Articles

The term Saptavyasana (सप्तव्यसन) in Hindu Dharma Śāstra refers to the seven destructive vices that deeply entangle and degrade a human being, diverting them from Dharma, Artha, and the pursuit of the Purushārthas. The word vyasana denotes addiction or vice, while sapta means seven, collectively indicating seven major vices that bind the mind, drain one’s...

The term Sabhā Saptāṅga (सभा सप्ताङ्ग) refers to the seven essential limbs (aṅga) of a sabhā, the sacred assembly or court in Bhāratīya tradition. The word sabhā denotes an assembly or court where dharma, learning, art, and governance are discussed and practiced, often under the guidance of a king, a learned assembly, or a guru....

Introduction Man is often described as a rational animal. Once the animal in him is reasonably satisfied by the provision of basic biological and some psychological needs, the rational part gets an opportunity to evolve to higher levels. Philosophy, including metaphysics, is one of the highest aspects of this evolution. Darśanas The Indian philosophical systems...

Introduction Among the well-known philosophical systems of India, the Vedānta system — called the Vedānta ‘Darśana’ and based mainly on the prasthānatraya, viz. the Upaniṣads, the Brahmasūtras and the Bhagavadgītā — carved for itself a pre-eminent place. Over time it branched into three main streams: Advaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita, and Dvaita. The Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta Darśana is not...

Introduction The Vedānta-darśana, the last of the six well-known systems of Indian philosophy, has three main branches: Advaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita and Dvaita. The Dvaita Vedānta system, vigorously propounded and propagated by Madhva (1238-1317 CE, Madhva is also known as Ānanda-tīrtha and Pūrṇa-prajña) is the most powerful reaction to the extreme idealism of Advaita as taught by...