We Indians, living in this digital age, are fortunate in many ways. One of them is the unparalleled access we have to scholarly books and papers—available at our fingertips. Of course, the joy of holding a printed book and reading it cannot be replaced by any digital version. However, considering that many scholarly works are out of print or unavailable within our reach, a digital copy is far better than missing the opportunity to read such invaluable literature.
Moreover, I wonder if there is any other country in the world that has not only produced an immense body of literature covering almost every aspect of life but has also been the subject of so many books written by outsiders. For example, I am not sure how many Indian or Hindu scholars have written extensively about other religions, whereas countless scholars from outside India have written about India and Hinduism.
Given the vast collection of original scriptures and scholarly works on India, even a lifetime is not enough to read even a fraction of them. Choosing what to read is, therefore, a daunting task, especially for a layperson like me. However, when it comes to certain scholars like Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, there is no question of whether to read his works or not. It is my firm conviction that any Indian who considers themselves a reader but has never read at least some books by Dr. Radhakrishnan has, in a sense, missed out on something truly worthwhile. Yet, given the sheer volume of his writings and the depth of his scholarship, deciding where to begin is an enormous challenge.
In this regard, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has rendered a great service by compiling a marvelous anthology, carefully selecting significant topics from Dr. Radhakrishnan’s vast body of work. When I came across this anthology, I immediately downloaded it, as it is freely available in digital format. I did not start reading it merely for the sake of pleasure, but as part of my sadhana. Reading even a curated selection from such a scholar feels like sitting at his feet, listening to him personally guide me in my spiritual journey.
I urge all those who are fond of reading not to miss this golden opportunity. Download this remarkable work and enrich your understanding—because without it, your reading journey remains incomplete.
Radhakrishnan Reader: An Anthology, Bombay, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, First edition 1900.
Selections from the world-famous philosopher-statesman’s 40 and odd books written over a period of 60 years
Chennai, 12-3-2025
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