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VEDANTA
by
Karan Singh
Indian Hardcover
56 pages
ISBN
81-7167-347-3
Rupa & Co.
$6.95 |
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| VEDANTA is an explanation of Vedanta
philosophy in concise and engaging prose that brings
India's timeless wisdom to bear on the promise and well
as the problems of globalization in our world today. "We
live in an age of turmoil, tension, and transition," the
preface begins. "The old is collapsing and the new is
struggling to be born, and we find ourselves adrift on a
turbulent ocean with no established landmarks between
the vanished past the an indeterminant future." Dr.
Singh posits some fresh answers to this global conundrum
from the spiritual heritage of India. In the Vedas and
Upanishads that form the roots of Vedanta, he explores
universal teachings that have become increasingly
relevant to a potentially destructive technological age,
and which support the harmonious pluralism of the
interfaith movement, of which Dr. Singh is himself a
distinguished leader. |
| Dr. Singh has
included his translation of the Mundaka Upanishad
("The Bridge to Immortality"), which contains the
eternal truths imparted by the seer Angiras to his
disciples in ancient times. |
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| DR. KARAN SINGH is respected in India and
abroad as an eminent scholar whose academic achievements
have been complemented by both a distinguished political
career and a dedication to global concerns. Born
heir-apparent to the Maharaja and Maharani of Jammu and
Kashmir in 1931, he ruled in his youth as Regent before
he became a Cabinet Minister, and later a Member of
Parliament, during his long and active political career.
Dr. Singh has authored many philosophical books while
continuing his leadership in solving some of our most
pressing planetary problems. |
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EXCERPT
(from the Preface) |
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The
Vedanta is a very powerful statement of the Interfaith
philosophy. There is a beautiful verse in the Mundaka
Upanishad—
"As rivers
in their flowing reach their destination in the ocean
and there cast off their names and forms, so do those
who have achieved divine realization transcend all
differences and realize the Great Being." |
| If there is a
divinity that in fact informs the universe, it can
appear in many ways but it cannot be the exclusive
property of any particular formulation. This must become
a very significant element of the new world
consciousness that is emerging, and an essential
prerequisite for a harmonious global society. It in the
name of religion, or in the name of particular beliefs,
we are still going to indulge in conflict as has
happened through history, disaster will ensue. It is
astounding that while every religion looks upon its own
manifestation of the divine as being compassionate,
merciful and loving, yet in the name of that very
divinity we have inflicted the most terrible horrors
upon fellow human beings. This is something which can no
longer continue in the global society. We must respect
religious differences, and look upon them as a
philharmonic orchestra with many different instruments
being played, but all of them playing in harmony for the
divine. That is what the Vedanta teaches us.
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| Copyright © 2003 Karan Singh |
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