Great minds on INDIA

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Preview- Julius R. Oppenheimer, - Julius R. Oppenheimer, - - ` 140/- ` 140/-

Preview Gewali PublicationsCopyright with Salil Gewali First edition: 2009Second reprint : November, 2009 Third reprint: March, 2010 Fourth: November, 2010 Fifth reprint : April, 2011

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Preview In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. It has been the solace of my life; and it will be the solace of my death. They are the product of the highest wisdom. source: The Discovery of India - by Jawaharlal Nehru * Access to the Vedas is the greatest privilege this century may claim over all previous centuries. source: Autobiography of a Yogi - by Paramhansa Yogananda * How entirely does the Upanishad breathe throughout the holy spirit of the Vedas! How is every one, who by a diligent study of its Persian Latin has become familiar with that incomparable book, stirred by that spirit to the very depth of his Soul! source: Autobiography of a Yogi - by Paramhansa Yogananda

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Previewsource: Vedic inequality and Hinduism, by O P Gupta

My Discovery of INDIA How I got down to this research and compilation of ‘Great minds on INDIA’ I envy you. While Greece is the country of my birth, India is the country of my soul. --- Queen Fredricka Firstly it’s my great love for the country. Secondly, I learned much about the Indian wisdomwhen I was introduced to the works of Swami Vivekananda by my father from early age. Frankly speak-ing, Vivekananda, Sri Aurovindo and Mahatma Gandhi were my initial eye-openers and inspirations. Theirworks embedded deeply in my heart inspired me to read more and explore more. I fondly treasured thoseboyhood time, I was not even 10 years then, the small booklet ‘Call to the Nation’ by Swamiji I would readas and when I would have free time. It wholly changed my perspective to look at the country and eventhe life we live. Bhagavat Gita and Upanishads were other books I was quite drawn to read again andagain and ponder over the higher meanings of life.Here let me narrate how the seed of inspiration sown and how it germinated which now has taken root to growinto a tall standing tree. It was a winter day in 1988, when I was travelling to Delhi I had bought a book ‘The Discovery ofIndia’ by Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru from a newsstand in Guwahati Railway station. I had heard a lot aboutthis work of Pundit Nehru. It contained the wealth of knowledge/information as to the country andabout the significance of her ancient heritage. I read it very attentively throughout my journey of over 56 hours. What amazed me most wasa few of the quotes in the book by the world-famous western scholars and philosophers. Those quoteswere in deep appreciation of Indian ancient wisdom, its language and culture. For months together I feltmuch haunted by those words of western luminaries. The second book that fascinated me again was ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramhansa Yogananda. Hereeven I had come across such profound opinions by great thinkers like Ralph Emersion and Schopenhauerwho were close to my heart. These quotes had left deep imprints ---- both in my inner mind and heart. Ihave begun to realize that this country is far more than what we have known or made to be known as. But the turning point happened when I read a book entitled ‘We are not the first’ by an UFOscientist Tomas Andrew where I encountered incredible facts. I clearly saw that great many discoveriesof modern times had already mentioned in the ancient scriptures of India. I got the vivid references andprecise theoretical illustration of atomic structures and the time scales which are far inconceivable to thescientists of even the early 19th century. I strongly felt then, these western scientists would not have applauded and approved of thoseancient wisdom and knowledge had there not been any scientific validity and significance. I graduallygot to know that scientists like Schrodinger, Julius Oppenheimer, David Bohm, Heisenberg, David Josephson, etc hadsufficiently got the ideas relative to Quantum Physics from Upanishads and Vedas. It dawned upon me

