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Indian Knowledge System Corpus - A classification framework

The IKS Corpus - A Classification Framework

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I. Broad Divisions of the IKS Corpus

  • Literary Part:
    • Texts and written knowledge.
    • Further divided into:
      • Sanatana Dharma Corpus
      • Other Dharmik Literature (Buddhism, Jainism)
  • Non-Literary Part:
    • Oral traditions and unwritten knowledge.
    • Includes health traditions, art forms (64 Kalas), and more.

II. The Literary Part: Sanatana Dharma Corpus

A. Core Scriptures:

  • Vedas and Vedangas:
    • Fundamental building blocks of Sanatana Dharma.
    • Basic core texts

B. Other Sanatana Dharma literature:

  • Aligned to the principles of Sanatana Dharma.
  • Includes fields such as:
    • Mathematics
    • Astronomy
    • Aesthetics
    • Engineering and Technology
  • Example: Mathematics in Astronomy aligning to Yuga cycles from Sanatana Dharma.
  • Mostly in Sanskrit.
  • Regional Languages often retell or contextualize ideas from Sanskrit texts.

III. The Literary Part: Other Dharmik Literature

  • Key Elements: Buddhist and Jain literature.
  • Significant Contributions: Includes contributions on Mathematics and other fields.
  • Historical Context: Contributions date back to 500 BCE and later.

A. Buddhist Literature:

*  Includes mathematical concepts.
*  Covers maritime activity, shipbuilding, and alchemy.
*  Example: Nagarjuna's *Rasaratnakara* (1st century CE) - early alchemy work.

B. Jain Literature:

*  Has canonical sacred texts.
*  Mathematics is an integral part of the literature (*Ganitanuyoga*).
*  Example: Attempts to determine number of species (2^96), mathematical texts like *Tattvartha Sutra*, and works by mathematician Madavacharya.

IV. The Non-Literary Part

  • Oral Traditions:
    • Health traditions.
    • Art forms (including the 64 Kalas).
    • Many other types.

V. Sanatana Dharma - Other Literature (Basic and Applied Sciences)

  • Basic and Applied Sciences:
    • Mathematics
    • Astronomy
    • Plant Sciences (Vriksha Ayurveda)
    • Engineering & Technology
      • Metal working
      • Shipbuilding
      • Dams and watershed management
      • Alchemy
    • Cosmetics, perfumes, dyes, town planning, and architecture
    • Health, wellness and psychology
      • Ayurveda, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya
      • Philosophical systems (Yoga, Sankya, Upanishads, Vedanta etc.) also talk about Psychology
    • Niti-sastras:
      • Code of conduct for society
      • Raja-niti (public administration & governance) and Samanya-niti (ethics, morality)
    • Aesthetics, Kavyas and Performing arts.

VI. Caturdasa Vidyasthana - Core Sanatana Literature Classification (14 Parts)

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  1. 4 Vedas and Upavedas (Core Texts)
  2. 6 Vedangas (Auxiliary texts to Vedas)
  3. Puranas
  4. Itihasas
  5. Dharma Sutras, Sastras and Smrtis (Law, Ethics)
  6. Nyaya (Detailed Logic)
  7. Mimamsa (Purva and Uttara Mimamsa - Philosophical Texts)

Comparison with Modern Systems

  • Vedas are the core texts - equivalent of the Bare Act (e.g., Income Tax Act).
  • Smrtis and Dharma Sastras (and their commentaries) are the guides - equivalent to Guide to the Act, providing details on how to apply the core texts.
  • Puranas and Itihasas are equivalent to Case Laws, which explain real-life applications and outcomes of the core texts.

VII. Conclusion

  • The classification schemes of the IKS corpus are quite interesting and comparable to the methods we use today.
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