Chaturvedi Badrinath: A Unity of Life and Other Essays

Chaturvedi Badrinath (1933‒2010), a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, 2009, for his work The Mahābhārata: An Inquiry in the Human Condition, was a passionate scholar of Indian philosophy, strikingly original in his approach. An Indian Administrative Service officer for 31 years, he delivered lectures on the concept of dharma and its application in modern times for which he drew extensively from the Mahabharata. In 1995, he was invited by The Times of India to contribute essays on Indian philosophy and thought. In the form of lucid discourses for the layperson, these dealt with dharma as the foundation of civilization. Ranging over perceptions of the self and the other; different ways of ordering society in Jainism, Islam, and Christianity; the paradox of sex; the roots of violence; and the quest for truth and peace, these essays gained wide acclaim and popularity. Badrinath’s daughter, Tulsi Badrinath, brings these essays together to present the reader with a book that explains the complex ideas of Indian philosophy in simple and accessible language. In 1995, Chaturvedi Badrinath was invited to write a series of short articles, of about 1,000 words each, on diverse topics related to Indian philosophy and thought, by the 'Times of India'. They were published over a period of time beginning 1995 to wide acclaim. The aim was to engage the ordinary reader, who was perhaps unacquainted with formal Philosophy, but was in search of meaning in the midst of the pressures of modern life. In a world increasingly filled with fear, violence, and terrorism, ordinary people seek ways in which to order their lives. Badrinath had an entirely original approach to the six darsanas or worldviews. His thoughts were crystallized over a life spent in deep reflection and engagement with these seminal philosophies. He was able to render the most sophisticated ideas in language that was simple and accessible. Through his writing, the most ancient philosophy was shown to have immediate relevance to modern times. The current volume brings together 35 articles written by Chaturvedi Badrinath, edited by his daughter, Tulsi Badrinath In 1995, Chaturvedi Badrinath Contributed Essays To The Times Of India On Indian Philosophy And Thought. In Simple And Accessible Language, These Essays Range Over Perceptions Of The Self And The Other; Different Ways Of Ordering Society In Jainism, Islam, And Christianity; The Paradox Of Sex; The Roots Of Violence; And The Quest For Truth And Peace. Edited By Tulsi Badrinath. Essays Previously Published In The Times Of India.