I'd recommend starting with the Itihaasas (Mahaabhaarata and Raamaayana) and Puraanas first. Regarding recommendations, bear in mind first that any translations reflects the underlying philosphical disposition/biases of the translator. Hence, I recommend reading only translations of practicing Hindus as much as possible, and recognize that there will be doctrinal differences that reflect in the different translations. Here are few recommendations I can make:
Bhaagavata Puraana:
Gita Press (
www.gitapress.org) has a pretty good 2-volume edition with both the Sanskrit and English in an interlinear fashion. I suggest searching "Bhagavatam" from the search button to find it - you will want the one that says "English."
The ISKCON people have published their own edition which can be read online for free at
www.vedabase.com. You can also get it in print at any of their temples or from their online store at
www.krishna.com.
Mahabharata:
Parimal Publications (
http://www.parimalpublication.com/Bookdesc.aspx?id=209) has a 9-volume unabridged edition with both Sanskrit and English in verse-by-verse format. This is a reprint of an earlier edition done by M.N. Dutt. I have both, but the original by Dutt does not contain the Sanskrit.
There is an abridged version written by C. Rajagopalachari and published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. It's a great read for a brief overview of the story and I found it emotionally stimulating as well. You might want to try some resellers like
www.exoticindia.com and vedamsbooks.
Ramayana:
I recommend the 3-volume edition by Gita Press, hands down. I got mine from a reseller for $20 - well worth it for the unabridged edition with Sanskrit and English verse-by-verse translation. You can try their website. As always, if you happen to be in India, you can get these books quite cheap over there.
Vishnu Purana:
The one by Parimal Publications is the only English translation I know of. I suggest ignoring H.H. Wilson's footnotes as he is a dry academic whose opinions I have found to be of minimal use.
Eventually, you may wish to learn Sanskrit to delve more deeply into the epics. I can recommend two books but this is something that you should preferably due with a tutor.
Devavanipravesika: An Introduction to the Sanskrit Language (
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/094...pf_rd_i=507846)
Teach Yourself Sanskrit (
http://www.amazon.com/Yourself-Sansk...ef=pd_sim_b_14)
I like Devavanipravesika better as I find its explanations clearer, more geared to a casual student as opposed to a linguist, and the fact that it uses sentences from the Ramayana in its exercises. But, it does not have an answer key. Teach Yourself Sanskrit by Coulson has a samdhi rules table which makes those easy to learn, and it has an answer key, but its explanations are a bit more esoteric at times. For what it's worth, I would use them both, one to supplement the other.
Finally, at some point you will want to find a qualified guru. This is not something to be taken lightly, as there are many, how to put it delicately... not-so-qualified gurus out there. Hopefully, as you develop an improved fund of knowledge, you will be able to find someone who can answer your questions, remove your doubts, who preaches what is in scripture and practices it too.
regards,
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