Tmp Mahadevan Essay Example

Although ancient Indian thought is generally considered philosophical, classical Indian philosophy takes a more pragmatic approach by exploring how individuals acquire knowledge and communicate about everyday matters. The complexity of Indian philosophy is vast and diverse.

While scholars analyze the significance, insights, classical teachings about knowledge and language in Indian thought, Western students have mainly focused on its religious and mystical teachings. Mahadevan's "Social, Ethical, and Spiritual Values in Indian Philosophy" sums up that philosophy revolves around values and the end goal of philosophy is the attainment of these values. All schools of Indian philosophy aspire towards achieving sorrowless lives.

Going beyond logic, it becomes a vital aspect of one's life to undergo self-purification through the development of one's moral and spiritual qualities, which is the primary benefit gained from fulfilling duties towards society. The process of achieving personal perfection is continuous throughout life, where every stage holds equal importance. According to Indian culture, there are four essential human values: Dharma, meaning righteousness; Artha, meaning wealth; Kama, meaning pleasure; and Moksha, meaning liberation or spiritual freedom. Dharma is considered the fundamental virtue in Indian culture.

Indian philosophy emphasizes the importance of morality as the foundation for other social values, such as wealth, legitimate pleasures, and spiritual freedom. Unlike Western philosophy, Indian thought does not aim to suppress desires and emotions, but rather to allow them to flow within limits, leading to higher levels of experience. Modern philosophers often critique the subject of morality in Indian philosophy. (Mahadevan 155)

Despite the availability of scriptures, such as the Upanisads, which offer extensive explanations and solutions, they were produced during a time of intellectual unrest and philosophical inquiry. These texts contain revised

and reconsidered versions of previous material. The Brhadaranyaka Upanisad provides meticulous instructions on how to bear a scholarly daughter or brave son. Indian philosophy posits that the soul remains eternal and timeless, with no discernible starting or ending point.

(Mahadevan 159) The theory of karma involves a system of cause and effect spanning multiple lifetimes. This illustrates how acting with the expectation of future rewards can result in bondage and unhappiness. At one level, these actions lead to further actions and therefore further karma is accumulated. This is due to the fact that an individual is never satisfied upon achieving a goal.

Dependence on past actions determines our present identity and situation, as asserted by Mahadevan: "Every action has a double effect: it produces its appropriate reward and it also affects character" (Mahadevan 159). While caste refers to numerous social groups that have increased over time, the term varna, meaning color in Sanskrit, is used to describe class or caste. It was believed that those with lighter skin had higher status. Breaking free from the cycle of rebirth and karma is the ultimate goal for man according to Mahadevan.

The Brahmins, who were the priestly class, were often referred to as the twice born. They had the responsibility of learning and teaching the Vedas, which were sacred texts that contained hymns. The Ksatriya community produced kings and rulers, and their duty was to protect the people and country. Although they were allowed to learn the Vedas, they were not authorized to teach them.

The Vaisyas, who belonged to the mercantile class, were responsible for managing the majority of commercial transactions. The Sudras, who were considered servants, were the

last class mentioned. Their duty was to serve the other classes, particularly the Brahmins. It was recommended that Sudras who wished to attain good karma should understand their responsibilities, avoid committing sins, and follow the examples of virtuous individuals without reciting sacred texts. An in-depth examination of the caste system will reveal that obligations rather than rights are regarded as the backbone of this system.

According to Mahadevan, the Bhagavata asserts that one's actions, not their family or birth, determine if they are a brahmana (163). He supports this idea by sharing a story from the Chandogya Upanisad. In Indian society, there are four main stages, or asramas, recognized for males of the upper three classes. The first stage is called brahmacarya, which is a time for study and discipline. During this stage, students live with their teachers and then return home after completing their studies.

The grihastha stage is when a man must fulfill his caste and societal duties while treating everyone equally and with respect. He should understand the responsibilities of both juniors and elders, and take care of his family with a sense of responsibility. The vanaprastha stage is when a man recognizes the falsehood and uselessness of dualities, renouncing all desires and attachments to the material world and instead seeking the company of sages.

The ultimate phase of life is known as sanyasa, which transcends worldly pleasures and desires. The sannyasin engages in introspection, contemplating the enigmas of existence. They relinquish any individual aspirations or self-centered yearnings. The sannyasin extends an invitation to all, though few respond, to partake in their boundless joy.

(Mahadevan 166) According to Hinduism, the four asramas are designed to

guide individuals towards spiritual perfection and freedom in a progressive manner. The ultimate goal is to achieve liberation from the cycle of births and deaths through three different paths, including karma yoga, which involves unselfish action. This path emphasizes that the ultimate goal of all actions should be God-realization or Self-realization rather than finite ends. Therefore, right actions should be taken without seeking praise or blame to attain inner peace.

The three paths of yoga are: Karma yoga, the yoga of action and selfless service; Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion and love for God; and Jnana yoga, the yoga of knowledge and intellectual inquiry.

Bhakti yoga is focused on attaining God through love and remembrance. The powerful emotion of love is the key to achieving this devotion.

Jnana yoga, on the other hand, emphasizes the attainment of wisdom through acquiring knowledge. This type of wisdom can help to eradicate past karma. Asking questions and seeking clarification are important components towards achieving true liberation.

The idea of value in Indian philosophy is rooted in the Upanisadic understanding of Brahman. According to the Upanisads, Brahman represents the origin and sustainer of all existence, beyond human comprehension yet pervading everything. Understanding Brahman means reaching the state of consciousness known as the Supreme. At the core of our souls, Atman, philosophers have found the same essence that underpins the universe as Brahman.

According to Mahadevan, Brahman represents the ultimate reality and value, serving as the final goal and fulfillment of all endeavors and aspirations. He believes that collaborative philosophies from both Western and Eastern influences can only merge if they remain self-consistent and open to accepting

truth from other views. These perspectives should celebrate life in a way that draws individuals closer to higher values. By satisfying these conditions, a greater understanding of truth can be achieved.