Reality and Mysticism- Perspectives in the Upanishads

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Since ancient times, philosophers and scholars have attempted to study and analyse the profound thoughts of the Upanisads in order to unravel their true meaning. The lectures presented here are a fresh analysis of the Upanisadic thinking with respect to reality, knowledge and consciousness.

Prof. Puligandla here attempts to reveal the central Upanisadic insights and the significance of the observations to modern scientific thought. He come up with some important ideas on the nature of the ultimate reality, compatibility of science, religion and philosophy, and the Upanisadic teaching vis-à-vis modern science. He also successfully dispels crucial misunderstanding of Sankara's philosophy and that of Nagarjuna.

The speciality of the book is the author's novel interpretation of mysticism as an effective instrument of Brahma jnana or knowledge of Reality. In a bold and intellectually stimulating presentation, Prof. Puligandla shows that the mysticism of the Indian tradition, far from being illogical irrational, is meant to awaken and inspire the seeker's mind for the quest of the ultimate reality. Such knowledge even transcends all forms of catogorial knowledge.

This work is an extremely absorbing scholarly masterpiece characterized by a unique understanding of Upanisadic thought. Its lively analytical discussion of the Upanisads would present a new perspective to serious scholars of philosophy.

About the Author

Ramakrishna Puligandla is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toledo, USA. His academic achievements include an A.M. degree in philosophy (University of South Dakota) and a Ph.D. in philosophy (Rice University) and B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics and applied physics. Fulbright Visiting Professor in India in 1992, he has specialized in logic, philosophy of science and comparative philosophy and religion, with emphasis upon the Indian and Western traditions. A serious writer, he has authored ten books and over seventy scholarly papers.

Contents:

   Preface
   Introduction
1. Immanence and Transcendence in the Upanisadic 
   Teaching 
2. Science, Philosophy and Religion: Quest for a 
   Unitary Vision
3. The Central Upanisadic Insights: Their Significance 
   to Deconstruction and Theory of Everything

   Selected Bibliography