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Motilal Banarsidass Publications Sankara Vedanta For Environmental Harmony by Vandana Sharma Diya
The most alarming situation today is the degradation of environment. There is a perpetual deterioration of environment internally, externally and cosmically. Environmental pollution is rooted in ‘Avidya’. External disturbances are sparked by the distortion of internal states, which lead to pollution, deforestation, animal cruelty, global warming, and other environmental concerns. The present book attempts to deduce ‘Environmental Ethics’ from the subtle metaphysics of Sankara Advaita Vedanta. It delves deeply into His philosophy, spiritual Sadhana, works and practical endevors in order to emphasize an environmental and eco-esthetical perspective that elevates ‘Environment’ to the status of the ‘All-pervasive Truth, Highest Good, Supreme Beauty, and Ultimate Reality.’ One can particularly see the above said viewpoint highlighted in Adi Sankaracarya’s Prakaranagranthas. The book identifies lessons of universal compassion in view of environmental harmony. It focuses on the elucidations in accordance with the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and endeavors to apply the same in the most practical manner. It is to be pointed out that no known research or book related to Adi Sankaracarya’s philosophy and environment has been carried out or published in India or abroad. Therefore, this book emerges as a unique, innovative and critical work of all times. The aim of this book is not merely to see environment in view of Adi Sankaracarya’s philosophy rather it also endeavors to kick-start a new era where ancient thoughts, philosophies, teachings and visions will be reinterpreted while being rooted in their metaphysics in order to deal with the current environmental, social, political, religious, scientific and cosmic chaos. About the Author Dr. Vandana Sharma ‘Diya’ is a well-known Scholar of Advaita Vedanta Darsana. Her passion for Bhartiya Darsan Sastra made her study the nine schools of Indian philosophy and specialize in Advaita Vedanta of Adi Sankaracarya. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Bhartiya Darsan Sastra (Indian Philosophy) from the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in Advaita Vedanta Darsan from the same university. Dr. Sharma further studied the advance Advaita Vedanta and the Bhagvadgita Sankarabhasya at the Chinmaya Mission Foundation, Ernakulam. She has to her credit several research articles published in national and international journals. Her research article on ‘Carvaka (Indian Materialism)’ has been published in the renowned ‘Philotheos International Journal, Republic of Serbia’. In addition, one of her works was published in the Journal of The University of Nebraska, USA. She has also received ‘The Swami Pranavananda Philosophy Book Award 2020’ for her commentary and translation of Adi Sankaracarya’s legendary work ‘Prasnottara Ratna Malika’. The Govt. of India further sent her to the ‘World Congress of Philosophy 2018’ held in Beijing, China, to present her research study on Advaita Vedanta and environment. She has been a fellow of the ICPR, MHRD and is the first known researcher in India and abroad to have undertaken systematic research on Advaita Vedanta and the environment. Besides her scholarly contributions, she strives to promote Santan Dharma, vegetarianism, animal welfare, and environmental consciousness.