This book is a praiseworthy attempt by author Rajiv Malhotra about 'defending Hinduism's philosophical unity'. One may question the need to write on this subject, but after reading this book, you can answer the question yourself. For long we are foolishly made to believe the inherent strength of our religion to withstand adversaries even though Hindus are wiped out from territory it once thrived on through brute force, however in today's environment, the eminent danger emerges from squatters(mercenaries) in our religion, masquerading as academicians, which is overlooked. This book Reminds me of movie matrix where everyone was living a pretty comfortable life till the protagonist 'Neo' was approached by an organisation. Soon Neo met 'Morpheus' who offered him to choose between two pills a blue pill at a red pill. Red pill was supposed to wake him up from the slumber and apprise reality and a sinister plot while the blue one would take him back to his normal life. This book is the red pill, if chosen, it decimates the web of lies woven by groups around Hindus, with the single ulterior motive to de-legitimize Hinduism as a genuine and coherent religion.
Due to concerted efforts, by set of Western scholar syndicate, spearheaded by Paul Hacker followed by Agehananda Bharati, Wilhelm Halbfass, Ursula King, Anantanand Rambachan etc. a group of Indian intellectuals also colluded to defame and eventually destroy Hinduism. This syndicate is supported and funded by Catholic Christian organizations. This syndicate refuses to believe in the geographical, cultural, religious unity and affinity among Indians. It boisterously propagates the non existence of Hinduism in ancient times, rather considers Hinduism as an invention of Swami Vivekanand to instill confidence and promote unity among Indian masses,with sole objective to politically unite against British colonialists. The Westerners debunked reforms in Hinduism as farce while calling them inspired from Western society to seek legitimacy among Abrahmanic religions. These scholars twisted facts to create wedge or foment contradictions among teachings of two Hindu spiritual stalwarts Swami Vivekanand and Guru Adi Shankara . A false narrative is thus spun by syndicate, to delegitimize Hinduism on one hand while peddling Hinduism as inherently corrupt and oppressive towards minorities, Dalits, and women on the other hand.
The author has painstakingly and after thorough research successfully confronted the narrative of bigotes. He counters the myths by facts and proves that the cultural unity of India is much older than the British invasion or the syndicate can envisage. A well researched, thought provoking book and i completely endorse and identify with the blurb on the book by Arun Shourie - 'A book that every Indian must read'.