Art & Culture

UPSC CSE
(Prelims + Mains)
Module 3
Indian Philosophy
-Arti Chhawari

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 Hinduism: Religion & Philosophy
The Hindu religious philosophy is derived from the vedic literature
which is further divided into Sruti and Smriti Literature.

The Sruti Literature is considered sacred and infallible as it is

believed to be divine in origin.

The Smriti Literature is based on retention of teachings passed

from generation to generation.
Sruti Literature: It includes all the four Vedas, namely, Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva
Veda. Each Veda has a core text called “Samhita” and three embedded texts called Brahmanas, Aranyakas
and Upanishads.

 Veda Samhitas

 Rig Veda: It is the oldest written text in the whole of Indo- European Literature. It has 1028
hymns in 10 chapters (mandalas). The 3rd Mandala contains the Gayatri Mantra, addressed
to Goddess Savitri. The 8th Mandala mentions the Soma Sacrifice. The 10th Mandala
mentions the Purusha-sukta hymn which defines the Varna System based on 4 varnas;
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
 Sama Veda: It is the prose form of Rig Veda hymns for recitation by the priestly class.
 Yajur Veda: It is the collection of sacrificial prayers with over 1500 hymns.
 Atharva Veda: It deals with peace and prosperity of the human society.

 Brahmanas

These are the manuals for the guidance of the priestly class. They mark the transition from Vedic
to grammatical Sanskrit. Each veda has its own Brahmana

 Aranyakas

‘Aranya’ means forest and Aranyakas are known as ‘forest books’. They were supposed to be read
in solitude in the forests by a married couple during the Vanaprastha phase of their lives. They
emphasise on the philosophy of the Austerity.

 Upanishads

In literal terms, it means that knowledge which is imparted to the student who is sitting very near
to the teacher. They represent the intellectual side of Hinduism as opposed to the ceremonial
aspect. They are also known as ‘Vedanta’ which signifies the culmination of Vedic Philosophy. They
are a total of 108 Upanishads.

The national motto ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is derived from the Mundaka Upanishad.

The define Ashramas: Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vanaprashta, Sanyasa.

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 Smriti Literature: It is divided into 5 parts, namely:

 Upvedas: These are the sub- Vedas. Each Veda has its own Upveda.

 Ayurveda: science related to life and medicine.

 Dhanurveda: Various spiritual and material sciences
 Gandharva Veda: Science of Music
 Shilpa Veda: Architecture

 Vedanga : These are the limbs of the Vedas, which are supplementary texts to study/ comprehend
Vedic Literature.

 Niryukti(Etymology)
 Vyakarna(Grammar)
 Jyotish(Astronomy)
 Kalpa(Rituals)
 Chhanda(Vedic Meter)
 Shiksha(Phonetics)

 Darshanas : These texts represent the metaphysical though of Hinduism.

 Samkhya: By Rishi Kapil. It denies the difference between God and the soul; Buddhism and
Jainism are influenced by it.
 Nyaya: by Rishi Gautam. It emphasised on the use of logic to attain salvation.
 Vaisheshika: By Rishi Kannad. It hints at the existence of the smallest unit which makes up
the whole universe i.e. Atom.
 Yoga: By Rishi Patanjali/Hiranyagarba. It focuses on the right kind of spiritual exercises to
attain moksha.
 Purava Mimansa: By rishi Jamini. It emphasises on the right actions to attain salvation.
 Uttara Mimansa: By Badarayan. It preaches monotheism and culminates the vedantic
philosophy.

 Puranas: The word Purana means ‘that which renews the old’. There are 18 Puranas in total. The
Puranas are related to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
 Mahakavyas (Epic): There are two Hindu epics, namely,

 Mahabharata by Vedvyasa
 Ramayana by Maharishi Valmiki

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 Buddhism: Religion & Philosophy
Origin

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (born as Siddharth Gautama).

He was born in 563 BC in a Sakya Kshatriya family in Kapilvastu. His

father headed the republican clan of Sakyas and mother was a Kosalan
princess.

He was married to princess Yashodhara and had a son named Rahul. He left his family
(Mahabhinishkramana) at the age of 29 in the quest to solve the misery in the world.

After wandering for several years, he finally achieved enlightenment (nirvana) at Bodh
Gaya under a papal tree. He was given the title of Buddha or Tathagata or Sakyamuni.

