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The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari: Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man and Contemporary Celebration
One of the most stupendous manifestations of the Spirit is undoubtedly that which has been handed down to us under the generic name of the Vedas. The Vedas are still too much neglected not only in the world at large but also in their country of origin. this Vedic anthology will make direct and fruitful knowledge of the Vedas available to a wider range of people than the small elite of pandits and Indologists. This anthology collects the most crucial texts of the Indian Sacred Scriptures--in all more than 500--newly translated into contemporary English.
- GenresHinduism
937 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1977
About the author
Raimon Panikkar
203 books64 followersRaimon Panikkar was a proponent of inter-religious dialogue. He continued to work as a Roman Catholic priest and a scholar specialized in comparative religion.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2012
If you can find it, cherish it. Panikkar has done the world a great service with this beautiful anthology.
Currently Reading
January 2, 2008A serious look at an ancient way of apprehending the Divine.
December 22, 2023
On "The Vedic Experience - Mantramanjari, An Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man and Contemporary Celebration" by Raimundo Panikkar
Born in 1918 Raimundo Panikkar lived to 91, close to the ever prayed for ancient Vedic goal of 100 and was the author of a full host of books, many that came later in life. This one first went to press in 1977. There have been reprints since, but they are just that, reprints. If you find one with 937 pages from front to back, and I suspect that's all you'll find, you're looking at the right one, so buy it as it's worth the read for getting closer to the heart of The Vedas.
The book has both a general table of context followed by a more detailed table of context to be used with the concept that the book is a working anthology and anticipates you will want to revisit passages occasionally, while also serving well for a more detailed look of what the book speaks to. These are followed by a short preface, then by a generous introduction and an indispensable note on Vedic Tradition which is about as close you're going to get with Panikkar putting the Vedas into historical context without delving into controversies. In short he acknowledges both the Aryan migration theories as well as the unknown antiquity of the Vedas.
From the beginning, he advises the book is to be read slowly a few passages at time, so they can be reflected upon before picking up the book again. Doing so you can get through the book in about 2 months' time if you’re an average thinker the content, as much as you can grasp, will stick.
His mother was a Spanish Roman Catholic and his father was Hindu freedom fighter during British colonial rule who later escaped and married into a Catalan family. Trained in Jesuit schools he studied chemistry and philosophy at first rate schools and was later ordained as a Catholic Priest and became a professor of philosophy at the University of Madrid. His bio is more extensive, but this will suffice for purposes of this review.
An often associated quote from Panikkar accompanies his works " "I left Europe [for India] as a Christian, I discovered I was a Hindu and returned as a Buddhist without ever having ceased to be Christian".
If there is any bias in this book it comes from the above as it does tend toward a Buddhist view point as he tracks the evolution of thought in the Vedas as up to the gods and then back to the self. Such seems the way in the Vedanta as sometimes your met with allegorical passages in the Purana's and Mahabharata that suggest to a certain level of both fear and respect the gods have of certain rishis who've attained full enlightenment. If there were a demarcation point between Hinduism and Buddhism it may be one of allegiance towards the gods or self, though it seems in Hinduism that is a more of a two way street as rishis seem to respect those gods that respect them. All that is said with the understanding that gods are meant to be singular as in God, as gods is but a descriptor of certain aspects of God that are most manifest at any one time. Regardless, Panikkar's bend towards Buddhism is easily dismissible as it is not overt, is rather subtle and the two do tend toward the same goal of self-enlightenment so it seems he's giving a fair enough picture.
If there is any misgiving with the above it's that Panikkar admits that communing with the gods is both real and powerful but keeping with tradition, does not elaborate and gently steps around the subject. Perhaps that is what Gurus are for.
Additionally Panikkar is very strict in confining his talk to the Vedas and Upanishads and does not stray from either unless it is in general terms done briefly to demonstrate a point. He will though delve deeply into the phycology of certain concepts and it's about the only place you might get lost but he lets you back up for air soon enough and you take from it what you can and plow on.
Helpful in any study of the Vedanta is understanding the a whole slew of terms used in the vast forest of books that cover the many subject areas of this vast body of knowledge. Panikkar is quite generous here as he defines terms throughout the book and I found that also to be good feature his book. The book ends with a generous glossary, index of text and references as well as a good general index along with a table of the texts used as reference.
Born in 1918 Raimundo Panikkar lived to 91, close to the ever prayed for ancient Vedic goal of 100 and was the author of a full host of books, many that came later in life. This one first went to press in 1977. There have been reprints since, but they are just that, reprints. If you find one with 937 pages from front to back, and I suspect that's all you'll find, you're looking at the right one, so buy it as it's worth the read for getting closer to the heart of The Vedas.
The book has both a general table of context followed by a more detailed table of context to be used with the concept that the book is a working anthology and anticipates you will want to revisit passages occasionally, while also serving well for a more detailed look of what the book speaks to. These are followed by a short preface, then by a generous introduction and an indispensable note on Vedic Tradition which is about as close you're going to get with Panikkar putting the Vedas into historical context without delving into controversies. In short he acknowledges both the Aryan migration theories as well as the unknown antiquity of the Vedas.
