Ep : 2 | Introduction of Indian Philosophy from Vedas to Osho by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti

Summary of YouTube Video Transcript: Indian Philosophy - An Introduction

Key Concepts:

• Indian Philosophy (Bharat Darshan)
• Vedic Age (Vedas, Upanishads)
• Atheist (Heterodox) vs. Theist (Orthodox) Philosophies
• Charvaka, Jainism, Buddhism
• Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta (Shat Darshan)
• Prasthana Trayi (Upanishads, Gita, Brahmasutra)
• Advaita Vedanta (Shankaracharya), Vishishtadvaita (Ramanujacharya), Suddadvaita (Vallabhacharya), Dwaitadvaita (Nimbarka), Dvaita (Madhvacharya), Achintya Bheda Abheda (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
• Neo-Vedanta/Neo-Hinduism (Brahmo Samaj, Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Arvind, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Swami Dayanand Saraswati)
• Navayana (Dr. Ambedkar)
• J. Krishnamurti, Osho Rajneesh
• Karma Theory (Sanchita, Prarabdha, Sanchayimaan Karma)
• Reincarnation (Metempsychosis), Resurrection
• Moksha (Liberation, Nirvana, Kaivalya, Apavarga)
• Panchamahabhuta (Kshiti, Jal, Agni, Gagan, Sameer)
• Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

1. Historical Perspective of Indian Philosophy:

• Vedic Age: Vedas (Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda) are ancient compositions, possibly 5-10,000 years old. Vedas consist of Samhita (mantras), Brahmin (rules of worship), Aranyaka (rules for ascetics), and Upanishads (philosophical texts). Upanishads are also called Vedanta (last part of the Vedas). Key concepts like soul, moksha, and rebirth are established in the Upanishads. Brahma (supreme element) is introduced, described as Nirguna (formless).
• Atheist and Theist Philosophies: Social protest against Vedic rituals led to the development of Atheist (Heterodox) and Theist (Orthodox) philosophies.
  • Atheist Philosophies (3): Charvaka, Jainism, Buddhism. They do not accept the Vedas as evidence.
  • Theist Philosophies (6): Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta. They accept the Vedas as evidence. These are grouped into pairs: Sankhya-Yoga, Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Mimamsa-Vedanta, forming the Shat Darshan (Six Philosophies), also known as Hindu Darshan or Sanatan Darshan.
• Sutra Era: Philosophies were codified into Sutras (formulas). Examples: Sankhya Sutra (Kapil Muni, not found), Yoga Sutras (Patanjali), Nyaya Sutra (Akshpad Gautam), Vaisheshika Sutra (Kanad), Mimamsa Sutras (Jaimini), Brahmasutra/Vedanta Sutra (Badrayana/Ved Vyas).
• Interpretation of Vedanta: (300-400 years before and after the advent of Islam) Vedanta philosophy was re-interpreted. The concept of Bhashya (interpretation) emerged. To understand Vedanta, one must study the Prasthana Trayi: Major Upanishads, Gita, and Brahmasutra.
  • Advaita Vedanta (Shankaracharya): Emphasizes Maya (illusion), stating the world is Mithya (neither true nor false). Brahma is the only reality.
  • Vaishnava Vedanta (Ramanujacharya, Vallabhacharya, Nimbarka, Madhvacharya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu): Focuses on devotion (Bhakti) to Vishnu and his incarnations. Key philosophies include Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja), Suddadvaita (Vallabha), Dwaitadvaita (Nimbarka), Dvaita (Madhva), Achintya Bheda Abheda (Chaitanya).
• Renaissance (Punarjagran/Navjagran): (19th-20th century) Response to Christian missionaries. Led to Neo-Vedanta/Neo-Hinduism, aiming to unite Hindu sects and counter Western influence. Key figures: Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj), Devendra Nath Tagore, Keshavchandra Sen, Swami Vivekananda (follower of Ramakrishna Paramhans), Maharishi Arvind (integral yoga), Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Swami Dayanand Saraswati (Arya Samaj). Nationalism became a key product of Neo-Vedanta.
• Post-Independence Philosophy:
  • Navayana (Dr. Ambedkar): A new form of Buddhism rejecting supernaturalism and Karma theory. Inspired by Ajit Keshkambli (Charvak tradition).
  • J. Krishnamurti: Rejected institutional religions.
  • Osho Rajneesh: Emphasized logical arguments, freed religion from stereotypes, and introduced Dynamic Meditation.
• Role of Women: Limited participation of women in Indian philosophy after the Upanishad period. Notable female figures from the Upanishads: Lopamudra, Maitreyi, Gargi, Ghosha. Meerabai is considered a medieval philosopher, and Mahadevi a modern philosopher.

2. Common Trends in Indian Philosophy:

• Karma Theory: What you do will happen to you. Karmas are of three types: Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (being reaped), and Sanchayimaan (future). Two rules: Gratitude (deeds cannot be destroyed until they bear fruit) and Non-working approach (what you didn't do, its fruit cannot come to you).
• Belief in the Soul: Most Indian philosophies believe in the soul (except Charvaka and Buddhism). The soul is considered immortal and eternal.
• Reincarnation: Almost all Indian philosophies believe in reincarnation (except Charvaka). Reincarnation is linked to Karma theory.
• World is Full of Sorrows: Accepted uniformly in the Indian tradition (except Charvaka). Buddha's Four Noble Truths: The world is full of sorrows, there is a cause of suffering, there is a way to end suffering, and the path is the Eightfold Path.
• Moksha (Liberation): Freedom from the cycle of Karma, bondage, and reincarnation. Different names: Nirvana (Buddhism), Kaivalya (Jainism), Apavarga (Nyaya).
• Acceptance of the World as True: Most philosophies accept the world as true (except Advaita Vedanta, Madhyamika Buddhism, and Yogachara Buddhism).
• Panchamahabhuta: Five elements: Kshiti (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Gagan (sky), Sameer (wind).
• Sattva, Rajas, Tamas: Three qualities of nature.
• Cooperative Relationship between Religion and Philosophy: Philosophy and religion are closely linked, aiming to free man from sorrows.

3. Key Arguments and Perspectives:

• Determinism vs. Free Will: The debate on whether actions are predetermined or based on free will.
• Pessimism vs. Optimism: Whether the world is inherently sorrowful or has the potential for happiness.
• Elitism vs. Equality: Whether Indian philosophy is inherently elitist or has elements of equality and social justice.

4. Notable Quotes and Statements:

• Maithili Sharan Gupta: "India gave knowledge and education to the world first of all."
• Rigveda: "Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti" (There is only one truth, it is just found in different ways).
• Manusmriti: "Nastiko Vedanindak:" (An atheist is one who criticizes the Vedas).
• Schopenhauer: "Man can do what he wants, but he can't wish what he wants."
• Charvaka: "Pitwa Pitwa Punah Pitwa, Yavat Patati Bhutale" (Drink till you fall on the ground).
• Gita: "Nainam Chhindanti Shastrani Nainam Dahti Pavak: Na chanam kledayantyapo na shoshayati marutah" (The soul is eternal. It is permanent and cannot be cut by weapons. Nor can water drown the soul. Nor can the wind can dry the soul).

5. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Akritak: Vedas are natural, not created by anyone.
• Shabd Prmaan: Testimony of an authentic person in authentic scripture is self-proved.
• Prsthan Trayi: The three sources for understanding Vedanta: Upanishads, Gita, and Brahmasutra.
• Bhashya: Interpretation or explanation of a formula.
• Maya: Illusion.
• Mithya: Neither true nor false.
• Nirguna: Formless.
• Saguna: With form.
• Neti Neti: Not this, not this.
• Avyakrit/Avyaktani: Cannot be expressed in the language of Grammar.
• Chatushkoti Nyay: Lack of expression.
• Gilgul: Rebirth in Jewish tradition.
• Resurrection: Return to the same body.
• Metempsychosis: Rebirth.

6. Logical Connections:

• The historical development of Indian philosophy is presented chronologically, showing how each phase builds upon or reacts against the previous one.
• The discussion of atheist and theist philosophies highlights the different perspectives on the Vedas and the existence of a transcendental world.
• The explanation of Karma theory leads to the discussion of the soul and reincarnation, as these concepts are necessary to explain the consequences of actions.
• The discussion of Moksha is presented as the ultimate goal of Indian philosophy, providing a way to escape the suffering inherent in the world.

7. Data, Research Findings, and Statistics:

• Age of the universe: 13.8 billion years.
• Age of the Earth: 450 crore years (4.5 billion years).
• Number of Upanishads: 108 (10-12 major Upanishads are important).
• Ian Stevenson's research: Studied thousands of cases of children claiming to remember previous births.

8. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video provides a comprehensive introduction to Indian philosophy, covering its historical development, key concepts, and common trends. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and nuances of Indian philosophical thought, rather than simply applying Western definitions. The video also highlights the diversity of perspectives within Indian philosophy, from the atheistic Charvaka to the theistic Vedanta. The main takeaways are that Indian philosophy is a rich and complex tradition that offers valuable insights into the nature of reality, the human condition, and the path to liberation.