Book Reviews

Abstract

Three recent scholarly works explore vital aspects of Hindu philosophy, language, and practice. Sanskrit Non-Translatables by Rajiv Malhotra and Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji argues for preserving Sanskrit terms in English to retain their original meaning and sacred power, urging a rethinking of translation norms. Loving Stones by David L. Haberman examines the worship of Govardhan shilas, challenging Western perceptions of idolatry and offering an ecological, relational view of divinity rooted in indigenous devotional practices. Māyā in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa by Gopal K. Gupta reinterprets māyā as both delusive and spiritually enabling, framing it as central to the devotee’s intimate experience of Kṛṣṇa. Together, these works contribute to decolonizing religious studies while offering fresh insights into Hindu theology and lived religion.