REVIEWS & COMMENTS
Tiru M. Arumugam
Sivathondan Nilayam (Siva Yogaswami Centre), London, UK§
Sivathondan Nilayam/UK (Yogaswami Centre) welcomes with great pleasure the publication of the course of lessons in simple English for the teaching of Saivite Hindu religion to children. This fulfills the long-felt need for such books. This publication is one of the admirable attempts by our Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in carrying out the commands of his Satguru Siva Yogaswami to spread the Sanatana Dharma to all parts of the world. The beautiful Tamil translation is a great benefit to the Tamil-speaking children now living all over the world for them to grow in their own religion and language and preserve their culture.§
H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati
Founder, International Society of Divine Love and Barsana Dham, Austin, Texas, USA§
The children’s books Saivite Hindu Religion are inspiring general knowledge books especially designed for the worship of God Siva and God Ganesh. God Siva is called Yogishwar, which means God of yog and gyan that relates to soul and brahm. The illustrations in these books are unique. Saivite religious disciplines to adopt in day-to-day family life and the religious stories are described in a very interesting manner which gives the reader a feeling to bring God into his life.§
Tiru Mootoocoomaren Sangeelee
Ex-Inspector of Schools, Mauritius§
I first came across only books 2 and 6 of the six-book Saivite Hindu Religion course. As I was then very busy, I thought I would read a few pages of each of the books at random and that that would be enough for me to assess the value of the course. I started reading Book 2. I found it so interesting that I read the whole of the two books without missing one single page. I can now honestly say that these books constitute a mine of lofty teachings of pure Hinduism. The lessons given in them impart a correct knowledge of true Hinduism. I now guess that it was lessons of this sort, widely spread, that made ancient India so much more spiritual than is modern India. These books should find their place, not only in all Hindu homes throughout the world, but even among other religious communities.§
Karan Singh, Ph.D.
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), former Ambassador of India to the US, Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University, New Delhi, India§
I have received and looked through with considerable interest your six book course for children on Saivism. It is indeed an excellent project and I hope it will be widely used in India and abroad. §
His Holiness Swami Satchidananda
Founder, Integral Yoga Institute, Virginia, USA§
The Saivite Hindu Religion course prepared by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami is a great boon for all Hindu children worldwide. Many schools outside India and Nepal are not providing courses for Hindu children so that they can learn more about their Hindu heritage. Once one’s culture is lost, the person is lost. To ensure a positive future for our Hindu children, it is imperative that a strong foundation of Hindu philosophy, culture and practice is built. The course prepared by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami provides the needed building blocks for Hindu children of all sects and can help them to fulfill their Hindu dharma in the world. §
Sri A. Parsuramen
Former Minister of Education and Science, Republic of Mauritius§
I am deeply honored to be associated with this international publication of Saivite Hindu Religion. Saivite philosophy emphasizes karma, dharma, right living, truth telling and respect for all living beings. It is founded on the concept that God is present everywhere and in all living beings. It is indispensible that religious teachings—the message of universal love and brotherhood contained in our scriptures—be brought to the youth, to our children. I am particularly happy to note that Saivite Hindu Religion places great stress on the teaching of values to the young children as well as their parents. These values will augment human life by promoting peace and unity in the world. §
Sri Sri Mata Amritanandamayi,
President/Founder
Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, Kerala, India§
I am very happy that Gurudeva has come forward with this children’s course, Saivite Hindu Religion. Even in India no one is doing this kind of work. Only those outside India are doing these things. §
H.H. Swami Chidananda Saraswati (Muniji),
President, Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, India§
Thanks to the inspiration and guidance of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and his pioneering efforts, the deplorable lack of text books on Hinduism for school children is being remedied. The Saivite Hindu Religion is a series of six books. It presents imaginatively and with apt illustrations, the essentials of Hindu precepts and practices, with special focus on Saivism. I commend them enthusiastically for use as educational material in schools. §