-
Ecological Readings ...
Ecological Readings in the Veda
by: Marta VannucciDr. Vannucci, exploring the ecological validity of the Vedas, interprets the Vedic verses to decipher the ancient code with a bio-ecological key. She makes a comparative study of Vedic ecology and its contemporary world-view.
₹540.00
ISBN: 9788124600092
Year Of Publication: 1994
Edition: 1st
Pages : 216
Bibliographic Details : Glossary; Bibliography; Index
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 400
The Vedas are indisputably among the oldest of mankinds documents. Which Dr. Marta Vannucci rummages through to address a highly enigmatic question: How man evolved as Man: thinking, discriminating, thought-communicating? Or, yet more specifically, how did he come to identify cause-effect relationships of living-beings: both among themselves and with their environment? In looking for answers, she discovers profound biological, physiological, and ecological insights in Vedic writings which she projects here, with coherent analyses and prolific textual references. Dr Vannucci, who has studied Indian sacred texts for about twenty years, is perhaps the first ever biologist to explore the ecological validity of Vedas. With her critical Florentine mind and five-decade-long involvement in scientific methodologies, she interprets the complex Vedic verses in her thematic effort to decipher the ancient code with a bio-ecological key -spelling out, contextually, the Matter-Energy principles (embodied in Lord Agni) and Life-Hope principles (personified by Lord Savitr). Also setting out a comparative perspective on Vedic expressions of ecology and its contemporary worldview, the author suggests that the essential difference between the two stems not from the perception of reality, but from the manner of their theorizing. It is a painstakingly documented work, with a large-scale glossary of Sanskrit/ technical words and extensive bibliographic references. And also a foreword by a cultural scholar of Dr Kapila Vatsyayans eminence.
Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Problem and the Hypotheses
2. The Quest for Sources
3. The Concept of God
4. Ecological Aspects
Traditional Way of Life
Communication of Knowledge
Material Culture
Non Material Culture
Participation of Man in Nature
Fire and Heat
Food and Medicines
Fuel
Rivers
Forest
Climate
Time Measurement
Ecology and Biological Cycles
Plants
Water, Fire and Life
Air and Akasha
Practicalities
5. Lord Agni and fire
Common Fire
Lord Agni-God
6. Load Savitri, Life and Hope
7. Conclusion Contemporary and Vedic Expression of Ecology
Glossary
Bibliography and References
Index
-
Sale!Eighty-Four Asanas in Yoga (PB) ₹900.00
Physical postures (àsanas) are the most important and often the only constituent of modern Yoga. Many practitioners believe that the postures derive from an ancient original set of eighty-four àsanas. This book, for the first time, traces traditions of eighty-four postures by examining original materials, including drawings, descriptions in older Indic texts and modern publications which reflect contemporary traditions. It also takes up a number of broad issues related to the topic of Yoga postures so as to provide the reader with a larger context.
-
Sale!Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu Traditions (PB) ₹630.00
Mandalas and Yantras are used in rites of worship in a wide range of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina religious traditions. This volume has scholarly articles that deal with the little-researched subject of mandalas and yantras in specific Hindu traditions-Smarta, Pancaratra, Shaiva and Shakta traditions. The articles discuss mandala-like arrangements and the navagrahamandala in the ritual practices of Smarta Brahmins in Maharashtra. Use of mantras and yantras in the Vaishnava Pancaratra tradition is studied on the basis of passages from the Samhitas. They concentrate on the Siddhanta school, pre-11th century Shaiva Mandalas expressing the link between branches of Shaivism and between Shaiva and non-Shaiva groups, and description of use of mandalas in Abhinavaguptas Tantraloka. The shricakra is explored as a cosmic than a ritual diagram which has immense religious/spiritual significance. A slightly different attempt examines application of vastumandala, as described in Varahamihiras Brihatsamhita, in temple architecture. Parallels are drawn between the rituals taken up here and others like Buddhist tantric initiation rites. The writings consult many religious texts including the Sharadatilaka, the 11th-century Yoginihridaya and the Svacchandatantra to understand mandala structure and rituals. A highlight of the volume is the inclusion of numerous reproductions of mandala designs and other drawings and extensive notes. The volume will be useful for Indologists studying Hindu religious traditions, particularly mystical rituals and rites of Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta traditions.
-
Sale!Saundaryalahariof Sankaracarya (PB) ₹805.00
The Saundaryalahari has fascinated and puzzled generations of scholars and laypersons; subject to continuing study and debate, till today, such details as the authorship of the 100 verses named the Saundaryalahari remain a matter of contention, particularly among scholars. While some attribute it to Shankara, others argue that the Saundaryalahari’s verses in praise of the Devi cannot have been authored by this staunch Vedantin; some argue that its value is essentially in the realm of what is loosely called “tantra,” while others extend the significance of the Saundaryalahari to include the preoccupations of Vedanta. Nataraja Guru is unequivocal in his belief that none other than Shankara could have composed this masterpiece of mystical poetry and identifies internal evidence in the verses themselves to support this view. The detailed commentary views the Saundaryalahari as Advaita Vedanta itself. The absolute Joy of Advaita is presented in a pictorial language, subjectively as ananda, and objectively as saundarya.
-
Sale!Indian Culture and India’s Future ₹765.00
Can Indian civilization be compared to a “thousand-branched tree”? What have been its outstanding achievements and its impact on the world?
These are some of the questions this book asks. But it also deals with issues confronting more and more Indians caught in an identity crisis: What does it mean to be Indian? What is specific to the worldview developed by Indian culture? How has it dialogued with other cultures? Is it built on durable foundations, or is it little more than colourful religiosity and quaint but outdated customs? And what are the meaning and application of secularism and tolerance in the Indian context?
The French-born author, who has been living in India for 33 years, argues that Indian culture is not some exotic relic of the past, but a dynamic force that still has a role to play in defining India’s identity and cohesion, and in proposing solutions to today’s global challenges.
Written in a crisp and engaging style, this thought-provoking volume challenges received ideas on India’s culture and invites us to think afresh. -
Sale!Taittiriya Upanisad (PB) ₹351.00
The Upanishads capture the quintessence of Indian spiritual wisdom unfolding deep-set, highly perceptive reflections on human existence and how it is related to cosmic mystery. Authored by enlightened seers, at different times, during 1500-200 b.c., the Upanishadic message inheres neither a promise of heaven, nor scare of hell. Rather, it is a magnificent vision that raises human consciousness to sublime heights. The Taittiriya appended to the Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda is one of best among the principal Upanishads. And, schematically, is offered in three chapters, entitled: (1) Shiksha Valli, (2) Brahmananda Valli, and (3) Bhrigu Valli which each Swami Muni Narayana Prasad treats singly, superbly revealing the invisible thread that goes through all of them. With origjnal Sanskrit text, its Roman transliteration and easy-to- understand English paraphrase, this stimulating, at once analytical commentary grows from Swami Muni Narayana Prasads prolonged reflections on the Taittiriya Upanishad, coupled with the insights he acknowledges to have gained from Nataraja Gurus discourses on different Upanishadic themes, Narayana Gurus mystico-philosophical poems, and numerous sessions of intellectual interaction with different groups of scholars.
