The Philosophical System

What is Philosophy?

• Philosophy is a discipline that seeks to answer fundamental questions about life, existence, and happiness.
• In Greek tradition: Philosophy
• In Indian tradition: Darshana

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Why Do We Need Philosophy?

• It helps answer essential life questions such as:
  • Who am I?
  • What is the meaning of life?
  • What is the nature of the world?
  • Does God exist?
  • How can we attain happiness?
• The goal of philosophy is to maximize happiness and minimize grief.

Example: The Question of Theft

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The Meaning of Darshana

• Derived from Sanskrit root "Drish" (to see).
• Darshana = Right vision + Means to attain the right vision.
• A philosopher (Darshanika) seeks the right way to see the world.

Alternative Names for Philosophy in India

Paths to Understanding Philosophy Paths to Maximizing Happiness

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Influence of Indian Philosophy

• Significant impact on other fields like Ayurveda, governance, ethics, and sciences.
• Similar to how Greek philosophy shaped Western thought, Darshana shaped Indian intellectual traditions.

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Context of Indian Philosophy

• Philosophy developed in response to humanity's quest for ultimate happiness
• Key Focus: Jiva (Self) in the Jagat (World) and its relation to Ishvara (Divine Entity)

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Three Core Elements of Indian Philosophy

• Ishvara: Symbolizes the divine or cosmic regulating force.
• Jiva: Represents the individual self and consciousness.
• Jagat: Encompasses the external universe and all its phenomena.

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Evolution of Philosophical Thought

Step 1: Inquiry into Jagat (The External World)

• Early humans searched for happiness by examining the world
• Nasadiya Sukta (Rigveda 10th Mandala) questions:
  • What is the nature of the world?
  • Where did the universe come from?

Step 2: Inquiry into Ishvara (Divine Entity)

• Realization: The world follows patterns & order
• Concept of Deva/Ishvara arose to explain natural phenomena
  • Sun, Rain, Wind—regulated by divine forces (Indra, Varuna)
• Rita (Cosmic Order) governs everything

Step 3: Inquiry into Jiva (The Self)

• Further realization: External inquiry doesn't lead to happiness
• Wisdom from the Kathopanishad:
  • People naturally look outward for answers
  • But true seekers turn inward to find ultimate bliss

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Different Schools & Their Focus

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How Was Indian Philosophy Transmitted?

Guru-Shishya Parampara (Teacher-Student Tradition)

• Oral tradition: Knowledge was passed through dialogue and discussion
• Texts used as reference, but oral learning was primary
• Types of Texts:
  • Sutras (Foundational texts)
  • Bhashyas (Commentaries)
  • Varthikas (Explanatory texts)
• Textbooks for specific Darshanas (Philosophical schools)

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Unique Features of Indian Philosophy

1. Philosophy & Religion Are Intertwined
   • No strict separation between philosophy and religion
   • Religious texts (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita) contain deep philosophical ideas
   • In pre-modern India, all knowledge was seen as one

   Give-and-Take Relationship Between Philosophy & Religion:

   Philosophy	Religion
   Provided theoretical foundation	Provided practical discipline
   Explained existential questions (happiness, life, liberation)	Gave rules and rituals for daily life

2. Common Beliefs Across All Darshanas (Philosophical School)
   • ✔ Karma (Cause & Effect): Actions have consequences in this life or the next
   • ✔ Samsara (Cycle of Birth & Death): One is reborn based on past karma
   • ✔ Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate goal—freedom from the cycle of rebirth
   • ✔ Free Will: Not everything is pre-determined—one's actions shape their future

3. The Indian Tradition of Healthy Debate
   • Philosophical discussions were not dismissive or demeaning
   • Criticism was encouraged—each school challenged its own views
   • Standardized debating rules helped reconcile differences

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The Two Major Classifications of Indian Philosophy

Indian philosophy is divided into two broad categories:

1. Vedic Schools (Astika) – Accept the Authority of the Vedas
   • Sankhya
   • Yoga
   • Nyaya
   • Vaisesika
   • Mimamsa
   • Vedanta
2. Non-Vedic Schools (Nastika) – Do Not Accept the Authority of the Vedas
   • Charvaka (Materialism, Rejects afterlife)
   • Jainism
   • Buddhism