that the ancient treatises had greatly emboldened those scientists to plunge deeper into the atom,moreover into the inner core of the Quantum Mechanics. Here are the words of approval by WernerHeisenberg – ‘ fter the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics Athat had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense.’ All these facts consequently strengthenedmy conviction about the infallibility of ancient literary archives. I kept reading, peering through the pages. I was constantly on the lookout where Imight stumble upon the great words of great minds. I rummaged through the pages of probablyover 100 more such books on ancient philosophy. The works on linguistic, astronomy, astrology,spiritualism, Ayurvedas, mostly written by the western scholars also captivated me, intrigued me.Well, the books like ‘The Tao of Physics’ by a fomous American physicist Fritzof Capra, ‘Indian and theworld Civilization’ by D P Singhal, Hinduism Invades America, by Wendell Thomas , ‘Mathematics forMillion’ by Thomas Hogben, ‘The Secret’ by Maurice Maeterlinck and so on and so forth added to firm-ing up my determination to do something unprecedented and substantial for the country. I sawthis great country being much neglected and also underestimated and undervalued by her ownchildren. With the time I grew more inquisitive and felt that I should know my Mother before Idevelop kinship with others mothers. The thing that pricked my conscience incessantly was one question. Why in my over 16years of academic studies in several prestigious institutions I could not find even the sporadicreferences to these amazing facts. Why have these proud truths about ancient knowledge of thecountry never been taught to our Indian students while their minds are stuffed with rather contro-versial information that only leave behind negative impression about the country and her ancientheritage? I startled to know that Pythagoras from Greece came to India to learn geometry andspiritualism, not from any of my textbooks but from the work of one of the greatest thinkers ofall time Francois Voltaire. Perhaps the majority of our literate folks have heard about Ralph Emerson. But barelya few know this world-renowned poet had written a solemn poem ‘Brahma’ inspired by ancientwisdom. I sense many things amiss in the country. Yes we in India swell our chest to quote TSEliot but hardly anyone take their cue from his world famous poem ‘The waste land’ that ends inSanskrit word ‘Shanti, Shanti Shanti’ , and finally speaks of cardinal truths as expounded inBrihaddaranyaka Upanishad. One wonders why Indians never get to learn such higher facts aboutthe country and her rich heritage from the prescribed academic books. It’s bewildering, such pro-foundly lofty data are missing from the textbooks. So, it’s no strange now our children grown tohave less respect for our own heritage and values. Well, to me nothing would be more intriguing than to know that Erwin Schrodinger (theNobel laureate, the father Quantum Mechanics), David Josephson and Robert Julius Oppenheimer(father of Atomic Bomb), Jack Sarfatti --- who held the Indian literature in the highest esteemed,had studied Upanishads, besides Bhagavad Gita thoroughly and had drawn lots of ideas relativeto Modern physics and other research works. Schrodinger had even supported his theory in hisrevolutionary work on Quantum Physics by the phrases of Upanishads. He boldly pointed out inhis famous work ‘My view of the World’ – ‘In all world there is no kind of framework within whichwe can find CONCIOUSNESS in the plural; this is simply something we construct because of the temporal plu-rality of individuals, but it is a false construction.... The only solution to this conflict in so far as anyis available to us at all lies in the ancient wisdom of the UPANISHADS.’ Thanks to the works ofRavindranath Tagore whose Vedantic wisdom spellbound even Albert Einstein, while Vivekananda’sspeeches bewitched Nicholas Tesla, Romain Rolland.

