Artha Panchakam of Lokacharya Pillai: An Essential Introduction to Ramanuja Philosophy

Artha Panchakam or five essential knowledge talks about the fundamental aspects of our reality. Where do we stand in our journey, how are we connected to ultimate reality, what is our ultimate goal, how can we attain our goal, and what are the obstacles in our growth, these are the questions we will seek answers to. This book can also serve as the first introduction to Ramanuja Philosophy. Lokacharya Pillai is an illustrious Guru in Ramanuja Sect whose beautiful teachings are like a blissful oasis in this scorching and troublesome world. His refuge destroys all our doubts as easily as the sun removes the darkness of this world. He analyzes a simple idea to its very end until it illuminates the entire path along with the hidden gems. In Ramanuja philosophy, individual souls are many and exist in subatomic sizes to serve the Supreme Lord after liberation. Though their size is tiny, their knowledge is unbounded and spreads everywhere like the rays of the sun. However, when a soul is bound, its knowledge is limited by the wish of the Lord, according to its previous actions. When a bound soul takes refuge in the Supreme Lord and his guru, he can go past his bondage. Shraddhesh Chaturvedi has extensively studied Vedic philosophy for over a decade. He is enthusiastic about reading and writing on reference texts of Vedic philosophy. He finds their wisdom incomparable to anything else under the sun, as it instills our mind with its blissful calmness. By regular study of these texts and applying their principles to our daily lives, anyone can find true knowledge. Through his work, he wants to share the timeless wisdom of our glorious past in a simple, concise, and meaningful way. He intends to ignite interest in Vedic philosophy and make it accessible to all.