Essentials of Hinduism
HINDUISM REDISCOVERED: Anbil Ramaswamy; copies can be had from the author, 25 (22), 2nd East Park Street, Prithvipakkam, Ambattur, Chennai-600053. Also at Sri Nrisimha Priya, 30, Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore, Chennai-600004. Rs. 480.
THIS BOOK, a collection of articles contributed earlier by the author, presents the evolution of Hinduism and more particularly Vaishnavism.
Starting with a description of the Vedas and the Upanishads, the author goes on to the Smritis dealing with the code of conduct for daily life and the Puranas; and explains the three philosophical categories: sentient, non-sentient and Isvara. After elaborating on Para Brahman, Lord Narayana, His characteristics, His five forms and so on he delineates the Karma theory and the goals of life including the summum bonum, liberation.
Next comes an analysis of duties, obligations and ways of good living of a man and the four stages of life. Karma, Jnana, Bhakti Yogas and Prapatti (Self-surrender) are then discussed and in the process, a chapter-wise gist of the contents of the Rahasyatraya Sara, the magnum opus of Vedanta Desika, all aspects of Prapatti and the mystic and abstruse meanings of the three secret mantras of Vaishnavism, are given.
This is followed by a brief sketch of the Azhwars and their works and Acharyas like Nathamuni, Alavandar, Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika, and their contribution to Vaishnavism. The differences between the three major systems of philosophy, Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita, are next dealt with and the book concludes with a description of the evolution and devolution of matter and space.
Extensive quotations from western scholars and scientists, given at appropriate places throughout are very apt and lively. The esoteric significance of idol worship, performance of rituals and Karma theory, the specialities of Hinduism, which attract frequent criticisms from other religionists, have been well explained by the author.
The real-life situations and incidents narrated every now and then, to supplement the topic presented, add spice and help a clearer understanding. The book also serves as a practical guide for good living and high thinking and will be useful in the present-day world of fast life, full of tensions.
A few factual mistakes have crept into the life history of Ramanuja. Peria Nambi and not Tirukkachi Nambi took Ramanuja to Srirangam to meet Alavandar. Ramanuja, to fulfil the wishes of Andal, offered sweet rice to the Lord at Tirumalirum Cholai (Azhagar Koil) and not at Srivilliputtur. Alavandar's son Chottai Nambi was not Ramanuja's disciple, but Nambi's grandson was.
While mentioning about Nadadur Azhwan, the biographical data of his grandson Nadadur Ammal have got mixed up. Referring to Vedanta Desika, the honorific "Kavitarkika Simham" was proffered by Desika's contemporary scholars and not Appayya Dikshita, who came three centuries later.
The explanations for "Pancha Mahayajna" and the three stages of Bhakti like "Para Bhakti" are not quite correct. There are quite a few mistakes throughout, while transliterating Sanskrit words into English like "Chandokya" for "Chandogya".
This comprehensive and fairly extensive volume is a noble attempt to present the essentials of Hinduism and Vaishnavism and the author has to be congratulated for succeeding in his mission.
V.N. GOPALA DESIKACHARIAR
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