Indian Philosophy Books

"This is a scholarly book on one of the oldest living relgions of India. Tracing the basic tenets of Vaisnavism to the hymns of Rgveda the earliest religious literature of the world, the author has shown how an ancient cult has developed itself by successive stages into a well formulated monotheistic system in the hands of Ramanuja and his illustrious followers. In the second part of the book the fundamental philosophical theories of Visistadvaita Vedanta are presented to prove that Vaisnavism is not a mere religious cult, but has a credible philosophic foundation. In the third part of the book the distinctive theological doctrines of Vaisnavism are discussed thoroughly on the basis of original sources. Among the basic doctrines covered are: Visnu as Supreme diety, Visnu as inseparably related to goddess Sri, Visnu and His Attributes, Visnu and His Incarnations, Visnu as the supreme goal of life and Prapatti as the means of attaining Visnu. The religious discipline and ethical values which constitute an important feature of Vaisnavism are treated in the fourth part of the book. This volume makes available for the first time in English a comprehensive account of Vaisnavism.

Review:

“The books by S.M. Srinivasa Chari fills the relative lack of good, authentic English books on Vaisnavism. ...The book has an excellent glossary, an index, and a good bibliography.”–SWAMI SUNIRMALANANDA, The Vedanta Kesari, August, 1996

“This is a scholarly work on the philosophical theology and religious discipline of Vaisnavism. Dr. Chari substantiates his claim that Vaisnavism is both philosophy and religion with reference to its Upani|adic base.”–K. KUNJUNNI RAJA, The Adyar Library Bulletin, 1994

“Srinivasa Chari has done a good job, tracing the historical development of Vaisnavism right from the monotheism of Rgveda... . Precision and erudition mark Srinivasa Chari’s exposition of the Absolute Brahman as the adorable God of religion, the nature of the individual soul, and the doctrine of cosmic matter.”–C.S. RAMAKRISHNAN, The Hindu, August, 1995

“Dr. Srinivasa Chari’s exposition of Vaisnavism is conditioned, admittedly, by the knowledge of the essentials imparted to him by his spiritual preceptor, the late Sri Gostipuram Sowmya Narayanacharya.”–The Book Review, December, 1995"

"The author's direct aim in the present work is to furnish the historians of the special sciences with new material which will serve to widen the scope of their survey. The Hindus no less than the Greeks have shared in the work of constructing scientific concepts and methods in the investigation of physical phenomena, as well as of building up a body of positive knowledge which has been applied to industrial technique; and Hindu scientific ideas and methodology (e.g. the inductive method or method of algebraic analysis) have deeply influenced the course of natural philosophy in Asia-in the East as well as the West-in China and Japan, as well as in the Saracen Empire. The author has undertaken a comparative estimate of Greek and Hindu science. Hindu Philosophy om its empirical side was dominated by geometrical concepts and methods. The author has cared to see that the Sanskrit philosophico-scientific terminology, however difficult from its technical character, is rendered exceedingly precise, consistent, and expressive.


Review:

Excerpts from reviews:

The Vedantists believe Maya to be the ""material cause"" of the world. The power of Maya is the power to realise the unreal-to impart practical Reality or mediate existence to that which does not and cannot possess absolute Reality or self-existence. Maya is at once real and unreal, while the Brahma (Self)is a absolute Reality, absolute Intelligence, and absolute Bliss. The world evolves out of Maya so that Maya in the Vedanta replaces the Prakriti of the Sankhya. But Maya and by implication the world, originate out of Brahma, not by a process of evolution, but of Vivarta ( Self-alienation). The self alienation of the Absolute, action through Maya, produces in the beginning Akasa- one, infinite, ubiquitous, imponderable, inert and all-pervasive.
B.K.KELKAR,Organiser, July 1986

Dr. Seal was a well-known and respected teacher in science and his monographs on certain themes relating to Indian Science throw a helpful light on the approach of the Hindu mind to the study of matter, Life and Mind. The author gives a comparative estimate of the Greek and Hindu sciences.He points out that the Hindu philosophy on its empirical side was influenced by concepts from physiology; the Greek was influenced by geometrical concepts and methods. He also examines to what extent the Indian sciences influenced developments in the Mid-East and Far-East.
M.P. PANDIT, World Union

The seven chapters comprising the book take up for discussion mechanical, physical and chemical theories; ideas of mechanics (kinetics), accoustics, plant life, animal classification,physiology and biology; and, finally, the Hindu doctrine of scientific method. The exposition is very lucid and an impressive effort is made to support all statements with original quotations drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sources.
T.N. MADAN, Institute of Economic Growth"

A monumental work, Philosophies of India is divided into three main sections: The Highest Good, a discussion of Eastern and Western thought and their meeting, and of the foundations of Indian Philosophy; The Philosophies of Time, being the philosophies of success, of pleasure, and of duty; finally The Philosophies of Eternity, this forms the major portion of the work, explaining Jainism, Sankhya and Yoga, Brahmanism, Buddhism and Tantra.