Common Misconception About "Astika" & "Nastika":

• Astika ≠ Belief in God (Example: Mimamsa does not believe in Ishvara)
• Nastika ≠ Atheism (Example: Jainism & Buddhism have their own concepts of divinity)

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Six Vedic Darshanas (Philosophical Traditions)

• Why Are They Called Vedic?
  • They accept the authority of the Vedas and consider them a valid source of knowledge.
• The six Vedic darshanas are:
  1. Sankhya
  2. Yoga
  3. Nyaya
  4. Vaisheshika
  5. Mimamsa
  6. Vedanta

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Commonalities Among These Schools

Shared Goal → Liberation (Moksha)

• Understanding "Who am I?" is key to attaining final liberation.
• All schools aim to answer this question, though their methods differ.

Shared Context→ Jiva, Jagat, Ishwara

• Jiva (Individual Soul) → Seeks liberation
• Jagat (World) → The environment in which the soul exists
• Ishvara (God) → Considered by some schools, ignored by others

Different Approaches to Liberation

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Script on Sankhya Philosophy

The script introduces Sankhya, one of the six classical Indian philosophical traditions, which is closely linked with Yoga. It explains the world and self through two fundamental principles:

1. Prakriti (Material Cause) – The physical world and its changing nature.
2. Purusha (Final Cause) – The conscious, eternal, and unchanging principle. The script illustrates the concept of causation using the example of a pot:

• Material Cause (Clay) - The substance from which the pot is made.
• Efficient Cause (Potter) – The agent that shapes the pot.
• Final Cause (Purpose) - The reason why the pot was created, akin to how the world exists for Purusha.

Key Contributions of Sankhya

1. Theory of Tri-Gunas (Three Qualities):
   • Sattva (Light, Purity, Calmness) – Associated with clarity and positive thoughts.
   • Rajas (Activity, Restlessness, Passion) - Leads to motion and excitement.
   • Tamas (Darkness, Inertia, Lethargy) - Causes ignorance and inactivity.
   • These three work together to form the material world and influence human nature.
2. Metaphysics & Evolution:
   • Prakriti evolves into 23 elements (Tatvas) through interaction with Purusha.
   • First Evolute: Mahat (Buddhi/Intelligence) – Enables discrimination and cognition.
   • Ahankara (Ego) - The sense of "I" that identifies with experiences.
   • From Ahankara arise:
     • Tanmatras (Subtle elements) - Basis for senses like sight, smell, etc.
     • Five Gross Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Akasha) - Physical matter.
     • Mind (Manas) and Five Sense Organs - Enable perception.
3. Liberation in Sankhya
   • True freedom (Moksha) is achieved by understanding the distinction between Prakriti and Purusha.
   • Yoga complements Sankhya by providing practical techniques to discipline the mind for liberation.

The systematization of Sankhya philosophy is credited to Sage Kapila, though his original works are lost. The main Sankhya-Karika by Ishvara Krishna.

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Yoga Tradition in Vedic Philosophy

Yoga is one of the six major Vedic traditions, systematized by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. It serves as a practical path to achieve liberation by distinguishing between Prakriti (material nature) and Purusha (pure consciousness). The goal is to calm the mind and attain self-realization.

Key Principles of Yoga

• Definition: Patanjali defines yoga as "Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha", meaning the cessation of mental modifications. This means that by calming the mind, one can clearly perceive the distinction between Prakriti and Purusha.
• Holistic Development: Yoga focuses on physical, psychological, and moral development to reach a state of freedom and liberation (Kaivalya Jnana).

