A Source Book in Indian Philosophy

A Source Book in Indian Philosophy presents primary texts and translations from major philosophical traditions of India, spanning ancient to modern times. The book contains selections from the Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhist texts, and works of influential Indian thinkers. Editors Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Charles A. Moore provide contextual introductions and explanatory notes for each selection. The readings cover metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, social philosophy, and other core areas of Indian philosophical thought. The compilation includes both orthodox Hindu philosophies and heterodox schools like Buddhism and Jainism, showing the diversity of Indian philosophical discourse. Key figures featured include Sankara, Ramanuja, Sri Aurobindo, and Rabindranath Tagore. This sourcebook reveals the sophisticated intellectual traditions that developed in India over millennia, demonstrating their relevance to fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, and human existence. The selected texts highlight both the uniqueness of Indian thought and its connections to universal philosophical concerns.

Readers value this as a reference text that collects major Indian philosophical works and concepts in one volume. The translations are clear and accessible for newcomers to Indian philosophy. Likes: - Comprehensive coverage of different schools of thought - Helpful introductions before each section provide context - Quality of translations maintains readability while preserving meaning - Well-organized chronological structure Dislikes: - Some readers note Western philosophical biases in the commentary - Several mention the small font size makes extended reading difficult - A few sections feel rushed or oversimplified - Limited coverage of some schools like Tantra Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (257 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 reviews) Notable reviews: "The translations strike a good balance between academic precision and accessibility" - Goodreads reviewer "Introductions are too brief to fully grasp the historical context" - Amazon reviewer "Best single-volume overview of Indian philosophy available in English" - Philosophy student review on Reddit

A History of Indian Philosophy by Surendranath Dasgupta A five-volume series that traces the development of Indian philosophical thought from the Vedic period through classical schools to modern times.

Indian Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction by Sue Hamilton This work presents core concepts of Indian philosophy through examination of the six major schools of classical Hindu thought.

The Principal Upanishads by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan This translation and commentary covers thirteen principal Upanishads with detailed interpretations of their philosophical significance.

Classical Indian Philosophy: A Reader by Deepak Sarma This collection provides primary texts from major Indian philosophical traditions with historical context and explanatory notes.

The Buddhist Philosophy of the Middle by David J. Kalupahana This text examines Buddhist philosophical thought through analysis of original Pali and Sanskrit sources.

🔸 The book's co-author, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, served as the second President of India (1962-1967) and was also a distinguished philosopher who taught at Oxford University. 📚 Published in 1957, this sourcebook was one of the first comprehensive English-language collections of Indian philosophical texts, making ancient wisdom accessible to Western readers. 🕉️ The book covers over 2,500 years of Indian philosophical thought, from the Vedic period through modern times, including rare translations of texts that were previously unavailable to English readers. 🎓 Radhakrishnan received knighthood in 1931, and his birthday (September 5) is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India due to his exemplary contributions to education and philosophy. 🌟 The book presents not only Hindu philosophy but also includes extensive sections on Buddhist, Jain, and Islamic philosophical traditions in India, showing the rich diversity of Indian thought.