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A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy
Here are the chief riches of more than 3,000 years of Indian philosophical thought-the ancient Vedas, the Upanisads, the epics, the treatises of the heterodox and orthodox systems, the commentaries of the scholastic period, and the contemporary writings. Introductions and interpretive commentaries are provided.
684 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1957
About the author
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
145 books241 followersBharat Ratna Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice-President of India (1952–1962) and subsequently the second President of India (1962–1967).
One of India's most influential scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Radhakrishnan is thought of as having built a bridge between the East and the West by showing that the philosophical systems of each tradition are comprehensible within the terms of the other. He wrote authoritative exegeses of India's religious and philosophical literature for the English speaking world. His academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921-?) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–1952).
Among the many honours he received were a knighthood (1931), the Bharat Ratna (1954) and the Order of Merit in 1963. His birthday is celebrated in India as Teacher's Day.
One of India's most influential scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Radhakrishnan is thought of as having built a bridge between the East and the West by showing that the philosophical systems of each tradition are comprehensible within the terms of the other. He wrote authoritative exegeses of India's religious and philosophical literature for the English speaking world. His academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921-?) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–1952).
Among the many honours he received were a knighthood (1931), the Bharat Ratna (1954) and the Order of Merit in 1963. His birthday is celebrated in India as Teacher's Day.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 4, 2015
A gem of Indian Philosophy.
My favorite was the Epic Period. Really well-written and well-commented.
I think Radhakrishnan was once the President of India. Almost unbelievable that a politician can have such philosophical depth. Shows how much India values wisdom of a man.
My favorite was the Epic Period. Really well-written and well-commented.
I think Radhakrishnan was once the President of India. Almost unbelievable that a politician can have such philosophical depth. Shows how much India values wisdom of a man.
March 30, 2013
First read this book for a university class 30 years ago and hung in to it all these years. Dug it out recently and took it along on a trip to India, re-reading it as we toured Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu, Varanasi, and a Buddhist site in Sarnath. A solid introduction to basic eastern theology, breadth rather than depth. While a couple of texts are presented completely—Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras—most of the book are excerpts from major texts.
November 24, 2008
Some of the translations are a little archaic but as a collection it is about as complete as you'll find. It's also a good source for infrequently referenced but important schools of thought -- try finding Carvaka or Vaisheshika at Barnes and Noble... A solid collection, but you'll want to find more contemporary translations with notes on the Sanskrit for major works like the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.
December 3, 2020
This book hass been crafted in the best possible manner. It stands out significantly and more so gives the reader a vivid image of the Indian Philosophical Tradition.
It is all encompassing yet so lucid as to be understood by any novice. The book through its prose also answers few most important philosophical questions related to life in general. And the overall flawlessness is added by directed quotations from the philosophical texts.
In terms of the textual translation of the philosophical history, this book stands at a very high pedestal in context of the Indian Philosophical Tradition.
It is all encompassing yet so lucid as to be understood by any novice. The book through its prose also answers few most important philosophical questions related to life in general. And the overall flawlessness is added by directed quotations from the philosophical texts.
In terms of the textual translation of the philosophical history, this book stands at a very high pedestal in context of the Indian Philosophical Tradition.
June 11, 2021
Uno sguardo fulgido ed esaustivo, pur nella sinteticità della descrizione di ogni corrente, sulla complessa molteplicità della spiritualità indiana, nella sua componente religiosa ed ancor di più filosofica. Per giungere alla conoscenza completa della singola dottrina non è il libro adatto, ma sicuramente è uno splendido avvio iniziatico all'animo indiano.
October 21, 2012
A very useful resource if you are beginning to study classical Indian philosophy. It covers most of the main schools and for each section there is a concise, but useful introduction to the source material and the main themes these explore.
Deeper study probably requires more extensive examination of whole primary texts, but this offers the student a good starting point.
Deeper study probably requires more extensive examination of whole primary texts, but this offers the student a good starting point.
August 30, 2007
Acclaimed translations of many essential texts including the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanisads along with commentary and historical context. Excellent.
