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Religion as Knowledge - The Hindu Concept

Janaki Abhisheki



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Second rev. ed. 2003 (first published 1988)

xxvi+462p., 23cm ; ISBN 81-88643-03-3

Rs. 300/- (Pb)

AKSHAYA PRAKASHAN

Publishers & Booksellers

2/18, Ansari Road

New Delhi - 110 002 (INDIA)

Tel.2327 8034 ; Fax: (011)2328 2047

email: bibimpex@nda.vsnl.netin.

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ABOUT THE BOOK



This book is a serious attempt at informing the average Indian, and

particularly the Hindu, of his philosophy, culture and heritage.

Although India’s is the oldest continuous civilization, for various

reasons the Hindu today is largely ignorant of his heritage. While some

of the reasons for this ignorance are historical, viz., the loss of

freedom, etc., some of it is due to our own neglect.

India has been free for about forty years but even today the average

Hindu is largely unaware of his identity and heritage ¾ a heritage that

any people would be proud to possess. Surprisingly, this most important

aspect of a people, their cultural identity, is not taught in our

schools and colleges. We see ignorant attitudes, misconceptions and

foolish denigration, which do little credit to a civilization that

respected Knowledge above all else. It is this living heritage of

knowledge that is preserved in Sanskrit literature and the many Prakrit

languages.

Religion is not meant for the next world but this world itself. Hindu

philosophy was concerned with knowledge, which meant a study of all

material ‘image,’ to search for its relevance and meaning. On the basis

of this philosophy the ancient Hindu thinkers worked out a practical and

dynamic pattern of living based on a Law, Order and a Work Ethic.

The Hindu philosophy relating knowledge to action will be seen to have

helped Hindus adapt to each age and place. It has given Hinduism its

demonstrable staying power. It provided the essential needs of a

civilization.

If this book inculcates in the reader the desire to know more, the need

for purity in thought, word and deed, the need for honesty and

discrimination in the pursuit of knowledge, the necessity of unselfish

conduct, generosity, courage, devotion and hard work which is the

message of religion, then the book will have more than served its

purpose.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Vaijayanti Ranade (1927-1999) studied at the Loretto Convent in Shillong

and later spent some time in Shantiniketan studying art at the Kala

Bhavan. Recognizing the power of religion, she spent a decade reading

and researching books on various religions, their scriptures, sayings,

teachings and history. For understanding Hindu thought she had to learn

Sanskrit to be able to go to the source of the original texts. She was

fascinated by the depth of knowledge, insight and understanding in the

Hindu Philosophy which dealt with matters from the most subtle to the

gross.

Conscious of the countless men and women who have through the ages

contributed and passed on this priceless heritage, she in all humility

assumed the name of Janaki Abhisheki, which suggests the anointing by a

daughter of the soil, and translated all the knowledge she had gleaned

into action by writing this book. Encouraged by the overwhelming

response to this book, she later wrote and illustrated the Tales and

Teachings of the Mahabharat published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay.

She passed away on Durgashatami, 19th August 1999.

Contents: Preface, Acknowledgement, (i) Introduction, (ii) A Brief

Historical Background, (iii) Sanatana Dharma, (iv) Veda, (v) Upanishad,

(vi) Smriti, (vii) Purana, (viii) Ramayana, (ix) Mahabharata, (x)

Bhagavad Gita, (xi) Arthasastra, (xii) Kamasastra, (xiii) Karma, (xiv)

Chaturvarna, (xv) The Six Philosophical Systems, (xvi) Saints, (xvii)

Women in Hinduism, (xviii) Meanings of Symbols in Hinduism, (xix) Hindu

Contribution to World Knowledge, (xx) Some Problems of Indology, (xxi)

Conclusion, (xxii) Chronological Table of Important Works, (xxiii)

Pronunciation of words rendered from English to Devanagari, (xxiv)

Bibliography, (xxv) Index.





SOME COMMENTS ON THE FIRST EDITION



“The author is a housewife, scholar, publisher, a spiritual seeker but

with the intellectual ability to theorize and formulate. Her recent

publication, The Religion as Knowledge: The Hindu Concept, is a valuable

document on Hinduism; it is valuable both for lay readers as well as the

learned...” - Ram Swarup



“... A study of your book will be a much needed re-education to all our

educated people in politics, administration, teaching, journalism, the

professions, and in private life. You have shown what blessings lie for

our people, especially our women if and when they will realise that

worship of Saraswati comes first, and then only should come the worship

of Lakshmi, that they are not two jealous sisters, as our people in

their decadent state have been thinking but are two very loving and

lovable sisters, with Saraswati standing for pure knowledge and Lakshmi

standing for applied knowledge...”

-Swami Ranganathananda, Ram Krishna Math, Hyderabad



“There are illuminating chapters on the Ramayana, the Mahabharat, the

Bhagavad Gita, Meanings of Symbols in Hinduism etc., all throwing new

light and providing new insights. On the whole, a volume worth reading,

and re-reading.”

- The Times of India



“... Unlike most books on Hinduism this one does not stop only with

treating the religious works but has also dealt with works on Artha

(politics and economics) and Kama (vital and cultural). This serves to

give a balanced view of Hindu thought as the accepted Hindu view deals

with the four goals of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa...”

-The Indian Express



“... Readers can benefit from this compendium on Hinduism. Kautilya’s

Arthasastra, a compendium of politics, sociology, and economics and

philosophy received the attention it deserves expounding how the king

was a symbol of power and protection of the people. There are brilliant

chapters on Indian Epics - the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Bhagavad

Gita, the concept of Sanatana Dharma, etc. all throw a new light

providing penetrating insights into Hindu religion..."

- The Hindu

“... The title of your book is somewhat deceptive since religion has a

limited meaning in the English language. I was therefore pleasantly

surprised that you have touched and explained all the important aspects

of our culture, namely religion, the six systems of philosophy and the

achievements of our forefathers in different branches of learning. You

have also presented your views in an engaging and lucid language and the

book fully deserves to be read by our educated youth and Indians abroad,

who have now started evincing interest in their own culture...”

- Shri M.R. Yardi, Chairman, Bhandarkar O.R. Institute, Pune



“…Smt. Abhisheki has rendered a great service in bringing out this

concise but complete work touching upon all salient aspects of Sanatana

Dharma. This book helps to remove erroneous and half-baked ideas which

the modern man may have regarding certain monumental works such as the

Arthasastra and Kamasutra... To have made so much knowledge available in

so brief a compass in simple language is an achievement for which Smt.

Abhisheki can rightly take credit...”

- Bhavan’s journal

“... Your book Religion as Knowledge - The Hindu Concept bears testimony

of your reasoned conviction in our Sanatana Dharma. Your effort is

appreciated...”

- His Holiness the late Shri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Dakshinamnaya Sri

Sharada Peetham, Sringeri