ideas of the revered Shri Guruji Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who possessed the intellect of a rishi. Books written by pro-Hindu thinkers like Sita Ram Goel, Gurudutt, P.N. Oak, Rajiv Malhotra, etc., are also highly important.

Veer Savarkar Literature

■8) Paramahansa Yogananda ji's biography "Yogi Kathamrit" (Autobiography of a Yogi) is such a masterwork that by reading it, a person's firm belief in spirituality can be established. This is a text of the highest order. It can be purchased from anywhere and can also be ordered online.

■9) For English readers, all the books by Swami Sivananda ji and Swami Krishnananda ji of the Divine Life Society on the Upanishads, spirituality, etc., are excellent resources.

Books by Swami Sivananda

Must read these important articles, and share them with everyone

Historicity and Authenticity of Shrimad Bhagavat and Other Puranas

Sampradayas of Sanatan Dharma and their Major 'Mathas' (monastic institutions) and 'Acharyas'

The Saga of the Puranas, Part-1: Why are the Puranas Important?

The Saga of the Puranas, Part-2: Who is Vedavyasa?

The Saga of the Puranas, Part-3: When Romaharshana and Ugrashrava of the Suta Lineage Became Brahmins