If you wish to explore Hinduism more deeply, then we must say that you have hit the right spot. It’s a post that features some of the must-read Hindu spiritual books that everyone should read.
So, the post is an invitation to know more about Hindu philosophy and its way of life. It’s a call to add these spiritual books on Hinduism to your reading list.
This reading list is for all those who want to know the most important aspects of this longest lasting religion in history.
These scriptures discuss different spiritual subjects that have been the focal point of Hinduism. It means that you can understand Hinduism better when you go on to read these spiritual books.
So, without further ado, let’s head straight to the list of must read spiritual books on Hinduism.
These are the best spiritual books on Hinduism.
Table of Contents
10 Hindu Spiritual Books
Let’s begin:
1. Bhagavad Gita Must Read Hindu Spiritual Book
Bhagavad Gita is a renowned world over as the jewel of India’s spiritual wisdom. It’s a conversation between Lord Krishna and his intimate disciple Arjuna that offers a definitive guide to the science of self-realization. It’s a 700 verse Hindu scripture written in Sanskrit that is a part of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata.
This book (Bhagavad Gita: Yatharoop Hindi) is a translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Author) who was the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness which is popularly known as the Hare Krishna Movement. This book is popularly known as ISKCON Bhagavad Gita.
It’s cheaply priced and written superbly with super binding. The pages are of high quality, off white in color. It contains invaluable knowledge and is an excellent value for money at such a low price. It’s an invitation to indulge yourself in the conversation between Sri Krishna and Arjuna and make your human life successful.
2. Valmiki Ramayana
The Valmiki Ramayana is a timeless epic that describes the legend of Lord Rama and his battle defeating the demon king Ravana.
This book is a complete translation of the Valmiki Ramayana by Bibek Debroy, who is a renowned translator, scholar, and economist.
The book unfolds the events in Lord Rama’s life. When he is about to be crowned as the King of Ayodhya, Rama is exiled to the Dandaka forests. He is accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Laxman.
Tragedy rocks Rama’s life as his wife Sita is abducted by Ravana to the island kingdom of Lanka. The dramatic chain of events takes place, which culminates in an epoch-defining war between Lord Rama and Ravana. Finally, Rama overpowers and kills the demon king of Lanka, Ravana.
The book carries so much information that you would be awed!
Bibek Debroy has done full justice to the translation. It’s a concise compilation of the original Valmiki Ramayana. So, if you don’t know Sanskrit, then go for these three books set by Bibek Debroy. He has come up with a readable English translation of the original Sanskrit text.
3. Shri Ramcharitra Manas
Shri Ramcharitra Manas which literally means the “lake of the deeds of Lord Rama” is an epic poem that was composed by the 16th-century Indian saint Goswami Tulsidas (c. 1532 – 1623) in the Awadhi language.
It is a poetic retelling of the events of the great Sanskrit epic Ramayana that was written by Valmiki.
This epic is popularly known as Tulsikrit Ramayana.
It has been acknowledged as one of the greatest works of Hindi literature, which made the story of Lord Rama accessible to the general public.
In fact, the writing of Ramcharitmanas heralded a cultural tradition of Ramlila, which is the dramatic enactment of the text.
It was composed of Ayodhaya, Varanasi & Chitrakoot.
The book is divided into eight sections known as “Kands” or episodes such as:
- Bal Kand
- Ayodhya Kand
- Aranya Kand
- Kiskindha Kand
- Sundar Kand
- Lanka Kand
- Uttar Kand
- Luvkush Kand
The Teeka Kaar is Jwala Prasad.
4. Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda
The Vedas are regarded as the most ancient texts of the Hindus. They are held sacred in India and are renowned across the whole world. The Vedas teach the paths to salvation. These paths are known as Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion), and karma (action). There are four Vedas, namely:
The Rig Veda is acknowledged the path of knowledge, the Yajur Veda is acknowledged for the path of action, and the Sama Veda is acknowledged for the path of devotion. The Atharva Veda is regarded as a later addition to this sacred canon.