September 5, 2012
A comprehensive textbook on Indian Philosophy by the man whose Birthday is celebrated as Teacher's Day in India
July 16, 2026
This took me an enormous amount of time to read for the simple fact that it isn't very enjoyable when done cover-to-cover (which is what I did). I don't know if its because my Zoomer brain has a fried attention span or because the rendered English is a bit archaic but some sections were genuinely painful to get through (I.e: Nyaya through Purva Mimamsa especially). The Upanishads and Gita translations were also a little wonky and awkward. There were quite literally only two contemporary philosophers, with one of them being one of the co-authors. I'm an absolute amateur in regards to this kind of thing but wouldn't either Savarkar, Tagore, or Gandhi be worth at least including snippets of?
Also, the sections themselves were heavily focused on (very dense) metaphysics, natural philosophy, theology, formal logic, hermeneutics, etc with very little being on things like politics or ethics (which are my favourite subfields) and nothing on aesthetics. I'm not at all surprised that the Germans found Indian philosophy rather attractive considering their own tendency towards obscurantism (looking at you Hegal!). Not to mention the language itself is very hard to parse and occurs in an fairly unintuitive structure. As such, the Laws of Manu and Arthashastra are probably the most relevant out of the many texts here (which is not a high bar) if you're at all invested in the same things I am. This was a bit of shock for me because I come out of the Ancient Greek and Chinese tradition, which does do speculative metaphysics sometimes, but there is also a substantial component devoted to "practical philosophy" in materialistic term, the latter of which seems to be somewhat alien to the great Indian thinkers.
It does get at least an OK rating because it did kinda do what it promised competently.
Probably never reading this again but am glad I did read it at least once to at least get a sample of a foreign intellectual tradition to me. May this Goodreads Review be proof I did at least survey this.
Also, the sections themselves were heavily focused on (very dense) metaphysics, natural philosophy, theology, formal logic, hermeneutics, etc with very little being on things like politics or ethics (which are my favourite subfields) and nothing on aesthetics. I'm not at all surprised that the Germans found Indian philosophy rather attractive considering their own tendency towards obscurantism (looking at you Hegal!). Not to mention the language itself is very hard to parse and occurs in an fairly unintuitive structure. As such, the Laws of Manu and Arthashastra are probably the most relevant out of the many texts here (which is not a high bar) if you're at all invested in the same things I am. This was a bit of shock for me because I come out of the Ancient Greek and Chinese tradition, which does do speculative metaphysics sometimes, but there is also a substantial component devoted to "practical philosophy" in materialistic term, the latter of which seems to be somewhat alien to the great Indian thinkers.
It does get at least an OK rating because it did kinda do what it promised competently.
Probably never reading this again but am glad I did read it at least once to at least get a sample of a foreign intellectual tradition to me. May this Goodreads Review be proof I did at least survey this.
March 23, 2025
Although the president has a figurehead position in India, Radhakrishnan served as India's president. This book shows his great spiritual depth and contrasts contemporary India's extremism. His lucid commentary makes the classic Indian philosophy texts, daunting in appearance, fluid and free. I loved the section of Mahabharata that we know as Bhagwat Geeta and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
January 7, 2021
What can I say, it's an anthology of source material of various Indian philosophies. I would have enjoyed some more commentary throughout the book but as a source book it functions as advertised. I plan on investigating Jainism and Buddhism further.
January 28, 2019
Wonderful compilation.
Want to Read
June 19, 2022Mentions Calvin's institutes
Read
August 22, 2025Clearly dated, but still a worthwhile collection.
January 14, 2026
A bit old, but still a treasure trove that should be on anyone interested in Eastern Philosophy’s shelf!
February 19, 2026
Concise collection of the key sources of sanatana dharma texts. Also includes heterodox Buddhist and Jain texts.
Great intro to the study of this eternal religion.
Great intro to the study of this eternal religion.
July 15, 2023
As the name suggests its a first hand view of Vedas and Sutras of hindu shat darshan along with a commentary, as opposed to a derivative reflecting an opinion of the author. Wish there were more on Indian philosophy like this. Dr. Radhakrishnan gives it the much needed credibility when studying such an important subject, and Moore does a brilliant job of organising, articulating and simplifying things. Very expensive book, yet worth a lot more than the price tag.
January 25, 2022
If you are looking for a handbook on Indian philosophy which is not just scratching the surface, or steeped in esotericism - you found your book. This book has a rather academic flair which would not make this a fun read, unless, you are primed for such content (like I am).
March 8, 2011
Very comprehensive collection of ancient Scripture from South Asia
June 25, 2012
An amazing book.... must for those who are interested in knowing Indian things... since the books contains more than philosophy....
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews