Fwd: Article from The Hindu: Philosophy of Ramanuja - A Book Review

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Philosophy of Ramanuja

 

COMPLETE WORKS OF Dr. K. C. VARADACHARI (Volume Six --

Visishtadvaita -- Metaphysics Epistemology and Philosophy): Sri

Ramachandra Publishers, Fourth Floor, Laxmi Plaza, Entrenchment

Road, East Marredpally, Secunderabad. Rs. 250.

 

THE SIXTH volume of Complete works of Dr. K. C. Varadachari

extensively deals with the metaphysical doctrines expounded by

Sri Ramajuna in his Sri Bashya, the epistemological truths,

logical implications of the mind which is not a machine but an

organism, the synthetic approach of Visishtadvaita philosophy and

the Visishtadvaita system of thought explained in terms of

philosophy of religion. Dr. Varadachari gives a vivid picture of

the entire gamut of the philosophy of Visishtadvaita ranging from

the theory of knowledge, which is based on its ontology

elucidating the harmony of the physical, moral, and spiritual

orders or Reality. The relation between physical matter and

metaphysical ideologies have been thoroughly analysed in a

logical way and the author calls such a unity as organismic and

personalistic. Since the culmination of philosophical inquiries

is religion and forms the basis for metaphysics, it brings out

the deepest aspirations of religious life based on the

realisation of Visishtadvaita ideologies.

 

The metaphysical system of Sri Ramanuja as elucidated effectively

and efficiently by the author treats the theory of cause or the

cause-effect continuum, about the evolution of the universe or

the process as in space-time continuum and about the ontological

status of the ultimate reality or the substance. Suitable

citations are given at appropriate places to substantiate the

arguments.

 

Prof. Varadachari has made a comparative analysis of

Visishtadvaita with the other systems like Nyaya, Vaiseshika,

Sankhya, Sankara-bashya and Kant. It is also interesting to note

that the author resorts to the purva-paksha-siddhanta-model

(rival faith-one's own faith) for the augmentation and permeating

of Visishtadvaita thought. It is customary among Indian thinkers

to start their inquiry with epistemology and proceed to discuss

the metaphysical issues.

 

According to the author, the method of Ramanuja is ontological

and not epistemological, for what exists is perceivable and not

what perceived only exists. In this sense "the epistemological

conclusion is only a portion of the ontological and supports the

ontological.''

 

The key concepts in Visishtadvaita viz., aprathaksiddha-

viseshana, dharma bhutta jnana, sarira-sariri bhava, and

antaryamin are well explained. The realistic trend maintained by

Ramajuna throughout is tactfully and skilfully elucidated by the

author against absolutistic and idealistic trends.

The academic excellence of Dr. Varadachari is revealed in every

page of his book. His mission was to establish the Visishtadvaita

system of thought as a systematic presentation of philosophy of

religion and he has succeeded in his endeavour.

 

R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

 

Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are

expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

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