Theos-Talk Archives (July 1998 Message tt00183)

Here is a book that may outline some of the views that Allan
holds:

A Vaisnava Interpretation of the Brahmasutras : Vedanta and Theism
(Indian Thought, Vol 3)
by Rampada Chattopadhyay, Kanti Chattopadhyay (Translator)

Hardcover (February 1992) Brill Academic Pub; ISBN: 9004095705

Book Description

Brahmasutras [BS] is a corpus of Vedanta. Although an interpretation of
the central teachings of Upanisads, BS has itself been a subject of
numerous hermeneutical forays. It somehow suited the
Orientalist and Hindu scholars since the early 19th century to promote
one interpretation of this seminal text, viz., from the monistic view of
Advaita. Radically different trajectories of Hindu cultural self
understanding were by and large ignored: one re-interpretative attempt
comes from the Vaisnava
followers of Sri Caintanya. Sri Rampada Chattopadhyay in this volume
attempts such a novel reading. His basic thesis is: the Bhagavata Purana
or Srimad Bhagavata, a key scripture in Vaisnava
theology, was the best available commentary on the original BS. In other
words, as Professor Matilal explains in his Preface, in order to
understand the theistic and devotional nature of religious
philosophy that underlies Vedanta, one has to depend upon the
theological teachings of the Bhagavata. Chattopadhyay draws on these
teachings to correlate with issues pondered upon in the
Upanisads, and their subsequent influence on Vedanta, the Brahmasutras
in particular. He follows the traditional pattern of commenting on each
section and chapter. . . While copiously elucidating on the Vaisnava
approach,
he engages in criticism of Samsupkara and other Vedanta commentators on
BS. The book is of immense importance to scholars and students in this
late phase of Indian thought.



Allan wrote:
>
>
>
>
>      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>      From: "Daniel H Caldwell" <blafoun@azstarnet.com>
>      Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 12:47:41 -0700
> Subject: A Request to Allan
>
>      No one should assume that their point of
>      view is clear as mud to everyone else.
>
> You are right of course.  Mine clearly isn't and I can't explain it
> any clearer than I have.
>
>
>
>      For those interested in following up on
>      your views, can you recommend any good
>      books on the subject?  The view you
>      give is well known in India and there
>      are books on Indian mysticism that
>      expound on what you have written.
>      Can you give us a few titles that
>      show the pro and con concerning
>      the view you are advocating?
>
> Yes the view is well known in Indian but perhaps I dreamed that up
> fact up as well.
> I would suggest material detailing the life of Lord Caitanya, the
> Isoipanisad and the Brahma Samhita.
> All three of these are sold by ISKCON.  My views are broadly in line
> with theirs but I find them dogmatic, non yogic and they appear to
> have little comprehension of higher states of mind.  Notwithstanding
> this, I have found some of their material extremely helpful.
>
> However if you want books to explain my entire position, I am afraid I
> will have to write my own because my position has not been created by
> the words of others but from my own life, memory, spiritual practise
> and experience.
>
> I understand that from the Theo point of view, I am just a nut.
>
>
>      Allan
>