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Jedi in the Lotus Paperback – 19 October 2010

4.2 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

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The Jedi in the Lotus is the first-ever examination of the Star Wars universe from a Hindu perspective, illuminating many hitherto undiscovered aspects of the background and meaning of the widely acclaimed film series. We are shown how its creators were influenced by the famed mythologist, Joseph Campbell, whose reading of the ancient Indian Epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, can be seen throughout the Star Wars films. This book also demonstrates how the metaphysical understanding of the Jedi Knights and the divinity conceived of as 'the Force' have resonances with teachings passed down by Hindu gurus and mystics for centuries, and how fantastic worlds and technology similar to that of the Star Wars universe were described in myths that are millennia old - and may even have had some basis in reality. Finally, The Jedi in the Lotus shows us how the Hindu traditions at the basis of Star Wars offer an alternative vision to the purely materialistic, soulless world of modernity. Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa) is an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is also founding editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies and associate editor of Back to Godhead. He has published twenty-one books in numerous languages, including the recent Essential Hinduism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008); The Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting (FOLK Books, 2008); and Krishna's Other Song: A New Look at the Uddhava Gita (Praeger-Greenwood, 2010). 'In conclusion, I can only say that The Jedi in the Lotus is a breakthrough book when it comes to understanding the mythic depth of the Star Wars epics. Steven J. Rosen uses his masterful grasp of the Eastern traditions to explain the secrets of the most successful film series ever. This book also shows us why Joseph Campbell loved the wisdom tales from India, and, for those who found the Star Wars adventures memorable, this is a truly illuminating book.' - Dr. Jonathan Young, from the Foreword

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arktos Media (19 October 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 188 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1907166114
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1907166112
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 246 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 1.22 x 21.59 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,394 in Space Operas
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

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Steven J Rosen
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Steven J. Rosen, also known as Satyaraja Dasa, is a writer on topics of religion and Hinduism in general, and the Vaishnava branch of Hinduism in particular. He is co-editor of the ISKCON journal Back to Godhead, as well as founder and editor of The Journal of Vaishnava Studies.

Rosen has published more than twenty volumes on a variety of topics – including the volume on Hinduism in Greenwood Press' The World Religions series, as well as The Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting and Krishna’s Other Song: A New Look at the Uddhava Gita, and several books on animal rights.

Arktos has published Rosen's books The Jedi in the Lotus: Star Wars and the Hindu Tradition, which discusses the many connections between the world of George Lucas' Star Wars films and Hindu myth, history and metaphysics, and The Agni and the Ecstasy: Collected Essays of Steven J. Rosen, which collects many of the essays he has written in the course of his career. He remains an extremely active writer.

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  • Scott Thornton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent little book written by a member of the Hare Krishna (ISKCON) movement.
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    After having it recommended to me several times I decided to go ahead and purchase the book. And I have to say that this slender volume is packed with tons of information.
  • stephen s.
    5.0 out of 5 stars “You must unlearn what you have learned.”
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Tying together Jungian analysis and the ancient epics of India.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jedi religion on the rise:)
    Reviewed in Germany on 9 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Yes: Joseph Campbell, Lord Rama, guru-disciple Upanishadic discourses - all found their way into the Star Wars, to teach us archetypal roads we need to take on our hero journey. The book that had no right to not be written:).
  • Richard Fairley
    1.0 out of 5 stars Hare Krishna Propaganda
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I was so looking forward to this book. It had all the elements for me of a great read - Star Wars, Vedic Theology, Joseph Campbell & Mircea Eliade...and published by Arktos! Sadly, this work is heavily infused with the author's dogmatic, 'Hare Krishna' version of Vaishnavism ( as a former ISKCON devotee, I know what I'm talking about ). Indeed, I had to give up reading by page 100 after a shocking attack on Advaita Vedanta ( which the author patently knows precious little about ) even to implying that its adherents are akin to followers of 'the dark side of the Force'. The remarks would be laughable, were they not so disgusting.

    I can forgive Arktos Publishing for not being 'switched on' to the Hare Krishna propaganda but the author is either deeply cynical in his approach - or, as I believe, so ensconced in the Hare Krishna mindset that he truly cannot see beyond it.

    Buyer beware - this work is not what it appears.
  • PjM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched and a great read
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 March 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've been a Star Wars fan forever as well as an avid reader of Campbell, and much more recently aspiring toward Krishna Consciousness . To have an artfully constructed explanation of the direct relationship between Vedic literature, Campbell and Lucas has been tremendous.