The Spiritual Heritage of India: A Clear Summary of Indian Philosophy and Religion Paperback – June 1, 1979

The Spiritual Heritage of India. By Swami Prabhavananda with foreword by Huston Smith. Hollywood, Calif.: Vedanta Press, 1979 (1963). Paperback, 374 pages. ISBN 0874810353Swami Prabhavananda's book is a lucid, comprehensive, non-technical and extremely well-written survey of the scriptures, systems of thought, and main thinkers of the Indian tradition. Rich in quotations from the scriptures, it can be read with ease by anyone and will provide all the background one needs before pursuing topics of particular interest in greater depth. The book is organized as follows:BOOK I: THE VEDAS AND THE UPANISHADS - Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads.BOOK II: THE AUXILIARY SCRIPTURES - Ramayana, Yoga-Vasistha, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Smritis, Puranas, Tantras.BOOK III: JAINISM AND BUDDHISM.BOOK IV: THE SIX SYSTEMS OF THOUGHT - Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga System of Patanjali, Purva Mimamsa, Uttara-Mimamsa (or the Vedanta Sutras).BOOK V: VEDANTA AND ITS GREAT EXPONENTS - Gaudapada, Shankara, Bhaskara, Yamuna, Ramanuja, Nimbarka, Madhwa, Vallabha, Sri Caitanya, Sri Ramakrishna.The book is rounded out with a useful Bibliography and Index. It is well-printed on quality paper, has a flexible thermoplastic spine, is bound in sturdy paper wrappers and is ,in short, a well-produced book that will not (like many books today) self-destruct after minumum use.My one quibble with the book is that Swami Prabhavananda, in describing the Yoga Vasistha as a "subordinate derivative Ramayana" (p.86), has not done justice to it at all. Personally I find it to be an amazing and fascinating work and, as the main scripture of the Ajatavada school of Vedanta, quite different from the Ramayana in aim and scope. Readers might care to take a look at the large number of enthusiastic reviews it has received at Vasistha's Yoga. And for the Ajatavada theory see my Listmania list: 'Advaita and Physics agree - The universe does not exist'.

This is an unsurpassed review of Indian thought by one of the 20th century's great spiritual guides. The clarity of the exposition of the ideas is clear evidence of the clarity of the author's mind and his understanding of the diversity of Indian thought. I return to it often when I encounter a difficulty in another author's work that pertains to a particular school of Indian thought, or just to re-enjoy his speech. A student wrote something about Buddhism the other day that I did not agree with and did not know immediately how to put my disagreement in words and I turned to Prabhavananda and got just what I needed. His writing/thinking is for me so balanced and rational. His other works, perhaps most notably his translation of Shankara's Crest Jewel of Discrimination, are also outstanding. This for me is a must have book for anyone interested in the spiritual heritage of India.

This is simply the best book on Hindu Philosophy I've read. Swami Prabhavananda writes in a clear easy to read, yet profound manner, and gives the overall view of all the strains of Hinduism. I'm an avid Eastern philosophy reader, and I have not found any book as complete as this. I have been reading some of it's chapters again and again over the years.

Wonderful book!! Swami Prabhavananda brings a concise account of the entire Spiritual Heritage of India in one excellently written book. Starts with Vedas and Upanishads and takes you through Epics, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, tantras, Jainism, Buddhism, the six Systems of thought, and the great Sages of India. For anyone wanting to learn more about Hinduism and not knowing where to start, this is a great guide.

A very readable and scholarly overview of Indian philosophy and spirituality. Being written some time ago, it is perhaps includes more references to Christianity than I would need. However, it's a good antidote for contemporary atheistic western Buddhists, many of who would dismiss the relevance of the rich context that Buddhism sprang from.

Easily one of the best yoga philosophy books written in English. Very clear and articulate description of complex Vedanta ideas.

One of the greatest book on Indian Heritage. After reading this book one can come to understand why in the field of spiritual matters, Indian conribution is of fundamental importance.By writing this book , the service rendered by swami Prabhavanand will never be forgotten by all seekers of spirit .

Excellent overview of all aspects and philosophies of the Hindu religion.