TRANSLATION WITH AN EXTENSIVE COMMENTARY; A MAJOR UPANISAD, IN THE LIGHT OF THE MODERN MAN'S NEED FOR VALUE AND SPIRITUAL SECURITY.

Kena Upanisad; With the Original Text in Sanskrit and Roman Transliteration

Reference

Muni Narayana Prasad

ANONYMOUS

Foreign Language Study & Reference

D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd.

India has millennia-long tradition of spirituality and metaphysical thought. In its worldview, the Absolute/Supreme Reality defies all verbal descriptions though it is visualizable in countless ways. The Upanishads, accordingly, are diverse expressions of the one vision of this very Reality. The Mundaka, however, holds a special place in the writings of the genre: not because of its emphasis on shraddha (belief) often in ones guru, but primarily for its vehement denunciation of the Vedic ritualism. Which perhaps explains why sannyasins (the renunciate monks) treat this Upanishad as a spiritual authority for the way of life they have chosen to live. Here is a brilliant, critical interpretation in contemporary idiom of the Mundaka Upanishad, showing how a seeker can cogitate/meditate upon the Supreme Reality or, in other words, how one can have the transcendental experience of cosmic Consciousness. The book looks afresh at some of the perpetually puzzling questions that Mundaka addresses questions, like for instance: What is the nature of Brahman, the one Casual Reality? How can a seeker know it? Who can be eligible for its knowledge? Offering an indepth, analytical commentary on this time-honoured text, Swami Muni Narayana Prasad presents at once appropriate metaphors, analogies and, these besides, backgrounds to the varying contexts that not only elucidate various philosophical terms and concepts in all their underlying shades of meanings, but also provides rich insights into this Upanishad. Complete with the original Sanskrit text and its Roman transliteration, this work is a must for all keen on discovering the essential meaning of the Upanishadic thought and meditating upon wisdoms ineffable core.

Mundaka Upanisad

Religion & Spirituality

Swami Muni Narayana Prasad

Hinduism

Assembled in this volume are the presentations of IGNCA seminar exploring the various complex conceptual dimensions of sound, ranging from its mystical and metaphysical to its present-day developments, from its perceptions in indigenous musical theory to its futuristic applications.

Dhvani: Nature and Culture of Sound

Arts & Photography

S.C. Malik

Music

Narayana Guru (1854-1928), a much-revered philosopher-saint of South India, revisualised the essential Upanisadic thought with a freshness of perspective. Further, he applied basic aspects of his Upanisadic philosophy successfully to bring about radical social transformations. This book deals with his philosophy as discussed in his major work, Atmopadesa Satakam (One Hundred Verses of Self Instruction) but incorporates views and ideas from his other works as well. The work focuses on Narayana Guru s philosophic thought dealing with the meaning of Vedanta, the way to seek Reality, the role of the individual in life, and karma, maya, the atma's (self-)manifestation and sat-cit-ananda as the definition of the atma or Brahman and as the final goal. The various concepts are explained in relation to one another and from the viewpoint of achieving the final goal in life to present a unified thought construct that forms the core of Narayana Guru s philosophy. It also takes up the application of his Upanisadic philosophy in different disciplines like ethics and aesthetics and in practice of religion, temple-related matters and rites. The book will be particularly useful to scholars, teachers and students of Vedanta as well as all educated seekers of Reality.

The Philosophy of Narayana Guru

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

The work by an Indological scholar who has studied different architectural traditions of the world covers the architecture and iconography of some 36 Islamic tombs in India spanning a period of over 500 years from c. ad 1230 to 1754. It begins with a brief historical background to the Islamic rule in northern India and a discussion on burial practices and tomb types of the time to further understanding of the underlying concept of construction and functions of the tombs. Abounding in numerous line drawings of plans and elevations, and figures, it examines the influence of different traditions Buddhist and Hindu as well as other Asian and African and Mediterranean traditions on evolution of the form of Islamic tombs. It makes a detailed examination of the Indo-Islamic tombs under consideration: their description, size, plan and elevation including the interior space and application of the mandala patterns over the tomb structures, the techniques of construction, masonry and artisanship employed in them. It explains the place and relevance of each monument in the overall scheme of Indo-Islamic architectural development and growth as well as the importance of each by itself. It delves into the religious, philosophical and mathematical bases of the architecture and its application to tomb-building. The research also involves a comparative study of Indo-Islamic tombs vis-a-vis other architectural marvels of the world Islamic and non-Islamic. The book will be extremely relevant to scholars and students of Indian, particularly Indo-Islamic, iconography and those interested in Indo-Islamic cultural traditions in general.

