Classical Vaieika in Indian Philosophy
Vaieika is one of the six systems of Hindu philosophy. It represents a pluralistic realism and is usually held to be an atomistic, metaphysical theory. This book explores the basic tenets of the classical Vaieika school of Indian philosophy from a new perspective. It argues that Vaieika reveals an epistemological formulation of its own, which was diminished due to later developments in the history of Indian philosophical tradition.
Focusing on the principles of knowable objects and the processes of knowing as propounded by the Vaieika school of Indian philosophy, the book offers a fuller appreciation of its theories. Providing a balanced approach by examining earliest available material in the original sources of Vaieika and concentrating on the epistemological pattern adopted therein, it presents an authentic and comprehensive understanding of Vaieika concepts. This is the first introductory sourcebook in English for the authentic study of Vaieika, and is of use to students and scholars of World Religion and Philosophy.
ShashiPrabha Kumar is Professor and Chairperson of the Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
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Classical Vaieika in Indian Philosophy
On knowing and what is to be known
ShashiPrabha Kumar
First published 2013
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2013 ShashiPrabha Kumar
The right of ShashiPrabha Kumar to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Kumar, ShashiPrabha, 1951
Classical Vaisesika in Indian philosophy : on knowing and what is to be
known/ShashiPrabha Kumar.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Vaisesika. 2. Ontology. I. Title.
B132.V2K84 2013
181.44dc23
2012033407
ISBN: 978-0-415-54918-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-44108-4 (ebk)
Preface
This book addresses itself to the modern Western student, both postgraduate and undergraduate, who would like to get an authentic and intrinsic introduction to the Vaieika school of Indian philosophy. At the same time it also intends to cater to scholars, albeit in a limited manner, Indian as well as Western, to whom a more detailed presentation of facts and discussion of problems in the original sources of Vaieika may be welcome.
Vaieika is one of the six systems of Hindu philosophy. Propounded by Kada, the system represents a pluralistic realism and is usually held to be an atomistic, metaphysical theory. However, on closer study, it reveals an epistemological formulation of its own, which was diminished due to later developments in the history of Indian philosophical tradition. Being a student of Vaieika during the last three decades, I have found sufficient material to substantiate the view that the system offers a lot of material for thought which needs to be studied in its earlier sources, not only as an ontological theory but also as an epistemological approach.
As the title Vaieika itself indicates, the system is so designated because it highlights the individual differences among various entities of the universe rather than their inherent unity or underlying oneness. Accordingly, this book intends to present the theories of Vaieika in an epistemological format. The primary purpose of this exercise is to deepen the existing scholarly understanding of the origins and early development of this critical and positive branch of Indian learning and to relate it to the current discussion on development of Indian philosophical thought in general.
