"Great World Religions: Hinduism" Prof. Mark W. Muesse (DVD) (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  2x DVD - The Great Courses)
This 12-lecture series delivers a powerhouse exploration of 5,000 years of spiritual evolution, stripping away misconceptions to reveal the heart of Hinduism. Professor Mark W. Muesse leads a high-energy investigation into how this "encyclopedic" religion manages to be both breathtakingly diverse and singularly focused. You’ll trace the faith from its enigmatic Indus Valley origins through the explosive philosophical insights of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. By the end of these lectures, you won't just understand the history; you’ll grasp how fundamental concepts like Brahman (the Ultimate Reality) and Atman (the soul) create a framework for one of the most resilient civilizations on earth 
 
The brilliance of this course lies in its ability to bridge the gap between ancient ritual and modern life. Professor Muesse breaks down the "four goals of life" and the "three paths to salvation," making sense of how devotion, action, and wisdom intersect in the daily lives of nearly a billion people. You'll get a candid look at the caste system, the complexity of Hindu deities, and the transformative power of yoga and meditation as they were originally intended. It is an intellectually sharp, culturally rich toolkit that explains why Hinduism is not just a religion, but a comprehensive way of seeing the world