Mysticism and Symbolism in Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas [Hardcover]

The entire Vedic Literature had broadly speaking, four different and distinct stages of development over a period of thousands of years since the very pre-historic times. The Aranyakas or the Forest Texts constitute the third important class of literary work. Despite constituting a landmark and rather a turning point in the remarkable philosophic thought of the entire Vedic literature, the Aranyakas have, of the Vedic scholars/researchers. Whatever research had been undertaken in this branch of Vedic literature, it has, invariable, been perfunctory or at the most touched only on in significant aspect of the other wise, rich philosophic contents of the Hermit Texts. A significant feature of this book is that it undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the most intricate spiritual mysteries of the universe. Such deep-seated intricacies of philosophy have been extricated from a plethora of ritualistic moss and characteristically archaic language of the texts under study. The Suppreme-Being who transcends the duality of subject and object cannot, ipso facto be a field, of clear definition and demonstration, but inspite of such inherent limitations, the author has lucidly deciphered. His characteristics including. His omniscience/ omnipresence identity between the universal and individual souls, permeation of the latter even up to the ends of the hair in the human body etc. Even a cursory glance through the work reveals that these two principal Aranyakas are immensely rich in their metaphysical contents. The author has, rather boldly, brought out some of the then prevailing social superstitions like observing of odd omens, their ill-effects and pseudo-mysticism so much so that even the points of comparison and contrast between the two Aranyakas under study have also been meticulously, but briefly brought out. In short, the book presents a panoramic view of the Aryan culture including social conceptions in that hoary past. About The Author:- Dr. B.D. DHAWAM (b. 1926), has been an officer of the Punjab Civil Service and retired from that in 1984 as Deputy Secretary to Government of Punjab, Chandigarh (India). Before joining the service of the State Government, he had acquired the degree of Master of Arts in Economics. He has a vast experience of various civil, revenue, executive and magisterial posts in different districts of undivided State of Punjab (India) and also at the headquarter of the State Government. Despite such onerous administrative responsibilities, Dr. Dhawan’s deep-seated lure to unravel the mysteries of the Absolute-Being induced his for the formal study of Sanskrit language which is a store house of metaphysical knowledge, Starting, abinitio, with the study of this rich language, he passed M.A. in Sanskrit from the Punjab University, Chandigarh in 1977 and acquired the degree of “Doctor of Philosophy’ in Vedic literature from the same Alma Mater in 1981. after attaining these high academic qualifications, Dr. Dhawanm did not rest on his oars. The present literary work on ‘Mysticism and Symbolism in Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas’ is the outcome of his post-Doctrorate academic pursuits. Besides, he has, so far, written as many as fourteen literary articles on Vedic subjects and Valmiki Ramayana. Seven of these have since been published in leading metaphysical journals emanating from the internationally known Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research Institute, Hoshiarpur (Punjab, India) and other places. In fact, Dr. Dhawan is an ardent follower of Rigvedic verse (Ma-Shramism 8.4.7.) ‘that we may never feel tired’. Study of Vedic Philosophy is a life-long ambition with Dr. Dhawan and he is devotedly carrying on his research regarding propagation of knowledge of the single Godhead and realization of the same as orgained in Yajur Veda. (Ektaya-tva-1.23.) Contents:- Foreword • Preface • Transliteration of Sanskrit words and references • List of Abbreviations • CONTENTS:- • Introduction • A Broad Spectrum of the Aitareya Aranyaka and a brief Sketch of its CONTENTS:- • A Broad Spectrum of the Taittiriya Aranyaka and a Brief Sketch of its CONTENTS:- • Mysticim, its Nature, Origin and Relationship with Sacrificial Rituals, and Details of : A. Mysticism in Aitareya Aranyaka 29; B. Pseudomysticism in Aitareya Aranyaka 44; C. Mysticism in Taittiriya Aranyaka 50. • Symbolism, its Nature, Origin and Application in the Sacrificial Cult and Details thereof in the Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas. • Metaphysics, its Subject-matter and Details of Metaphysical CONTENTS:- of: A. Aitareya Aranyaka 101; Taittiriya Aranyaka 105. • Personification of Abstract Ideas, Inanimate Objects and Nature Forces to Illustrate the Sacrificial Cult in Taittiriya Aranyaka • Myths and Parables found in : A. Aitareya Aranyaka 182; B. Taittiriya Aranyaka 185. • Mystic Words, as found in Aitareya and Taittireya Aranyakas, their Nature, Significance and Explanation • Conclusions • Appendices • I. Some Examples of Illogical Statements/Assertions in the Aitareya Arankaya • II. Stotras an Sastras Used in the Performance of the Mahavrata Ceremony as Detailed out in the Aitareya Aranyaka • III. A Note on Arunaketuka Fire as Described in the Taittiriya Aranyaka • Bibliography • Index. The Title 'Mysticism and Symbolism in Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas written/authored/edited by B.D. Dhawan', published in the year 1988. The ISBN 9788121200943 is assigned to the Hardcover version of this title. This book has total of pp. 234 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Gyan Publishing House. This Book is in English. The subject of this book is RELIGION / PHILOSOPHY. Size of the book is 14.34 x 22.59 cms Vol:-