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Hindu Philosophy

Silent adorations to Satchidananda Para-Brahman, Who is the silent Witness of all minds, Who is the Indwellers in all beings, Who has projected this world for His own Lila or sport, Who is the support for this world, body and mind and all movements, and Who is the foundation for all societies and their activities.

Death—The Starting Point Of Philosophy

The idea of death has ever been the strongest motive-power of religion and religious life. Man is afraid of death. Man does not want to die. He wants to live for ever. This is the starting point of philosophy. Philosophy enquires and investigates. It boldly proclaims: “O man! Do not be afraid of death. There is an immortal abode. That is Brahman. That is your own Atman which dwells in the chamber of your heart. Purify your heart and meditate on this pure, immortal, changeless Self. You will attain immortality.” Death is the ultimate pointer to the transiency of all things and the existence of an ultimate Reality.

Various Schools Of Philosophy

A clear understanding of man’s relation to God is a matter of momentous importance to students of philosophy and to all aspirants. Philosophers, prophets, saints, sages, thinkers, Acharyas and great religious leaders of the world have tried to explain the relation of man to God and the universe. Various schools of philosophy and different kinds of religious beliefs have come into existence, on account of various explanations given by different philosophers.

  1. Western Philosophy:

    • Platonism: Based on the ideas of Plato, it emphasizes the existence of abstract, unchanging forms as the ultimate reality.
    • Aristotelianism: Developed by Aristotle, it focuses on empiricism, ethics, and the study of the natural world.
    • Epicureanism: Founded by Epicurus, it centers on the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the highest good.
    • Stoicism: Stoics like Epictetus and Seneca stress the importance of virtue, self-control, and living in accordance with nature.
    • Existentialism: Emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and the responsibility of creating one’s own meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Prominent existentialists include Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.

  2. Eastern Philosophy:

    • Confucianism: Founded by Confucius, it focuses on ethics, family, and social harmony.
    • Taoism: Rooted in the Dao De Jing by Laozi, it centers on the concept of the Tao (the Way) and the idea of effortless action (wu-wei).
    • Zen Buddhism: A school of Mahayana Buddhism, it emphasizes meditation, mindfulness, and direct experience.
    • Vedanta: A school of Hindu philosophy, Vedanta explores the relationship between the individual self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman).
    • Jainism: Founded by Mahavira, it stresses non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and the path to liberation through ascetic practices.

  3. Ancient Philosophies:

    • African Philosophy: Encompasses diverse traditions across the African continent, focusing on ethics, community, and the relationship between humans and nature.
    • Indigenous Philosophies: Various indigenous cultures have unique philosophical systems deeply connected to their land, cosmology, and traditional practices.
    • Pre-Socratic Philosophy: The early Greek philosophers, such as Thales and Heraclitus, explored the fundamental nature of reality and the elements.

  4. Modern and Contemporary Philosophy:

    • Empiricism: Prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries, empiricists like John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume emphasize experience and observation as the basis of knowledge.
    • Rationalism: Philosophers like René Descartes and Immanuel Kant argue that reason and a priori knowledge are fundamental to understanding the world.
    • Pragmatism: Developed by philosophers like Charles Peirce and William James, it emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and the importance of experimentation.
    • Analytic and Continental Philosophy: These two dominant traditions in 20th-century philosophy explore different aspects of language, logic, and metaphysics, with analytic philosophy often associated with clarity and precision, and continental philosophy often concerned with existentialism, phenomenology, and hermeneutics.

  5. Postmodernism: A diverse and often critical approach to philosophy that challenges traditional narratives, explores the construction of reality, and highlights the relativity of knowledge and meaning.

The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy

The six systems of Indian philosophy or the Shad-Darsanas are the six orthodox systems of philosophy. They are the six ways of looking at the Truth.

They are

1. The Nyaya

2. The Vaiseshika

3. The Sankhya

4. The Yoga;

5. The Purva-Mimamsa

6. The Uttara-Mimamsa, or the Vedanta. 

The Shad-Darsanas Or The Six Orthodox Schools

The Shad-Darsanas or the six orthodox systems grew directly out of the Vedas. Darsana means literally sight or vision. Darsana means a system of philosophy. The Darsana literature is philosophical. Each Darsana is a way of looking into the Truth; is a standpoint in respect of the Truth.

Gautama Rishi systematised the principles of Nyaya or the Indian logical system. Kanada composed the Vaiseshika Sutras. Kapila Muni founded the Sankhya system. Patanjali Maharshi is the first systematiser of the Yoga school. He composed his Yoga Sutras. The Yoga-Darsana of Patanjali is a celebrated text-book on Raja Yoga. Jaimini, a disciple of Vyasa, composed the Sutras of the Mimamsa school, which is based on the ritual-sections of the Vedas. Badarayana composed his famous Vedanta-Sutras or Brahma-Sutras which expound the teachings of the Upanishads. The different schools of the Vedanta have built their philosophy on the foundation of these Sutras. 

Vedanta—The Most Satisfactory System of Philosophy

The Nyaya and the Vaiseshika schools rely too much on human reason, though they accept the Vedas as the supreme authority. Human intellect is frail and finite. It has got its limitations. It functions within time, space and causation. Its findings cannot be infallible. It cannot solve transcendental matters. Vedas only are infallible and authoritative. They contain the revelations or direct intuitional experiences of seers and Rishis. These experiences will tally with the experiences of those who have attained Knowledge of the Self (Brahma-Jnana).
The Vedanta is the most satisfactory system of philosophy. It has been evolved out of the Upanishads. It has superseded all other schools. The Mimamsa school had laid great stress on rituals, or Karma-Kanda. According to the Mimamsa school, Karma or ritual is all-in-all in the Veda. Upasana (worship) and Jnana (knowledge) are only accessories to Karma. This view is refuted by the Vedanta school. According to the Vedanta, Self-realisation (Jnana) is the foremost thing, and ritual and worship are accessories. Karma will take one to heaven which is only an impermanent place of refined sensual enjoyment. Karma cannot destroy the cycle of births and deaths, and cannot give eternal bliss and immortality.

  1. Metaphysical Exploration: Vedanta delves deeply into metaphysical questions about the nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between the individual self and the ultimate reality. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature of the self and the universe.

  2. Spiritual and Ethical Guidance: Vedanta offers guidance on living a meaningful and ethical life by exploring concepts such as dharma (duty), karma (action and its consequences), and moksha (liberation). It provides a moral and ethical foundation for individuals seeking a purposeful life.

  3. Interpretive Flexibility: Vedanta has multiple sub-schools, including Advaita Vedanta, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita Vedanta, each with its unique interpretation of the relationship between the individual self and the ultimate reality. This allows individuals to choose a Vedantic approach that resonates with their personal beliefs.

  4. Compatibility with Various Paths: Vedanta is often seen as compatible with other paths of spirituality, such as bhakti (devotion), karma (action), and yoga (discipline). It provides a framework for integrating various spiritual practices.

  5. Historical and Cultural Significance: Vedanta has a long and rich history within the Indian philosophical and spiritual tradition. It is deeply embedded in the culture and has shaped the thoughts of numerous philosophers, saints, and scholars over the centuries.

  6. Relevance to Modern Life: Vedanta’s teachings on self-realization and the nature of consciousness continue to be relevant to individuals seeking inner peace, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.