Reddit reviews What is Hinduism?

>My flair refers to how people who followed Sanatana Dharma (called Hinduism today) were called "Aryans." Now it would be a bit awkward to use that, so people tend to go with "Sanatani" or, more easily, "Hindu."

Oh, I was thinking you meant something to do with this sub in particular — there used to be a bit of drama with some anti-Hindu trolls (or more likely, the same guy with multiple accounts). But yeah, unfortunately, I don't think y'all will be able to reclaim 'Aryan' anytime soon. :/

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>For books, I found this one to be pretty accurate: https://www.amazon.com/What-Hinduism-Editors-Today/dp/1934145009
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>Of course, there is probably a free version online, I just happened to turn up Amazon on the first result.

Thanks, this looks great! The publishers actually have the book for free download here if anyone else is interested.

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>As for stories, I would probably go with the Ramayana for a good base. I tend to listen to it, and haven't exactly read it, so I won't be able to provide a source I have fully read myself, unfortunately. https://www.valmikiramayan.net/ I have partially read, but instead of telling the story as a whole, it breaks it apart verse by verse, and provides additional commentary. Still easier to read than Griffith's, and more trustworthy. If you do read an alternate version, make sure it is translated from Valmiki's version. Anything else is basically fanfiction.

Ah, I'm glad I asked — I have Griffith's and hadn't read it since there are so many issues, but I didn't know which version was good. I have some audio readings, I'll have to see if they use Valmiki's.

Thanks so much for all your help!

My flair refers to how people who followed Sanatana Dharma (called Hinduism today) were called "Aryans." Now it would be a bit awkward to use that, so people tend to go with "Sanatani" or, more easily, "Hindu."

For books, I found this one to be pretty accurate: https://www.amazon.com/What-Hinduism-Editors-Today/dp/1934145009

Of course, there is probably a free version online, I just happened to turn up Amazon on the first result.

As for stories, I would probably go with the Ramayana for a good base. I tend to listen to it, and haven't exactly read it, so I won't be able to provide a source I have fully read myself, unfortunately. https://www.valmikiramayan.net/ I have partially read, but instead of telling the story as a whole, it breaks it apart verse by verse, and provides additional commentary. Still easier to read than Griffith's, and more trustworthy. If you do read an alternate version, make sure it is translated from Valmiki's version. Anything else is basically fanfiction.