Islamic Tombs in India

Fredrick W. Bunce

In India, philosophy and religion are linked intimately, inseparably. Barring the Carvakas materialistic school, every other school has concentrated not just on the spiritual way of life in the here-and-now, but on the eventual spiritual salvation of man in relation to the universe . However, notwithstanding the centrality of its spiritual concerns, Indian philosophy has not altogether glossed over materialism; rather it has known it, overcome it, and has accepted idealism as the only tenable view -whatever specific form that idealism might take: mythological, popular or technical. Offering a brilliant prefatory discussion on the nature and thematic importance of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, Padhis book tries to capture India s fabulous philosophic genius, with comprehensive, at once objective account of all the six classical systems: the Nyaya, the Vaisheshika, the Samkhya, the Yoga, the Purva Mimamsa, and the Vedanta; and, in addition, of the Carvakas: the crass materialists. And of their numerous texts and their exponents: classical, medieval, and modern. Also unfolding a panorama of the Hindu pantheonic divinities, the authors present Jainism and Buddhism: both as religions and philosophies -with focus on their world- views of ethics, major doctrines and significant metaphysical theories, among other aspects. Uninfluenced either by the idealistic/eulogistic studies of certain Indian scholars, or by the damaging critiques of their Western counterparts, the authors aim to achieve utmost objectivity in their presentation. Which, together with extensive bibliographic references and glossary of Sanskrit terms, makes the book an authentic guide for the discerning readers of Indian philosophy, religion and mythology.

Indian Philosophy and Religion: A Reader's Guide

Bibhu Padhi,Minakshi Padhi

New critical study by a leading scholar. includes glossary, maps, drawings. would make a great text

Prehistory and Protohistory of India- An Appraisal: Palaeolithic, Non-Harappan Chalocolithic Cultures (Perspectives in Indian Art & Archaeology)

History

V K Jain

D.N. Jha

Asia

The book, containing papers presented at a conference held in Venice, Italy, examines the relevance attached to the institution of the guru with special reference to the religions and philosophies of India. It explores the nature and function of the guru figure and the master-disciple interaction in religious traditions of the world including those of Hinduism, Buddhism, ancient Greek, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Confucianism and native American traditions. It delves into the dynamics of the guru s influence and guru-disciple interaction that involves two aspects of power spiritual power and the very worldly socio-political and economic interests. It deals with characteristics and charisma associated with the figure of the spiritual master, his authority, pupils devotion for him, trials for a pupil, motivations of a guru, pandita as guru and recognition of the true master. It scrutinizes the difference in the Eastern and Western traditions vis-a-vis the guru-disciple relationship referring to a variety of sects, thinkers and works: the Mahabharata, Sufism, tantric traditions, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism, and the guruvada among Bauls of Bengal. The study meticulously unravels certain fundamental questions like sources of legitimation of religious authority within a religious-spiritual tradition. It throws light on the link between overcoming fear, ritual death and immortality, and the guru figure in Indian traditions. The book will interest scholars of religion and philosophy particularly those studying Hindu and Buddhist religious-spiritual traditions.

Guru: The Spiritual Master in Eastern and Western Traditions

Antonio Rigopoulos

Epigraphy, or the study of inscriptions, has played a very important role in reconstructing the history of India. Tamil Nadu in particular has a very large number of epigraphs, which have been of immense help to historians in writing about the history of the Tamil country. The majority of these inscriptions are written in Tamil. However, beginning from the sixth century ad, a large number of inscriptions, both lithic and copper-plate grants came to be composed in Sanskrit as well. Some of these epigraphs are wholly in Sanskrit while some, especially the copper-plate inscriptions, are bi-lingual, with the first or prashasti portion in chaste Sanskrit and the second or operative part of the record being in Tamil.

History and Culture of Tamil Nadu: v. 2 c. 1310-1.1885 AD

Chithra Madhavan

By leading specialist, study of mandalas, representations of religious experience. many color plates, photographs. very useful ref.

Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu Traditions

Gudrun Bühnemann

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