Purusharthama and Human Values - A Bookreview in the Hindu-

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Date:22/04/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/br/2003/04/22/stories/200304220002030

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Human values

VALUE PERSPECTIVES IN INDIAN PHILOSOPHY: Bijayananda Kar; Mittal

Publications, A-110, Mohan Garden, New Delhi-110059. Rs. 350.

THE IMPOSING title of the book raises expectations, which we fear are

not realised. Disappointment is the feeling one has when he has read

the book. There is a certain diffuseness in the writing, which makes

reading it extremely painful. Besides, the author takes the liberty

of deviating almost systematically from standard English. Apparently

he regards communication can be achieved without conformity to

English idiom and conventions of expression. We can put up with this

deviationist English, however, if we are given something to ponder

over seriously in a book with such a grandiose title.

The purpose of the book is stated to be an examination of the role of

value in Indian philosophical thought. Value or "Purushartha" is the

most central thing in Indian thought. "Moksha" is the "Parama

Purushartha". Life has only one goal — the attainment of this "Parama

Purushartha", which, in essence, is liberation from this cycle of

births and deaths. We do not share the view of T.S. Eliot that life

consists in birth, copulation and death. Life has higher goals.

Artha and Kama have to be controlled by Dharma on the one hand and

Moksha on the other hand. Artha or wealth is not a goal but a means.

Kama derives from the limitations of the physical body's sensuous

needs but this too has to be governed in its functioning by the all

encompassing ideal of Dharma and the ultimate goal of Moksha.

The author deals with secularism, national integration, Sankara's

ideas, Gandhiji's views, Radhakrishnan's views, Vivekananda's ideas

and a few other topics, which stimulate general interest. The idea of

a secular state is an exercise in tautology. The state has inevitably

to be secular unless it is a theocracy. The state has to be a dharmic

institution. Indian secularism has so far been pseudo secularism, as

it does not stay neutral in religious matters. The Indian

legislatures have a large say in the functioning of religious

institutions and religious practices. This has often led to its

interference being limited to Hindu institutions and practices.

National integration has its limits in India. Social justice is very

often sought to be enforced in a way, which denies justice to the

individual as an individual. In no country other than India is a

state policy aiming at and achieving the systematic suppression of

individual talent.

To Gandhiji, the philosophy of Ruskin's "Unto this last" was the

ultimate in human values. Wealth is a trust. Work is a duty. Dharma

should embrace the whole of humanity. The book provokes thought and

is therefore to be welcomed on this ground only.

S.R.

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