Jyotirmaya Sharma is professor of political science at the University of Hyderabad, India. His other books include Hindutva: Exploring the Idea of Hindu Nationalism; Terrifying Vision: M.S. Golwalkar, the RSS and India and an edited volume titled Grounding Morality: Freedom, Knowledge and the Plurality of Cultures (co-edited with A. Raghuramaraju). He has been a visiting fellow and lecturer at many prestigious universities and research centres, both in India and abroad. He has also held senior editorial positions at The Times of India and The Hindu from 1998–2006, and continues to write occasional columns.

“A book of substance and importance, written in an engaging, straightforward style, illuminated by flashes of wit and, of course, by the author's deep knowledge of the cultural background and historical record.  Sharma’s scholarship is sound, well-informed, and well-presented.  His book will become the classic statement about Vivekananda in this generation"-David Shulman, Hebrew University -- David Shulman

“An outstanding study of how and why Vivekananda re-defined Hinduism, and of how and why this redefinition became so influential.  This is an invaluable work for anyone interested not only in the recent religious history of South Asia but also in the re-definition of religions in general over the past two centuries.”-Michael Puett, Harvard University -- Michael Puett

“This forcefully and lucidly argued book is the best brief and yet nuanced introduction to Ramakrishna’s thought that I know of, condensing and accessibly bringing together much recent scholarship. This will be an influential and important book.”-Ajay Skaria, University of Minnesota -- Ajay Skaria --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.