Selected Doctrines From Indian Philosophy

The book deals with the development of some concepts and doctrines in Indian philosophy. The topics are :the Will, Evolution, Jivanmukti and the relationship between Sakti and Saktiman. The span is from the Vedas, through the Upanisads and different systems of Indian philosophy, upto the 20th century philosophers like Aurobindo. Radhakrishnan and Vivekananda. This approach is different from the customary way of studying system by system. This is not a mere enumeration of the developments of a doctrine in different systems. The Indian ideas are critically compared with the Western thought in philosophy and science, especially the latter. This is understanding the ancient concepts better. For instance, the analogy of a catalytic action in chemistry explains the role of purusa in the Samkhya evolution much better than what could be done in all these centuries. The three genetic. A law of conservation of instincts (Vasanas) could be stated. The Sakti-saktiman relationship debated for centuries in Indian philosophy is compared with the relationship between the electron and it charge. The concept of Jivanmukta is compared with the superman of Aurobindo, the geniuses of Schopenhauer and the faithfuls of Martin Luther. The doctrine of will with its modifications in all Indian systems is compared with that of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and others in the West. Studies in animal behaviour are included to explain some aspects of will. Bergson?s account of the evolution of organs as a result of desire is found in Yoga-Vasistha. These are only a few illustrative examples of the many novel features of comparison and elucidation of concepts in Indian philosophy with the aid of modern science and philosophy.