Of course I started casually collecting such quotes about 22 years ago. But making a bookoccurred to me while reading the world famous book – ‘The Tao of Physics’ and ‘Uncommon Wis-dom’ by Frijtof Capra for the second time in 1995. Yes, it really put me in the most pensive moodand got me lost in the depth of thoughts for years together when I had come upon Oppenheimer’sbombshell-like quote -- ‘What we shall find in Modern Physics is an exemplification, an encourage-ment and a refinement of old Hindu wisdom.’ This statement so deeply touched me wherein I clearly sawgreat messages by the ‘father of Atomic Bomb’ --- not only for the modern scientists but for the wholemankind. I deeply felt that this must be spread among every citizen of India who is less aware of thehigher truths about the ancient treasure troves. At least to make the citizens aware, who otherwisetend to dismiss the ancient literature as a load of myths and superstition or irrelevant to the moderntime, as often depicted --- as being scientific, universal and secular to the core. The years 1996-98 saw me frantically preoccupied. I exhaustively work for this compila-tion. I would regularly visit a number of libraries like State Central library, RK Mission library, St.Anthony Library, NEHU library and the like. Because, I didn’t have enough money to buy books.I can’t miss to mention here, apart from our own bookstall, how I frequented the junk yard – apopular second hand market just near our shop in Shillong. This was my preferred rendezvous. Ihad come across a rare collection of books here. I got to read the works of great intellectuals -- likethe translated works of, Voltaire, Gottfried Herder, Sir William Jones, Fredrick Hegel, Max Muller,Henry David Thoreau from a few shops in this shabby market of Bara Bazar, Shillong. Life is not always a bed of roses. The dreams one cherishes often meet with stumblingblock of adversaries. No matter however I tried I could not save enough money to publish the bookfor many years though the compilation was ready in 1998 itself. Family responsibilities had begunto weigh heavily on me. Thank God, however, my weary and dreary wait of over 11 years brought asunny light of hope. Yes, with a little improvement in my economy I could see my treasured dreamfulfilled. At last I published the book in glossy format in 2009. I was delighted, the book was in-stantly gloried, --- so appreciated that Governor of Meghalaya heartily consented to release it in themost fitting manner. I have reasons to feel blessed. The work immediately caught the attention of the scholarsfrom across the world. A shower of compliments began to pour in. To my immense delight I receivedphone-calls even from great many eminent scholars, writers throughout the world. I was too thrilledwhen Prof. A. V Murali, an eminent NASA scientist, called me to express his gratitude for the work. .He remarked –‘This compilation is simply outstanding! I never knew that such a compilation exists and we all should be thankful to the reseacher! These great quotes should be embossed on plaques and displayed on the walls of our Parliament, State Assembly Halls, and at all our educational institutions. Most impor-tantly, the material should be made a compulsory reading for all the school students (elaborating more on ‘ who is who’ and the monumental contributions of these intellectual giants).’ Prof. A. V. Murali, Ph. D, Former NASA scientist, Houston, Texas Lastly my prayer -- may this ancient wisdom of the country evoke awe and reverence amongintellectuals. Let no children of the country speak ill of the mother whose womb gave birth to thosemystic rishis whose works mesmerized even the great minds like Voltaire, Hegel, Goethe, Einstein. --- Salil Gewali, sgewali@gmail.com

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India, beloved Mother What does it take to wake people up into the appreciation of what they already pos- by Ms Cristina Bejar, PHILIPPINES sess when their thoughts are of creating a life for themselves in the western world and to be as western in speech, dress, thought, and action as W hen I first come upon the book possible? It surprises me to Preview“Great minds on India” (formerly titled as ‘What see the majority of Indiansis India?’) by Salil Gewali of India, Shillong, I was population shallow litera-immediately entranced. I read the quotes/opin- ture from the west withoutions from all the learned men of the west that any realization their ownI respected so much, and saw that they attrib- ancient mine of wisdom.uted the highest knowledge to India. I found the Now I only know thatgreatest affinity with Salil’s book for it reflected Salil Gewali’s book, “Greatmost of what I now believe. As Mark Twain had minds on India” is a roost-said: ‘India is the cradle of the human race, the er’s crow before the break ofbirthplace of human speech, the mother of history, day, when truth will finallythe grandmother of legend, and the great grand- dawn in the minds of themother of tradition. our most valuable and most children of India about theinstructive materials in the history of man are beauty of their Great Moth-treasured up in India only.’ er and the importance of her fathomless knowl- To me, India is Beloved Mother — the edge and spiritual legacies. May the Sanatanasource of ALL knowledge and wisdom — mathe- Dharma take them in Her loving arms and fillmatics, geology, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, their thirst with the milk of Her universal truthatomic theory, physics, philosophy, spirituality — that SHE is without beginning or end — and— name it— everything was originated in India. that they are Hers completely — so that thereBefore the Greeks had their Plato or Archimedes, should be no more hunger, or thirst left, but forIndia had its philosopher-scientists already dis- their hearts to overflow with peace and equanim-tilling zinc. ity. And in the end, I say, she is Great Mother The secret lies in these dual roles that the to all who seek after truth, and I claim her asRishis of old had played. They were great medita- my very own. Let me recount an extract from thetors, spiritual masters who were able to unlock works of an American philosopher Will Durantthe keys of the Universe, and at the same time, – ‘India was the motherland of our race, and San-they were scientists, mathematicians who could skrit the mother of Europe’s languages: she wascalculate the movements of the heavenly bodies the mother of our philosophy; mother, throughwith great precision — the facts astound even the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother,the the scientists of the modern time. through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in For a person like me, who is preoccu- Christianity; mother, through the village commu-pied in discovering deeper truths, India’s present nity, of self-government and democracy. Mother‘Sanatana Dharma’, and I am only at the topmost India is in many ways the mother of us all’. Theselayer, working myself towards the center and praises should wake up us all.finding only my Self. I am blessed to be alive in At last I find it most relevantthis era where I could read the Bhagavad Gita at to conclude with the words of one of the greatestmy leisure and be filled with the profound revela- thinkers of the modern time Henry David Tho-tions of the Lord Krishna. ‘What freedom is there reau which is from his masterpiece Walden :in knowing that I am not the doer!’ The knowl-edge that fascinated Robert Oppenheim. I am as ‘In the morning I bathe my intellect in thefree as the prisoner who dreams in his prison cell stupendous and, cosmogonal philosophy of the— for what bars can hold one who sleeps? This Bhagavat Gita, and in comparison with whichis the wisdom of Ashtavakra as related to King our modern world and its literature seem punyJanaka in the Ashtavakra Gita. These sublime and trivial.’revelations are available to the seeker, regard-less of race, creed, or religion. These above words must be enough for Sometimes, it disturbs me when I encoun- motivation for we all to explore this fathomlesster Indians who are unaware of their precious treasure trove. It is for all, for the universe.heritage, who do not seem to care that they are __already endowed, by birth, with the wealth of theGreat Mother India. They perform their ritualswithout the soul, and it becomes merely lip-ser-vice. They respond, act, and conform out of habitbut not with understanding, and the meaning ofthe sacred rituals is lost along the way.

India in the eyes of the greatest western scholars Previewthen -- a19th, andcolony,century that’s about India in the 18th, what India was British 20th a Jewel in the Amal Gupta, Crown of the mighty British Empire. A poor country, Boston, Massachusetts, USA a famine stricken country, a malaria, typhoid, It all started a few months ago. Some- cholera, and other dis- ease infested coun-one had posted on my Face Book wall a link of a page try, an overpopulated,from a book titled “Great minds on INDIA”. Mr.Salil and a starving countryGewali is its compiler. The page instantly caught my with strange customsattention; for it showed a smiling photo of Noble in the eyes of a West-Physicist and co-founder of Quantum Mechanics Wer- erner. Then, why werener Heisenberg and this sentence below it: “After the these intellectuals so conversations about impressed with India Indian philosophy, and praised her with some of the ideas of such lofty words? Most Ralph Emerson Quantum Physics of them had never travelled to India, not to mention that had seemed so never lived there. All they learned about her was from crazy suddenly made translations of India’s age-old scriptures and literature, much more sense.” and from books written by others. Many of these peo- Immediate- ple wrote volumes of books themselves in her praise. ly, I remembered that Why? only a few months Not because what India was in the 18th, ago I had written an 19th, and 20th century when they wrote those words article about Heisen- of praise, but for what India was three to five thousand berg, Tagore and years ago. Or, perhaps even before that. They praised Vivekananda. Wer- India for what she contributed to the world civilizationner Heisenberg was a Germany and recipient of the and culture in the diverse areas of religion, philoso-1932 Physics Nobel Prize. He is best known for the phy, psychology, science, mathematics, astronomy,Uncertainty Principle of Quantum Mechanics. When language, medicine, management, economics, trade,he came to India he visited Tagore as a guest. This and so forth since time immemorial. Considering thisgreat scientist was awestruck when Tagore had given wide time scale of 5000+ years the modern and indus-him a glimpse of Indian metaphysics and co-relation trial civilization of Europe and the USA only a fewbetween spiritualism and cosmic creation. days ago! So that’s what Salilcaptured, the praise of Salil’s compilation has a good deal to offer in so many Western intellectuals as result of his researchthis regards. The quotes of renowned Western intellec- and compiled his findings in this book. His work istuals like Voltaire, Friedrich Hegel, Albert Einstein, highly commendable and the greatest pride of INDIA.Aldus Huxley, Arthur Schopenhauer, Schrodinger, Lastly, let me recall what a great German phi-David Henry Thoreau, Ralph Emerson, TS Eliot, losopher August Schlegel said about the Indian wis-Oppenheimer, Mark Twain and so on and so forth dom:and what they said about India, about her civilization,about her culture, and about her contribution to theworld and to the Modern Science. ‘Even the loftiest philosophy of the Europeans To most of these greats India was an alien appears like a feeble sparkcountry -- not only an alien but a dominated country, a before the Vedanta.’subjugated country. What most of these scholars said

