Presents rare biographies of traditional Indian scholars during the nineteenth century, a critical moment of transition for the Indian intellectual tradition. Traditional Indian p???itya (scholarship) has a long and distinguished history but is now practically extinct. Its decline is remarkably recent—traditional p???itya flourished as recently as 150 years ago. The decline is also paradoxical, having occurred precipitously following a broad and remarkable flowering of the tradition between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. The important questions this decline poses are the subject of much ongoing work. The intellectual history of the period is still under construction, and the present book represents a major contribution to the project. A notable impediment has been the lack of critical biographies of significant thinkers in this tradition. The importance of personal and social context for reconstructing intellectual histories is widely understood. In the classical Indian intellectual tradition, however, authors systematically exclude such context, making intellectual biography something of a rarity—very rare in English and sparse even in the regional languages. This book contains translations from the original Kanna?a of the biographies of Gara?apur? ??stri, ?r?ka??ha ??stri, and Ku?igala R?ma??stri of nineteenth-century Mysore, all representing the highest echelons of traditional p???itya at this critical period of transition. Their fields are literature, grammar, and logic, respectively. The biographies focus on the personal lives of these scholars and their many contexts. These biographies are almost contemporaneous accounts, reflecting firsthand knowledge. The translations are accompanied by copious footnotes as well as appendices drawn from the relevant primary sources. “What has been missing in the past forty years of discussion of nineteenth-century Indian Orientalism and colonialism are fine-textured accounts of the Indian orientalists themselves, those who cultivated, reproduced, and promulgated knowledge of their own textual past. Ravishankar’s book is a valuable contribution toward that project. He has given us a fascinating and unique picture of Indian intellectual life in its pre-colonized form.” — Sheldon Pollock, Arvind Raghunathan Professor of South Asian Studies, Columbia University

On history of Christians of Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

The inspiring life story of pioneering feminist artist, activist, and Buddhist teacher Mayumi Oda told through her own words and original thangka paintings. Sitting in meditation in front of a statue of Goddess Sarasvati, Mayumi Oda heard her say in a loud voice, "Stop the plutonium shipment!" After taking a stunned breath, Mayumi replied, "I can't do that. I'm only an artist," and Sarasvati answered, "Help will be provided." This book is the culmination of a life devoted to responding to Sarasvati's call to cultivate a path of peace, justice, and compassion. Known as the "Matisse of Japan," Mayumi Oda is a painter, environmental activist, and Buddhist practitioner whose life reflects both the brilliance and shadows of modernity. Sarasvati's Gift explores her upbringing in Japan, her tumultuous marriage and the death of her son, her immigration to the country responsible for the destruction of her home, her inspiration for both her Buddhist practice and her art, and ultimately her commitment to the planet that gives her life both hope and meaning. This raw, heartfelt, and powerful memoir shares Mayumi's story of finding her place and her mission to transform the world.

If the gods wanted Akash to have an education, he is told, they would give him one. But Akash has spent his entire twelve years poor and hungry. So he decides to take control of his own life and try for a scholarship to the city school where he can pursue his beloved math. But will challenging destiny prove to be more than he has bargained for? In this raw and powerful novel, fate and self-determination come together in unexpected ways, offering an unsentimental look at the realities of India. Saraswati's Way is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

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A Thousand Seeds of Joy is a gem of a read! It is a conversation with ascended Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati about their many incarnations on Earth. These ascended Goddesses take us on a grand spiritual journey revealing new secrets about Buddhas, and Gods and Goddesses who have walked on Earth. Very insightful, informative and engaging!