THE Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) is delighted to present Professor ShashiPrabha Kumar's book Basics of Indian Philosophy. She is a renowned Sanskrit scholar, well-versed in classical Indian philosophy. She is presently the Chairperson of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla and a former Vice-Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies. A Distinguished Fellow with the VIF, she recently authored a unique book Vedic Prayers for Global Peace and Universal Well-being published by the VIF on India's presidency of G-20 in September 2023.
In 2020, the VIF requested Professor ShashiPrabha Kumar to deliver a few lectures on ancient Indian philosophy for the benefit of our researchers and scholars who are specialists in international relations but have little or no knowledge about Indian philosophical traditions. It was felt that our scholars, who study contemporary global issues, should also have awareness about ancient Indian thought to help them see global issues from an Indian perspective. Ancient Indian philosophy, which is comprehensive and rich in content, provides an alternative analytical framework and some correction to the Western-dominated thinking on contemporary issues. Familiarity with the basics of Indian philosophical thought will help develop an Indian narrative for contemporary global issues.
Professor ShashiPrabha Kumar agreed to our request and delivered ten fascinating lectures during 2020-21. This happened during the dreaded corona period when all of us were confined to our respective homes. It seemed that the humanity would come to an end. Despondency and anxiety were all pervasive. Technology came to our rescue. The VIF organized a series of webinars including those on ancient Indian philosophy. Professor ShashiPrabha Kumar not only introduced the participants to the essentials of Indian philosophy, her lectures also provided solace during the troubled times. Senior members of Indian strategic community including former diplomats, retired armed forces officials, academics, and experts and scholars attended the lectures. The interaction between a scholar of Indian philosophy and the strategic community proved to be extremely rewarding. It was then decided that since the lectures have lasting value, they should be published in the form of a book.
The book not only introduces the six schools of the Indian philosophy viz. Nyaya, Vaiseşika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimaṁsa and Vedanta, but also covers the Vedic literature, philosophy of the Upanisads, besides the traditions of Carvaka, Buddhism and Jainism.
There are several takeaways from the book. Knowledge is highly regarded in Indian thought. The word veda signifies knowledge. Questioning is essential as a methodology to acquire knowledge.
The mind has to be kept open. Absolutism is eschewed. It is recognized that while Truth is one but the paths to attain it are many. The Vedantic tradition lays great stress on the unity between the human and the divine. The divine is present in all forms of creation, living and non-living. The atheistic philosophy of Carvaka is accommodated in the overall theme of Indian thought. A balance between materialism and spiritualism is advocated.
In the contemporary global discourse on environment, human rights and feminism are critical issues. The book brings out that in the Indian thought, these subjects have been discussed extensively and openly. The forces of nature are to be respected and pacified. Sustainable development is inherent in Indian thinking. There is a yearning for peace within, and peace in the world and in the cosmos. The concept of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (one earth, one family) underlies the ancient Indian philosophy.
Woman occupies central place in ancient Indian philosophy. She is seen as the fount of knowledge and is worth worshipping.
She is regarded as pure and pious and also as the epitome of power.
She is brave and kills the demons when required. She compliments the man and the gods and her contribution is pivotal to creation and creativity. Without woman, creation is incomplete.
The Upanisads are the jewels of Indian philosophical thought.
The book introduces the reader to the essentials of the eleven Upanisads: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitareya, Taittiriya, Chandogya, Brhadaranyaka and Svetasvatara. They engage in great depth with the eternal questions of metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.
Buddhism and Jainism originated from the Indian soil. Millions of people follow them even today. Although they arose as a reaction to ancient Hindu thinking, there is an underlying unity in essentials among Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They form an integral part of the Indian philosophical tradition. One chapter introduces the readers to Bauddha and Jaina philosophy.
Naysayers and non-believers are not to be ignored. Atheism is not to be taken lightly. The Carvaka philosophy, which epitomizes materialism and negates the other schools, also finds place in the Indian philosophical thought.
The lectures were intended for the international relations specialists. It is hoped that the readers will be able to develop a framework to understand and analyse contemporary international discourse around peace, welfare, environment, friendship, culture, feminism, sustainable development, materialism and spiritualism, education and knowledge and other issues taking a cue from the quintessentials of Indian philosophy.
Specialists live and work in silos. Philosophy delves into difficult questions of human existence. The encompassing, wide-ranging ancient Indian philosophy helps individuals to come out of narrow thinking.
Hindu (1774)
Philosophers (2333)
Aesthetics (319)
Comparative (70)
Dictionary (12)
Ethics (49)
Language (350)
Logic (81)
Mimamsa (58)
Nyaya (136)
Psychology (513)
Samkhya (61)
Shaivism (66)
Shankaracharya (232)
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