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Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) - Introduction 1. Why Study IKS? Long History: IKS has a very long history, tied to the enduring Indian civilization (estimated 5,000 - 8,000 years or even "time immemorial" by some indigenous sources). Accumulated Knowledge:...

Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Action & Definition I. Examples of IKS in Action A. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur Construction: Built by Raja Raja Chola I, completed in 1010 CE. Material: Entirely constructed of granite. Scale: Approximately 60,000 to...

The IKS Corpus - A Classification Framework 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...

Historicity of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) I. Challenges in Dating IKS Oral Transmission: Most IKS was orally transmitted, unlike Western sources that are primarily literary and printed. Dating Methodologies: Western methods for dating literary sources a...

Salient Features of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) I. Oral Tradition and its Implications Primary Mode: IKS was primarily transmitted orally. Memory Requirement: All knowledge had to be committed to memory, serving as the "CPU" for information storage. Ch...

Introduction to the Vedas I. The Nature of the Vedas A. Opening Mantras Begins with recitation of the first two mantras of Rigveda's Nasadiya Suktam, which explores the origin of the universe. B. Meaning of 'Veda' Derived from Sanskrit root "vid" meaning "...

A Synopsis of the Four Vedas I. Introduction Four Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda Historicity: Difficult to date precisely, with estimates ranging from 5000-8000 years old. Systematization: Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa) is credited wit...

Sub-classification of the Vedas I. Basic Sub-classification of each Veda Two Initial Levels: Each Veda is first divided into: Mantras (Samhita): The core part with the verses. Brahmana: A commentary that explains and specifies the rituals Brahmana Di...

Messages in the Vedas I. Overview Foundation of Sanatana Dharma: The Vedas are the foundational source for Sanatana Dharma and its practices. Rituals: Major component includes rituals to propitiate deities (Devatas) as described in Brahmanas. Diversity: C...

Introduction to Vedangas I. The Need for Vedangas Vedic Language: The Vedic corpus, like a computer program, is written in a specific language with rules (syntax). Auxiliary Texts: Vedangas are auxiliary texts or tools that are required to correctly unders...

Prologue on Siksha and Vyakarana I. Siksha - The Science of Pronunciation A. Meaning of Shiksha Derived from the root word meaning "to acquire knowledge". In the context of Vedangas, it signifies the science of pronunciation. Focus is on acquiring the knowle...

Basics of Nirukta and Chandas I. Nirukta: Etymology and Lexicography A. The Need for Nirukta To demonstrate the importance of Nirukta, the speaker begins by giving an example of a translated verse from the Tandya Brahmana. A translation by a Dutch philosophe...

Introduction to Kalpa and Jyotisha I. Kalpa - The Practical Guide A. Definition Kalpa serves as a guide or user manual. Provides instructions and specific directions for all aspects of life. * Includes personal, family, and social dimensions. Kalpa Sutras ...

Vedic Life - Distinctive Features I. Addressing Misconceptions Not Austerity Focused: Vedic people did not de-emphasize materialism or simply retreat to forests. They did not reject material comforts to lead an austere life. They aspired to live a full and...

An Introduction to Philosophy in the Indian Knowledge System I. The Need for Philosophy Basic Questions: Philosophy arises from fundamental questions such as: Why should one not commit theft? Why does the holy book or law prevent theft? Why does the holy b...

Development of Indian Philosophical Systems I. Context for Philosophical Inquiry Ultimate Happiness: The central pursuit is the attainment of ultimate happiness. The Self (Jiva): The inquiry begins with the self (Jiva), a core concept in Indian philosophy....

Unique Features of Indian Philosophical Systems I. Transmission and Development of Ideas Guru-Shishya Parampara: Philosophical ideas were primarily transmitted through a Guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student lineage) Oral Dialogue: Philosophical learning ...

Vedic Schools of Philosophy I. Overview of the Vedic Darshanas Six Systems: The six systems of Indian philosophy classified as Vedic are: Samkhya Yoga Nyaya Vaisheshika Mimamsa Vedanta Shared Acceptance: These traditions are considered Vedic because the...

Sankhya Approach to Philosophy I. Core Concepts Dualistic System: Sankhya is a dualistic tradition that seeks to explain the world and the self through two fundamental entities: Prakriti and Purusha. A. Prakriti Material Cause: Understood as the materi...

1. Introduction to Yoga Darshana Yoga is a significant Vedic tradition with philosophical principles. Patanjali systematized Yoga tenets in his Yoga-sutras, forming the Yoga Darshana. Yoga acts as a methodology to realize the difference between prakriti (nat...