The multidimensional approach to Vedānta Science Technology extends the core scientific ideas of Vedānta to social, cultural, aesthetic and religious principles. The effort is to present a wide spectrum of intellectual discourse trying to discover fundamental scientific and technological aspects of Vedānta studies.
Vedānta texts have been well known for their richness in fundamental scientific and technological principles with strong potential for research and development today. In fact, much of ancient India’s remarkable achievements in science and technology can be credited to Vedantic texts.
This volume – proceedings of the 22nd International Congress of Vedanta held during 27-30 December 2015 at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi – features 53 scholarly articles from a wide variety of areas of study. The 22nd Vedanta was a confluence of scholars from various disciplines and the papers in this volume bear the imprint of an intense discussion that is usually expected from a good Vedanta seminar. Though the majority of the papers are in English, a few are in Sanskrit and Hindi as well. The papers are grouped under Vedānta Studies, Vedānta and Philosophy, Vedānta and Science, Vedānta and Culture, Applied Vedānta, and Digital Access and Search of Sanskrit Texts.
This multidimensional approach extends the core scientific ideas of Vedānta to social, cultural, aesthetic and religious aspects of studies, creating a wide spectrum of intellectual discourse and trying to discover fundamental scientific and technological aspects of Vedānta studies.
Being a worthwhile addition to Vedānta studies, this volume should invoke keen interest among all those who are deeply into it, be a student, a researcher or a common reader.
Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928), an enlightened seer, represents Vedanta as a Science of Consciousness or pure Epistemology. This book deals with Guru’s epistemology and shows how it can eliminate many of the problems in philosophy and life.
The Guru conceives Consciousness or Arivu as the one all underlying Reality that assumes the form of everything in the world, both mind and matter.
Epistemologists are usually either idealists or realists, but the Guru is neither. To him there is no need to place one above the other since they are two manifest forms of one Consciousness.
Many eminent persons have tried to solve the problem of consciousness, but could not succeed because they were not ready to consider man as a pure being and the essence of the world as Consciousness.
To the Guru, in every event of knowing there is the coming together of subject, object and also the function of knowing. These three are Consciousness in essence. What we really need is awareness of it. All kinds of divisiveness, conflicts and crises can be solved through an awakening of the inner consciousness of man which is non-different from the one all underlying Reality titled Brahman, Atman or Consciousness.
This book unveils the vision of Advaita Vedanta in Taittiriya Upanishad with special reference to Shankarabhashya in a unique style, detailing the importance of shabda-pramana, along with free translations of three vallis of the Upanishad. It presents the oneness of triangular phenomenon called jiva, jagat and Ishvara from the Advaita Vedanta perspective.
This book unveils the vision of Advaita Vedanta in Taittiriya Upanishad with special reference to Shankarabhashya in a unique style. Upanishads are shabda-pramana, and this work adequately details the six pramanas, which hold the key to understand the significance of shabda-pramana, along with the five shanti-mantras in Taittiriya Upanishad. As the crux, it analyses Shankaras commentary Taittiriya-Bhashyam on Taittiriya Upanishad, enabling one to understand the deep layers of Advaita Vedanta in detail.
The core theme Vision of Advaita in Taittiriya Upanishad discusses the oneness of the triangular phenomenon called jiva, jagat and Ishvara. It delves deep into the method of deciphering the mahavakyas as well. While following closely the source literature, this volume attempts to detail the nuances of Taittiriya-Bhashyam. The approach of navigating the reader to the principal theme of Advaita Vedanta is expected to give him/her a good background. In ensuring this the volume provides relevant citations and informative explanatory notes. More importantly, it across three vallis Shikshavalli, Brahmanandavalli and Bhriguvalli provides free translations of Taittiriya Upanishad.
This elaborate and scholarly book is expected to add great value to students who wish to have a better understanding of the great Indian tradition called Advaita Vedanta.
Vedānta is the very heart of Indian philosophy. The various schools of Vedānta have been explored under diverse categories including ontological and epistemological, but they are a storehouse of so much more. “Hermeneutics” in simple words can be the theory of interpretation and this book has studied the critique of the Advaita hermeneutics by Rāmānujācārya based on Vedic statements like tat tvam asi, tadaikāta bahu syāma, neha nānāsti kiñcana and many others in his book Vedārthasaṁgraha which mirrors a complete vision of the Upaniṣads. Rāmānujācārya has shown how the Śruti statements can be seen in a coherent manner resolving the conflicts of bheda and abheda. The nature of a word and its various śaktis, followed by how successful are words in describing the concepts of sat, cit and ānanda, are also discussed here.
