New to Vedic tradition

Dear visitor,

thank you for coming. If you are completely new to Vedic tradition (so-called Hinduism) here is a short introduction.

1. The word 'hindu' is a new creation, it is not found in the traditional texts. Hinduism is a vast conglomerate of so various and sometimes opposing traditions that lumping them in under one label is misleading.

What is hinduism

2. Some of these traditions are polytheistic (or better henotheistic), some monistic, and some monotheistic. Hinduism is wrongly perceived as ultimately monistic (Brahman without personality).

Due to Swami Vivekananda's speech in Chicago 1893 people worldwide got an idea that Hinduism is generally polytheistic and ultimately monistic. Well, not really. The majority of 'Hindus' are monotheists - they worship mainly Visnu, Siva or Devi as the Supreme Being. Vaisnavas (devotees of Lord Visnu) are the most numerous (adherents.com).

3. Sometimes the term "sanatana-dharma" is used for a general Hinduism. In reality, sanatana-dharma (literally "eternal duty, or function") refers to the eternal relationship of a living being (jiva) with Brahman, ultimately in His personal Bhagavan aspect.

4. Current Western academic treatment of Hinduism is largely biased. Only recently ideas like Aryan Invasion Theory are being challenged and disproved by multidisciplinary research. At the same time, some pro-traditional authors (like P.N. Oak or V.K.D. Ayyangar) resorted to dubious dealings. Only an honest approach can help to present the fame of Vedic history.
Aryans were Indians, they did not invade
Western Indologists: A Study in Motives
Academic researchers versus Hindu civilization
Indo-European Linguistics (IEL), a belief system: reclaiming history of Bharatiya languages

5. Consider what do you want to learn. Vedas and related scriptures include every field of knowledge, material and spiritual.

Scriptures - an overview

Purpose and origin of the Vedas

More: Sastras and studies

6. More About VEDA with the site structure

And you can also read Jan's answers at these forums:
Beliefnet's Hinduism forum, now here and here (nick 'jm8')
Pariprashnena (nick VEDA)
Krishna.com forum (nick 'JanVEDA')
Hare Krišna fórum (Czech) (nick 'Jan@VEDA')

Wishing you the best in your study.

Hope this helps. Thank you