Indian Society, Institutions and Change

I added this book to HinduSearchEngine.com's database for its study of Varna (Society) dharma. It is an academic study of Manu Smriti ( Manu Dharmashastras) which is an ancient record of societal rules and norms on of ancient Hindu India. The book states the ideals of these rules and how they evolved in ancient societies and how they effect modern Hindu society. The book also discusses Christian and Muslim Indian society, their laws and customs. A good resource for the study of the Hindu concept of dharma.

Indian / Chinese History and Philosophy

Friesian.com is a site that has much historical and philosophical content. Of interest to HinduSearchEngine.com is the way it correlates the rise and fall of Indian and Chinese Empires, their connection and relationship, the spread of religion and culture among these two significant Asian ancients. I have included all this sites essays on Hindu, Buddhist, Indian and Chinese subjects, ranging from philosophy to history. This site however is very basic in its presentation. It is like sites you would encounter in the mid-nineties when the internet was just beginning. Expect academic essays that are comprehensive though a challenge to read. Its articles on world history is very informative making it excellent for research work on early Asian and European history.

Saint Tayumanavar

Tayumanavar was a respected scholar in both Sanskrit and Tamil and was a minister to the King in Trichinopoly in South India. His name hails from the name of the deity of the Rockfort Temple in Trichinopoly. When he became god-minded he quit his job and began roaming, preaching Shaiva-siddhanta philosophy and Shiva worship. His songs are full of the divine bliss which he enjoyed and transmitted in abundance. The songs on the theme of the Atman craving for the union with the Supreme, are famous for their authenticity, simplicity and easily remembered language. He is also known for his unceasing emphasis on the unity of all paths to God and of all religions, and, in particular, on the unity of Vedanta and Shaiva siddhanta. Tayumanavar is one of the unsung spiritualist of Tamilnadu. His devotional songs all imbued with spiritual exhortations, yoga philosophy and mystical experiences are still sung by devotees of Lord Shiva in South India. With what little I can find about him on the net, I have added those sites to HinduSearchEngine's database.