Featuring chapters by an international team of leading scholars in the field, this is a comprehensive reference guide to Hindu Studies. "The Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies" offers the definitive guide to Hinduism and study in this area. This book covers all the most pressing and important themes and categories in the field - areas that have continued to attract interest historically as well as topics that have emerged more recently as active areas of research. Seventeen specially commissioned essays from an international team of experts reveal where important work continues to be done in the field and, valuably, how the various topics intersect through detailed reading paths. Featuring a series of indispensible research tools, including a detailed list of resources, chronology and diagrams summarizing content, this is the essential reference tool for anyone working in Hindu Studies. "The Continuum Companions series" is a major series of single volume companions to key research fields in the humanities aimed at postgraduate students, scholars and libraries. Each companion offers a comprehensive reference resource giving an overview of key topics, research areas, new directions and a manageable guide to beginning or developing research in the field. A distinctive feature of these series is that each companion provides practical guidance on advanced study and research in the field, including research methods and subject-specific resources.