This is an academically commemorative book about Raimundo Panikkar – a genius and a versatile interdisciplinary scholar. His deep grounding in comparative religion and philosophy, inter alia, provided him with opportunity and authority to formulate and question ideas and concepts concerning ‘space’ and ‘time’ and in the process juxtaposing rich Indian tradition with technology-driven Western materialism, modernity and humanity at cross-roads. In his scholarly discourses and writings Panikkar never lost sight of the need of the modern man for realising comfort level vis-à-vis the cosmos and the Creator in the common playground of entities termed as Jivatma, Brahman and Maya in Indian spiritual formulations. Panikkar’s approach was holistic, integrative and humanistically relevant.
The book comprises  sixteen papers—last four by Panikkar himself.  Two of Panikkar’s papers are on ancient and modern concepts of Space and Time, followed by ‘Dharma of India’ and ‘The Tragedy of the Grand Inquisitor’. The papers have reference to the two conferences on Space and Time. Those by other authors dwell upon Panikkar’s seminal contributions in specific areas. They bear the stamp of high intellectual calibre that lends quality to their appreciation. Panikkar’s thoughts are succinctly stated in the introduction to the volume by his associate Bettina Baeumer in her essay titled ‘Modernity and Tradition in Panikkar’s Thought’.

The Editors, Kapila Vatsyayan and Come Carpentier, have done a praiseworthy job in producing a valuable book that would especially whet the appetite of those who think beyond the mundane and yet remain connected with it – what poet Wordsworth has described in ‘To A Skylark’ as ‘Type of the wise who soar but never roam; True to the kindred points of Heaven and Home!’