Which Hindu scripture should I read first?

First one to go is obviously,

Bhagavad Gita, http://www.asitis.com/ [online]

http://bhagavad-gita.org/ [diff. philosophies]

http://www.srivaishnava.org/sgati/sddsv1/index.htm (Issues/Articles on the book "Hinduism Rediscovered")

Forums:

http://www.ramanuja.org/ (also look in the archives/forum)

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/

http://dandavats.com/

Online stores/free articles:

http://www.celextel.org/ (Upanishads)

http://www.thekrishnastore.com/StoreFront.bok

Mohammad,

I appreciate your analloyed devotion to God and your spiritual quest. To answer you why Only brahmins were allowed to access vedas: becos they were required to abstain from material attachments and practice as per vedas before they preach anything. But contrary to your belief, 2 other varnAs - the ksatriya(warriors) and vaishyas(businessmen) are supposed to learn/chant vedas every day. They are are to follow rituals like 'wearing sacred thread) at age 8 and take up vedic initiation. As they are to focus on the welfare of the society, they were not required to adhere to certain rituals, restrictions, preaching etc. These were the sudras(workmen) who are not required to learn vedas, as they may indulge in intoxication/material attachments due their labourious work life. There were great devotees/philosophers called 'Alwars', who belong to all 4 varnas/groups, who were revered as vedic saints. Any one who really believes in vedas/ philosophies can practice them, in fact vedas grant salvation/surrender rituals to anyone irrespective of any birth, if you are a "staunch" believer/practitioner. Ancient days, brahmins didnt want to reveal the knowledge to others who are not mentally focussed/conscious of dharma , also vedas encouraged only Oral tradition. So, only few from them get qualified. Also, vedas dont strictly go by Knowledge/Wisdom of vedas, there are other methods like Faith/Devotion and Karma(doing one's duties and learning through life). So, it is like an open university.

Regarding One God and Icon Worshipping, you may have to read more on vedic philosophy and the right translations/commentary of those upanishadic statements/aphorisms. Sanskrit grammar uses different nouns/verbs in same context, it is upto you to use the right one. Brahma Sutras, is one of the three 'grand/magnum' authoritative works, is total inquiry into BrahmaN(God/Creator), and is argumentative. I dont think, there can be any more greater treatise on God, than the Brahma Sutras. There were different philosophers, who wrote the commentaries for these major works, and differ by some subtleties.

Hindu Scriptures Online

Based upon your background, you might want to try Samkhya Darshan (philosophy) and Patanjali Yog (practical). Both are complimentary to each other. Gita is the gist of both.

Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali with Bhasvati

- Hariharananda Aranya, Published by Calcutta University Press is available from Calcutta University - which is the best and purest book available in English. It will cost you 400 INR plus postage. For online text please go to http://aysnyc.org/index.php?option=com_content&tas...

Suggestion : Just read the English translation of Sutra, which is pure. And avoid reading details/explanations, which comes from a biased mind. Fyi, Samkhya Darshan and Patanjali Yog is the base of Buddhism.

Dear

Even though I am a Muslim I would like to answer this question;

The answer is again "Which Hindu Scripture Should I read First?

As far as I know and even the Hindu Intellectuals had said:

There is no religion as such as "Hindu"

Hindu name was given to the country Hind means India.

It is True that Vedas are the First and Foremost Old books available today in the World, but no where the Word Hindu is mentioned in it.

The Religion is called "Sanatan Dharma" in Holy Vedas.and it is written about Oneness of God Almighty in it and it is prohibited to Give shape or make statues and name them God Almighty.

Read the Following which are the Translations of the Verses of Holy Veads:

1. He is the lonely Glorified Ruler of life and lifeless creatures. He is the Sustainer of both humans and animals. Whom are we worshipping and to whom we place our offerings? Rig Ved: 3-121-10

2. Because of Him, the earth and heavens are held. Because of Him is the kingdom of Light and the Sky is established in the shape of arc. The measures of the Horizons are for his sake. Whom are we worshipping leaving Him aside? Rig Ved 5-121-10

3. Holy is He, Who has no Shape and He is immortal. His name is Hamd. (praise) Yajur Ved 3-32

Hamd is an Arabic word too means praise.

4. Whoever worships mortal gods and goddesses shall drown in the darkness which blinds them. Yajur Ved 9-40

5. Do not worship other than God. Rig Ved 1-1-8

6. He is Only One, worship Him. Rig Ved 16-45-6

7. He is Only the Best to be Worshipped, a Sustainer. (Rub) Uther Ved 2-2-2

8. Eshwar is the First and He alone is the Master of all the creation, He is the Owner of earth and heavens. Whom are you worshipping leaving Him aside? Rig Ved 1-121-10

9. O Agni (Only God) Only You Inder Who fulfills the hearty desires of the pious. You are the only befitting to be worshipped. You are the only Vishnu of the many who praise You are Brahma and Brahmanaspati. Rig Ved 3-1-2

10. O Agni, You are the One Raja Varun, Who Fulfils the Promise, You are the Mitr Praiseworthy, You are the Real Leader Aryam. Rig Ved 4-1-2

11. O Agni You are Rudr You are Pusha You are Shankar the protector of heavens You are the Source of the power of the followers in desert. You are the Perfect Light the Provider of Sustenance. You are present every where like air, Nourisher and Protector of the worshipper. Rig Ved 6-1-2

12. O Agni You are Savita provider of wealth, you are Vayu Protector of the worshipper. Rig Ved 7-1-2

13. O Agni You are the First, You are Bharati (treasure of good deeds) You are Ida and you are Saraswati. Rig Ved 11-1-2

14. Inder, Miten, Varun, Agni, Guru, Yam, Vayu, Matrashiva are different names of one Power, so the wise and learned have called unto Eshwar according to His qualities.

Rig Ved 5-114-10

Even though different names of God are mentioned they are His qualities only.

I am also interested like you in knowing their religion and Holy Books which lead me to these findings. I am trying to get more.

Another point of interest is that the Holy Vedas and other Holy books of theirs were hiddden and they were prohibited to be read or listen by others Non Brahmins (Brahmins are the religious sect) for thousands of years.

Interestingly it is Max Mueller who translated the Vedas and He is responsible to make the Vedas available to the people of the world.

Now I leave it to the so called Hindus to refute my findings and claims and let them answer you; why the Vedas were hidden from public and let them claim that it is Hindu Dharma (Dharma means religion) and Not Sanatan Dhatrma as written in Holy Vedas, if they believe in them.

I would go with the Bagavad Gita. There are many english transations and I don't know the best. But it by far the most common hindu scripture these days.

~ Eric Putkonen

The Bhagavad Gita.

Here's a great site

http://www.bhagavad-gita.us/

The main authentic book according to Hindus is VEDAS. There are many others too. Following is the link:

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm

But let me advise you read Quran too if you are really interested in finding the truth. In order to find the truth one must read about Islam, Christianity and Judaism at least.

Its your choice. I dont want you to say on day of judement that no one conveyed me the message of Islam.

Check out following for Islam :

www.shareislam.com

King James Version

Having lost his donkey a Hindu, got down to his knees and started thanking God. A passerby saw him and asked: "Ur donkey is missing; what are u thanking God for ?" The Hindu replied: "I am thanking Him for seeing to it hat I wasn't riding the donkey at that time, otherwise I would have been missing too."

The Ramayana. There are a numbr of good translations available.Most bookstores and libraries have at least one version.