The Cultural Heritage of India (Volume III - The Philosophies)

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From the Jacket:

THE PRESENT volume tells the story of the attempts made by India down the ages to grapple with the fundamental problems of life and thought. Philosophy in India began with a quest after the highest truth-truth not as mere objective certitude, but as being closely linked with the development of personally and leading to the attainment of the highest freedom, bliss, and wisdom. It demanded, therefore, not only a philosophical discipline of reasoning, but also a discipline of conduct and the control of emotions and passions.

THUS THE synthesis between deep philosophical analysis and lofty spiritual discipline is an abiding feature of Indian philosophy, and in this its outlook is entirely different from that of western philosophy.

IT IS hoped that this volume will serve not only to make plain the spiritual aspirations of an ancient nation, but also to show the relevance of those aspirations to the modern world and thus forge a powerful link in the chain of human fellowship and universal concord.

THE FIRST volume, with an Introduction by Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishan, includes contributions by thirty-one scholars about early Indian life and culture. It traces the growth of the two great Indian ideals-unity in diversity and divinity of man (pp. lxiv + 652 & 9 illustrations).

THE SECOND volume, with an Introduction by Dr C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar and contributions from thirty-eight scholars, reaffirms India's ideals and shows how they bind together diverse races into a common pattern (pp. xxviii + 738).

THE THIRD volume, with an Introduction by Dr Surendranath Dasgupta and contributions from thirty-five scholars, presents India philosophy in its different aspects. Again a thread of unity is discernible among them (pp. xxi + 695 & 6 illustrations).

THE FOURTH volume has an Introduction by Dr Bhagavan Das and contributions from forty-four scholars. It is a study of Hinduism and India's other religions (pp. xix + 775 & 3 illustrations).

THE FIFTH volume carries an Introduction by Dr K.M. Munshi and contributions from fifty other scholars. It deals with the literary heritage of India right from the deals with the literary heritage of India right from the Vedic times. The volume elaborately brings out the basic unity of Indian culture and civilization through the fusion of Sanskrit, and Sanskritic languages with the Dravidian, Austric, and Sino-Tibetan languages (pp. xxv + 839).

THE SIXTH volume, with an Introduction by Dr Raja Ramanna and contributions from twenty-nine other distinguished scientists, presents a connected account of India's achievements in science and technology (pp. xx + 550 & 25 illustrations).

Excerpts From Review:

THE FIRST historic work of the combined intelligence of all India giving a complete and connected story of her culture and civilization. It is monument of Indian co-operative research in history, philosophy, religion, fine arts, exact sciences, economics, politics, literature, and sociology.

This is the first and at present the only systematic, and so far as it goes, authoritative encyclopedia of Indian culture. The printing and the get-up are simply superb. - The Philosophical Quarterly, India.

One of the most notable enterprises of its kind yet attempted in any Asiatic country reached fruition in India recently with the publication of three volumes in which a survey is made of the whole field of Indian religion, history, and culture. - The Straits Times, Singapore, S.S.

The Cultural Heritage of India is a monumental compendium of the treasures of Indian thought of centuries. - Romain Rolland

The volumes are a contribution of the highest value to all students of Indian thought. - Professor A.B. Keith, Edinburgh.

I feel positive that the publication of these volumes will prove to be of great service not only to India, but also to the rest of the world, where ignorance of India and Indian culture has been a very great obstacle to the due appreciation of the part played by India and Indians in the civilization and progress of the world. - General J.B.M. Hertzog, sometime Prime Minister of the Union f South Africa.

A work that is encyclopaedic in scope…The vigour with which India is asserting her individuality and cultural importance points towards a renaissance that will enrich not only India, but the rest of the world as well. - The New York Times, New York.

We get from this encyclopaedic book the impression of a people who at their best display the most exquisite refinement of feeling, the subtlest grace, the nicest delicacy…And it may happen that it well be to India, as well as to Palestine, that we shall have to look for the spirit which will unite men in building a Kingdom of God upon earth. -The Times Literary Supplement, London.