Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

Kalilah wa Dimna, a book containing a collection of fables is an Arabic version of the Panchtantra.

Seleucus Nicator was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya. Megasthenes was his ambassador. After defeat of Seleucus Nicator Megasthenes stayed back at Chandragupta Maurya’s court. His book ‘Indica’ is an important source for the study of India during the Maurya period.

Shivaji Maharaj abolished the system of Jagirs (land grants) to prevent the rise of local power centers and to ensure that soldiers were paid directly by the state.

Kushan dynasty ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region. Its greatest ruler was Kanishka. They were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism and played an important role in extending to China and other Asian countries through the Silk Road.

Kanishka was the greatest king of the Kushan dynasty that ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region. He was a great patron of Buddhism. Some of the scholars in the Court of Kanishka were Parsva, Vasumitra, Asvaghosa, Nagarjuna, Charaka and Mathara. Ashvaghosh was a Buddhist philosopher, dramatist, poet and orator from India while Vasumitra was a scholar in his court who headed the 4th Buddhist Council.

Kanishka was the most powerful ruler of the Kushan Empire. His conquests and patronage of Buddhism played an important role in the development of the Silk Road, and the transmission of Mahayana Buddhism from Gandhara across the Karakoram range to China. He was a patron of Buddhism and he called the 4th Buddhist council in the Kundalvana of Kashmir in 78 AD. His greatest contribution to Buddhist architecture was the Kanishka stupa at Peshawar, Pakistan.

The literal meaning of the term Surya Namaskar is "sun salutation". There are total of twelve asanas in Surya Namaskar. Surya Namaskar warms up and prepares body for asana practice. It helps in reducing weight. It helps in strengthen the muscles and joint. It gives glowing skin too.

According to ancient philosophies, the matter was classified as air, water, earth, fire, and sky. This classification is based on the sources of matter. Since there are five sources, hence it was also called as 'panch tattvas'. 

Suthradar Mandan was a great architect of olden times. He incorporated principles of architecture in his Granthas. He was a favourite vasthu shilpi of Mewar Maharana Kumbha. His prominent chapters are Devta-Murti Prakaran, Prasadamandanam, Vastushastram, Vastusar etc.

Yashodharamma was born in Bengaluru on May 28, 1905. Her father was Ramaiah and mother Revamma. Her father was a social reformist oriented person. After finishing her primary studies at Bengaluru, she finished intermediate in Madras at Queen Marys college. On returning from Madras, she was married to Dasappa, the third son of Rao Saheb Chennaiah, in 1926. Both Yashodharamma and Dasappa were social workers. On being influenced by Gandhiji, they became the members of Indian National Congress. The couple stayed at Wadra Seva Grama for few years and returned. They participated in the freedom struggle of Mysuru princely state.They witnessed the inclusion of Mysuru state into Indian federation. She participated in the Shivapura Flag Sathyagraha in 1938.

Viharas were Buddhist monasteries that served as centers of learning. Consequently, Buddhist philosophy was a foundational and compulsory subject for students residing and studying there.

Basaveshwara was a saint. He preached in three forms: soft advice, harsh criticism, strict warning. He taught that surrendering oneself to Shiva with total devotion was the only path to salvation. He declared that work is worship. He established Anubhava Mantapa in 1162 C.E. He wrote his vachanas in simple Kannada that resembled the spoken language of the common people.

Basaveshwara was a saint. He preached in three forms: soft advice, harsh criticism, strict warning. He taught that surrendering oneself to Shiva with total devotion was the only path to salvation. He declared that work is worship. He established Anubhava Mantapa in 1162 C.E. He wrote his vachanas in simple Kannada that resembled the spoken language of the common people.

Basaveshwara was a saint. He preached in three forms: soft advice, harsh criticism, strict warning. He taught that surrendering oneself to Shiva with total devotion was the only path to salvation. He declared that work is worship. He established Anubhava Mantapa in 1162 C.E. He wrote his vachanas in simple Kannada that resembled the spoken language of the common people.

Basaveshwara was a saint. He preached in three forms: soft advice, harsh criticism, strict warning. He taught that surrendering oneself to Shiva with total devotion was the only path to salvation. He declared that work is worship. He established Anubhava Mantapa in 1162 C.E. He wrote his vachanas in simple Kannada that resembled the spoken language of the common people.