Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Availability of Vedarthasangraha translation

From the Bhakti List Archives

Mani Varadarajan • October 23, 2002 


Dear Friends,

Sri Ramanuja's "Vedarthasangraha" was translated into English
many years ago by the late Sri S.S. Raghavachar. Typical of
Dr. Raghavachar's writing, the translation is very readable
and conveys the grace and magnificence of Sri Ramanuja's words.
The work was published by Ramakrishna Ashrama and and had 
the added advantage of containing the original Sanskrit. 
Unfortunately, this edition has been out of print for several
years, making it even harder for someone to study the original
works of Sri Ramanuja.

Thankfully, Advaita Ashrama, one of the branches of the
Ramakrishna Mission, has recently reprinted this excellent
edition.  I highly recommend this work for those who want
to get first-hand experience of Sri Ramanuja's brilliance. 
Unlike Sribhashya or the Gitabhashya which by virtue of being
commentaries impose some restrictions on the author,
Vedarthasangraha is a free-flowing work entirely of 
Sri Ramanuja's creation.  Though the intention is to primarily
explore the meaning of 'tat tvam asi' and other significant
Vedanta vakyas, he discusses many other issues in a style
that is at once energetic, witty, and convincing. 
Prof. M. Hiriyanna described it as "an independent treatise
explaining in a masterly way his philosophic position, and
pointing out the basis for it in the Upanishads."

I don't know payment details, etc., but the Swami at 
Advaita Ashrama informed that they will airmail it to those
who are interested. Please email advaita@vsnl.com and 
address the letter to Swami Urukramananda, who will reply
and give you more information.

I should point out that the larger the response is to this
republication, the easier it will be to keep such an outstanding
translation in print.  Usually publishing houses like Advaita
Ashrama print 1000 copies which sell slowly over several years,
forcing them to take a heavy short-term loss. This makes them
reluctant to reprint these works regularly. There is a real
dearth of good English translations of Sri Ramanuja's works and
works of our tradition in general. I urge all of you to
least contact Advaita Ashrama to inquire about the book, and
if at all possible, to purchase it for yourselves and the future
generations of your family.

adiyen ramanuja dasan,
Mani









--------------------------------------------------------------
           - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -
To Post a message, send it to:   bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com
Group Home: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bhakti-list
Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/
 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/