Vedic Wisdom, Cultural Inheritance and Contemporary Life

by S.R. Bhatt

The book contains papers pertaining to the Vedic wisdom and Indian culture both in classical and contemporary contexts. It is an outcome of the study of classical literature with a positive and constructive mind. At places, it is a creative interpretation and reconstruction of the traditional ideas with a view to restoring their pristine purity and removing the contamination they have suffered from perverting influences due to travesty of history.

But for all these exercises there is sufficient basis in the Vedic literature. In undertaking this task the author is guided by the firm belief that no culture can survive and thrive if its seminal ideas, key concepts and fundamental doctrines get fossilized and sterilized and do not admit of creative interpretation and reconstruction in keeping with the needs and aspirations of the particular age. The Vedic wisdom has displayed this vitality and that is why it has withstood the onslaughts of adversaries and vagaries of time.

About the Author:

Professor Siddheshwar Rameshwar Bhatt (b. 24 April 1939) is an eminent philosopher, Sanskritist and profound thinker. He is a senior professor and former Head of Department and Co-ordinator of UGC Special Assistance Programme in Philosophy, Delhi University. He has authored several books and research papers. He has lectured in many universities and research institutes of India, Japan, China, North Korea, Turkey, United States, Trinidad and Germany. An internationally known authority on Ancient Indian culture, Buddhism and Vedanta, he has been the General President of the Indian Philosophical Congress and All India Philosophy Association. He is a member of the Federation of the International Societies of Philosophy, World Association of Vedic Studies, Society for Comparative and Asian Philosophy, and International Vedanta Congress.