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Swami Vivekananda: Hinduism And India'S Road To Modernity
Publisher:
HarperCollins
| Author:
Makarand R. Paranjape
| Language:
English
| Format:
Paperback
Publisher:
HarperCollins
Author:
Makarand R. Paranjape
Language:
English
Format:
Paperback
Original price was: ₹499.₹399Current price is: ₹399.
In stock
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ISBN:
Page Extent:
336
Arguably, the greatest achievement of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most celebrated icons of modern India, was the reconstruction of Hinduism. This he accomplished by reforming the religion in India and changing its image in the West. Indeed, the Hinduism that Vivekananda expounded at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago was a new, progressive version of an ancient tradition, devoid of the superstitions and distortions with which it had come to be associated. He revolutionized Hindu faith traditions by turning them into a repository of rational, universal philosophy. This book tries to get to the heart of Swami Vivekananda’s legacy and his relevance in the contemporary world. It examines hitherto lesser-known aspects of Swamiji’s life and work including his contributions to practical Vedanta, universal religion, science-spirituality and inter-religious dialogue, dharmic secularism, educational philosophy, poetry, and, above all, to the problem of Indian modernity. Despite the abundance of literature available on him, Swami Vivekananda is still not understood adequately, remaining somewhat of an enigma. A fresh reading of the life and times of the Swami by someone who has studied him closely, Makarand R. Paranjape’s detailed, thought-provoking account shows that in Vivekananda’s visionary thoughts lay the seeds of the creation of a modern India. This book reclaims Swami Vivekananda’s stature as a pioneer of contemporary Hindu thought and nationalism.
Reviews
Description
Arguably, the greatest achievement of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most celebrated icons of modern India, was the reconstruction of Hinduism. This he accomplished by reforming the religion in India and changing its image in the West. Indeed, the Hinduism that Vivekananda expounded at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago was a new, progressive version of an ancient tradition, devoid of the superstitions and distortions with which it had come to be associated. He revolutionized Hindu faith traditions by turning them into a repository of rational, universal philosophy. This book tries to get to the heart of Swami Vivekananda’s legacy and his relevance in the contemporary world. It examines hitherto lesser-known aspects of Swamiji’s life and work including his contributions to practical Vedanta, universal religion, science-spirituality and inter-religious dialogue, dharmic secularism, educational philosophy, poetry, and, above all, to the problem of Indian modernity. Despite the abundance of literature available on him, Swami Vivekananda is still not understood adequately, remaining somewhat of an enigma. A fresh reading of the life and times of the Swami by someone who has studied him closely, Makarand R. Paranjape’s detailed, thought-provoking account shows that in Vivekananda’s visionary thoughts lay the seeds of the creation of a modern India. This book reclaims Swami Vivekananda’s stature as a pioneer of contemporary Hindu thought and nationalism.
About Author
Makarand R. Paranjape is Professor and Chairperson, Centre for English Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was educated at St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Masters and PhD in English. He is the author/editor of over forty books and has published over 150 book chapters, refereed papers, and academic articles. His latest publications include @The Death and Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi," "Making India: Colonialism, National Culture, and the Afterlife of Indian English Authority," and "Body Offering," a novel. He is currently the inaugural DAAD-Erich Auerbach Visiting Chair in Global Literary Studies at the University of Tubingen, Germany
Reviews
I consider that, we should first read a person before worshipping him, that will make more advantages in our lives. Especially Vivekananda, by reading him, I have completely changed myself. This book is one of the best books written of Swamiji. Everyone who is curious about Swamiji, should read this book.
As we know, for the Western world, Swamiji was a representative of India’s cultural and religious spirit. But in India, he was a staunch social reformer, who wanted to dismiss every ill-rituals like the birth-based caste system and promoted education of women. The first chapter traces his activities from the time of parliament of World religions to his death.
Then, the author discusses Swamiji’s early life and how he came in contact with his master, Sri Ram-Krishna Dev. Author discussed why a large part of 18th century Bengali ‘Bhadraloks’ were deeply influenced by Ram-Krishna Dev.
Was the Hinduism a globalized version of the original ancient Indian faith? Was it inspired by colonialization? The author answers many questions like these which were quite satisfactory.
In today’s World, representative of all the religions claim that, their religion is the true science. But we all know that truth can’t be confined in one holy eternal truth. According to Swamiji, in 18th century, when all religious foundations were being destroyed by the hard blow of the hammer of modern science, Hindus must reconstruct their religious foundations to survive. Author described that Swamiji has tried to connect the missing common dots of the double helix, science and religion.
My favorite chapter was that about the reconstruction of national education system according to Swamiji’s guidance. This chapter is the most important chapter in the book. Author present’s Swamiji’s poetic spirit by introducing us to poems and songs composed by him.
We know that the word ‘modern’ is a European construct. But as author suggests, there can’t be only one version of modernity, that is a true decolonial approach. Author just not tells us about the importance of modernity in India, but also introduces us about ‘Indian Modernity’, which is a combination of ancient spirituality and modern science, that will lead us to a glorious future. As the author said, “what appears to be tradition has been reinvented in modern times and what is patently modern has its roots deep in the seedbed of tradition”.
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akash_dwip_datta (verified owner) –
I consider that, we should first read a person before worshipping him, that will make more advantages in our lives. Especially Vivekananda, by reading him, I have completely changed myself. This book is one of the best books written of Swamiji. Everyone who is curious about Swamiji, should read this book.
As we know, for the Western world, Swamiji was a representative of India’s cultural and religious spirit. But in India, he was a staunch social reformer, who wanted to dismiss every ill-rituals like the birth-based caste system and promoted education of women. The first chapter traces his activities from the time of parliament of World religions to his death.
Then, the author discusses Swamiji’s early life and how he came in contact with his master, Sri Ram-Krishna Dev. Author discussed why a large part of 18th century Bengali ‘Bhadraloks’ were deeply influenced by Ram-Krishna Dev.
Was the Hinduism a globalized version of the original ancient Indian faith? Was it inspired by colonialization? The author answers many questions like these which were quite satisfactory.
In today’s World, representative of all the religions claim that, their religion is the true science. But we all know that truth can’t be confined in one holy eternal truth. According to Swamiji, in 18th century, when all religious foundations were being destroyed by the hard blow of the hammer of modern science, Hindus must reconstruct their religious foundations to survive. Author described that Swamiji has tried to connect the missing common dots of the double helix, science and religion.
My favorite chapter was that about the reconstruction of national education system according to Swamiji’s guidance. This chapter is the most important chapter in the book. Author present’s Swamiji’s poetic spirit by introducing us to poems and songs composed by him.
We know that the word ‘modern’ is a European construct. But as author suggests, there can’t be only one version of modernity, that is a true decolonial approach. Author just not tells us about the importance of modernity in India, but also introduces us about ‘Indian Modernity’, which is a combination of ancient spirituality and modern science, that will lead us to a glorious future. As the author said, “what appears to be tradition has been reinvented in modern times and what is patently modern has its roots deep in the seedbed of tradition”.