Review:

"We of the Occident are about to arrive at a crossroads that was reached by the thinkers of India some seven hundred years before Christ. This is the real reason why we become both vexed and stimulated, uneasy yet interested, when confronted with the con

The chapter in this volume are a selection of papers presented in the general Philosophy Section at the 12th World Sanskrit Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The first part of the book, Studies in Indian Philosophy, contains nine studies on individual topics and concepts in Indian philosophy from various perspectives: historical-philological, philosophical and comparative. They are inter alia concerned with such fundamental issues as the characteristic signs of the Self, the concept of vijnaptimatrata in Vasubandhu's Yogacara, the notion of unchanging cognition in the writings of the Kashmirian author Ramakantha, the definition of existence according to the late Buddhist philosopher Jnanasrimitra, and the significance of the sadhana catustaya in Vedanta. In the second part of the book, two papers contribute to the study of the textual history of Indian philosophy, with a focus on the Patanjalayogasastra and Candrananda's commentary on the Vaisesikasutra.

The last two decades of Indological research have led to a marked increase in the investigation of logic in India, especially in the earliest period of classical India. A panel of senior and junior scholars from America, Asia, and Europe, all specialists working in this area, was concerned at the 12th World Sanskrit Conference, held in Helsinki in the summer of 2003. This volume contains not only their papers, which address both philosophical and philological matters pertaining to logic as propounded in texts from this period, but also an introduction designed to permit non-specialists, whether non-Indologists or non-philosophers, to learn about Indian logic in its infancy.

"Sankara, the eighth-century Indian philosopher, is generally regarded as the greatest thinker in the long history of Indian philosophy as well as in the metaphysical tradition known as Vedanta. Advaita Vedanta, the school or system founded by him, stresses the Advaita or nondualist approach to the problem of existence and ultimate reality, and has been the main current of thought in India for hundreds of years. Most of Sankara`s works are commentaries on other classics of Indian thought, like Upanisads, the Bhagavadgita, and the Brahmasutra. The Upadesasahasri, or "" A Thousand Teachings, ""here critically edited and translated into English, is, however, the only independent and non-commentary work that can safely be attributed to him; the other independent writings traditionally ascribed to him are all probably spurious.
"

Varadaraja wrote the Laghusiddhantakaumudi, a short version of Bhattojidiksita's Siddhantakaumudi, in order to inculcate an ability in beginners to gain access to the Astadhyayi as he claims in the invocatory verse. This work, which is the first of the three-volume project, covers 371 sutras on samjna, sandhi, subanta and avyaya prakaranas. It includes the translation of the sutra and the vrtti on it by Varadaraja, which is followed by the paraphrased sutra in which padas are kept in nonsandhi form. The carried over padas are given along with the sutras from the Astadhyayi from which they have been carried over. In the elucidation that follows the paraphrase, the meaning of the sutra and the vrtti thereon is explained in detail. Relevant grammatical aspects have also been discussed so that some light is thrown on the depth and nuances of vyakarana-sastra. The present work fulfils a compelling need for a detailed commentary on the Laghusiddhantakaumudi in English.

Rasa Tarangini’ (Ayurveda Pharmaceutics and Indian Alchemy) written / compiled by Sri Sadananda Sarma, is one among the wonderful referral books in the field of ‘Ayurveda’. It incorporates all the deeper and hidden knowledge of ‘Rasasastra’ (Iatro-chemistry and Ayurveda Pharmaceutics) along with its vividly composed and rendered complex theories.

‘Rasa Tarangini’ has Twenty Four chapter called ‘Tarangas’. First four ‘Tarangas’ deal with basics of ‘Rasasastra’ that include ‘Rasasala’ (The drug manufacturing unit, ‘Rasa-Paribhasa’ (Basic definitions), ‘Yantra’ (Instruments), ‘Puta’ (Ancient Pyrometer) etc, Fifth and Sixth ‘Taranga’ (Mercury), its pharmaceutical procedures and its significant compound formulations. Seventh to Twenty Third ‘Taranga’ deal with ‘Maharasa-Uparasasadharana rasa’ (Significant minerals), ‘Dhatu’ (Calcium compounds) and ‘Raatnoparatna’ (Precious and Semi-precious stones) in a clear and impeccable manner. In the last Twenty Fourth ‘Taranga’, author deals in detail about the ‘Visopavisa Varga Dravya’ (Poisonous herbal drugs).

