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Re: Yogic Vocabulary - book review : The Language of the Gods (fwd)
In forwarded article <3crmjn$3nu@moon.earthlink.net>,
hal_computer@earthlink.net (Debashish Banerji) wrote:
Most people intrerested in the subject of Indian studies have
found themselves confronted very early with the problem of Sanskrit
yogic vocabulary. Specially,when one is approaching the subject
through the English language, the liberal peppering of Sanskrit
terms (as often in works of any significance) is usually a source
of much bewilderment. It may take one some time to realize that
like the Eskimo with his 99 different words for snow, the early
users of the Sanskrit language developed a highly specialized
vocabulary to describe the "inner life" of man - a granularity to
which the English language is entirely inadequate. However, being
a constantly evolving and highly adaptable language, English
assimilates quickly into itself from foreign cultures and Indian
ideas and terms are becoming native to its universe of expression.
It is for this reason that it becomes all the more necessary to
have a correct understanding of significant Sanskrit vocabulary.
Inaccuracy of understanding and usage apart, the more complex
problem presented by Sanskrit vocabulary, even to the person
familiar with the language, arises from historical and
philosophical variations of usage. For instance, the word Maya
means something quite different to the Buddhist, the Advaitin, the
Vaishnav and the Tantrik; Shiva takes on different names and
varying functions through the Vedas, the upanishads, the Puranas,
the Tantras and the Shaiva Agamas. A clear understanding of
context is absolutely necessary to the correct interpretation of
text.
Fortunately, there is an excellent and comprehensive aid to
introduce the gamut of important Sanskrit terms, presenting them
against the backdrop of the historical, social, cultural, and
philosophic atmosphere of their usage. This is the book, "The
Language of the Gods", written by Dr. Judith M. Tyberg and
published by the East-West Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Judith
(now deceased) was a direct disciple of Sri Aurobindo, who gave her
the spiritual name Jyotipriya, and her book is definitely informed
by the spiritual clarity and all-inclusive comprehensiveness that
characterises her master.
Starting with an introduction to the mantric power of Sanskrit,
this book takes us through the message and terms of the Vedas, the
Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, the Philosophical Schools, their
exponents and Literature, the Systems of Yoga, an outline of
Sanatana Dharma, the different Indian religions, their practices
and essential terms and Buddhism with Buddhist terms in Sanskrit
and Pali. A number of indexes at the end of the book enlarge upon
the material of the text, adding extensive terminology with
meaningful interpretations.
This book is a must for all interested in Indian studies, both
for the sheer pleasure of its reading, and as an invaluable
handbook for Sanskrit vocabulary. Handsomely hardbound in a light
blue jacket, the book costs $16/- plus postage and may be obtained
by writing to the East-West Cultural Center, 12329 Marshall Street,
Culver City, CA 90230 or you may send e-mail to Debashish Banerji
at hal_computer@earthlink.net
End of Forwarded Article.
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