This book is the first in-depth study of the Saiva oeuvre of the celebrated polymath Appaya Diksita (1520-1593). Jonathan Duquette documents the rise to prominence and scholarly reception of Sivadvaita Vedanta, a Sanskrit-language school of philosophical theology which Appaya single-handedly established, thus securing his reputation as a legendary advocate of Saiva religion in early modern India. Based to a large extent on hitherto unstudied primary sources in Sanskrit, Duquette offers new insights on Appaya's early polemical works and main source of Sivadvaita exegesis, Srikantha's Brahmamimamsabhasya; identifies Appaya's key intellectual influences and opponents in his reconstruction of Srikantha's theology; and highlights some of the key arguments and strategies he used to make his ambitious project a success. Centred on his magnum opus of Sivadvaita Vedanta, the Sivarkamanidipika, this book demonstrates that Appaya's Saiva oeuvre was mainly directed against Visistadvaita Vedanta, the dominant Vaisnava school of philosophical theology in his time and place. A far-reaching study of the challenges of Indian theism, this book opens up new possibilities for our understanding of religious debates and polemics in early modern India as seen through the lenses of one of its most important intellectuals.

About the Author
Jonathan Duquette is Affiliated Researcher in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge.

Reviews
This book ingeniously demonstrates prolific scholar Appaya Diksita's vital contribution to the history of Saivism. It is an essential and excellent read for all scholars of Hindu religion. * Alisha Saikia, University of Vienna, Religious Studies Review *
Appayya Diksita is a famously complex intellectual figure, yet Jonathan Duquette's monograph outlining his vast Sivadvaita oeuvre grants us a clearer and more nuanced picture of his religiosity and intellect. It is a portrait of one of South Asia's seminal thinkers and makes a significant contribution to the study of the history of Hindu philosophy and theology while also raising fascinating questions for future scholarship. * Matthew Leveille, Reading Religion *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198870616
Author Jonathan Duquette
Format Hardback
Page Count 292
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 584g
Dimensions(mm) 245mm * 165mm * 25mm