This book is going to be a useful guide to the ‘Pharmaceutical companies’ That venture into the production of compound formulations using above said metals and minerals. To ‘general practitioners’ who wish to utilize ‘products of metals and minerals’ into their practice for better and quicker therapeutic results, this book offers innumerable number of excellent ready made formulations that are indicated in any disease of their

When the great Siddha Sri Svatnatrandanatha was ordered by Lord Siva to correlate Matrkas (Sanskrta alphabet) with Yoga marga, he started doing so on the basis of Mahesvara sutras. Being failed to do, so he went into a cave of hill top called as Kankacala and started his penance by the result of which a Sri Yantra incarnated from sky
and Siddha was able to understand this secret. The Siddha seer found that Matrkas are classified in four states called Jagrata or Awaken state; Svapna or Dream state, Susupti or Deep sleep state and Turiya or Fourth state and above all is Turiyatita state which is house of all. He explored that they all are related to each other in a way that they reveal the secret of evolution and liberation of living being and secrets of Lord Siva and Sri Lalita Tripurasundari. He explained all this by the help of Sutras.

Being divided into five chapters, first four chapters of this book keep saying that Lord Siva's power is frigid in nature however as he writes fifth chapter, he reveals a secret which is no less than a great suspense of this entire work.

With great command on subject, great seer had compile the entire mystic relation of Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari, Sri Yantra, Matrka, Lord Siva, Sakti, living being, four states with fifth one, prameya, pramana and pramata and this world in such a beautiful manner that it looks more a Tantrika symphony than a Tantrika book.

The commentary of this work is lucid and is unique in na

Deepak Yadav ‘Premchand’ M.D. (born on 24th October, 1980 in Mumbai, Maharashtra) completed BAMS from Smt. KGMP Ayurvedic College, Mumbai in 2003 and MD (Basic Principles of Ayurveda) from Ayurveda College, Sion, Mumbai in 2007 under the guidance of Dr. Ganesh S. Puradkar. After Post-graduation, in 2008 he joined Veenavadini Ayurvedic College, Bhopal as a lecturer. Later in 2010, he joined Sushrutha Ayurvedic Medical College, Bangalore as a lecturer. In the year 2013, he joined Mandsaur Institute of Ayurvedic Education and Research, Mandsaur, MP as a Reader in the Dept. of Basic Principles of Ayurveda and continues till date. He has penned down more than 10 books on Ayurveda which are very popular with Ayurveda Fraternity. He is actively involved in clinical practice, literary work and popularization of Ayurveda.


Foreowrd

Vegbhata, the author of Astanga Hrdayam, enjoys significant popularity among the Ayurvedic fraternity. It appears that it is he who conceptualized the idea of compliation. Understanding the vastness of material available in the classic of Caraka, Susruta, Saunaka etc, he took up the responsibility of penning down a classic that will comprise of all the material available in the classics. Thus was born ‘Astanga Hrdaya Samhita’ of Vagbhatacarya.

Salient Features of Astanga Hrdayam:

Vagbhata quotes the reason for compiling the text in following worlds – ‘From those treatise which are very elaborate hence difficult to study, only the essence has been collected and this treatise – Astanga Hrdayam – prepared which is neither too succinct nor too elaborate’ The main subject of Vegbhata’s Astanga Hrdayam is

Specification

• Product Code :BK9038
• Author : Dr. Naresh Jha
• Publisher :Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan
• Edition : April 1, 2014
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : Sanskrit Text with Explanation in Hindi
• Size: 8.5" x 5.5"
• Pages : 734

Description

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Specification

• Product Code :BK9045
• Size : 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Weight :380 gm.
• Author :Dr. Shashishekhar Chaturvedi
• ISBN :9380326610, 978-9380326610
• Publisher :Chaukhamba Sanskrit Prakashan
• Edition :January 1, 2011
• Cover :Hardcover
• Language :Sanskrit Text to Hindi Translation
• Pages :84

Description

Abhinavagupta was a versatile genius. He was a philosopher, poet and logician. As an encyclopaedic thinker, as a brilliant commentator and as a devoted poet, he reigns supreme. He was a prolific author. He wrote forty—five works covering various branches of philosophy and literature. His works are marked by originality and profundity. He founded new schools of Metaphysics and Aesthetics.

Abhinavagupta was a mystic and also a rationalist. He has significantly added new chapters to the history of Indian Aesthetics. His magnum opus the Tantraloka, his searching Locana on the Dhvanyaloka of Anandavardhana and his erudite commentary Abhinavabharati on the Natyasastra of Bharata Muni are monumental works.

