Encyclopaedia of Hindu Civilization Customs and Traditions
Shailendra Sengar
India is one of the Ancient Civilization of the world. The underlying Efficiency of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization is remarkable. The ancient Indus Valley Civilization was quite clearly advanced, to a great extent. The Vedic civilization is the culture associated with the people who composed the Religious Texts called the Vedas, in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is the Religion of the majority of the Population of India. The Holy Books of the religion namely, the Vedas and the Upanishads clearly explain the rituals and their mystical contents. They also explain in detail the observance of sacrificial and purification rituals. Hinduism is another name for what is known as Sanatana Dharma. The objective of this book is offer directly the analysis of Indian Civilization, the great Indian Traditions and the unique Indian customs.
The important thing is how much less you think of the body, of yourself as matter -- as dead, dull, insentient matter; how much more you think of yourself as shining immortal being. The more you think of yourself as spirit, the more eager you will be to be absolutely free from matter, body and senses. This is the intense desire to be free.
-Swami Vivekananda