Kanchi Acharyal says in his 'Srimukham':
Sanatana Dharma, now popularly called Hinduism or Hindu Dharma or Hindu tradition, is a code of ethics, a way of living through which one may attain the enlightenment or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Hindu tradition is the world's most ancient culture and socio, spiritual and religious tradition. It represents much more than just a religion, it is a way of life with a coherent and rational view of reality.
Hindu tradition does not denote a creed of religion but represents a code of conduct and a value system that has spiritual freedom as its core. It is God-centred rather than prophet centered, experience based rather than belief based, inherent in nature and inclusive of all, both imminent and transcendent, and it loves all and excludes none. Our Hindu tradition never creates fear of God but makes God manifest in the human heart not in an anthropomorphic form but as the absolute and universal one in whom all diversities reside in perfect harmony.
The rituals of our tradition are prescribed by the sages of yore for the individual and social welfare. The rituals may be performed on specific occasions or at the discretion of the individual or community. They may be performed by an individual or group either in public or in private or before specific people.The purposes of rituals are varied: religious obligations or ideals, satisfaction of spiritual or emotional needs of the practitioner, strengthening of social bonds, social and moral education, demonstration of respect or submission, stating one's affiliation, obtaining social acceptance or approval for some event or, sometimes, just the pleasure of the ritual itself.
'Svakarmana tamabhyarchya siddhim vindati manava': is the dictum of the Gita. One can attain the spiritual freedom by performing the rituals as enjoined in the Vedas by surrendering all actions along with their fruits to the Lord. Rituals help building a free sense of group identity.
Brahmasri Sarma Sastrigal, an ardent devotee of our Srimatam, has written many books in Tamil on the performance of Vedic rituals. His latest book The Great Hindu Tradition in English seems to be an encyclopedia on the rituals of our Sanatana Dharma. It is observed that he has taken great strain in bringing out this book only to make the younger generation of the Hindu community realize the intricacies of the Vedic way of life. This book will certainly help them know about our hoary heritage.
We appreciate the continuous and steadfast endeavour of Brahmasri Sarma Sastrigal in publishing such valuable and useful books on the traditional Hindu way of life.
We pray Sri Maha Tripurasundari Sameta Sri Chandramouleeswara Swami to shower Their blessings on Brahmasri Sarma Sastrigal and those who are involved in publishing such valuable books.
We bless his continuous, selfless and enduring service that brings welfare to all.
-Narayanasmriti:
( hari krishnamurthy K. HARIHARAN)"
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