Translations of the Gita that aren’t too frustrating

Friends, I’ve been teaching the Bhagavad Gītā in Indian philosophy and World philosophy courses for over a decade, as well as incorporating selections of the Gītā into other course offerings. I’ve yet to use a version that isn’t frustrating. Even those that Continue reading Translations of the Gita that aren’t too frustrating

What happens when the Veda prescribes malefic actions? Vīrarāghavācārya’s take on the Śyena

To my knowledge, Veṅkaṭanātha’s Seśvaramīmāṃsā (henceforth SM) has been commented upon only once in Sanskrit, namely in the 20th c. by Abhinava Deśika Vīrarāghavācārya. Vīrarāghavācārya continues Veṅkaṭanātha’s agenda in reinterpreting Mīmāṃsā tenets in a Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta way.

Insults, Slurs, and Other Pejorative Speech

Anyone who is familiar with premodern Indian philosophy written in Sanskrit knows that philosophers were not above using insults in their work. J.M. Verpoorten (2002) has a paper collecting these insults, which include akṛta-buddhi (having an unformed mind), paśu (animal, Continue reading Insults, Slurs, and Other Pejorative Speech

Call for Papers, Prabuddha Bharata “Thoughts on Yoga”

Submitted to the blog by Swami Narasimhananda: Prabuddha Bharata is a monthly English journal devoted to the social sciences and the humanities started in 1896 by Swami Vivekananda and is in its 123rd year now. The January 2019 issue of Prabuddha Bharata Continue reading Call for Papers, Prabuddha Bharata “Thoughts on Yoga”

Why should one study the meaning of the Veda? I.e., why studying Mīmāṃsā? (It is hard to present your research program to the public)

At a certain point in the history of Mīmāṃsā (and, consequently, of Vedānta), the discussion of the reasons for undertaking the study of Mīmāṃsā becomes a primary topic of investigation. When did this exactly happen? The space dedicated to the Continue reading Why should one study the meaning of the Veda? I.e., why studying Mīmāṃsā? (It is hard to present your research program to the public)