Table of Contents

		Dedication--Samarpanam	v
		Introduction--Bhumika	ix
No.		CHAPTER	Page In Printed Volume
1		Personal Encounters with Hinduism	1
2		Religious Loyalty and Commitment	103
3		Gurudeva Speaks on Entering Hinduism	113
4		Gurudeva Speaks on Ethical Conversion	131
5		Does Hinduism Accept Newcomers?	149
6		Beliefs of All the World's Religions	169
7		Six Steps of Conversion	257
		Real-Life Severance Letters and Other Personal Documents	267
8		Choosing a Hindu Name	281
		Sanskrit Birthstar Syllables A Collection of Hindu Names	291 297
9		Embracing Hindu Culture	337
10		Nine Questions About Hinduism	351
		Conclusion--Nirvahanam	369
		Glossary--Shabda Kosha	373
		Supplementary Studies
		Colophon--Antyavachanam	435
		About the Author
		An Invitation to Monastic Life
		Reviews and Comments

How to Become a (Better) Hindu, A Guide for Seekers and Born Hindus is published by Himalayan Academy. First published as Saivite Names in 1989. All rights are reserved. This book may be used to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path, but reproduced only with the publisher's prior written consent. Designed, typeset, edited and ported to the Web by the sannyasin swamis of the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order, 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304, USA.

Published by Himalayan Academy

USA * India PRINTED IN USA

Library of Congress Control Number: 00-132420

ISBN 0-945497-82-2

Cover art: Chennai artist S. Rajam depicts some of the typical steps a soul takes in adopting Hinduism (clockwise from upper left): confronting previous religious leaders to inform them of this change; Lord Siva looks on; young aspirant studies the scriptures and philosophy of Sanatana Dharma; Western convert learns to wrap a sari as part of her cultural immersion; Chinese seeker worships Lord Ganesha; priests conduct the traditional homa rites for the final ceremony, the name-giving sacrament, namakarana samskara: