Cyclic Universe (2 Volumes)

Back of the Book Astonishingly rich is the heritage of Indian psychology. Embodied in some of the better-known, traditional philosophical systems, it convincingly spells out the rationale behind memory, recognition, emotions, instincts, reasoning, creativity, and myriad other mind-related phenomena, which so far remain baffling, unanswered questions in modern cognitive sciences, mechanistic psychology and their kindred disciplines. Mind and Supermind, for the first time, systematically unfolds Vedantic psychology — in its larger effort not only to evolve an integrated perspective on mind, but also to synthesize ancient wisdom with contemporary sciences.

A distinguished scholar of Sanskrit, philosophy and science, Professor Panda here re-explores the nature of mind, its Indian concept and how it compares with its Western world-view: religious, philosophical, psychological, and scientific. Thus elaborating the concepts of mind as set out in the Samkhya, Yoga, Tantra, Vedanta and other orthodox systems vis-a-vis (a) philosophical perspectives: from Plato and Aristotle to Wittgenstein and Strawson, (b) psychological viewpoints of William James, Freud, Jung, Watson and others, (c) theories of modern physiologists/physicists governing brain, mind, and artificial intelligence; the author builds a solid foundation for the superstructure of par psychological phenomena. And also speculates about the possibilities for (individual) 'mind' to link up with the `Supermind', which, in Vedantic concept, is Brahman: fundamental Consciousness that illumines everything —living and non-living.

About the Book Has the universe a beginning? Was it created? Who, then, is its creator? Or, alternately, is the universe uncreated? Is it beginning less and endless, with, of course, continual changes? Synthe-sizing the cumulative knowledge of science, philosophy, and religion: Eastern and Western, including Vedic/ Vedantic metaphysics, Professor Panda's Cyclic Universe looks afresh at these mind boggling questions —which, ever since the dawn of human civilization, have evaded a convincing answer.

In coming to grips with the issues around the evolution of the universe: the grand cosmos, the author examines not only the whole range of creation theories: both religious and philosophical, but also the Big Bang, its rival theories and modified versions, together with all the recent advances in anthropology, astrophysics, cosmology, Darwinism, molecular, biology, genetics, embryology, morphogenesis, neurobiology, and even computer science. Concludingly showing that the universe has been created, it has a creator, and the presently expanding universe will contract by a reverse process to be finally dissolved in the power of Brahman, Professor Panda's insightful analyses corroborate the Vedantic worldview of the cyclic phenomenon of the origin, sustenance and dissolution of the universe.

Offering an original, well-integrated thesis on the baffling cosmic evolution, the book is bound to fascinate scholars and discerning readers alike.

About the Author Nrusingh Charan Panda is the 1929-born 'Scientist Emeritus' — having retired from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, as Professor and Dean of the Veterinary Faculty. Notwith-standing his specialization in Nutritional Biochemistry — with M.Sc and Ph.D degrees of the University o Missouri, Columbia, USA, Dr. Panda is essentially a versatile personality, combining in him the endowments of a scientist, a Sanskritist, a philosopher, a psychologist and a litterateur. And his achievements have been recognized, at different times, with a number of prestigious awards/honours, like the Membership of America's Gamma Sigma Delta Society, Orissa's Sahitya Academy Award and Sarala Award.

Internationally reputed for his scientific interpretations of Vedic literature, Professor Panda has also authored a number of widely acclaimed books like Maya in Physics, The Vibrating Universe, and Mind and Supermind (2 Vols.). His is truly the integral, synthetic, holistic approach.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages