The Word Speaks to the Faustian Man (Set of 4 volumes)

DETAILS : 

• Author : Som Raj Gupta 
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 January 2008
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover : 2170 Pages
  
• ISBN : Vol1:8120808266 , Vol2:8120811755 , Vol3:8120815459 , Vol4:8120817974
  
• Weight : 3500 g 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Word Speaks to the Faustian Man, authored by the profound scholar Som Raj Gupta, is a monumental achievement in the field of comparative philosophy and theology. Across four expansive volumes, Gupta undertakes a rigorous and deeply meditative translation and commentary on the major Upanishads. The title itself is a provocative nod to Oswald Spengler’s concept of the "Faustian Man"—the modern Western individual characterized by a restless, outward-striving will to power and infinite knowledge. Gupta’s central project is to initiate a dialogue between this modern, technology-driven consciousness and the ancient, inward-looking wisdom of the Shruti (the revealed Word).

The series is far more than a linguistic translation; it is a philosophical "confrontation." Gupta meticulously interprets the Sanskrit verses of the Upanishads—including the Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, and others—not as relics of the past, but as living realities that challenge the foundations of modern thought. He examines the tension between the "Faustian" desire to conquer the material world and the Upanishadic realization of the Atman (the Self) as the non-dual reality. This set is widely regarded by academics and spiritual seekers as one of the most intellectually demanding and rewarding interpretations of Vedanta published in the 20th century.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Som Raj Gupta is a distinguished scholar of philosophy whose work is characterized by a rare combination of traditional Sanskrit scholarship and deep familiarity with Western existential and phenomenological thought. His writing style is noted for its density, poetic precision, and its ability to bridge the gap between disparate cultural worldviews. Gupta’s life work has been dedicated to demonstrating that the Upanishads are not merely "Indian philosophy" but are universal addresses to the human condition, particularly relevant to a modern world struggling with spiritual emptiness and ecological crisis.