This book is an initial effort in the hermeneutic studies of Indian texts, which have been kept limited to the scope of philosophy, theology or religion alone. Many more linguistic treasures can be found here.
Vedānta is the very heart of Indian philosophy. The various schools of Vedānta have been explored under diverse categories including ontological and epistemological, but they are a storehouse of so much more. “Hermeneutics” in simple words can be the theory of interpretation and this book has studied the critique of the Advaita hermeneutics by Rāmānujācārya based on Vedic statements like tat tvam asi, tadaikāta bahu syāma, neha nānāsti kiñcana and many others in his book Vedārthasaṁgraha which mirrors a complete vision of the Upaniṣads. Rāmānujācārya has shown how the Śruti statements can be seen in a coherent manner resolving the conflicts of bheda and abheda. The nature of a word and its various śaktis, followed by how successful are words in describing the concepts of sat, cit and ānanda, are also discussed here.
This book is an initial effort in the hermeneutic studies of Indian texts, which have been kept limited to the scope of philosophy, theology or religion alone. Many more linguistic treasures can be found here.
Interreligious dialogue is one of the important ways for overcoming cultural and religious differences and misunderstandings. But it has to reach the depths of the spiritual, philosophical and theological insights of the religious traditions. This volume throws light on concepts of Void (sunya) and Fullness (purna, in Greek pleroma) in the Buddhist, Hindu and Christian traditions.
Interreligious dialogue is one of the important ways for overcoming cultural and religious differences and misunderstandings, and for contributing to world peace. But such a dialogue has to go beyond the social, institutional and purely academic areas: it has to reach the very depths of the spiritual, philosophical and theological insights of the religious traditions. In Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity such insights are expressed in the apparently opposite, but in reality complementary concepts of Void (shunya) and Fullness (purna, in Greek pleroma). These concepts lead to the respective spiritual experiences and their interpretations in scriptures and philosophies. This volume contains the papers presented at an interreligious seminar at Sarnath, Varanasi, organised by the Abhishiktananda Society, and inspired by the ideas and life of Swami Abhishiktananda (1910-1973). These papers throw light on these fundamental concepts from the different traditions, and are an invitation to dialogue. H.H. the Dalai Lama gave the concluding speech on the importance of interreligious dialogue.
This is a book on Buddhist epistemology dealing with different epistemological topics like the nature of knowledge, validity of knowledge, knowledge of knowledge, perception, erroneous perception, among others. The author has referred to different Sanskrit texts and literature available on these topics.
The monograph highlights the philosophical arguments offered by Buddhist thinkers on different aspects of knowledge. Various aspects of Buddhist epistemology right from the basic question of what the Buddhists mean by knowledge, the varieties of knowledge according to their belief and their explanations of the validity of knowledge are examined. A painstaking work of Prof. Madhumita Chattopadhyay, this study deals with different epistemological topics like the nature of knowledge, validity of knowledge, knowledge of knowledge, perception, erroneous perception, inference and its related issues like ascertainment of vyapti, antarvyapti, prasanganuman and fallacies of inference. The author has referred to many primary sources which include different Sanskrit texts as well as the latest secondary literature available on these topics and discusses the important role of concept of absence and the theory of apoha or negative nominalism as a substitute for universals in Buddhist metaphysics. An attempt is made to explore whether solutions to modern epistemo-logical problems as found in the Western tradition can be provided from the Buddhist perspective in order to show that Buddhist epistemology has a relevant role to play in the area of epistemology itself. The book would interest scholars and students interested in the epistemological and logical aspects of Buddhist philosophy.
The book projects light on concept of contemplation and meditation, including meditation techniques and practices, which is central to the attainment of moksha. It also explains meaning of love, devotion, religion, the body-soul relation and the three yogas understanding of which is essential to attain moksha.
The way to liberation or moksha needs perfect knowledge, perfect action and perfect surrender to the Lord. The bhakta becomes a bhagavata as he not only knows and sees but also lives as a servant of God. Moksha is the final approach to the purity and perfection of the human soul. This volume attempts an in-depth study of the concept of liberation or moksha and the way to attain it.