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Comments by various intellectuals Salil Gewali has lovingly compiled an excellent set of quotations that illustrate how highly great thinkers from all over the world valued Indian spiritual culture and how it transformed their lives. An inspirational read that reminds us of our amazing ancient heritage and why we need to incorporate it into our lives as modern Indians. - Prof Chitra Divakaruni, US based renowned writer, her famous novel, The Mistress of Spices was released as a film starring Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott. *** This compilation is simply outstanding! I never knew that such a compilationexists and we all should be thankful to the author! These great quotes should be embossed on plaques and displayed on the walls of our Parliament, State Assembly Halls, and at all our educational institutions. Most importantly, the material should be made a compulsory reading for all the school students — elaborating more on who is who and the monumental contributions of these intellectual giants. - Prof. A. V. Murali, Ph. D, Former NASA scientist, Houston, Texas (Prof. Murali was an internationally recognized former NASA scientist in the fields of geochemistry/cosmochemistry and Planetary Science. He was one of the few scientistsselected to study the lunar samples collected by both Apollo, USA and Luna (former USSR) missions and explain the origin and evolution of Moon). *** ‘Great minds on India’ is a great book. More than an East/Westphilosophical encounter, this book reveals how the Upanishads and other Indian classics transformed the thinking of many western thinkers. Great minds onIndia’ brings to light the ancient wisdom of the East, and reminds us in the West that spiritual knowledge, not the pursuit of pleasure, is the true source of happiness. The Modern science even confirms the wisdom of Vedanta. - Robert Maldonado, Neuropsychologist, New York Great minds on India 123

This book communicates the great impact of Indian wisdom on the greatthinkers throughout history. It has shown the impact of the ancient thought andwisdom on prominent intellectuals and influential people whose contributions to the world are immeasurable. One of its contributions is to place these related impacts in one book so that comparative studies on the impacts and thoughtcan be made. One thing that impressed me so much about this book is its widespan of time and thinkers across history covering a broad spectrum of subjects.The profound importance of Indian wisdom is shown throughout by the greatest of the great rational thinkers. Undoubtedly, India has served as a beacon of light throughout time, and will continue to do so. - Dr. Carolyn D. Heising, PhD, Nuclear Scientist, Iowa State University, USA ***It seems to me that one of the distinctions that can be usefully made between the East (beginning with India) and West (epitomized in the USA) is that the West has excelled at investigating and manipulating the Exterior world, whilethe East has specialized in understanding and transforming the Interior world. This book is a superb eye-opener. - Dr. K Bruder, Communication scholar, psychotherapist, Michigan, USA *** All have got to go and read this amazing compilation by Salil Gewali. India is the land of my soul. The Vedas and Upanishads are the greatest wisdom of this universe. There is so much to discover in Indian philosophy. Thanks, the modern science has acknowledged that. - Agnes Goyvaerts, Huston, USA ***Hi Salil Gewali, I suddenly came upon your book. I thoroughly read it from the start to finish! No one can deny the vast expanse of eternal wisdom frombeautiful Mother India. I can personally attest to my own self-perceived growthin immeasurable degrees, thanks to the Spiritual and Philosophical Sages and Geniuses she has gifted us with. Thank you so much for the enlightenment. Great minds on India 124

