Vaisnavism: Its Philosophy, Theology and Religious Discipline (Rare Book)
Book Specification
| Item Code: | NAB465 |
| Author: | S.M. Srinivasa Chari |
| Publisher: | Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. |
| Edition: | 2017 |
| ISBN: | 9788120810983 |
| Pages: | 421 |
| Cover: | Hardcover |
| Other Details | 8.8" X 6.0" |
| Weight | 650 gm |
Book Description
From the Jacket:
This is a scholarly book on one of the oldest living religions 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 deity, Visnu as inseparably relate 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. Students of comparative religion will find in this book a valuable source of authentic information.
About the Author:
S.M. Srinivasa Chari (b. 1919 Mysore) has a brilliant academic record. He is an M.A. in Philosophy of the University of Mysore and recipient of Ph.D. from the University of Madras. He is a Sanskrit scholar trained up by eminent traditional teachers. He was a Research Scholar at the University of Madras and a Fellow of Institute of Philosophy at Amalner in Maharashtra.
Dr. Chari joined the Ministry of Education, Government of India, after the completion of his university career. He retired in 1976 as Joint Educational Adviser.
Dr. Chari has traveled widely. He has participated in International conferences and seminars abroad and lectured at University centres on aspects of Indian Philosophy and religion. He is author of Fundamentals of Visistadvaita; Vaisnavism - Its Philosophy, Theology and Religious Discipline; Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Alvars; Philosophy of the Vedantasutra.
| FOREWORD | vii | |
| PREFACE | xi | |
| SCHEME OF TRANSLITERATION | xxi | |
| LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS | xxiii | |
| INTRODUCTION | xxv | |
| PART I HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF VAISNAVISM | ||
| 1. | Historical Development of Vaisnavism Monotheism of Rgveda 3 Visnu in the Rgveda 7 Visnu in the Upanisads 13 Vaisnavism in the Agamas 14 Vaisnavism in the Ramayana and Mahabharata 17 Vaisnavism in the Puranas 18 Vaisnavism in the Tamil Hymns of Alvars 19 Inscriptional Evidence for Antiquity of Vaisnavism 21 Development of Vaisnavism by Nathamuni, Yamuna and Ramanuja 22 Development of Vaisnavism in the Post-Ramanuja Period 26 Development of Vaisnavism during the Period of Vedanta Desika and Pillailokacarya 27 Development of Vaisnavism in the Post-Desika Period 30 Development of other Schools of Vaisnavism 31 Sourcebooks for Vaisnavism 35 | 1 - 45 |
| PART II PHILOSOPHY OF VAISNAVISM | ||
| 2. | The Doctrine of Ultimate Reality Definition of Ultimate Reality 49 Proof for Existence of Reality 50 Ultimate Reality as a Sentient Being 51 Brahman as Supreme Person 52 Brahman as God of Religion 53 Nature of Brahman 54 Brahman and Its Attributes 56 Brahman as the Ground of the Universe 58 Brahman as the Inner Controller of the Universe 58 Brahman as Sariri of the Universe 58 Brahman as Visista Reality 61 | 49-65 |
| 3. | The Doctrine of Individual Self Jiva as Eternal 67 Jiva as the Subject of Knowledge 68 Jiva as Self-luminous 70 Jiva as Anu 71 Jiva as Karta and Bhokta 72 Freedom of the Individual 74 Plurality of Jivas 75 Jiva as an Integral Part of Brahman 76 | 67-81 |
| 4. | The Doctrine of Cosmic Matter The Concept of Prakrti 83 Prakrti and the three Gunas 84 Evolution of Prakrti 85 Creation of the Universe 86 Material Cause of the Universe 88 Visistadvaita Theory of Material Causality 90 The Causal Relation of Universe to Brahman 93 Universe and Brahman 94 The Theory of Time 96 | 83-97 |
