Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Alvars/S.M.S. Chari.

[Guest guest]

http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no12775.htm#Philosophy

Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Alvars/S.M.S.

Chari. 1997, xx, 263 p., $30. (less 30% library discount.

Free airmail postage).

Contents: Preface. Introduction.

1. Life and works of the Alvars. 2. The doctrine of ultimate

reality. 3. The doctrine of God. 4. The doctrine of individual

self. 5. The doctrine of Sadhana. 6. The doctrine of supreme

goal. 7. Theistic mysticism. 8. General evaluation and

conclusion. Glossary. Select bibliography. Index.

"The God-intoxicated twelve

Vaisnava Saints of South India popularly known as Alvars, who

lived between fifth and eighth centuries A.D. represent a

significant phase of Vaisnava Philosophy and Religion which

provided a solid foundation for the development of the system of

Visistadvaita Vedanta in the hands of Ramanuja and his

illustrious successors. They have bequeathed a rich heritage for

the posterity in the form of four thousand devotional Tamil hymns

collectively known as Nalayira-Divyaprabandham, replete with

philosophical and theological teachings. This book attempts to

present these teachings as contained in the original hymns in a

systematic manner against the background of the Vedanta as

reflected in the Upanisads, Agamas and selected Vaisnava Puranas,

without bringing the sectarian and theological views that came to

be developed by the commentators in the post-Ramanuja period.

Based on the original source material, the Philosophy and

Mysticism of the Alvars is discussed, fully supported by textual

authority, under six broad headings: Doctrine of the Ultimate

Reality (paratattva), Doctrine of God (Isvara), Doctrine of the

individual self ((Jivatman), Doctrine of Sadhana, Doctrine of the

Supreme Goal (Parama-Purusartha) and Theistic Mysticism. This

volume makes available for the first time in English a

comprehensive and authoritative exposition of the Philosophy and

Mysticism of the Alvars. The book will be highly useful for the

students of comparative religion for an indepth study of

Vaisnavism in general and the Alvars in particular."

(jacket) No. 12775

Return to

Hinduism Catalogue

This book is available from:

Vedams Books International

12A/11, W.E.Area, Post Box 2674

New Delhi 110 005, India

Fax: 91-11-574 5114

e-mail: vedams (AT) vedamsbooks (DOT) com