The Ocean of Inquiry Niscaldas and the Premodern Origins of Modern Hinduism

Advaita Vedanta is one of the best-known schools of Indian philosophy, but much of its history--a history closely interwoven with that of medieval and modern Hinduism--remains surprisingly unexplored. This book focuses on a single remarkable work and its place within that history: The Ocean of Inquiry, a vernacular compendium of Advaita Vedanta by the North Indian monk Niscaldas (ca. 1791 - 1863). Though not well known today, Niscaldas's work was once referred to by Vivekananda (himself a key figure in the shaping of modern Hinduism) as the most influential book in India.

The present book situates The Ocean of Inquiry as representative of both a neglected genre (vernacular Vedanta) and a neglected period (ca. 17th-19th centuries) in the history of Indian philosophy. It argues that the rise of Advaita Vedanta to a position of prestige began well before the period of British rule in India, and that vernacular texts like The Ocean of Inquiry played an important role in popularizing Vedantic teachings. It also offers a new appraisal of the period of late Advaita Vedanta, arguing that it should not be seen as one of barren scholasticism. For thinkers like Niscaldas, intellectual “inquiry” (vicara) was not an academic exercise but a spiritual practice-indeed, it was the central practice on the path to liberation. The book concludes by arguing that without understanding both vernacular Vedanta and the scholasticism of the period, one cannot fully understand the emergence of modern Hinduism.

Michael S. Allen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. His areas of research include Hinduism, Indian philosophy, and environmental ethics. He is the co-founder of the Hindu Philosophy unit at the American Academy of Religion, and his work has
appeared in the Journal of Indian Philosophy, the Journal of Hindu Studies, the International Journal of Hindu Studies, and Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy.

Preface
Abbreviations and Notes on Conventions

Part I: Vernacular Vedanta

Chapter 1. Introduction: The Unwritten History of Advaita Vedanta

The Ocean of Inquiry - Niscaldas and Greater Advaita Vedanta -- Recovering the history of Advaita Vedanta -- The argument of this book

Chapter 2. The Life and Works of Niscaldas

Early years - Composing The Ocean of Inquiry -- Niscaldas, disciple of Dadu -- Guru to a king

Chapter 3. Niscaldas and Hindi Vedanta

The significance of the vernacular -- Beyond the Sanskrit/vernacular binary -- Sources and models -- Hindi Vedanta

Part II: Scholastic Vedanta

Chapter 4. Why Epistemology Matters

Prelude: “The incrustation of scholasticism” -- Knowledge and liberation -- The puzzle of Tattvadrsti -- Instrumental epistemology: The basic framework -- Instrumental epistemology: The idealist framework - Material epistemology -- On epistemic conflict -- Conclusions

Chapter 5. The Path to Liberation

Qualifications for the study of Vedanta -- Hearing, reflection, and contemplation -- The meaning and method of inquiry -- The role of meditation -- Knowledge and liberation revisited -- Scholasticism as a way of life?

Chapter 6. Inquiry in Practice

Originality and the values of scholasticism -- The need for a teacher -- The form of inquiry: Debates and dialogues -- Pedagogy in practice: The case of Tattvadrsti -- The case of Adrsti -- The puzzle of Tarkadrsti -- Conclusions


Chapter 7. Conclusion: The Premodern Origins of Modern Hinduism

The “construction of Hinduism” debate -- The eighteen vidya-sthanas -- Scholastic precedents -- From “Vedism” to “Hinduism”


Bibliography
Index