Nimbarka: A Pre-Samkara Vedantin And His Philosophy

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examines critically all relevant traditions concerning Nimbarka and determines their value as mere legend or reliably historical documents; fourth, ascertains the kind of literary or doctrinal affinity that exists between Nimbarka and Samkara and Srinivasa; fifth, discerns the contrasts and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.