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Beyond Illusion And Doubt
From socrates to sartre, western philosophers have grappled with the ultimate questions: "what is the meaning of life?" "does god exist?" "what is the supreme good, and how can we achieve it?" but, as brilliant as their writings are, there have been no conclusive answers from western thinkers. In these series of conversations, srila prabhupada, one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century, gives an insight analysis and critique of the salient ideas of some of the eminent western philosophers, as seen from a vedic perspective. He outlines the process of bhakti yoga by which we can transcend illusion and doubt in our own lives and proceed with certainty on the path to perfection.
251 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1999
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About the author
A.C. Bhaktivedanta
813 books718 followersHis Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 24, 2019
Philosophies of great scholars like Socrates, Aristotle, Marx, Darwin and many more.
July 13, 2025
### **Book Review: *Beyond Illusion and Doubt* by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada**
#### 📚 Overview:
*Beyond Illusion and Doubt* is a thought-provoking spiritual text that presents a dialogue between science and spirituality. Authored by **Swami Prabhupada**, the founder of the **International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)**, the book challenges materialistic philosophies and rationalist interpretations of life by presenting the **Vedic viewpoint** as a superior, comprehensive understanding of reality.
#### 🧠 Theme and Purpose:
The central theme revolves around the **limitations of material science and empiricism** in answering fundamental questions of existence—such as the origin of life, the nature of consciousness, and the purpose of the universe. Swami Prabhupada argues that **true knowledge lies beyond illusion (maya)** and **doubt (skepticism)**, and is accessible through **Vedic wisdom**, especially the **Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam**.
He engages in a comparative critique of prominent Western philosophers and scientists—**Darwin, Marx, Freud, Sartre, Nietzsche, and others**—and demonstrates how their theories often fall short when addressing the **metaphysical** and **existential** aspects of life.
#### 🔍 Key Insights:
* **Science vs. Spirituality**: Prabhupada does not dismiss science but argues it is incomplete without spiritual understanding. He distinguishes between **material knowledge (apara vidya)** and **transcendental knowledge (para vidya)**.
* **Illusion (Maya)**: The book asserts that the material world is illusory, and attachment to it leads to confusion and suffering.
* **Doubt as a Barrier**: Intellectual pride and skepticism are seen as obstacles to understanding higher truths.
* **Vedic Wisdom**: Only by accepting the **authority of spiritual texts** and **a realized guru** can one truly understand the self (atma), God (Paramatma), and the ultimate purpose of life.
#### ✍️ Writing Style:
The book is structured as a series of **conversations and dialogues**, which makes it highly engaging and accessible even for readers new to Vedic philosophy. Swami Prabhupada’s tone is **confident, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in devotion**. His responses to materialistic philosophies are often sharp but always backed by scriptural reasoning.
#### 👍 Strengths:
* Clear and **unshakable spiritual conviction**.
* Challenges readers to **rethink assumptions** about life, death, consciousness, and the universe.
* Encourages deeper study of **Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Srimad Bhagavatam**.
#### 👎 Limitations:
* Readers unfamiliar with **Vedic terminology** may need some background for full comprehension.
* Some may find the **dismissal of Western philosophies** too absolute or one-sided.
#### 👤 Ideal For:
* Seekers of **spiritual truth** beyond material science.
* Students of **philosophy and comparative religion**.
* Followers of **Bhakti Yoga** and Krishna Consciousness.
---
### ⭐ Final Verdict:
*Beyond Illusion and Doubt* is a spiritually enriching work that dares to challenge the dominance of materialist ideologies with age-old Vedic wisdom. Swami Prabhupada presents a bold yet compassionate call to **look beyond the superficial and embrace eternal truths**. It’s not just a critique of science—it’s an invitation to rediscover the soul.
#### 📚 Overview:
*Beyond Illusion and Doubt* is a thought-provoking spiritual text that presents a dialogue between science and spirituality. Authored by **Swami Prabhupada**, the founder of the **International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)**, the book challenges materialistic philosophies and rationalist interpretations of life by presenting the **Vedic viewpoint** as a superior, comprehensive understanding of reality.
#### 🧠 Theme and Purpose:
The central theme revolves around the **limitations of material science and empiricism** in answering fundamental questions of existence—such as the origin of life, the nature of consciousness, and the purpose of the universe. Swami Prabhupada argues that **true knowledge lies beyond illusion (maya)** and **doubt (skepticism)**, and is accessible through **Vedic wisdom**, especially the **Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam**.
He engages in a comparative critique of prominent Western philosophers and scientists—**Darwin, Marx, Freud, Sartre, Nietzsche, and others**—and demonstrates how their theories often fall short when addressing the **metaphysical** and **existential** aspects of life.