He delivered his first sermon (Dharmachakrapravartan) at Sarnath in Banaras. He passed

away (Mahaparinirvana) at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kusinagar.

Symbols of 5 great events of Buddha’s Life

Doctrines of Buddhism

The Eightfold Path of Buddhism, also called the Middle Path was recommended by
Buddha for the elimination of human misery. It comprises of:

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Buddha taught the four noble truths in Dhammachakraparivartan which are the core
teachings of Buddhism. They are:

 Sorrow: The world is full of sorrow.

 Cause of Sorrow: The cause of sorrows is desire.
 Prevention of Sorrow: Man can get rid of sorrow by triumphing over the desires.
 The Path of Prevention of Sorrow: Man can avoid sorrow by following the Ashtang
Marg/ eight fold path.

Rather than believing in God, Buddhism focuses on moral progess independent of God.

Buddhism accepts the theory of transmigration, but not exactly the theory of
transmigration of ‘soul’.

Buddha also laid down a code of conduct for his followers. The main one are:

 Do not covet the property of others

 Do not commit Violence
 Do not use intoxicants
 Do not speak a lie
 Do not indulge in corrupt practices.

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Buddhist Councils

Sects in Buddhism

Hinayana

It is the orthodox, conservative school pf Buddhism emphasizing on strict personal

discipline. It is known as the ‘lesser vehicle’ as lesser amount of people can reach
enlightenment through it. It does not believe in idol worship. It was patronised by Asoka.
Hinayana scholars used Pali as a medium of propagation.

Mahayana

It is the liberal school of Buddhism which interprets Buddha’s teachings logically. It is

known as the ‘greater vehicle’ as it promises spiritual liberation to a large number of
people. This sect believes in idol worship. It was patronised by Kanishka. Mahayana
scholars used Sanskrit as a medium of propagation.

Theravada

It developed primarily in Sri Lanka around 3rd century BC.

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Vajrayana

It mainly emphasized on Tantras.

Zen Buddhism

It focuses more on spiritual breakthroughs and lesser on scriptures. It is mostly famous in

Japan.

Buddhist Literary Texts (Tripitikas)

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 Jainism: Religion & Philosophy

Origin

Jainism is said to have originated around the Rig Vedic Age. Jainism was
founded by a line of 24 ‘Great Teachers’ known as the Tirthankaras. The
first Tirthankara was Rishabhadev, the 23rd was Parsvanath and the 24th
was Vardhamana Mahavira.

Vardhamana Mahavira

Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Vaishali (in present day North Bihar). His father,
Siddhartha was the head of Jnatrika Kshatriya clan and mother, Trishala, was a Licchavi
princess.

He abandoned his household life at the age of 30 in the search of the truths and became
an ascetic. After 12 years of sacrifices and penance, he finally attained ‘Kaivalya’ or perfect
knowledge at the age of 42.

Through this perfect knowledge, he conquered both misery and happiness, thus giving
him the moniker of the Great conqueror or ‘ Mahavira’ or ‘Jain’.

He propagated the religion through Kosala, Magadha, Mithila, Champa, etc.

He passed away at the age of 72 at Pavapuri (near present day Rajgir).

Doctrines of Jainism

Jainism asks followers to take five cardinal vows:

 Do not commit violence: Ahimsa

 Do not speak a lie: Satya
 Do not steal: Asetya
 Do not acquire property: Aparigraha
 Observe continence: Brahmacharya

The first four are believed to be given by Parsvanatha and the fifth is believed to be given
by Mahavira.

Jainism believes in God but places him below the ‘Jina’.

It believes in the theory of karma and transmigration of soul.

It believes in the Varna System and says that the Varna of a person is due to the Karma in
previous births.

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Jainism gives three gems (triratnas) for the attainment of liberation:

 Right Belief (Samyak Darshan)

 Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyana)
 Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra)

Jainism believes that even the most inanimate objects have a soul.

Jain Councils

Sects in Jainism

After the first Jain council, the Jain order was divided into two sects:

Svetambars: Those who wear a white dress (propagated by Sthulabhadra).

Digambaras: Those who keep themselves naked (propagated by Bhadrabahu).

Spread

Both men and women are admitted in the Jainism order. Its spread was hampered due to
its failure to differentiate itself from the Brahmanical religion. Chandragupta Maurya led
its spread to South and west India. Kalinga’s king Kharavela gave Jainism royal patronage
in 1st century BC.

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