Relevance of Self in the Bhagavad Gita to the Modern World

Contents: Foreword. Acknowledgements. Note regarding transliteration. 1. Introduction. 2. Metasphysics of self in Indian philosophy. 3. Relationship of the Bhagavad Gita with Sankhya, Patanjali's Yoga, Jainism and Buddhism. 4. Metaphysics of self in the Bhagavad Gita. 5. Essential nature of self as expounded by Sri Sankara and Sri Ramanuja. 6. Relevance of the self to the modern world. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

"The monograph reasonably elucidates the Svabhava of self within the societal context of Svadharma, i.e., performance of prescribed duties based on the Gunas through Niskamyakarma Yoga. It authoritatively exerts the scientific treatments of the self in Bhagavad Gita with the background of absolutism, theistic absolutism and realism of astika as well nastika systems; and highlights its uniqueness by comparing with Sankhya, Yoga, Jainism and Buddhism. It comprehensively analysis of commentaries of Sri Sankara and Sri Ramanuja; and, because of its modernity and practical applicability, advocates the latter's thematic principles.

This philosophical piece with necessary arguments emphasizes, that, the sthitaprajna, by performing is ordained duties with the right perspectives of varnasramadharma along with the sense of material detachment and sattvika jnana; and following the middle path with self determinism, he through the spiritual order could attain the final emancipation, i.e., mukti. The book authentically foresees the evolution of world religion; within which all sciences, all religions and all philosophical speculations confirm the selfless service for the welfare of world humanity; and through it, not only the individual selves but also the animate and inanimate beings merge with universal self, which in turn, unveils the secret, i.e., the ever dynamic spiritual energy engulfs the conscious and non-conscious entities of the cosmos." (jacket)