Discovering the Rigveda [Hardcover]

Language: English. This book does not present a statistically representative sample of the subjects addressed in the hymns of the Rigveda. Repetitive praise of divinities like Agni, Indra and the Soma drink occupy a large proportion of the work; only some examples are reproduced in this book. Attention is focused instead on the most precious features of the Rigveda, which even perceptive Western scholars have not noticed adequately: the ethical orientation which was to find resonance in postSangam Tamil poetry; insight into the working of the human mind and motivation, as in the poem on the losing gambler, which anticipates Vyasa's Yudhishtira and Dostoevsky's tragic hero; bold confronting of a subject as challenging as incest; existential introspection ('What thing I truly am, I know not'); and the speculation by the Rigvedic sages, who were the world's earliest freethinkers, on the possible but not necessary existence of a Creator God. In addition to presenting the memorable features of the untampered Rigveda, this book surveys the ritualridden and casteist (not to say racist) Brahminism that supplanted the Rigvedic ethos. It also discusses the subsequent softening and humanising of Brahminism by reforming influences : the nobler Upanishads; the rationalist Charvaka thinkers; the compassionate teaching of Mahavira and Buddha; the texts on Dharma and the epics which, though mainly Brahminist in tenor, include passages with a humanist import; and the Bhakti movement. About The Author: G.N.S. Raghavan entered journalism in 1974, serving his apprenticeship under Khasa Subba Rau, Freedom fighter, who was at that time editorpublisher of the English weekly Swatantra, Madras. Coming to Delhi in 1949 join the Thought weekly under the editorship of Arthur Moore, he worked for the Indian Express as political correspondent in Delhi for more than five years. He later served in several media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and was Secretary of the Second Press Commission (198082). Among his works are Introducing India, published by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He wrote jointly with Aruna Asaf Ali a Study of Jawaharlal Nehru under the title Private Face of a Public Person and The Resurgence of Indian Women, both sponsored by the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library. He is the author of The Making of Modern India, Forty Years of the a World's Largest Democracy, and Development and Communication in India?all Published by Gyan. Contents: Preface Introduction Creation of Universe, beings and Social Division Hindu Sources of Religious Knowledge Shudra's or Low Caste's Right to a Supreme Knoledge Aryan Gods Versus Caste Worship of GodImpersonal, Personal and Social Shudra's Concept of Indian HistoryGlorious Spots are Thirs or the Periods of Social Homogeneity Real Merits and Demerits Shudras to Atishudras Working of Nature's Laws Modern India Background Personalities of its Universal Constitution Glimpses of Universal Science of Life Towards the Source of Light and Power Lawless StateA Dalit Girl Protects Her Honour by Losing One Arm Basic Tenets of Hindu Philosophy The Liberator of Indian Slavish PsycheSwami Vivekananda Appendices Index. The Title 'Discovering the Rigveda written/authored/edited by G.N.S. Raghavan', published in the year 2009. The ISBN 9788178357782 is assigned to the Hardcover version of this title. This book has total of pp. 200 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Kalpaz Publications. This Book is in English. The subject of this book is RELIGION / PHILOSOPHY. Size of the book is 14.34 x 22.59 cms Vol: 200.…