Shastratattvanirnay

This document describes the Śāstratattvavinirnaya, a Sanskrit work authored by Nilakantha, published by the Scindia Oriental Institute in 1951.

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Book Title: Śāstratattvavinirnaya Author: Nilakantha (later known as Father Nehemiah Goreh) Publisher: Scindia Oriental Institute, Ujjain Year of Publication: 1951 Series: Scindia Oriental Series No. 3

Core Content and Purpose:

The Śāstratattvavinirnaya is a significant work written in Sanskrit verse. Its primary purpose is to defend the tenets of orthodox Hinduism and refute the doctrines of Christianity. The author, Nilakantha, composed this work approximately four years before his conversion to Christianity. It is understood to be a response to John Muir's Sanskrit work, Mataparikṣā, which argued for Christianity and against Hinduism.

Structure and Chapters:

The work is divided into six chapters, totaling 784 verses. The chapters and their general themes are:

1. On the Impropriety of Examining the Authority of Another's Creed: This chapter likely focuses on questioning the validity of external scrutiny of religious doctrines.
2. Refutation of Other Creeds: This section is dedicated to critiquing and refuting the philosophical and theological claims of Christianity, often highlighting perceived flaws and inconsistencies in the Bible.
3. Advice (Hitopadeśa): This chapter offers guidance on approaching religious scriptures, emphasizing the depth and often incomprehensible nature of divine texts and the need for faith.
4. On the Necessity of Faith in Scripture and the Instability of Reason: This chapter argues that faith (Śraddhā) is paramount in religious matters, while worldly reasoning (Tarka) is unreliable and can undermine faith and religion itself. It also acknowledges a limited role for reason in understanding religious matters.
5. On the Self-Evident Authority of Scripture: This chapter asserts that scriptures are inherently valid and do not require external reasoning for their proof. Reasoning should serve to support scripture, not refute it.
6. Refutation of Doubts Regarding One's Own Doctrine: This is the longest chapter, divided into two parts:
   • First Half: Addresses various perceived deficiencies and contradictions within orthodox Hinduism, offering explanations and justifications. It aims to reconcile apparent conflicts among Hindu philosophical schools, explain sectarian deities, and address inconsistencies in Puranic narratives.
   • Second Half: Provides an exposition of Advaita Vedanta philosophy, demonstrating its rational and unshakable foundation.

Author's Background and Transformation:

The Introduction, penned by Sadashiva Lakshmidhara Katre, provides crucial biographical context for Nilakantha.

• Early Life and Scholarship: Nilakantha Sastri Gore was born in 1825 into a Marathi Brahmin family in Maharashtra that had migrated to Banaras. He was a brilliant scholar who mastered various branches of Hindu philosophy (Vedanta, Nyaya-Vaisheshika), Sanskrit literature, and also learned English, Urdu, and Bengali. He was known for his deep respect for orthodox Hindu traditions.
• Intellectual Engagement with Christianity: In Banaras, he engaged in debates with Christian missionaries, notably Father Smith. These intellectual encounters, while initially revealing weaknesses in Christian arguments to Nilakantha, eventually led him to reconsider his own faith.
• Conversion to Christianity: Around 1847, about four years after composing the Śāstratattvavinirnaya (circa 1844-45 AD), Nilakantha converted to Christianity, taking the name Nehemiah Goreh. This was a radical shift attributed to various factors, including the persuasive demeanor of missionaries, a feeling of intellectual superiority offered by Christianity, and possibly what his later followers described as divine revelation.
• Post-Conversion Activities: As Father Nehemiah Goreh, he dedicated the remaining 47 years of his life to vigorously propagating Christianity in India and actively criticizing Hinduism and other faiths. He wrote numerous works in Hindi, Marathi, and English, the most notable being the Saḍdarśanadarpana, which aimed to dismantle Hindu philosophies.
• Tragic Personal Life: His conversion deeply affected his family. His father renounced worldly life and died in pilgrimage. His wife, Lakshmi Bai, strongly opposed his conversion and was forcibly baptized by him after a prolonged struggle, ultimately leading to her demise shortly after.

Significance of the Publication:

The publication of the Śāstratattvavinirnaya is presented as timely and important.

• It offers insight into Nilakantha's intellectual and spiritual state before his conversion, providing a counterpoint to his later anti-Hindu writings.
• The work demonstrates the author's deep understanding of Hindu scriptures and philosophy, even while he was a staunch Hindu.
• It highlights the intense religious and intellectual climate of colonial India, where conversions were a significant social and religious phenomenon.
• The editor, S.L. Katre, emphasizes the intellectual, psychological, and historical importance of the work, even acknowledging the author's later abandonment of its original cause.

Editorial Details:

The text is based on three manuscripts provided by Sri Bhau Saheb Katre of Banaras. The preface thanks those who contributed to the publication.

In essence, the Śāstratattvavinirnaya is a testament to a brilliant mind grappling with fundamental religious questions, showcasing a robust defense of Hinduism before its author ultimately embraced a different faith and became its staunch advocate. The book itself serves as a historical document of a significant intellectual and religious journey.