- Timothy Hart, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Congratulation for an excellent compilation. As other scholars my intense efforts in quest of real wisdom led me to Indian spiritualism. I cantdescribe this experience, neither to show it. Every Act is Gratitude, Meditation,and Devotion now. I can live my humble vocation in Joy at every moment... the credit goes to the Indian literature. Well, please do not forget to mentionPythagoras of Samos, who made a long journey into the Indus, and studied the Sulba Sutras and carried to Greece, studies including geometry and trigonometry — with applications to astronomy, geography, navigation etc, and the spiritualism. - Prof. Philippe Le Marchall, Brittany, France *** I must congratulate Salil Gewali for bringing out such a wonderful booklet containing the quotes of the world renowned intellectuals on Vedas, Upanishads and the Gita which are in appreciation about the supremacy of the Indian wisdom. The youth of today should be wholly aware these great quotes so that they will have better appreciation of our Indian culture, tradition and heritage.- Dr. D. Swaminadhan, a prominent scientist, UNESCO International Consultant, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad *** At the age of 59, I am still a student of India and I havenot come across such a RICH compilation by anyone. I am absolutely thrilled at the quality and depth of this compilation. A ‘must read for every scientist and an educated man. - S. Murthy Divakaruni, Energy & Utilities Senior Executive, Texas, USA *** Thanks for the enlightening compilation of the quotes by the most renownedscholars. India´s knowledge is what we need to live in a better way, in a humanway. Spiritual masters have brought us the light we need to join East with West.I hope someday this will be a reality, and we will be able to develop our spiritualnature. East, specifically India, is the light the world needs for real progress, as Great minds on India 125

a civilized humanity. Yes, we have the privilege of access to Vedic Scriptures, it´s the best contribution that India has made to all human kind, and to all living entities. - Cynthya Tejada Del Pozo, Lima, Arequipa, Peru *** It is a must-read for every Indian, particularly for him or her who is not very happy with the image of India as projected today by some unpatriotic, unscrupulous people with vested interests. It is a shame that we do not think highly of our own motherland and look to the West for whatever reasons. - Omar Luther King, columnist, Delhi *** I greatly love the slides show presentation of ‘Great minds on India’ by Salil Gewali. Being a lover of science, philosophy, and literature, I have long believed that many of thesegreat minds had an eastern influence to many of their ideas. It is enlightening to have such connection acknowledged and so well documented. I find it toointeresting that eastern thought is so permeated with the concept that there aredifferent aspects to what we think of as Self. While different traditions will split it up in different ways, they seem to agree that there is a self that is driven by emotion and a self that is driven by rationality. The east goes beyond these two selves to explain the Ultimate Unchanging Supreme Truth, Absolute Brahman. - G. Andrew, New England, USA ***It was very rewarding to read the book ‘Great minds on India’ It is a non-trivial compilation of the critical observations made by intellectual giants, mostly fromthe west, on the Hindu philosophy. The editing and the selection task is superb. This book is a good starting point for anyone interested in getting a glimpse of the immense wealth of knowledge that existed in the ancient Indian sub-continent. - Dr. Laxmi P Gewali, Universityof Nevada,LasVegas,USA ***It is a remarkable effort to compile the words of wisdom about treasure of Indianknowledge, heritage and legacy from the mouths or pens of greatest scholars of Great minds on India 126

the world around. The educational institutes should incorporate this book in academic curriculum if they really revere this sacred land. - Dr. Priyanka Roa, California, USA *** The book is a wonderful source of inspirational thoughts for we all Indians who have lost the sight of Indias values and her contribution to the world and to the modern science. It is doubtlessly a mirror of the intellectual prowess of our rishis who created Vedas and Upanishads. - Prof Shubham Das, Switzerland *** An excellent depiction of who we are and what the scholars of the worldthought about our religion, culture, ancient wisdom, and glorious History of the greatest land in the world. - Girish Gandhi, scholar, Florida, USA *** This is a beautiful book, with quotes of great thinkers of the world. Many great minds agree on India as the cradle of divine philosophy. - Susanne Steinicke, Hamburg, Germany ***Very great compilation. The Government of India should honor Salil Gewali with Bharat Ratna. If India wants to be great in the world these quotes should be compulsorily taught to every school student and see in 15 years how all Macaulays children becoming truly patriotic. Why alone that the whole world would be inspired to follow in the footsteps of Emerson, Yeats, Schlegel, Oppenheimer, Romain Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Romain Rolland, David H Thoreau etc. A big revolution would take place in which the world community would be like one family as stated in VEDAS. I think all sensible people immediately should join and cooperate the compiler in the propagation and dissemination of this work. - Dr Naresh Mishra, Delhi *** It is truly a enlightening experience to know what is Vedas, Vedanta and Indiafrom perspective of the renowned intellectual Giants of the West especially in India when pseudo intellectuals, politicians and its own people denigrate it and demean Great minds on India 127

it in name of secularism. Often facts are distorted to suit personal and political agenda. This book by Salil Gewali will certainly help in bridging the gap in knowing real India and her real culture and fathomless wisdom. In India all the facts and past achievements are deliberately hidden from themasses. I hope every Indians should know these facts and look up to the culturaland intellectual heritage of India which was the foundation of wealth, peace and prosperity of ancient Indian civilization. - Rashmi Sahu, Lt Cdr (Retd), Chandigarh *** The collection of comments about India, by the world renownedintellectuals is a commendable attempt by Salil Gewali. The book makes us feel proud of the rich heritage inherited by us and it shall also serve the purpose of reminding Indians to take the past glory to newer heights in the coming time. - Sanjeev Trivedi, A noted business consultant, Gujarat, *** Salil Gewalis ‘Great minds on India is an indispensable reference guide on Indias glorious legacy and its priceless heritage. World renowned intellectuals including writers, philosophers, scientists and academics have made theirobservations about India in the past. The author has meticulously compiled them for the benefit of all. The Orientalist have made remarkable contribution in propagating the cultural legacy of India in the past. Through their writings, the westerners came to know more about India and its heritage. This has given impetus to others in learning more about India and through them many classical books got translated into various foreign languages. The book throws light on all those people who wrote about India, its people, itslanguages, its literature and above all its antiquity. The author has aptly titled the book which catches the attention of all. The observations of the great personalities listed in the book are very much relevant today. In fact, their impartial observations give credence to the view that India is not only at the origin of everything but she is superior in everything. The book should be a constant companion to all those who wish to know about India and its ageless Great minds on India 128

heritage. - V.N. Gopalakrishnan, a social activist and writer, Powai, Mumbai **** A great book indeed for inspiration for the knowledge seekers. I have very personal experiences with India as I lived six years in this sacred land. What India gave me or prepared me for was to love every place so much, like everywhere one finds oneself is a paradise. India for me is the spiritual fountainhead of the planet in the sense that all esoteric traditions have roots in India. All Branches of Buddhismoriginate in India. In my own experience I traveled to India for six yearsand met personally with over thirty fully awakened spiritual masters and this lay the ground work for my own awakening into the essentialknowing of all the awakened ones — Sat-Chit- Anand, Nirvana, Moksha, paradise and pure divine presence. India is the perfect place to start or end and spiritual search or awakening and yet this type of awakening is available here and now and anywhere. - Dr. God Dieux, Canada *** Well, I would like to offer my impressions of your book. Let me recall a quote from Gandhi — the deeper I dive, the more treasures I find. Reading ‘Great minds on India’ is extremely enlightening. I will have now years of pleasure studying and enlightening my spirit with the treasures found in this book. Your book has inspired me to learn more about India and her precious treasures of Vedanta, Sankhya philosophy, Bhagavad Gita and more! I appreciate all your hard labor in putting all these quotes together to open the eyes of society with what must be very precious to all! I feel the revival of right knowledge should come to the masses.Following the ancient wisdom I am on the right path and I am also proud to be a representative of the Universe now (not US, Texas), the idea I learnt from Upanishads and Buddhism. - Miss Sherrie Lake, 1404 Avenue V, Hondo, Texas Great minds on India 129