The book begins with the meaning of love, devotion, religion, the body-soul relation and the three yogas, an understanding of which is essential to understand the concept of moksha. In this context, it delves into the meaning of the Brahman, the Absolute, as conveyed in the Vedas and other religious works like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita, the concept of the universal spiritual entity of Sarveshvara, concepts of sin and virtue, and even the principles of monotheism and polytheism in Hinduism. Quoting from the scriptures and other relevant texts, it emphasises on the notion of devotion and its benefits to examine the means to self-realisation and liberation and includes a study of the concept of contemplation and meditation, including meditation techniques and practices, which is central to the attainment of moksha.
With interesting illustrations, the volume will be useful to religious scholars and students and seekers on the path of spiritual fulfilment.
The book projects light on concept of contemplation and meditation, including meditation techniques and practices, which is central to the attainment of moksha. It also explains meaning of love, devotion, religion, the body-soul relation and the three yogas understanding of which is essential to attain moksha.
The way to liberation or moksha needs perfect knowledge, perfect action and perfect surrender to the Lord. The bhakta becomes a bhagavata as he not only knows and sees but also lives as a servant of God. Moksha is the final approach to the purity and perfection of the human soul. This volume attempts an in-depth study of the concept of liberation or moksha and the way to attain it.
The book begins with the meaning of love, devotion, religion, the body-soul relation and the three yogas, an understanding of which is essential to understand the concept of moksha. In this context, it delves into the meaning of the Brahman, the Absolute, as conveyed in the Vedas and other religious works like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita, the concept of the universal spiritual entity of Sarveshvara, concepts of sin and virtue, and even the principles of monotheism and polytheism in Hinduism. Quoting from the scriptures and other relevant texts, it emphasises on the notion of devotion and its benefits to examine the means to self-realisation and liberation and includes a study of the concept of contemplation and meditation, including meditation techniques and practices, which is central to the attainment of moksha.
With interesting illustrations, the volume will be useful to religious scholars and students and seekers on the path of spiritual fulfilment.
This volume reflects the evolution and growth of Prof. K. Ramakrishna Raos thought and the different dimensions and shades of his academic pursuits, ranging from Gandhis thought to consciousness studies, educational issues, identity problems, parapsychology, and Indian psychology in general and yoga in particular.
This volume reflects the evolution and growth of Prof. K. Ramakrishna Raos thought and the different dimensions and shades of his academic pursuits, ranging from Gandhis thought to consciousness studies, educational issues, identity problems, parapsychology, and Indian psychology in general and yoga in particular.
While the topics covered appear to be very diverse and quite divergent, there is a common thread knitting them together; the thread is that the material covered is concerned with human nature. The crucial aspect of each of us is identity, which bestows on us individuality and separateness. It has its advantages and entails some problems as well. This book reflects on them from different perspectives, focusing mainly on the philosophical and psychological aspects in human functioning, and ones identity and unity with others.
Man is conceived as a composite of body, mind and consciousness. The discussion of these concepts hopefully sheds light directly or indirectly on the multiple problems concerning human nature and the associated difficulties in chasing them in real life and especially in ones academic pursuits.
This innovative elucidation charts out the structural map of wisdom the finalised knowledge concerning life in its generic and specific aspects. It encompasses the entire range of human wisdom including epistemology, axiology, politics and mysticism.
This strikingly innovative elucidation charts out the structural map of wisdom the finalised knowledge concerning life, both in its generic and specific aspects. Nataraja Guru, the eminent contemporary thinker, handles the theme as well as the methodology in a very original way. Thematically it encom-passes the entire range of human wisdom, including epistemology, axiology, mathematics, sociology, politics and mysticism. The author presents a scheme of coherent pattern in which all distinctions between contemplative and active, functional and theoretical, contingent and necessary, Eastern and Western dissolve into the unity of the Absolute Truth. The subject-matter and object-matter of wisdom when put in proper perspective around the normative notion of the Absolute, culminate in the idea of common human happiness. In the age of excessive specialization and compart-mentalization, Nataraja Gurus handling of the subject matter is a unique response to the legitimate cry for unification and integration. The methodology adopted throughout this interpretation is unitively taking care of the vertical progress of human wisdom along with the horizontal process of adjustment with the incidental necessities that are demanded by the process. Nataraja Gurus insightful combination of the spiritual with the modem science stands out as a tall land-mark in the field of contemporary wisdom and scholar-ship. It is a powerful beacon to the solace-seeking mankind that is being tortured by the outrageously materialistic society.
