Hinduism - 5

[Guest guest]

5. Hindu Philosophy

 

Hindu philosophy is seen through the six streams of:

 

1. Samkhya

 

Samkhya is the oldest and the most orthodox philosophical system of

Hinduism and is said to have been propagated by Sage Kapila. Samkhya

states that the Universe consists of two eternal realities:

 

· Purusha (souls) are numerous in numbers but devoid of

qualities and are the silent spectators of Prakruti.

 

· Prakruti (matter or nature) is composed of three gunas

(dispositions) - sattvas, rajas, and tamas (steadiness, activity, and

dullness).

 

The relationship between Purusha and Prakruti is intertwined and so when

the equilibrium of the gunas is disturbed, the world order needs to

evolve. This is a dualistic philosophy in which the difference is

between the self and matter.

 

1a. Yoga

 

Yoga is considered to have arisen from the Samkhya philosophy and is

essentially described as a universal method of union with The Supreme.

The basis of this philosophy is the four primary systems as mentioned in

the Bhagavad-Gita: Karma-Yoga; Buddhi-Yoga; Dhyana-Yoga; and

Bhakti-Yoga.

 

Sage Patanjali wrote " Yoga Sutra " on Raja Yoga (meditational Yoga). The

difference between Yoga and Samkhya philosophies is that Yoga

incorporates the concept of Ishvara who is treated as a personal God and

also the ideal for meditation. Ishvara is treated as not being entangled

with Prakruti (Nature). Yoga also utilizes the Vedic terminologies and

concepts like Brahman. Moksha or Nirvana is said to be the realization

of the goal of Life in Yoga.

 

2. Nyaya

 

The Nyaya School of philosophy is said to have been propagated by

Aksapada Gautama and is based on texts called the Nyaya Sutras. This

philosophy is based on logic.

 

According to the Nyaya School, there are only four sources of knowledge

(pramanas): perception, inference, comparison, and testimony. Knowledge

obtained through each of these can be valid or invalid. The

practitioners of Nyaya philosophy are called Naiyanikas and they have

given logical proofs for the existence of God/Ishvara.

 

3. Vaisheshika

 

The Vaisheshika system of philosophy was founded by the Sage Kanada and

it deals with atomic pluralism. According to this school of philosophy,

all the objects in the physical universe can be reduced to a certain

number of atoms. God is regarded as the fundamental force who causes

consciousness in these atoms.

 

The Vaishesika system merged with Nyaya due to the closely related

metaphysical theories. However, Vaishesika differs from Nyaya in one

aspect: Nyaya accepts four sources of knowledge whereas Vaisheshika

accepts only two - perception and inference.

 

4. Purva Mimansa

 

The main objective of the Purva ( " earlier " ) Mimansa School was to

establish the authority of the Vedas and this school of philosophy was

propagated by Sage Jaimini. This philosophy formulated the rules of

Vedic interpretation. The practitioners of Mimansa are called Mimamsakas

and they believe that there should be unquestionable faith in the Vedas,

mantras and yajnas that sustain the activity of our Universe.

 

According to Mimansa, salvation can be attained only by strictly

adhering to the Vedic prescriptions. Later on, the thoughts of " Mukti " ,

and doctrines of God were also added to this school.

 

4a.Uttara Mimansa

 

Uttar Mimansa is also called Vedanta and it concentrates on the

philosophical teachings of Upanishads. Vedantic thought was based on

Vedic cosmology, hymns and philosophy. This school of philosophy

stresses on self discipline, spiritual connectivity and meditation. This

philosophy was propagated by Sage Vyasa. Uttar Mimansa also says that

consciousness of the Self (Jivatma) is continuous and indistinguishable

from the consciousness of the Supreme Spirit (Brahman - Paramatma).

 

The Uttar Mimansa School of philosophy gave rise to the three main

schools of Vedanta:

 

· Advaita Vedanta: Advaita (not two) refers to a monistic (or

non-dualistic) system, which emphasizes oneness. It was propagated by

AdiSankaracharya who based his theories of advaita on the Upanishads and

teachings of his own guru: Govinda Bhagavadpada. He exposed the relative

nature of the world and established the non-dual reality of Brahman in

which Atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (the ultimate reality) are

same. Adi Sankara denounced caste and meaningless rituals.

 

· Vishistadvaita Vedanta: Ramanujacharya was the propagator of

the concept of Sriman Narayana as the supreme Brahman. He taught that

ultimate reality had three aspects: Ishvara (Vishnu), Cit (soul) and

Acit (matter). Vishnu is the only independent reality, while souls and

matter are dependent on God for their existence.

 

· Dvaita Vedanta: Madhvacharya identified God with Vishnu. But

he said that there was a difference between the individual soul and the

Ultimate Soul. Thus his system is called Dvaita.

 

5. Bhakti

 

The concept of Bhakti takes its name from the Hindu term that signifies

a blissful, selfless and overwhelming love of God. Bhakti is seen as a

form of Yoga, or union and it seeks to dissolve the ego in God. It is

believed by the followers of Bhakti school of thought that it is God who

brings about all changes, is the source of all works, and acts through

the devotee as love and light. 'Sins' and evil-doings of the devotee are

said to fall away of their own accord due to the love of God towards his

devotees. The most popular means of expressing love for God in the Hindu

tradition is through puja.

 

6. Tantra

 

The word " Tantra " means treatise and is applied to a variety of

mystical, occult, medical and scientific works. The Tantra Shastra is a

development of the Vedic Karmakanda, promulgated to meet the needs of

that age. Tantra has given birth to or influenced ritual, yoga, and

sadhana of all kinds.