Each of the Vedas comprises of two parts known as the Samhita and the Brahmanas.
The Samhita contains mantras or incantations. The Brahmanas include commentaries on these mantras. They also contain detailed descriptions of sacrifices and how they are to be conducted.
Together, the Samhita and the Brahmanas are known as Karma Kanda.
However, the Vedas also contain the Jnana Kanda that deals with the Supreme knowledge of Brahma. It includes the Aranyakas and the Upanishads.
5. Upanishads Hindu Spiritual Books
Upanishads are the ancient Hindu texts that contain spiritual teachings. In fact, Upanishads are part of the Vedas. The Upanishads played a vital role in the development of spiritual ideas in ancient times of India.
The knowledge contained in the Upanishads formed the spiritual core of Hinduism. They are commonly referred to as Vedanta – the last chapters or parts of the Veda.
The “Brahma” and “Atman” are the central ideas that are focused on all of the Upanishads. The Upanishads are more than 200 in number. However, the first dozen or so are the oldest and are regarded as the principal Upanishads.
6. Sunderkand
Sunderkand is regarded as the most beautiful part of the epic Ramayana (Sri Ramcharitmanas) by Goswami Tulsidas. It describes Lord Hanuman’s journey to Lanka.
The book offers you the opportunity to imbibe spiritual knowledge and devotion in one’s life. It contains the entire text and the explanation of the Sunderkand, Sri Hanuman Chalisa, and Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak. Sunderkand even includes Aarti of Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Ram.
It is said that if you read the Sunderkand, you get the blessings of Lord Hanuman.
7. Manusmriti
The Manusmriti is the Dharma Shastra of Hinduism. The text was used by the British colonial government to formulate the Hindu law. Its author is Sage Manu. It has been written in Sanskrit. There are over fifty manuscripts of the Manusmriti that are now known. It covers topics such as duties, rights, virtues, laws, conduct, and others. Manusmriti teaches how life should be lived. It is even called as Laws of Manu.
8. Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of a Yogi is a very famous spiritual book of the twentieth century that has been written by world-renowned yogi and mystic Paramahamsa Yogananda.
Herein, he has described the world of saints and yogis. He has also highlighted science, miracles, death, and resurgence. Paramahamsa Yogananda has pointed out the hidden secrets of life. He has said that every human being is capable of limitless spiritual capacities.
This edition comes from the Yogada Satsanga Society of India, the association that was established by the writer himself. It contains several high definition pictures. It is undoubtedly a spiritual treasury that allows you to understand the meaning of life. So, it’s a real treasure for all those who are on a spiritual quest.
This book is available on Amazon India.
9. The Krishna Key
The Krishna Key is a thrilling tale by Ashwin Sanghi (author). It takes inspiration from Krishna, who came to this earth 5000 years ago and performed innumerable miracles for the good of humanity.
He reassured his devotees that he would return in a fresh avatar in the eventual Dark Age known as Kali Yuga. In modern times, there was a poor little rich boy who believes that he is that final avatar. However, he turns out to be a serial killer.
The plot is exciting and would be relished by conspiracy buffs and even by thriller addicts alike. It follows a history professor who needs to prove his innocence against a murder charge.
In fact, Ashwin Sanghi is regarded as a frontrunner in the historical and mythological retelling. This book continues that trend.
10. The Immortals of Meluha (Shiva Trilogy)
It’s the first novel in the Shiva trilogy series by author Amish Tripathi. The story has been centered in the land of Meluha and begins with the arrival of the Shiva.
The Meluhans regard Shiva as their fabled savior Neelkanth. Shiva goes on to help the Meluhans in their war against the Chandravanshis, who had joined forces against the Nagas.
The book was published in February 2010 and eventually became a huge commercial success. It is one of the fastest-selling books in the history of Indian publishing.
So, that’s all from us in this post on must-read spiritual books about Hinduism. We believe that you would begin your spiritual journey and pick a book from this list above. Thanks for visiting. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please share the post across popular social networking sites.