The Hindu Quest for the Perfection of Man

This study of Hinduism developed out of a dissatisfaction with the usual approaches to the vast collection of ideas and practices known as "Hinduism". There is an understandable tendency of both Western and Indian scholars to force Hinduism into Western molds. Although Indian intellectuals currently point to the inappropriateness of Western academic and rational categories, a heavier use of untranslated Sanskrit does not constitute a solution. Author concludes that the difficulty lies in the analysis of Hinduism either as a religion or as a philosophy. Those who take the religious approach regard Hinduism as pantheism, or henotheism, or theism; those who take the philosophical approach discover monism or dualism, rationalism or intuitionism, naturalism or idealism. But either analysis still seems to miss the heart of Hinduism.