________________
Review
(p. 118). What is needed is to interpret it in modern idiom, to bring it in relation to the common man, without ignoring or denying the advances in modern science and philosophy, For, Vedānta, according to him, is a science of the unknown, and the unknowable' (p. 111). Vedānta employs the 'tools of enquiry of which modern science can well be proud' (p. 112). To 'save the modern man from himself' ho needs must be taught that 'bappiness' is not to be sought in pleasures that the becoming' or the material world (praksti, māya) can bring, but in going beyond the limitations of ego, in reaching the being which transcends the 'becoming'. The true destiny of human life is not happiness but joy (ananda) which is peace transcendental.
The author therefore advocates reformulating the meanings of concepts lite māyā, satyam, tam, cit etc. Māya is measurement, relativity, which is the nature and condition of the external universe and life; and the truth of being (sat) lies beyond it. Cit is the being, and it is knowing when knowing is the same thing as being. (p. 115). Though man has to live within the limits of aham and maya, he can go beyond them. And it is here that Vedānta, understood in modern idiom, becomes a scheme af life'; with its discipline, tapas, vairūgya, it enables a man to go beyond the contra. dictions and polarities (dvandva-s) like pleasure and pain, life and death etc. From this point of view, the author outlines 'a day with Vedanta' (ch. 1) for the guidance of man, and chalks out a programme of work for Vedantins in a vital area of life (pp. 116-117).
The book is thus « spiritual guide for such who entertain faith (śraddha) and wish to rise up to the level of man's true spiritual being. Relating the exposition to man's practical need, using the modern scientific idiom to explain the terms of spiritual experience, method and practice, and writing in language which has the air of lucidity and charm of a 'Grandpa's wisdom' are some features of the book which bring it in the living present.
- G. K. Bbat
Nyayatātparyadipika of Bhatça Vagīśvara edited by Dr, Kishor Natha Jha, published by G. N. Jha Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Aljababad, 1979, pp. 20+160+50, price not mentioned,
This work is a commentary on the Nyāyas atras, edited by Dr. Kishor Nath Jha on the basis of the only available manuscript preserved in the Govt. Oriental Manuscript Library of Madras. It is learnt that the Library procured the manuscript from Kerala. Hence it is conjectured that the author Bhatta Vāgiśvara should be a Southernor. Nothing is known about
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org