The Eightfold Path of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga)

Yoga is divided into eight steps, guiding a person toward self-discipline, mental control, and ultimately liberation:

1. Yama (Restraints - Don'ts)
   • Ahimsa (Non-violence)
   • Satya (Truthfulness)
   • Asteya (Non-stealing)
   • Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness)
   • Brahmacharya (Self-control in desires)
2. Niyama (Disciplines - Do's)
   • Shaucha (Cleanliness)
   • Santosha (Contentment)
   • Tapas (Endurance in hardships)
   • Svadhyaya (Self-study of scriptures)
   • Ishvara Pranidhana (Devotion to a higher teacher)
3. Asana (Postures)
   • Physical postures to develop stability and comfort.
   • Today, yoga is mostly equated with this step, but it is only a small part of the practice.
4. Pranayama (Breath Control)
   • Regulating breath to calm the mind and focus thoughts.
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
   • Turning attention inward, ignoring external distractions.
6. Dharana (Concentration)
   • Fixing the mind on a single point or thought.
7. Dhyana (Meditation)
   • Uninterrupted focus and deep meditation.
8. Samadhi (Ultimate Absorption)
   • The final state where the mind dissolves, and only pure awareness remains.

Two Main Stages of Yoga

• Bahiranga Yoga (External Practices) – First five steps (Yama to Pratyahara), preparing the body and mind.
• Antaranga Yoga (Internal Practices) - Last three steps (Dharana to Samadhi), leading to deep concentration and liberation.

Purpose of Yoga

While yoga today is commonly seen as a way to reduce stress or improve health, its traditional purpose is self-realization and liberation from worldly suffering. It is not just about physical fitness but a complete way of life leading to spiritual liberation.

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Vaisheshika Philosophy

Vaisheshika is an ancient Indian philosophical system traditionally attributed to Rishi Kanada. It is often paired with Nyaya and eventually merged with it to form Nyaya-Vaisheshika. The name "Vaisheshika" comes from the Sanskrit word "Vis" meaning uniqueness or difference.

Classification of Reality

To explain the world efficiently, Vaisheshika categorizes all entities into seven fundamental categories (Padarthas):

1. Dravya (Substance) - Physical things like a cow, space, or a laptop.
2. Guna (Quality) – Attributes like color (brown), hardness, or softness.
3. Karma (Action) – Movements like walking or jumping.
4. Samanya (Universality) – Common traits, like "cow-ness" that makes a cow recognizable.
5. Vishesha (Particularity) - The uniqueness that makes each entity different.
6. Samavaya (Inherence) – The relationship between an entity and its qualities (e.g., blackness in a black remote).
7. Abhava (Absence) - Non-existence, like saying "No brown cow walks here."

Theory of Atoms (Paramanu)

Vaisheshika introduced the concept of paramanu (atoms), considering them the smallest indivisible particles forming matter. Unlike modern atoms, Vaisheshika atoms are distinct from each other. For example, no two Earth atoms (Prithvi Paramanu) are identical. These atoms combine to create the material world.

Connection with Nyaya

While Nyaya focuses on logic and reasoning, Vaisheshika provides a classification of reality. Over time, they merged into Nyaya-Vaisheshika, incorporating elements from each system. In essence, Vaisheshika is a realist and pluralistic philosophy that explains the world's diversity through a structured system and the concept of atomic theory.

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Understanding Purva Mimamsa & Vedanta

Both are Vedic Darshanas (philosophical schools) but differ in their focus and approach.

Delving Deeper into Purva Mimamsa

• Mimamsa means critical investigation or reflection → It studies & interprets Vedic rituals & scriptures.
• Believes Vedas are eternal & unauthored (not created by God).
• Jaimini Rishi (disciple of Vedavyasa) wrote Mimamsa Sutras (2500 verses) → Guidelines for interpreting Veda:
  • Major Schools of Mimamsa:
    • Bhatta School (by Kumarila Bhatta)
    • Prabhakara School (by Prabhakara)
• Why are Vedic rituals important?
  • Doing rituals as per Vedic instructions leads to Punya (virtue) → Leads to Swarga (heaven) → Eventually, Moksha.
  • Incorrect understanding of Vedas = Adharmic actions → Paapa (sin) → Stuck in rebirth cycle.

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The Foundation of Vedanta: Prasthanatraya

Every school of Vedanta is built upon three sacred texts, collectively known as Prasthanatraya:

• The Upanishads - Mystical teachings on the self and ultimate reality.
• Brahma-Sutras - A systematic exposition by Vyasa (~500 sutras).
• The Bhagavad Gita - The philosophical essence of the Mahabharata.

