Review of A Hindu Primer
Posted: 14 Jun 2024, 01:04
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Hindu Primer" by Dr. A.V. Srinivasan.]
A Hindu Primer by Dr. A. V. Srinivasan is a book of tales for kids that helps them develop their thinking abilities while reading it. Although this book is for kids, it can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. So, don’t hesitate to grab your copy and be lost in this world which is 5000 years older than ours.
The book starts by explaining what the five Pandava brothers were doing in a forest and what a fire-making device used to look like. I, however, would argue that a pictorial reference to the device would have made more sense. The story moves on with the questions and answers of the Yaksha and Yudhishthira, the eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
The book is excellent, and the amount of work and effort that went into it is apparent. This is a fantastic, innovative step to teach kids what Dharma (right) is from Adharma (wrong). What gives my brain a more sudden jolt is how the first question is an astrology question, and I am studying astrology now. The mention of the Gods revolving around the sun gives me a new perspective. Indeed, Jyotisha (Vedic astrology) is a Vedanga (limb of the Vedas), and no matter how many times we revisit this story, it keeps giving more and more, no matter what your age group is.
I also liked how the book clarifies the difference between fake Brahmins and Brahmins based on their divine personality. Almost every Hindu scripture or book talks about more than one method a Brahmin can fall from their Varna. Caste discrimination was a problem when discrimination existed and when the distinction was made based on one’s birth and not based on one’s character and deeds. Without the so-called upper caste discriminating against the lower caste, the offensive caste system stumbles, and we are left behind with the divine varna vyavashtha. This sacred system classifies people based on their professions.
I am an Indian, and I am not a stranger to the theme of the general story of the Mahabharata. However, for a new person, there should have been a character sheet that explained who each Pandava was and their personality. A complete novice to the subject might ask why Duryodhana would poison a lake because they have no idea who Duryodhana was and how he was related to the Pandavas. A character sheet other than footnotes would have been more beneficial. The author can further work on connecting the footnotes to the symbols, such that clicking on them takes one to the footnote and back.
This book is an excellent collection of questions and answers. I found no errors in it. Overall, the Gods would not forgive me if I didn’t give it 5 out of 5 stars. What are you waiting for? Grab your copy of The Hindu Primer and start enjoying the ride.
******
A Hindu Primer
View: on Bookshelves
A Hindu Primer by Dr. A. V. Srinivasan is a book of tales for kids that helps them develop their thinking abilities while reading it. Although this book is for kids, it can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. So, don’t hesitate to grab your copy and be lost in this world which is 5000 years older than ours.
The book starts by explaining what the five Pandava brothers were doing in a forest and what a fire-making device used to look like. I, however, would argue that a pictorial reference to the device would have made more sense. The story moves on with the questions and answers of the Yaksha and Yudhishthira, the eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
The book is excellent, and the amount of work and effort that went into it is apparent. This is a fantastic, innovative step to teach kids what Dharma (right) is from Adharma (wrong). What gives my brain a more sudden jolt is how the first question is an astrology question, and I am studying astrology now. The mention of the Gods revolving around the sun gives me a new perspective. Indeed, Jyotisha (Vedic astrology) is a Vedanga (limb of the Vedas), and no matter how many times we revisit this story, it keeps giving more and more, no matter what your age group is.
I also liked how the book clarifies the difference between fake Brahmins and Brahmins based on their divine personality. Almost every Hindu scripture or book talks about more than one method a Brahmin can fall from their Varna. Caste discrimination was a problem when discrimination existed and when the distinction was made based on one’s birth and not based on one’s character and deeds. Without the so-called upper caste discriminating against the lower caste, the offensive caste system stumbles, and we are left behind with the divine varna vyavashtha. This sacred system classifies people based on their professions.
I am an Indian, and I am not a stranger to the theme of the general story of the Mahabharata. However, for a new person, there should have been a character sheet that explained who each Pandava was and their personality. A complete novice to the subject might ask why Duryodhana would poison a lake because they have no idea who Duryodhana was and how he was related to the Pandavas. A character sheet other than footnotes would have been more beneficial. The author can further work on connecting the footnotes to the symbols, such that clicking on them takes one to the footnote and back.
This book is an excellent collection of questions and answers. I found no errors in it. Overall, the Gods would not forgive me if I didn’t give it 5 out of 5 stars. What are you waiting for? Grab your copy of The Hindu Primer and start enjoying the ride.
******
A Hindu Primer
View: on Bookshelves