Abhinavagupta's contribution to the stotra literature has a distinct character and tenacious grip. His stotras have richness of thought, devotional fragrance, literary beauty and invigorating spirit. So the study of the stotras of Abhinavagupta is rewarding. With this puspose, Dr. Shashi Shekhar Chaturvedi has translated Abhinava’s stotras into English and Hindi under the title 'Abhinavastotravalih, which shows his genuine interest in the discipline.

I recommend the work to the students of literature and Kasmira Saivism and hope it will be well received.


From the Translator’s Pen
Bhaktimarga (devotion-path) is considered excellent among all the paths of salvation. Lord Sri Krsna preaching to Arjuna said that devotion is the most easy path by which one can attain liberation (or God) as -


Bhaktya mabhijanati yavanyascasmi tattvatah |
Tato mam tattvato jnatva visate tadanantaram ||

- Bh. G., 18|54

The stotras (hymns of praise) are very usual means of that Para-bhakti and liberation. The great poet Kalidasa has propounded the significance of the stotra—'Stotram kasya na tustaye’ in regard to please any being. It is well known that a great Pandita of his time, Ravana having appeased Lord Siva got all the things what ever he wanted. In the chain of the great stotras composed by different scholars, the stotras of Abhinavaguptapadacarya, the greatest scholar of Kasmira Saiva philosophy, has assigned important place to both aspects of the Stotras, the philosophical and the devotional. The stotras of Abhinavagupta, translated in this edition have not been translated by any scholar till the present time. I am presenting the translation of the stotras of Abhinavagupta under the title “Abhinavastotravalih" in this edition in Hindi as well as in English. In the translated stotras of Abhinavagupta, the tranascendental and the immanant states of Lord Siva with his power Para which is known by different names like Laksmi, Sarasvati etc. in the Puranas and other scriptures are described. In these stotras, a very sacred, religious and philosohic stream of Jnanayoga and Bhaktiyoga is always current. These stotras have distinct importance in comparison to others, because the elements and the principles of Kasmira Saiva philosophy with feelings of devotion are delineated here. Therefore, these stotras are very significant from the research point of view.

While translating the text, full care has been taken that the translated text remains quite close to the original. The suggestions from readers and scholars are always welcome which would be duly incorporated in the next edition of the work.

I am very grateful to my father Prof. Radheshyam Chaturvedi without whom I would have not been able to complete Stotravali. I am also thankful to Prof. Amar Nath Pandey, an extra-ordinary scholar of Sanskrit for his foreword to this book. I am also grateful to Prof. Vachaspati Upadhyaya, V.C., L.B.S. Sanskrit Vidyapith, Prof. R.C. Panda, Sanskrit Faculty B.H.U., Prof. P.D. Singh, Dr. O.P. Upadhyaya, C.M.O., B.H.U. and Dr. Sudhakar Malviya for their advice and inspiration. I also pay humble gratitude to Prof. B.L. Tripathi Dept. of English B.H.U. for his valuable suggestions. I wish to thank heartly Dr. V N. Tiwari & Dr. Mridul Tiwari for their co— operation. I am also grateful to my wife Smt. Vibha Chaturvedi and daughters Nishtha and Astha and also to Dr. Reema for their love and inspiration.

For the publication and excellent printing I also thank Navinji and Sri Ramaranjan Malviya. This edition should prove useful to the lovers of Sanskrit and research scholars, My sincere solicitation to the Goddess Parasakti.

Specification

Description

A Hand Book of Astanga Sangraha (sutra sthana) is a précised and concised book in English for the benefit of 1st year B.A.M.S. students. In this book, the authors have incorporated the important quotations and the summary of each and every chapter according to the need of the freshly joined students of Ayurveda. In the present work, Latin names of the drugs, certain photographs as well as line diagrams are also incorporated for a better comprehension, it is hoped that this book will be useful for the students in understanding the basic principles of Ayurveda.

About the Author

Dr. R. Vidyanath currently working as Assistant Professor at Govt. Ayurvedic College, Vijayawada has obtained his M.D. (Ayurveda) from Gujrat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. He had also undergone special training in Pancakarma from Institute of Ayurveda, Coimbatore. He served as a Clinical Registrar (Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar), Medical Officer at Government Ayurveda Disperseries and completed 10 years of service in the field of teaching. He has also presented more than 20 scientific papers at National and International Seminars. He was the author of Pancakrama, A Hand book of History of Ayurveda and A Hand book of Astanga Sangraha (sutra sthana). He produced a video-cassette on Pancakarma for student and practitioners and also” an audio-cassette titled ‘Ayurveda Hitopadesam (Tenets of Life) to bring in awareness and popularize Ayurveda in the society.