Among the various schools of Vedanta, three stand out:

1. Advaita Vedanta - Non-dualism, by Adi Shankaracharya.
2. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta - Qualified non-dualism, by Ramanujacharya.
3. Dvaita Vedanta - Dualism, by Madhvacharya. All these schools attempt to answer one fundamental question: What is the relationship between Jiva (individual soul) and Brahman (ultimate reality)?

Advaita Vedanta: The Philosophy of Oneness

Advaita Vedanta, expounded by Adi Shankaracharya, boldly declares: "Jiva and Brahman are one and the same." Due to Maya (illusion) and Avidya (ignorance), this truth remains hidden. The illusion of separateness gives rise to individuals to see themselves as distinct from Brahman.

Key Concepts in Advaita Vedanta

1. Moksha: The Awakening to Your True Self
   • Liberation (moksha) is not a future event; it is the realization that you were never bound in the first place.
   • The only obstacle is ignorance (avidya), which creates the illusion of separateness.
2. Two Levels of Reality
   • Vyavaharika Satta (Transactional Reality) – The everyday world we perceive, much like a dream. It has functional reality but lacks absolute existence.
   • Paramarthika Satta (Absolute Reality) – The eternal truth: Brahman, which remains unchanged beyond space and time.
3. Nirguna Brahman: Beyond Name and Form
   • Brahman is Nirguna (without attributes), beyond thought, form, and duality.
   • Any concept of a personal God (Saguna Brahman) is merely a stepping stone for seekers.

The Path to Moksha: Self-Realization

Shankaracharya prescribes a systematic process to unveil one's true nature:

1. Chitta Shuddhi (Purification of Mind)
   • Engaging in selfless actions and Vedic rituals to cultivate inner purity.
2. Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge A structured journey of inner inquiry:
   • Shravana (Listening) - Absorbing Vedantic wisdom from a realized teacher.
   • Manana (Reflection) – Deep contemplation to dissolve doubts.
   • Nididhyasana (Meditation) – Continuous focus on the truth until self-realization dawns.

Philosophical Differences

Key Ideas of Vishishtadvaita

• Brahman is Saguna (has attributes) and is identified as Maha Vishnu.
• Jiva (soul) and Jagat (world) are real and are dependent parts of Brahman.
• Moksha (liberation) means realizing the true nature of Jiva and Brahman and attaining Lord Vishnu.

Two Paths to Moksha

1. Bhakti (Path of Effort) → Baby Monkey Metaphor
   • Like a baby monkey clinging to its mother while she jumps from branch to branch.
   • Jiva (soul) must put effort into devotion and worship to attain Moksha.
2. Prapatti / Sharanagati (Path of Surrender) → Kitten Metaphor
   • Like a kitten relaxing while the mother carries it in her mouth.
   • Jiva simply surrenders to Lord Vishnu, trusting Him to grant Moksha.

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Jaina Darshana

1. The Core Belief: Pluralistic Reality
   • Jains believe that reality is not just one, but multiple things exist simultaneously (Anekantavada).
   • Reality is relative—everyone sees the world differently, like people wearing different glasses (Syadvada).
   • Example: The six blind men & the elephant—each one describes the elephant differently based on what they perceive.
2. Classification of Reality
   • Reality is divided into two main categories:
     • Jiva (Living beings) → Further divided into Liberated (Mukta) & Bound (Baddha) souls.
     • Ajiva (Non-living things) → Includes matter (Pudgala), motion (Dharma), rest (Adharma), space (Dik), and time (Kala).
   • Karma is a physical substance that sticks to the soul like dust on a wet cloth, dragging it into the cycle of birth and death.
3. The Path to Liberation (Moksha)
   • Liberation = Breaking free from the cycle of birth & death.
   • Achieved through Three Jewels (Ratnatraya):
     • Right Faith (Samyak Darshana) → Believe in the teachings of Tirthankaras.
     • Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra) → Follow a disciplined life, especially Ahimsa (Non-violence)! Jains wear masks or sweep the floor to avoid harming even tiny insects.
     • Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana) → Understand reality & the true nature of the soul.

The Ultimate Goal

• Ignorance keeps us trapped.
• Knowledge sets us free.
• Follow the Three Jewels → Burn karma → Achieve Liberation! Moksha = Freedom from suffering & eternal bliss!