Nature And Scope of Indian Philosophy

                       

                               “OM”

                           

Nature and Scope of Indian Philosophy :

Introduction:Immediate perception of Brahman or tattva through ritambhara prajna or intuitive knowledge is the suo motto of Indian philosophy barring Charvaka.This is not merely perception but radical transformation through self – realization.The ultimate aim of this self-realization is bliss, which is eternal,not pleasure or happiness which is temporal.It is said in Indian philosophy that a person,who is established in his own nature is swastha (healthy).Residing (avasthita) in one’s own swarupa is to become swastha.Thus,to regain one’s real nature i. e. cosmic consciousness is the aim of Indian philosophy.This cosmic consciousness may be the Brahman of Advaita or God of Nyaya and Yoga or Shunya of Budddhism.All these are various interpretations of the same Reality.That’s why it is said that, ‘ekam sat,vipra bahudha vadanti.’The only exception is Charvaka which represents the materialistic approach of scientists and fortunately the contemporary scientists view matter as condensed form of cosmic energy which is again synonumous  with Brahman of the Vedic philosophy and Shunya of Buddhism.It is transformation of energy,which is real and matter being continuously transformed is unreal.It has not been prescribed in Indian philosophy to renounce the world but to have the right perspective of the world.That’s why,in Buddhism and Vedanta it is necessary to have samyag darshana or samyag drishti.Knowledge is the only means of liberation,according to Shankara.

As, it is said that it is self-transformation not knowledge,the main aim of life,this transformation is expansion of self.That why it propounds the holistic and integral approach to life.This expansion upto the level of cosmos is the real nature of human being which he is supposed to achieve through Darshan.Through right kind of knowledge and right kind of activities,human being has to achieve the goal of cosmic being.It will establish them in their real nature and give them bliss which is the aim of human being.Now-a-days people are not aspiring for bliss but for pleasure and power to fulfill their ambition and strengthen their  ego ,failure of which leads to frustration and violence.

This distorted view of life gives birth to many clashes and diseases which mars the real aim of life.

Concept of Reality in Indian Philosophy:

Reality is Sat which exists for ever.To know this Sat one has to follow satya.That’s why Gandhi said that Satya (Truth) is God.

This Satya is the universal law of morality.That’s why it is said in Indian philosophy that even a karmayogi who follows the law of karma i. e. Rita, can achieve liberation.Needn’t you renounce the world.Just, live in this world as per the cosmic law.Gandhi didn’tourism renounce the world.This concept of renunciation is meant for those persons who have reached to the climax of liberation.They just need to exhaust their prarabdha karmas.That’s why they are told not to get involve in worldly affairs and also not to react and forgive.

The knowledge of Satya (Reality) can also lead to liberation.

Devotion or surrender to Satya, which is synonymous with God,can also lead to liberation.

There is provision for every category of people, in Indian philosophy.So, it must not be said that it is pessimistic.It is fully optimistic with holistic, integral approach.

The transformation is a cosmic process which is supported by evolutionary ethics and theory of evolution,as well.

Transformation of energy is supported by science.

As it is said that philosophy in India is tattva darshan which means a discipline which makes it possible to perceive Reality (tattva).As the word tattva is a combination of two words tat and tva which means ‘that’ and ‘you’ respectively,it is the dictum of Upanishads, i.e. ‘tattvamasi’.The identification of the knower with the known or atman with the Brahman is the aim of Indian philosophy.

Though,some schools like Samkhya and Nyaya have accepted dualism or pluralism yet all of these have accecpted liberation as the ultimate aim of life and a liberated person is in a sense synonymous with God or Brahman.

A discipline which makes us realize the identification of atman and Brahman.

Knowledge in Indian Philosophy: It is the instrument or medium of radical transformation through self-realization.

Knowledge is sensory one.Realization is extra-sensory.

Life in Indian Philosophy: Effort to uproot misery from life is not negativity but absolute passivity.

Indian philosophy is all about evolution,purification and sublimation of desire.Just human being has to renounce the evil tendencies in him.They don’tourism have to turn recluse but to embrace the humanity in general as an integral part of them.

Philosophy in India is not pessimistic but holistically optimistic.It has its integral approach to life.It negates merely relativity and absolute truth.

It is pro Bliss not pleasure or happiness.

In India it is dharma not religion.And dharma is cosmic not national or international.

Indian philosophy is based on Vedic philosophy not Hinduism.Hinduism is based on Vedic philosophy.

Hinduism is common man’s version of Indian philosophy.