Author: Swami Tattvavidananda Sraswati
Publisher: D K Printworld
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 104
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8124602654
Description
The atman (soul), in the Eastern belief system, is eternal, immortal. The phenomenon of (physical) death is, thus, nothing but its disembodiment and its reincarnation in a new body. And what determine as atman’s choice of a new body is the law of karma — the merits and demerits of one’s actions in the present life.
The notions of karma and reincarnation constitute the fundamental tenets of Indian thinking; though these, like many other doctrinal beliefs, are hard to prove/disprove in purely rationalistic or even empirical terms. Swami Muni Narayana Prasad looks afresh at these age-old doctrinal beliefs — from the viewpoint of an Advaitin (non-dualist), developing stimulating insights from his studies of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita the Brahma Sutras and, these besides, the works of his mentor: Narayana Guru. Contextually, among other questions, his book also dwells on Ultimate Reality, Birth and Death, and the Two Paths: Devayana (the path of gods) and Pitriyana (the path of manes), which either the souls take to after death.
Contents
PREFACE
PRELUDE
1. Vedic References
2. Artabhaga’s Doubt and the Mystery of Karma
3. What is Karma and Who Does it?
Karma and Brahman
4. What is Birth and Death ?
Death, a Part of the Life Cycle
5. The Two Paths
A Third Path
The Paths of Jnanins and Ajnanins
6. In the Katha Upanishad
7. In the Bhagavad Gita
The Case of the Yoga Bhrashta
As Part of the Perishable
One Ishvara Alone Continues
8. In the Brahma Sutras
Birth is Decided by Karma
Good and Evil Actions
9. Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
INDEX