Limits of Scripture; Vivekananda's Reinterpretation of the Vedas

Book Details:

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Author: Anantanand Rambachan

• Language: English

• Pages: 188

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 23 cm x 14 cm

• Weight: 320 gm

• Edition: 1995

• ISBN: 9788170304685

About the Book:

The Limits of Scripture offers a critical analysis of Swami Vivekananda's understanding of the authority of the Vedas (sruti) and its relationship to personal experience (anubhava). While Vivekananda is hailed as one of India's cultural heroes, his reinterpretation of Advaita Vedanta, particularly his emphasis on personal experience over scriptural authority, has often been viewed through a reverential lens. This book critically examines Vivekananda’s views by comparing them with those of Sankara, the principal systematizer of Advaita Vedanta.

The author, Anantanand Rambachan, explores how Vivekananda’s unique interpretation of Advaita differed from that of Sankara. While Vivekananda presented personal experience (anubhava) as the ultimate source of liberating knowledge, Sankara emphasized the Vedas (sruti) as the primary source of knowledge. This distinction between Vivekananda’s and Sankara’s views on anubhava and sruti forms the central theme of the book.

The work also critically evaluates Vivekananda’s arguments for the supremacy of personal experience, his claim for "many paths to the same goal," and his attempts to reconcile Hinduism with modern science. Rambachan’s analysis provides a detailed examination of the philosophical and hermeneutical aspects of Vivekananda’s work, which often remains overlooked in popular interpretations.

This book contributes to a deeper understanding of Swami Vivekananda’s legacy, his contributions to modern Indian thought, and his reinterpretation of traditional Hindu philosophy. It also sheds light on the ongoing debates about the role of scripture versus personal experience in the spiritual journey.

About the Author:

Anantanand Rambachan is an associate professor of religion at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota. He is a well-respected scholar in the field of religious studies, and his work has been published in several esteemed journals, including Philosophy East and West, Religion, Religious Studies, and the Journal of Dharma. Rambachan’s scholarly focus is on Advaita Vedanta and modern Hinduism, and he has contributed significantly to discussions on the interpretation of Hindu philosophy in contemporary contexts.