Ancient yantra tales offer insights into the perspectives of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain authors on humanity's place within a cosmos influenced by divine and natural forces. The book explores how these narratives reflect philosophical beliefs and cultural values, highlighting the intricate relationship between humans and the world around them. Through these stories, the authors delve into the complexities of existence and the interplay between the mechanical and the spiritual.
Focusing on textual criticism, this book examines the methodologies used by scholars studying various ancient sacred texts, including the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Qur'an, and scriptures from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. By comparing and contrasting these approaches, it seeks to establish a common framework for future textual scholarship, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among researchers in different religious traditions.
The Upani?ads are rich and complex Sanskrit Hindu scriptures dating back to the 8th century BCE and are a staple of world religion courses across the globe. Where most survey textbooks present a cursory overview of these texts, Signe Cohen provides a nuanced but accessible exploration of the thirteen Classical Upani?ads that will benefit both scholars, students, and general readers alike.