From the beginning, he advises the book is to be read slowly a few passages at time, so they can be reflected upon before picking up the book again. Doing so you can get through the book in about 2 months' time if you’re an average thinker the content, as much as you can grasp, will stick.
His mother was a Spanish Roman Catholic and his father was Hindu freedom fighter during British colonial rule who later escaped and married into a Catalan family. Trained in Jesuit schools he studied chemistry and philosophy at first rate schools and was later ordained as a Catholic Priest and became a professor of philosophy at the University of Madrid. His bio is more extensive, but this will suffice for purposes of this review.
An often associated quote from Panikkar accompanies his works " "I left Europe [for India] as a Christian, I discovered I was a Hindu and returned as a Buddhist without ever having ceased to be Christian".
If there is any bias in this book it comes from the above as it does tend toward a Buddhist view point as he tracks the evolution of thought in the Vedas as up to the gods and then back to the self. Such seems the way in the Vedanta as sometimes your met with allegorical passages in the Purana's and Mahabharata that suggest to a certain level of both fear and respect the gods have of certain rishis who've attained full enlightenment. If there were a demarcation point between Hinduism and Buddhism it may be one of allegiance towards the gods or self, though it seems in Hinduism that is a more of a two way street as rishis seem to respect those gods that respect them. All that is said with the understanding that gods are meant to be singular as in God, as gods is but a descriptor of certain aspects of God that are most manifest at any one time. Regardless, Panikkar's bend towards Buddhism is easily dismissible as it is not overt, is rather subtle and the two do tend toward the same goal of self-enlightenment so it seems he's giving a fair enough picture.
If there is any misgiving with the above it's that Panikkar admits that communing with the gods is both real and powerful but keeping with tradition, does not elaborate and gently steps around the subject. Perhaps that is what Gurus are for.
Additionally Panikkar is very strict in confining his talk to the Vedas and Upanishads and does not stray from either unless it is in general terms done briefly to demonstrate a point. He will though delve deeply into the phycology of certain concepts and it's about the only place you might get lost but he lets you back up for air soon enough and you take from it what you can and plow on.
Helpful in any study of the Vedanta is understanding the a whole slew of terms used in the vast forest of books that cover the many subject areas of this vast body of knowledge. Panikkar is quite generous here as he defines terms throughout the book and I found that also to be good feature his book. The book ends with a generous glossary, index of text and references as well as a good general index along with a table of the texts used as reference.
March 10, 2024
Unveiling the Vedas: A Review of "The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari"
"The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari" (Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man and Contemporary Celebration) is a unique and ambitious attempt to bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of the Vedas and the contemporary world.
The book's greatest strength lies in its focus on making the Vedas accessible to a wider audience. Panikkar presents over 500 selections from the Vedas, translated into contemporary English and accompanied by insightful introductions. This allows readers unfamiliar with Sanskrit or Vedic traditions to engage with these foundational texts.
Furthermore, Panikkar emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the Vedas. He highlights themes of universal human experience like seeking truth, finding meaning in life, and connecting with the divine. This approach makes the ancient wisdom feel fresh and potentially inspiring for modern readers.
It's important to acknowledge some potential drawbacks. The vast scope of the Vedas is condensed into a single volume, which might leave some readers wanting more depth in specific areas. Additionally, Panikkar's focus on contemporary relevance might come at the expense of a purely academic approach. Scholars interested in the historical and linguistic context of the Vedas might find this interpretation subjective.
"The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari" offers a valuable introduction to the Vedas for curious readers and those seeking a contemporary perspective on these ancient texts. Panikkar's engaging presentation and focus on universal themes make it a good starting point for further exploration of Vedic thought.
"The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari" (Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man and Contemporary Celebration) is a unique and ambitious attempt to bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of the Vedas and the contemporary world.
The book's greatest strength lies in its focus on making the Vedas accessible to a wider audience. Panikkar presents over 500 selections from the Vedas, translated into contemporary English and accompanied by insightful introductions. This allows readers unfamiliar with Sanskrit or Vedic traditions to engage with these foundational texts.
Furthermore, Panikkar emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the Vedas. He highlights themes of universal human experience like seeking truth, finding meaning in life, and connecting with the divine. This approach makes the ancient wisdom feel fresh and potentially inspiring for modern readers.
It's important to acknowledge some potential drawbacks. The vast scope of the Vedas is condensed into a single volume, which might leave some readers wanting more depth in specific areas. Additionally, Panikkar's focus on contemporary relevance might come at the expense of a purely academic approach. Scholars interested in the historical and linguistic context of the Vedas might find this interpretation subjective.
"The Vedic Experience Mantramanjari" offers a valuable introduction to the Vedas for curious readers and those seeking a contemporary perspective on these ancient texts. Panikkar's engaging presentation and focus on universal themes make it a good starting point for further exploration of Vedic thought.
Did Not Finish
June 19, 2026It’s great and I intend to read it all, it’s just not the kind of book you do in one continuous go.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews