The Advaitic Theism of the Bhagavata Purana 'can be considered as the most significant study of the Purana in its deeper principles....None of the other studies have such interpretative insight into this scripture or into its place in the larger context of India's thought traditions.' - Dr. Thomas Berry, Riverdale Center of Religious Research, New York

Within a compass of eight chapters of this volume the author makes a close examination of the fundamental tenets of Bhagavata Purana. By penetrating analysis he shows how as a unified scripture Bhagavata Purana combines Vedantic non-dualism and Vaisnava devotionalism; and how the Bhagavata non-dualism accommodates the reality of the universe and of the individual selves in it within the all-encompassing reality of Brahman. According to the author, this wonderful blending of devotionalism and non-dualism in the Bhagavata Purana finds its expression in the worship of Krsna as transcendent and supreme deity by all Vaisnavas.

Discussion and delineation throughout the chapters single out 'each of the major forces' determining 'the religious structure of the Bhagavata which has a significance and meaning for the study of religion beyond that of situating a scriptural text within a religious history'.

The present scholarly work will be of special appeal to the students of Indian religion and philosophy. It will also find place in the bookselves of the general reader interested in Indian history and culture.

About the Author :

Daniel P. Sheridan studied at St. John's and Fordham universities in New York, and graduated in Theology and History of Religions. He has written a number of scholarly research papers. Some of them were published in Purana (Varanasi), Horizons (Villanova), Studies in Formative Spirituality (Pittsburgh), Anima (Pennsylvania), The Journal of Religion (Chicago), and The Thomist (Washington D.C.)

Dr. Sheridan is Associate Professor of the History of Religions at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana.