A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume I

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume I by Surendranath Dasgupta, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Surendranath Dasgupta ISBN: 9781613102381
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Surendranath Dasgupta
ISBN: 9781613102381
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

The old civilisation of India was a concrete unity of many-sided developments in art, architecture, literature, religion, morals, and science so far as it was understood in those days. But the most important achievement of Indian thought was philosophy. It was regarded as the goal of all the highest practical and theoretical activities, and it indicated the point of unity amidst all the apparent diversities which the complex growth of culture over a vast area inhabited by different peoples produced. It is not in the history of foreign invasions, in the rise of independent kingdoms at different times, in the empires of this or that great monarch that the unity of India is to be sought. It is essentially one of spiritual aspirations and obedience to the law of the spirit, which were regarded as superior to everything else, and it has outlived all the political changes through which India passed. The Greeks, the Huns, the Scythians, the Pathans and the Moguls who occupied the land and controlled the political machinery never ruled the minds of the people, for these political events were like hurricanes or the changes of season, mere phenomena of a natural or physical order which never affected the spiritual integrity of Hindu culture. If after a passivity of some centuries India is again going to become creative it is mainly on account of this fundamental unity of her progress and civilisation and not for anything that she may borrow from other countries. It is therefore indispensably necessary for all those who wish to appreciate the significance and potentialities of Indian culture that they should properly understand the history of Indian philosophical thought which is the nucleus round which all that is best and highest in India has grown. Much harm has already been done by the circulation of opinions that the culture and philosophy of India was dreamy and abstract. It is therefore very necessary that Indians as well as other peoples should become more and more acquainted with the true characteristics of the past history of Indian thought and form a correct estimate of its special features.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The old civilisation of India was a concrete unity of many-sided developments in art, architecture, literature, religion, morals, and science so far as it was understood in those days. But the most important achievement of Indian thought was philosophy. It was regarded as the goal of all the highest practical and theoretical activities, and it indicated the point of unity amidst all the apparent diversities which the complex growth of culture over a vast area inhabited by different peoples produced. It is not in the history of foreign invasions, in the rise of independent kingdoms at different times, in the empires of this or that great monarch that the unity of India is to be sought. It is essentially one of spiritual aspirations and obedience to the law of the spirit, which were regarded as superior to everything else, and it has outlived all the political changes through which India passed. The Greeks, the Huns, the Scythians, the Pathans and the Moguls who occupied the land and controlled the political machinery never ruled the minds of the people, for these political events were like hurricanes or the changes of season, mere phenomena of a natural or physical order which never affected the spiritual integrity of Hindu culture. If after a passivity of some centuries India is again going to become creative it is mainly on account of this fundamental unity of her progress and civilisation and not for anything that she may borrow from other countries. It is therefore indispensably necessary for all those who wish to appreciate the significance and potentialities of Indian culture that they should properly understand the history of Indian philosophical thought which is the nucleus round which all that is best and highest in India has grown. Much harm has already been done by the circulation of opinions that the culture and philosophy of India was dreamy and abstract. It is therefore very necessary that Indians as well as other peoples should become more and more acquainted with the true characteristics of the past history of Indian thought and form a correct estimate of its special features.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book St. Peter, His Name and His Office as Set Forth in Holy Scripture by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book Selected Short Works of Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book History of the Union Jack and Flags of the Empire by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book La San-Felice (Complete) by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book Science from an Easy Chair by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book The Book of Dreams and Ghosts by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book The Children's Life of the Bee by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book The Ethics of Confucius by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book The Fighting Fool by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book The History and Romance of Crime: Italian Prisons by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book Victorian Ode for Jubilee Day, 1897 by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book A Collection of Ballads by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book A Source Book of Mediaeval History Documents Illustrative of European Life and institutions from The German invasions to The Renaissance by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book In the Ranks of the C.I.V. by Surendranath Dasgupta
Cover of the book Passages from The English NoteBooks (Complete) by Surendranath Dasgupta
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy