The civilization of the Indian subcontinent is by far the world’s oldest living civilization. A Treasury of Indian Wisdom traces its intellectual and spiritual history over 5000 years.
The anthology begins with Vedic hymns, journeys into the heart of Vedantic philosophy through the Upanishads, and discusses the fundamental truths offered by Buddhist and Jain monks. Presenting the beauty and devotion in the verses of the Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh gurus, it finally evolves into the contemporary ideologies of the moderns like Jawaharlal Nehru, J. Krishnamurti and Osho. In keeping with the spirit of pluralism, the book puts together the wide-ranging wisdom of saints and scholars, thinkers and reformers, poets and leaders.
At a time of great turmoil and transition, Dr Karan Singh’s selections come as a reminder of our timeless secular heritage for a generation seeking its place in the world.
About the Author
Dr Karan Singh was born heir apparent to the then ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and served successively as regent, Sardar-i-Riyasat and governor of the state.
A Padma Vibhushan, Dr Singh has held the tourism and civil aviation, health and family planning and the education and culture portfolios in the Indian government and served as ambassador to the United States. He has been deputy leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party and chairman of the Committee on Ethics of the Rajya Sabha. As chancellor, he has been affiliated to both Jammu and Kashmir University and Jawaharlal Nehru University and has chaired the Indian Board of Wildlife.
Presently, he is a member of the Rajya Sabha, chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and chairman of the governing board of the Auroville Foundation. Associated with several cultural and academic institutions, he composes and recites devotional songs in Dogri and is a connoisseur of Indian classical music Some of his published works include his Autobiography, As I See It and Essays on Hinduism.
