Nimbarka : A pre-Samkara Vedantin and His Philosophy

Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. The Vedanta Parijata Saurabha and its author. 2. Traditional accounts on Nimbarka. 3. Modern scholars on the date of Nimbarka. 4. Nimbarka: a pre-Samkara Vrttikara. 5. Srinivasa: a post-Samkara Bhasyakara. 6. The probable date of Nimbarka. 7. A general analysis of Vedanta Parijata Saurabha. 8. Brahman. 9. The Jiva and the Jagat. 10. The final destiny of the created beings. 11. The Bhedabheda philosophy of Nimbarka. Notes and references. Bibliography.

"This work investigates a figure, Nimbarka, who is famous and yet shadowy as to his identity, his time, his authentic teachings and work. The method followed in this investigation is adequate: first, securing as basis a work whose genuineness is not controvertible, the Vedantaparijata Saurabha; second, in its light, investigates the genuineness of other works allegedly composed by Nimbarka; third examines critically all relevant traditions concerning Nimbarka and determines their value as mere legend or reliably historical documents; fourth, ascertains the kind of literary or doctrinal affinity that exists between Nimbarka and Samkara and Srinivasa; fifth, discerns the contrasts and affinities between the teachings of the Saurabha and other forms of Vaisnavism; sixth, draws the conclusions of such on historical enquiry with careful discrimination and moderation in claims of certainty or probability.

"The author has also provided a close analysis of the Saurabha as the solid basis of his exposition of its philosophy. It has the quality of security, being solidly grounded in a text with which the author is thoroughly familiar and which he has scrutinized in and out. Due to his talent as a Sanskritist, he has drawn all the implications of Nimbarka's expression, vocabulary and phrasing. All Vedanta scholars will be grateful to have this work in hand." (jacket)