It was truly providential that I laid my hands on this great work of Mr.Salil Gewali without any reference from anyone and it simply electrifiedand inspired my soul. It should be the endeavor of each patriotic Indian to see that this book reaches the maximum hands in the shortest possible time. - P Suryanarayanan, Chartered Accountant, Madurai 625014 ***So delighting to come across your great quotes book, ‘Great minds on India. Its again exciting to find the quotes of TS Eliot, my favourite poet, who was a Sanskrit scholar too. He wrote a huge epic poem (The Waste Land) about Dattatreya, one of the most interesting and mysterious of the divine characters in the Vedic tradition. Myfascination for Indian knowledge and culture have brought me to set upa spiritual centre in the Santa Cruz mountains of California and a small temple — dedicated to sharing the ancient knowledge of India, and healing. - Ms Alx Uttermann, Bonny Doon, California, United States *** Its marvelous book and so lovingly written indeed ! It clearly depicts the compilers passion for the subject. I always felt similarly about our country but never imagined that I would one day get to read such a beautiful compilation of it all. And to think that it came my way from the very author himself and in such an unlikely manner, is more than I could ever imagine! I think its only further evidence of the interconnectedness of the universal consciousness that I happen to be looking into currently. - Dr M Angie, Delhi *** I congratulate Salil Gewali for this beautiful quotes book on Indianclassical literature. True intellectual minds who are free from prejudices always appreciate Indian wisdom. Indian wisdom is secular anduniversal. A big proof is Salils book with eminent scholars comments. I really wish the depth of Hinduisms metaphysics will one day echo Great minds on India 130

across the universe, depending on the karmic forces... It is the onlyuniversal force with frequency that absorbs all of humans diversity — it is the only answer for humanitys quest for peace... Peace, peace! - Margaret Drummond, Dundee, Scotland ***I completely got bowled over by the depth of knowledge and wisdomso meticulously complied in a short book by Salil Gewali. I think it isa good source book that one has to read again and again to fully grasp why those great minds applauded Indian literature and spiritualism. Yes indeed, Indian civilization is the oldest civilization that attractedeven Greeces philosophers like Pythagoras and Apollonius Tyanaeus. - MIrza A Baig, London, United Kingdom *** ‘Great minds on India is a rare jewel compiled by Salil Gewali. I would recommend that immediately whoever can afford to influence the authorities of schools, colleges and other institutions who havebeen maintaining any type of library, they should be convinced to buy and stack at least two to three copies of the book for the wider spreadof this rich knowledge amongst the wider cross section of the society..! I am sure that after reading this book each and every child would feel genuinely proud of his motherland, its rich culture, its equally rich religious philosophies and knowledge! - Inder Krishen Wali, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir *** Congratulation for this great book. The knowledge and wisdom encrypted in our ancient texts and culture has not received the due attention of our own Indian scientists. It is unfortunate, but this hasbeen due to misinterpretation of these great literature as mere religious writings. It is from this compilation we are becoming aware of our rich scientific heritage and our descendants will be benefitting too. - Sudhindra Mohan Sharma, New Delhi *** This compilation needs to be diffused across the globe so that anyone Great minds on India 131

with a modicum of intelligence will realize the dept of Indian Philosophy and its Vedic Heritage. This link will make more of humanity understand that the Vedas is for all and it is universal knowledge for mans benefit. - Raj Sukhdeo, Canada ***This collection of inspirational thoughts is something very precious these days. I have to thank Mr Salil Gewali for the remarkable effort in selecting the most inspirational quotes of some western intellectualsabout Indian ancient culture. This booklet is a must read for Hindus and non-Hindus. It is a book in which Western science and literature meet the old Indian wisdom and heritage. It makes us understand how much the West needs the East and vice-versa. Many our French scholars, Voltaire, Laplace, Romain Rolland, Jean-Sylvain Bailly, Maurice Maeterlinck, Victor Cousin etc were greatly inspired by the knowledge of India. - Florina Beakovic, Italy *** Well done Salil, its a very enlightening book on INDIA.Well, India taught the West profound knowledge that God is everywhere. All that is seen and unseen, all that is tangible, yet intangible, within aswell as without, manifest/unmanifest, the inhale and the exhale, the very breath itself. The God is you, the God is I and realize it through the pathof Yoga. My personal experience is that the soil of India is saturated withthe Spirit of the Divine so no matter where you go, no matter where step, no matter what you smell, taste, hear, feel, think...you will connect with God and actually realize it. - Ms Angela Wiskirken, Carlsbad, California __ Great minds on India 132

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Great minds on INDIA

by SALIL GEWALI

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