Table of Contents

Abbreviations Introduction 1.The Human Problem The Limits of Knowledge The Limits of Wealth The Limits of Pleasure The Reflective Life 2. The Requirements of Discipleship The Necessity of Virtue Viveka Vairagya Samadisatkasampatti Mumuksutva Sadhana Catustaya and the Immediacy of Knowledge Eligibility for Discipleship and the Caste System 3. The Nature of the Atman Overcoming the Human Problem Who Am I? The Atman and the Body The Atman and the Mind The Atman as Awareness The Atman as Timeless The Atman as Ananda The Atman as Non-dual 4. The Source of Valid Knowledge The Significance of a Valid Means of Knowledge The Limits of Perception and Inference The Vedas as the Means of Knowledge for Brahman Knowledge and the Attainment of Brahman The Self-Revealing Nature of Brahman Ignorance as Incomplete Knowledge of Brahman Knowledge and Experience The Dilemma of Knowing the Knower Non-dual Experience and Non-dual Knowledge The Teacher and the Text Brahman as Ultimate Mystery 5. Brahman as the World Denying the Reality and Value of the World The Origin of the World from Brahman Brahman as Intelligent and Material Cause The Universe as Non-different from Brahman The Doctrine of Maya Asymmetrical Relationship between Brahman and World Is the World an Illusion? World as Celebrative Expression of Brahman Seeing the One and the Many 6. Brahman as God Brahman as Nirgunand Saguna Are Hierarchies in Brahman Necessary? The Problem of Change and Activity in Brahman The Problem of Substance and Attributes The Problem of Purpose The Value of the Creation of Brahman 7. Liberation The Nature of Ignorance Liberation as Identical with the Nature of Brahman Embodied or Living Liberation Liberation as Freedom from Desire Liberation as the Attainment of Fullness of Self Liberation as Freedom from Mortality Liberation as Freedom from the Cycles of Rebirth Liberation as Freedom from Karma Liberation as Freedom in Action Liberation as Identification with All Beings Liberation as Knowing Brahman to be Self and God Notes Index

About the Author

Anantanand Rambachan is Professor of Religion at St. Olaf College and is the author of several books, including The Limits of Scripture: Vivekananda's Reinterpretation of the Vedas.

Reviews

"This is a fine introduction to, and argument for a reinterpretation of, Advaita Vedonta by a scholar who is also an Advaitin. The book is thus constructive in two senses; it is theological and largely positive, while still solid scholarship. Such a combination, especially done well, is rare."