Manilal N. Dvidedi

Manilal Nabhubhai Dvidedi was a prominent scholar whose translations of Sanskrit works were published in several Theosophical journals, including The Lamp, Le Lotus Bleu, Lucifer, The Path, The Theosophist, The American Theosophist (1913-1914 version), and Oriental Department Papers. He was particularly interested in the teachings of Śaṅkarācārya or S'ankara, and the school of Advaita Vedānta.

An obituary was published in the journal, The Open Court:

The brother of Manilal Nabhubai Dvivedi, Professor of Sanscrit, Nadiad Gujarat, Bombay Presidency, India, informs us of the death of this prominent Hindu scholar and philosopher. Dvivedi was well acquainted with Western thought, yet his heart was rooted in the philosophy of his own people. His master was S'ankara the greatest representative of Brahman philosophy. The trend of Mr. Dvivedi's thought was monistic, and we deem him one of the best, perhaps the best, interpreter of Brahman thought ...

We had some correspondence with the late Professor Dvivedi on the contrast between Buddhism and S'ankara's conception of the self. Professor Dvivedi was anxious to reconcile both systems, and it may be that he succeeded in settling the problem to his own satisfaction. We ceased to hear from him when disease overtook him, and regret now to learn of his death. India has lost in him one of her best sons, and a man whose life was helpful in leading the Hindus toward a higher condition of existence by showing them how they could preserve their own and yet adopt all the good of Western civilisation.

Writings

Dvidedi's books provided the Sanskrit text with English translation. They included:

• Monism or Advaitism? An Introduction to the Advaita-Philosophy in the Light of Modern Speculation
• Râja-Yoga
• Tarka-Kaiumidi, a compendium of Nyaya-Vaiseshika Philosophy
• Yoga-Sutras
• Mándukyopanishad
• Samádhi-Sataka
• Syádváda-Manjari
• Imitation of S'ankara