Issues in Indian Philosophy #7

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Dear Friends:

 

Below is given the views of the different systems of Classical

Indian Thought vis-a-vis the Vedas.

 

 

ISSUE #7 THE DOCTRINE OF THE VEDAS

 

 

THE HETERODOX SYSTEMS:

 

Both Jainism and Buddhism categorically reject the authority of

the Vedas.

 

 

THE HINDU SYSTEMS:

 

1. THE NYAAYA-VAISHESHHIKA:

a) The Vedas are authored by God (IshvarakRta) and hence

of personal origin (paurusHeya).

b) The Vedas are non-eternal (anitya) in nature as they

are originated.

c) The Vedas are extrinsically valid (paratahprAmANya)

because they receive their validity from God who is distinct

from the Vedas.

 

 

 

2. THE SAANKHYA-YOGA:

a) The Vedas are authorless (akRta) and impersonal

(apaurusHeya) in nature.

b) The Vedas are non-eternal (anitya) in nature as their

utterance is like any other utterance, i.e. they perish as

soon as they are pronounced.

c) The Vedas are intrinsically valid (svatahprAmANya) since

they exist and are authoritative and yet not of a personal

origin.

 

 

3. THE MIIMAAMSAA AND VEDAANTA:

a) The Vedas are authorless (akRta) and impersonal

(apaurusHeya) in nature.

b) The Vedas are eternal (nitya) since they being the

repository of eternal Truths themselves cannot be non-eternal.

c) The Vedas are intrinsically valid (svatahprAmANya) as

they are authorless and eternal.

 

 

regards,

Hari-vAyu smaraNa

B.N.Hebbar