The Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta

by Eliot Deutsch, Rohit Dalvi

This book is the only comprehensive introduction to Advaita Vedanta that traces the history of this tradition by means of primary sources. The sources (in translation) are drawn from Sanskrit texts by some of the most important advaitic thinkers. The editors have filled in the appropriate background materials to make this a book through which readers can understand Advaita Vedanta both in terms of cultural history and philosophy. The book reveals the classical form of this great tradition of thought, showing how it actually functioned in Indian culture, and demonstrates its distinctive philosophical achievements.

Genres: Philosophy, Hinduism, Religion, India, Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality

421 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2004

Reviews

[Ludo]

Haven't finished the book, but will come back to it regularly over the years.
It isn't an easy leisurely read; some familiarity with advaita vedanta is the very least one should have, to be prepared for a text of this caliber. Most of the book consists of parts of vedantic scriptures (upanishads, bhagavad gita, brahmasutra) with comments and discussions by the likes of Adi Shankaracharya vs opponents from non-advaitic schools, buddhists etc.

[Gary Nicholson]

after reading about 100 pages and being occasionally wowed, I gave up. I kept hearing myself saying "sophistry"