Block Introduction
Block 1 attempts to outline general characterstics of Indian Philosophy by
introducing Indian Philosophical Traditions. For this, in this unit at attempt
has been made to show the philosophical role of Vedas, Upanis̩ ads, Purān̩as,
and Mahākāvya, so that learner could not only understand historical but also
philosophical origin of Indian Philosophical systems.
Unit 1 ‘An Outline of Indian Philosophy’, of this block attempts to explain, with
the help of central characterstics of Indian Philosophy, is there any fundamental
difference between Indian and Western traditions, if yes, then what are those
differences, along with this, it also addresses the questions of what is philosophy,
what is ultimate reality? Etc. It also discusses some fundamental Indian thesis
like Purus̩ ārthas, Varn̩āśrama etc.
Unit 2 ‘Indian Scriptures’ address the philosophical thoughts of Vedāṅga,
Smr̩ ti, Purān̩as etc. An attempt has been made in this unit to see how these
texts play a role of Indian Philosophical systems. We also study Smr̩ ti tradition
and Sūtra tradition in this unit. With these, moral and political philosophy of
the characters of Mahābhārata, Vidur and Bhishma, is also discussed in this
unit. But an elaborated discussion of Mahābhārata and other Mahākāvyas has
not been included in this unit because next unit is devoted to the philosophy of
Mahākāvyas only.
Unit 3 ‘Philosophy of the Epics’ is about the philosophy of Mahākāvyas. An
attempt has been made to know the philosophical thoughts of Ramāyan̩a,
Mahābhārata and Gīta. The metaphysical, epistemological and ethical
philosophies propounded by these Mahākāvyas have been discussed in this
unit.
Unit 4 ‘Nāstika and Āstika Darśana’ addresses the distinction of āstika (orthodox)
and nāstika (heterodox) prevalent in Indian philosophical systems. Not only the
distinction, this unit also tries to explain the grounds of this distinction in the
Indian philosophical systems as well.
