"The Hindu" review of "Hinduism Rediscovered" book

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas:

I am happy to forard to you the Review of "HInduism Rediscovered" that

appeared in

"The Hindu" dated 22nd June 2004.

 

I heartily thank the Reviewer for the kind words on the book,

But, please see at the end of this mail

for my remarks on the Review paragraphs marked with asterisks (*)

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FOR THE INFORMATION OF PROSPECTIVE BUYERS::

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Price Rs.480/= This is applicable ONLY for delivery within India;

Ex-India US $ 48/=+ or equvivalent outside India

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Checks to be drawn favoring “Ramaswamy Anbil” and sent to -

 

IN INDIA: Ramaswamy Anbil, 25 (Old 22) 2nd East Park Street, Prithvipakkam,

Ambattur, Chennai- 600 053 Phone: 044-2657 3246.

 

IN USA: Ramaswamy Anbil, 1037 Welsh Ayers Way, Downingtown,

PA- 19335 Phone: (610) 873-2523.

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ONLY LIOMITED NUMBER OF COPIES AVAILABLE.

WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED" BASIS.

 

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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Date:22/06/2004 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/br/2004/06/22/stories/2004062200071400.htm

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Essentials of Hinduism

 

HINDUISM REDISCOVERED: Anbil Ramaswamy; copies can be had from the author,

25 (22), 2nd East Park Street, Prithvipakkam, Ambattur, Chennai-600053. Also

at Sri Nrisimha Priya, 30, Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore, Chennai-600004.

Rs. 480 (for delivery within India)

 

THIS BOOK, a collection of articles contributed earlier by the author,

presents the evolution of Hinduism and more particularly Vaishnavism.

 

Starting with a description of the Vedas and the Upanishads, the author goes

on to the Smritis dealing with the code of conduct for daily life and the

Puranas; and explains the three philosophical categories: sentient,

non-sentient and Isvara. After elaborating on Para Brahman, Lord Narayana,

His characteristics, His five forms and so on he delineates the Karma theory

and the goals of life including the summum bonum, liberation.

 

Next comes an analysis of duties, obligations and ways of good living of a

man and the four stages of life. Karma, Jnana, Bhakti Yogas and Prapatti

(Self-surrender) are then discussed and in the process, a chapter-wise gist

of the contents of the Rahasyatraya Sara, the magnum opus of Vedanta Desika,

all aspects of Prapatti and the mystic and abstruse meanings of the three

secret mantras of Vaishnavism, are given.

 

This is followed by a brief sketch of the Azhwars and their works and

Acharyas like Nathamuni, Alavandar, Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika, and their

contribution to Vaishnavism. The differences between the three major systems

of philosophy, Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita, are next dealt with and

the book concludes with a description of the evolution and devolution of

matter and space.

 

Extensive quotations from western scholars and scientists, given at

appropriate places throughout are very apt and lively. The esoteric

significance of idol worship, performance of rituals and Karma theory, the

specialities of Hinduism, which attract frequent criticisms from other

religionists, have been well explained by the author.

 

The real-life situations and incidents narrated every now and then, to

supplement the topic presented, add spice and help a clearer understanding.

The book also serves as a practical guide for good living and high thinking

and will be useful in the present-day world of fast life, full of tensions.

 

* A few factual mistakes have crept into the life history of Ramanuja. Peria

Nambi and not Tirukkachi Nambi took Ramanuja to Srirangam to meet Alavandar.

Ramanuja, to fulfil the wishes of Andal, offered sweet rice to the Lord at

Tirumalirum Cholai (Azhagar Koil) and not at Srivilliputtur. Alavandar's son

Chottai Nambi was not Ramanuja's disciple, but Nambi's grandson was.

 

* While mentioning about Nadadur Azhwan, the biographical data of his

grandson Nadadur Ammal have got mixed up. Referring to Vedanta Desika, the

honorific "Kavitarkika Simham" was proffered by Desika's contemporary

scholars and not Appayya Dikshita, who came three centuries later.

 

* The explanations for "Pancha Mahayajna" and the three stages of Bhakti

like "Para Bhakti" are not quite correct. There are quite a few mistakes

throughout, while transliterating Sanskrit words into English like

"Chandokya" for "Chandogya".

 

This comprehensive and fairly extensive volume is a noble attempt to present

the essentials of Hinduism and Vaishnavism and the author has to be

congratulated for succeeding in his mission.

 

V.N. GOPALA DESIKACHARIAR

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MY COMMENTS:

 

It is understood that the general policy for Book Reviews in “The Hindu” is

to project at least some discrepancies along with appreciations. It is not

denied that some errors might naturally creep into such voluminous books in

spite of the best efforts. But, the Reviewer in this case, seems to be

obviously oblivious to some of the obvious facts presented.

 

For example,

1. (Page 644 of the book) It was NOT stated that Appayya Dikshitar

conferred the title “Kavi Taarkika Simham” on Swami Desika.

IN FACT, THE NAME OF APPAYYA DIKSHITAR WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS CONTEXT.

What was stated, however, is that it was conferred by his contemporaries

like Krishna Misra

To Quote:

“ In appreciation of this, Krishna Misra and others honored Swami with the

title of “Kavi Taarkika Simham” - Vide paragraph (27)

2. (Page 314 of the book) The explanation on “Pancha Maha Yajna”.

The Reviewer has NOT explained how it was “not quite correct”

3. (Page 396-397 of the book) The explanation for the three stages of Bhakti

like “ParaBhakti”.

The Reviewer has NOT explained how it was “not quite correct”

 

It would have been better if the Reviewers were instructed to consult the

Authors before attempting to point out flaws. As it is, the Reviews

unilaterally leave the Authors defenseless to refute the points projected in

the Reviewer’s Reports and point out the flaws in the reporting of the

Reviewers themselves!

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