Links + Resources

» Sacred Texts: Hinduism
[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm]
This extensive site has all of the primary Hindu texts, including the Vedas, Puranas, the major epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and many others in English and Sanskrit.

» The Heart of Hinduism
[http://hinduism.iskcon.com/index.htm]
This U.K.-based Web site serves as a valuable primer for people first being introduced to Hinduism. The use of many metaphors and analogies prove quite helpful in trying to understand complex, abstract concepts — especially for Western minds.

» The Vedic Podcast
[http://puja.net/Podcasts/PodcastMenu.htm]
This series of ongoing podcasts present Vedic mythology, music, and mantras in a series of brief, enjoyable shows. The narrator tells rich stories found in the Vedas and explains in great detail the meaning of various mantras and chants. Two programs worth mentioning are #18 and #35. The former gives interesting background and stories about the goddess Sarasvati; the latter illuminates a festival celebrating Sarasvati, Durga, and Lakshmi.

» Portraits of Tamil Nadu
[http://flickr.com/photos/25641154@N00/sets/72157594350155816/]
The French photographer Joel Dousset has taken a series of stunning portraits of street and festival life in India. His ability to capture the humanness and beauty is breathtaking. And then to present them on the photo-sharing site flickr is quite commendable.