Teachers' Day: 10 insightful books by India's 'philosopher president' Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

The second president of independent India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a revered and learned man who was perhaps one of the most influential voices in the country to have exemplified how a teacher should be. One of India's most illustrious scholars, Dr Radhakrishnan was known as an authority on comparative religion and philosophy.

He was a proponent of Advaita Vedanta and masterfully defended the 'sanatan dharma' of Hinduism against "uninformed Western criticism". He has been an instrumental figure in the reshaping of the Hindu identity in the twentieth century, with his tremendous knowledge, his power to change the country for the better, and his deeper and benevolent understanding of multiple cultures and religions.

Dr Radhakrishnan has been accoladed with several prestigious awards, including a knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna in 1954, and also an honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963.

Here are some books by Dr Radhakrishnan that shower us with his immense wisdom and teach us about the great man that he was.

This book delineates the concept of Hinduism in the most approachable manner. It tells the readers what constitutes the Hindu way of life. Radhakrishnan acknowledges that religion in India may seem like a myriad of confusing myths, with many gods and goddesses, but the Hindu way of life is unique and is something impressive to the whole world.
Image: Element

Edited by Dr Radhakrishan, this book contains valuable teachings and philosophical insights of several ancient thinkers. 'A Source Book in Indian Philosophy' is a handbook of Indian cultural heritage, that illuminates the readers on the knowledge of the ancient Vedas, the Upanisads, the epics, the treatises of the age-old systems, and the contemporary writings.
Image: Princeton University Press

This book argues how modern intellectual attempts to find a substitute for religion is somehow vain. Dr Radhakrishnan draws instances and traditions of the East and West, and discusses the nature and validity of religious experience.
Image: HarperCollins

This book, wonderfully articulate, discusses the major ideas that make the foundation of Indian philosophy and religion. Tracing the influence of Indian mysticism on Greek thought and Christian development, the author also talks about Alexandrian Judaism, Christian Gnosticism, and Neo-Platonism. He also discusses how Christianity, which arose out of an eastern background and marged with Graeco-Latin culture, will be renewed.
Image: Oxford University Press

The book seeks to interprete the philosophy and message of Rabindranath Tagore and basically explores Tagore's concept of universal man, a global citizen. Radhakrishnan traces how Tagore's truth resonated with the truths of Indian philosophy and religion -- their original, unifying ideas.
Image: Andesite Press

The first part of the book is a biography of the first Vice President of India, written by B.K Alhuwalia. The other half is a fantastic series of essays written by Dr Radhakrishnan himself. These essays are filled with his insightful anecdotes, wisdom, compassion and his philosophy of life.
Image: Hind Pocket Books

This book indulges in an immersive discussion of the evolving relationship between religion, science and culture. Dr Radhakrishnan also elucidates the need to create a spiritual unity which will "transcend and sustain the material unity of the world order."
Image: Orient Paperbacks

The book is a collection of Radhakrishnan's powerful and inspiring discourses published in several periodicals during his time. The book talks about the focal points of Hinduism and its philosophical principles. He also discusses the impact and influence of Islam, Christianity and Buddhism on Hinduism.
Image: Rupa & Co

Dr Radhakrishnan brings together the extraordinary lives of fourteen men who shaped India's culture and politics significantly and altered the course of its history. These are great figures like Swami Dayanand, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Jagadish Chandra Bose, etc. All these men have one great unifying factor -- they all dreamt of a better Indian and didi what they had to in order to bring significant change.
Image: Orient Paperbacks

This is a spiritual book that asks the readers to turn inwards and seek answers that they've been asking the universe. Beautifully written and highly philosophical, this book by Dr Radhakrishnan challenges us to listen to our soul and find deeper meanings of things by our own understanding.
Image: Hind Pocket Books