Tag: Darśana and Philosophy
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Charvaka: The Voice of Materialism in a Spiritual Land
The Charvaka school of Indian philosophy stands in contrast to the predominantly spiritual nature of Indian thought. While most Indian philosophical systems emphasize metaphysical and spiritual dimensions, Charvaka represents a materialist viewpoint. The term “Charvaka” itself is subject to different interpretations. According to one tradition, Charvaka was the name of a sage who initially propounded…
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Understanding the Fundamentals of Upanishads
The Upanishads, forming the concluding section of the Vedas, are profound repositories of philosophical wisdom, often referred to as Vedanta. The term ‘Upanishad’ is derived from the root word ‘sad,’ which encompasses three meanings: (i) to sit down, (ii) to destroy, and (iii) to loosen. ‘Upa’ means ‘near,’ and ‘ni’ signifies ‘with devotion.’ Thus, the…
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Introduction to Vedas
“Veda” is derived from the root word vid, which means “to know.” Thus, Veda signifies knowledge or wisdom. The Vedas are the oldest literary records of the Indo-European, particularly the Aryan civilization. They are considered authorless, or apauruṣeya, and have been passed down orally through generations, hence being referred to as Śruti. The Vedas comprise…
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Characteristics of Indian Philosophy
Indian Philosophy is not only a subject but a part of life. Each system has its band of followers who form the school of that philosophy. Though they all present different views, there are certain commonalities to them. Let us discuss this below. Characteristics of Indian Philosophy Philosophy as a Practical Necessity All the systems…
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Position of Vedas in the Evolution of Indian Philosophy
The Vedas are the oldest available records of the Indian literature. They are the literary monument of the Indo-European race- the Aryan mind. Vedas have influenced the Indian Philosophy to a great extent. Here, we must talk about the classification of Indian philosophy to understand this. Some schools of Indian philosophy accepted Vedic authority, and…
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Is Indian Philosophy synonymous with Hindu Philosophy?
Many confuse Indian Philosophy to be the same as Hindu Philosophy. However, it is not so. Let us try to unravel the difference below. Indian philosophy is a vast and diverse field encompassing various philosophical schools and is not limited to Hindu philosophy alone. Indian Philosophy would have been synonymous with Hindu Philosophy only if…
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Darśana and Philosophy: How do they differ from one another?
The pursuit of knowledge in human beings is a necessity rather than a luxury. Therefore, Philosophy emerges as the noble endeavor to satiate this profound longing. However, the notion of Western Philosophy and Indian Darśana differ from one another. This blog tries to list a few of such distinctions. Distinction between Darśana and Philosophy If we…