Classical Hindu Thought: An Introduction.

• Author: Jamison, Stephanie W.
• Position: Book Review

Classical Hindu Thought: An Introduction. By ARVIND SHARMA. New Delhi: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2000. Pp. xxv + 221. Rs 445.

Modern Hindu Thought: The Essential Texts. By ARVIND SHARMA. New Delhi: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2002. Pp. 383. Rs 825.

The first of the books under review seeks to define the "doctrinal dimensions of classical Hinduism" (p. vii), with the period of classical Hinduism defined as starting with the Upanisads and ending with the late Puranas. It consists of conceptual and historical introductions, followed by short chapters on divinities and key concepts (samsara, karma, dharma, etc.). The treatment is elementary and generally straightforward, untouched by any of the redefinition of or challenges to the traditional history-of-religions understanding of "Hinduism" that have arisen in recent decades. Readers of this journal will find nothing new here, though beginning students might find it easy to use. There is also a considerably longer chapter on "varna" which...