How I Became a Hindu: My Discovery of Vedic Dharma

by David Frawley

Vamadeva’s (David Frawley) personal journey through Veda, Vedanta and Hindu Dharma, including his work and study in India and his interaction with various Hindu groups and Vedic teachers over more than twenty years. The book emphasizes how David Frawley came to understand and join Hindu Dharma and become a Hindu teacher or Hindu Dharma Pracharaka, which remains central to all his work. Discusses important issues of the relevance of Hindu Dharma to the West and its encounter with Christianity, includes Vamadeva’s 1997 debate with the Archbishop of Hyderabad on the issue of conversions in India.

An important book for those who want to see the relevance of Hinduism to modern seekers and Yoga practitioners. It reveals Hinduism as Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Tradition that is relevant to everyone. It also helps Hindus understand and appreciate their own teachings and practices.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, India, Hinduism

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

David Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).

Reviews

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. The author tell us a journey of how he became a Hindu and how he became David Frawley to Vamadeva Shastri. The book gave all the details every Hindus should know.

The author’s personal journey through Veda, Vedanta and Hindu Dharma, including his work and study in India and his interaction with various Hindu groups and Vedic teachers over more than twenty years. The book emphasizes how Vamadeva Shastri came to understand and embraced Hindu Dharma and become a Hindu teacher or Hindu dharma pracharak, which remains central to all his work. He also discusses important issues of the relevance of Hindu Dharma to the West and its encounter with Christianity, includes 1997 debate with the Archbishop of Hyderabad on the issue of conversions in India.

An important book for those who want to see the relevance of Hinduism to modern seekers and Yoga practitioners. It reveals Hinduism as Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Tradition that is relevant to everyone. It also helps Hindus understand and appreciate their own teachings and practices. Every Hindu should read this book.

[Raja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the journey of a man who finds a higher level of consciousness in Hinduism. The sanatana dharma opens the human mind to the next level of consciousness by self realisation not simply by faith in a book or a person. Dr David Frawley speaks about how Hinduism can be a way to all the problems that exist in the world and how it can make the world a better place. This book also focuses on how Hindus despite having the heritage of vedic culture are drifting away from it and how a need for a movement to awaken the Hindus is necessary to let them know the challenges and forces that are trying to uproot this rich vedic culture of India.
This is a must read for every seeker and every Hindu.

[Hemant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a lucid account of Shri Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley) becoming Hindu in both spiritual as well as outer traditional sense. He comes from Catholic background and couln't find answers to his questions in Christianity and hence he read about other philosophies which mainly included East and West Europeans, Egyptian, Islam, Buddhism, and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). He found the Yogic way to his liking and found the works of Aurobindo and Raman Maharshi very insightful.
The book narrates his experiences with different religions and interactions with people following different paths to know the supreme reality. It is a short book and clears many misconception about Hinduism prevalent in today's world such as Hindu Dharma is (and as a corollary Hindus are) demonic, intolerant, superstitious, unscientific, cruel, repressive, etc.
I would recommend that those who are unfamiliar (or misinformed) about Hindu Dharma should read this 200-page book. Shri Vamadeva Shastri was awarded Padma Shri (3rd highest civilian award of India) in 2017 by Union Government of India for his contribution to Vedic field.

[Nagaraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and everyone who is interested to know more about Hinduism (Every Hindu) needs to read this book. Easy read, however, Author got immersed in Hinduism and gave all the details one needs to know (most of them are not given in the regular education or media).

[Yadunath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book for all rational thinkers. I invite healthy debate over the book content. Inspiring..

[Ajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year i read this book along with Sita Ram Goel's How i became a Hindu. It was good experience reading both books.

[Guttu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a book on Hindu Dharma written by a Hindu may contain biased views. So I thought of reading this book which has been authored by a person who was a Christian. An American Christian whose uncle worked for a Christian missionary. David Frawley studied Hindu Dharma for almost 20 years before accepting Hindu Dharma in 1991 with a new name, Vamadeva Shashtri. This book is his journey to India, across India and across globe learning and spreading Hindu Dharma.
The present situation is such that, Hindu Dharma is being attacked from all sides. The major role is being played by Christian missionaries and Muslim Madarsa. David Frawley explains how these missionaries and Madarsas are being funded by foreign sources to convert innocent and ignorant Hindus. The same money is also used to spread lies and hatred about the Hindu festivals and rituals. Often Hinduism is criticized for it’s caste system. You’ll understand that the differences that exist in our caste system are also present in Christianity and Islam.
He narrates about his spiritual experience in his conquest to self realization. His discovery of Yoga and meditation techniques which helped him reach a higher consciousness. During his travel across India he met Swamis, mystical sadhus and siddhas. The numerous temple visits across the country which strengthened his belief in Hindu Dharma. After accepting Hindu Dharma in 1991, He has dedicated his life towards writing books, articles and giving speeches in support of Hindu Dharma. He has been honored with Padma Bhushan for his contribution towards India and Hinduism.

http://www.thinknonsense.com/bb/2017/...

[Shiv Simha · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all search for answers in life and David Frawley or Vamadeva Shastrijii beautifully explains how he was taken up by the vedic culture. He has explained how sanatan dharma answers the most metaphysical questions. Contrary to the media, he says there can be no terror from hindhutwa as the religion never forces or destroys. His interactions with intellectual and spiritual people and his darshan of lord kartikeya makes the reader all agog!
He also cautions about how this country is being targeted by several religions in a dangerous way!
Please read as this book offers the essence of sanatan dharma that talks of peace, spirituality, faith and most importantly our very being.

[ASTHA SHARMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long time I read such an awesome book. It is a great book. David sir has explained ancient wisdom in very easy language, which will make you understand the importance of this ancient wisdom in today's world. A must read for all.

[Ayush Tiwari · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like sir david view of hinduism instead of life experiences