....The book is a 'Must Read' for its thought provoking analysis and valuable insights....Prof. K.T. PandurangiFormer Professor of Sanskrit, Bangalore University,Vice-Chairman & Hon. Director Dvaita Vedanta Foundation, Bangalore"In my many years of listening to people talk on religion, dialogue and harmony, I was rarely as inspired and impressed as I was with your thoughts. ... very balanced, insightful and lofty way of thinking and expression."Prof. Ali KhwajaChairman- Banjara Academy, Hon. Director- Helping HandDESCRIPTIONThe purpose of the book is to present a holistic understanding of Hinduism, to analyze its dynamics and historical process, to remove misunderstandings about Hinduism and to capture the whole process of rediscovery of Hinduism from time to time. This is done in terms of a Gandhian perspective, viewing Hinduism as happy to co-exist with other religions and also respect them. The continuing relevance of Gandhiji's perspective on Hinduism consists in asserting that the authentic view of Hinduism is to see it as a liberal, inclusive, pluralist and socially sensitive religion.The book demolishes several myths that caste system is intrinsic to Hinduism, that Hinduism is other-worldly and indifferent to economic development, that its assimilative nature is subject to hierarchy, that it is anti individual, that it is anti rational, that it is indifferent to ethics and so on. But the book goes beyond apologetics and presents the dynamic process of change as well as continuity in Hinduism, and its capacity to rediscover it values from time to time to be in tune with the times. The dynamics of Hinduism is presented in terms of three phases Classical, Bhakti Movements and Modern. The book also explores Hindu approach to economic and social development, found to be both humane and ecologically sustainable. Finally it seeks to analytically answer why religion has become a cause for conflict and identifies factors that would promote peace, pluralism and progress, offering a perspective of hope. The book illustrates its arguments with interesting anecdotes from the life stories of Sants and presents some of their highly poetic compositions. It uses a variety of sources including literature in Indian languages. It is addressed to everyone who is interested in Hinduism, as well as to scholars in social sciences and religion.CONTENTSWhat Is Hinduism? Basic Ideas, . Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism? Demolishing a Myth, . Dynamics of Hinduism Continuity and Change, . Dynamics of Hinduism Classical Phase, . Dynamics of Hinduism Bhakti Movements, . Dynamics of Hinduism Modern Phase, . Hindu Approach to Development, . Future of Religion a Perspective of HopeABOUT THE AUTHORProf. M V Nadkarni an economist by training and profession, has a deep interest in social sciences, religion and philosophy. He was a Professor at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore, from 1976 to 1999 & is currently a Honorary Visiting Professor at the same Institute. He served as the Vice Chancellor for a full term of three years till 2002 at Gulbarga University, Karnataka. He was awarded National Fellowship by ICSSR for two years (2002-2004) in recognition of his distinguished work in social sciences, under which this study was prepared. He was elected President at the 55th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics and gave his Presidential Address on 'Forests, People and Economics' in November 1995 at IRMA, Anand. He has over 22 books (including books edited and major reports) to his credit, and over 100 papers in academic journals in India and abroad.