| 5. | The Doctrine of Bhakti-Yoga Meaning of the term Bhakti 99 The Concept of Bhakti in the Upanisads 100 The Concept of Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad-gita 103 The Theory of Karma-yoga 104 The Theory of Jnana-yoga 108 The Theory of Bhakti-yoga 111 Stages of Bhakti-yoga 114 | 99-120 |
| 6. | The Doctrine of Moksa The Concept of Moksa in the Upanisads 121 The Nature of Jiva in the State of Moksa 122 Equal Status of Jiva from Bondage 123 Equal Status of Jiva with Brahman 124 Divine Service in Moksa 126 | 121-127 |
| PART III THEOLOGY OF VAISNAVISM | ||
| 7. | Visnu as Supreme Being Visnu as the Ultimate Reality 131 Identity of Visnu with Narayana, Vasudeva and Brahman 132 Visnu as Para-devata 135 Place of Visnu Among the Trinity of Gods 139 Criticisms Against the Theory of Supremacy of Visnu 141 Evaluation of Upanisadic Statements Supporting the Supremacy of Siva 143 Visnu and Brahma 150 | 131-156 |
| 8. | Visnu and Goddess Sri Meaning of terms Sri and Lamsmi 157 Doctrine of Goddess Sri 159 Views of Yamuna, Ramanuja and His Immediate Successors 160 Views on the Ontological Status of Sri in Post-Desika Period 164 The Theory of Sri as Subordinate Deity 165 The Theory of Sri as on Par with Visnu 166 Scriptural Support for the Theory of Sri as Vibhu 167 Unitary Character of Reality as Sriyah-pati 170 Other Theories Regarding Goddess 175 The Status of Bhu-devi and Nila-devi 176 | 157 - 183 |
| 9. | Visnu and His Attributes The Concept of Svarupa and Dharma 185 Essential Attributes 186 The Six Principal Attributes 187 Secondary Attributes 191 God and His Divine Body 199 Theological Justification for the Concept of Supreme Personal Being 200 | 185-205 |
| 10. | Visnu and His Incarnations Vedic Origin of the Concept of Avatara 207 The Philosophy of Avatara 208 Types of Avatara 212 Para Avatara 212 Vyuha Avatara 212 Vibhava Avatara 218 Arca Avatara 222 Justification for Idol Worship 223 Antaryami Avatara 226 | 207-232 |
| 11. | Visnu and Nitya-Vibhuti Definition of Nitya Vibhuti 233 Proof for Existence of Nitya-vibhuti 234 Nature of Nitya-vibhuti 235 The Concept of Paramapada 237 Immutable Character of Suddha-sattva 239 | 233-243 |
| 12. | Visnu and Jiva Types of Jiva 245 The Concept of Sesatva 247 Implications of the Concept of Nirupadhika-sesatva 247 Jiva as Visnu-dasa 249 The Concept of Bhagavata-sesatva 250 Freedom of the Soul 251 Bondage of the Soul and Its Removal 254 Obstacles for Attainment of Supreme Goal 257 | 245-260 |
| 13. | Prapatti as a means of Attainment of Visnu Meaning of the Term Prapatti 261 Antiquity of the Doctrine 262 Bhakti Versus Prapatti 264 Siddhopaya and Sadhyopaya 264 Conditions of Eligibility for Prapatti 268 Components of Prapatti 269 Meaning and Significance of Atma-niksepa 272 Types of Prapatti 274 Controversial Theories regarding Prapatti 275 Justification for Prapatti as Direct Means to Moksa 277 The Theory of Nirhetuka-krpa Versus Human Effort 278 | 261-285 |
| 14. | Visnu as Supreme Goal of Life The Concept of Moksa as Divine Service 287 Nature of Kainkarya in the State of Moksa 290 Nature of Paramapada 292 Spiritual Ascent to Paramapada 293 | 287-299 |
| PART IV RELIGIOUS DISCIPLINE OF VAISNAVISM | ||
| 15. | Religious Discipline of Vaisnavism Role of Acarya in Vaisnavism 303 Qualification of an Ideal Acarya 304 Guru-Parampara in Vaisnavism 305 Sacraments in Vaisnavism 306 Daily Religious Duties of Vaisnavas 311 Kainkarya for Bhagavan 317 Kainkarya for Bhagavata 319 Other Types of Kainkarya 321 Vaisnava Dharma 322 Universal Character of Vaisnava Ethical Values 327 | 303-332 |
| 16. | Conclusion | 333-343 |
| Glossary 345 | ||
| Bibliography 365 | ||
| Index 373 | ||
