Hinduism perhaps is the oldest religion among all the existing religions of the world. With its origins in the Vedic civilization it has no known founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. The ethics of the Hindus is subtle, sublime and profound. All religions have taught ethical precepts such as: "Do not kill, do not injure others, love your neighbor as yourself," but they have not given the reason. The basis of Hindu ethics is: "There is oneo all-pervading Atman. It is the innermost soul of all beings. Hinduism has a simple belief that Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah-non-injuring in thought, word and deed is the highest of all virtues." The present encyclopaedia consisting of ten volumes discusses about every important aspect of Hinduism, viz. its evolution, development and growth, culture, tradition, beliefs, way of life, devotion, mysticism, and comparative superiority (unity in diversity) over all other religions of the world.
