Philosophies

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...