Vedanta in Sri Rudram: An Exposition of the Rudram in the Light of Modern Thought

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This book will be of great value to those who seek Self Knowledge. Although the Rudrapraśna is considered to epitomize the karma kanda, each subsequent reading of this exploration will offer greater insight into the essential Vedantic thought that informs the mantras.

Generally, people chant the Rudram without much awareness of what it conveys. This teaching helps us understand the mantras and appreciate the vision of oneness or sameness they present. It also encourages us to rise above the limitations imposed by dogma to recognize that Isvara alone is manifest as all that exists.

'You may start the religious life with an idea of a localized God, but it is important to rise above that conditioning,' Swami Tattvavidananda says. 'You have to reach a point where you recognize that God is everywhere, or better still, everywhere is God. Every spiritual aspirant will know that in the context of Vedanta, there can be no better ideal to emulate than what these words of advice convey.

Swami Tattvavidananda Saraswati is a Scientist-turned-philosopher, having had his Vedic education in childhood, first under the tutelage of his father, a well-known Vedanta scholar, late Brahmasri Rani Narasimha Sastry, Mahamahopadhyaya and President Award winner. Excelled in his Vedic studies even at the tender age of 11, he was encouraged by his teachers to pursue modern academic studies too and thus he did his doctorate in chemistry while nurturing his Vedic roots. He also pursued his Sanskrit studies and earned a doctorate in Sanskrit as well.

After a successful stint in a public sector undertaking as a Scientist, he left the service to enter that field which is close to his heart viz. teaching Vedanta. He later became a sanyasin-disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswathi of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, and acquired greater insights in Advaita philosophy and thus dedicated himself to study and teaching of Advaita philosophy. He has provided excellent Telugu translations to Shankara Bhashyam of several Upanishads and several English books of Advatic literature authored by him, have become very popular in all over the World.

Special mention has to be made to his monumental work of commenting on Vyasa Bhagavatham, coming in three volumes. He was awarded "Sahitya Puraskar" for his work Bhagavatha Sapthaham in Telugu. An eminent teacher much sought after USA, Europe, and India, he also finds time to promote a number of service activites. Swamiji was honored with the coveted title Mahamahopadhyaya by Rashtriya Samskrita Samsthanam, Tirupati for his contributions to teaching and writings of Vedanta.

The pivotal role of the Rudrapraśna in the Hindu tradition is well known. The mantras in it represent important aspects of rituals or karma and are an integral part of temple worship. However, in this book, Swami Tatvavidananda reveals elements of the Rudrapraśna that are less well understood. He teaches that apart from their significant association with prayer, these mantras exemplify the tremendous vision of don Vedanta as well. Being that it is not something traditionally associated with the Rudram, this book offers a fresh and unique perspective on the subject.

The commentaries of Sri Sayana and Sri Bhatta Bhaskara are a valuable introduction to these Vedic mantras. Swamiji uses them as the foundation for his own explanations, but these commentators largely focus on the karma and upasana, so the vision of the rishi does not always come through. In truth, much of what passes for conformity to tradition nola adi attests not to the vision of the seer but to the interpretation of the commentator.

Swamiji's effort has been to examine the entire context creatively and with an independent understanding, and he gamierit thus presents a very interesting and novel approach to the study of the verses themselves.

**Contents and Sample Pages**