A manifold and varied reality, in which the most diverse interpretations coexist, Hinduism is more a culture, in anthropological sense, than a religion: it does not draw on an original, real or mythical, founder, it hasn't a unitary doctrinal content, or a church, or dogmas. To be sure, Hindus prefer to talk of "sanatana dharma", the eternal law of the universe, rather than of religion. To this world, fascinating and mysterious, in which many fundamental concepts for us, such as those of time and nature, acquire different meanings, this book is dedicated. The reader can get an idea of the main sacred texts and of the luxuriant Hindu pantheon, of the way in which social life is organised through the caste system and the worship practices, hence moving closer to bodily and mental disciplines that lead to inner perfection and that are so popular today also in the West.

Giorgio Renato Franci teaches Indian and Far Eastern Philosophies at the University of Bologna.