#### 🔍 Key Insights:
* **Science vs. Spirituality**: Prabhupada does not dismiss science but argues it is incomplete without spiritual understanding. He distinguishes between **material knowledge (apara vidya)** and **transcendental knowledge (para vidya)**.
* **Illusion (Maya)**: The book asserts that the material world is illusory, and attachment to it leads to confusion and suffering.
* **Doubt as a Barrier**: Intellectual pride and skepticism are seen as obstacles to understanding higher truths.
* **Vedic Wisdom**: Only by accepting the **authority of spiritual texts** and **a realized guru** can one truly understand the self (atma), God (Paramatma), and the ultimate purpose of life.
#### ✍️ Writing Style:
The book is structured as a series of **conversations and dialogues**, which makes it highly engaging and accessible even for readers new to Vedic philosophy. Swami Prabhupada’s tone is **confident, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in devotion**. His responses to materialistic philosophies are often sharp but always backed by scriptural reasoning.
#### 👍 Strengths:
* Clear and **unshakable spiritual conviction**.
* Challenges readers to **rethink assumptions** about life, death, consciousness, and the universe.
* Encourages deeper study of **Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Srimad Bhagavatam**.
#### 👎 Limitations:
* Readers unfamiliar with **Vedic terminology** may need some background for full comprehension.
* Some may find the **dismissal of Western philosophies** too absolute or one-sided.
#### 👤 Ideal For:
* Seekers of **spiritual truth** beyond material science.
* Students of **philosophy and comparative religion**.
* Followers of **Bhakti Yoga** and Krishna Consciousness.
---
### ⭐ Final Verdict:
*Beyond Illusion and Doubt* is a spiritually enriching work that dares to challenge the dominance of materialist ideologies with age-old Vedic wisdom. Swami Prabhupada presents a bold yet compassionate call to **look beyond the superficial and embrace eternal truths**. It’s not just a critique of science—it’s an invitation to rediscover the soul.
July 21, 2019
This is a good read. Author challenges all great philosophers and tells how things really connect.
It's all a circle of life after all.
I picked this up after brushing through the part with Froyd. I felt I had to buy this. Author here knows what he is saying and what he is doing. Read this with an open mind and then question it.
If you don't have an open mind. Don't pick it up.
Thanks to srila prabhupada I feel at bliss and peace.
It's all a circle of life after all.
I picked this up after brushing through the part with Froyd. I felt I had to buy this. Author here knows what he is saying and what he is doing. Read this with an open mind and then question it.
If you don't have an open mind. Don't pick it up.
Thanks to srila prabhupada I feel at bliss and peace.
July 19, 2018
This book illustrates the similarities and differences between the great philosophers and theologians and Krishna Consciousness. A fascinating intellectual treat for the mind and heart. It brought up hours of discussion among my friends. It prompted me to re-examine my beliefs on deeply spiritual questions.
January 22, 2018
I love philosophy and I love Srila Prabhupada. This is an excellent book for seminars of philophy or the gjana yoga if we define then as occupations to understand or realised God or Krsna. :)
December 25, 2018
A great book comparing the western and Indian schools of thought. Was an eye opener.
May 29, 2023
Very, very dogmatic and slanted toward bhakti-yoga.
February 8, 2017
An amazing book for all spiritual enthusiasts.
it answers major questions in the material world in a spiritual manner
it answers major questions in the material world in a spiritual manner
March 9, 2012
Yes, I received this book from an Indian friend, not as a recruiting tool but simply to share something he thought was neat. This book starts out each chapter as a thoughtful comparison of western philosophy versus Hare Krishna teachings. Unfortunately, each chapter concludes with a resolution that most western philosophy is simply wrong- why? Because the Veda and other Krishna scriptures say so. So at the end of the day... Your beliefs must be wrong because my beliefs say so.
An intelligent and well-written ALMOST open minded debate but ultimately just Hare Krishna propoganda.
An intelligent and well-written ALMOST open minded debate but ultimately just Hare Krishna propoganda.
June 14, 2009
"Given" to me at Allgood Music Festival. Of course, robed dude then asked for a charitable handout. Gave him half of what was asked. All I had. Was not under the influence of anything but pizza. It did not change my life.
May 17, 2020
A good comparison and contrast is drawn between eastern Vedic philosophy and prominent Western philosophers (Freud, Plato, Marx, Neitzsche, etc.). Must read for all sincere souls in quest to understand "Philosophy"!
December 4, 2024
Wonderful book ! A beautiful elaboration of Bhakti vedant through the context of modern western philosophy… one must have some basic knowledge of both oriental philosophy as well as western philosophy…
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews