Indian Philosophy

The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj,' which means to yoke, unite, or join. This reflects yoga's aim of uniting body, mind, and spirit, or individual consciousness with universal consciousness.

The Yajur Veda contains philosophical discussions about infinity (ananta) in its hymns and rituals. The concept of 'ananta' appears in Vedic literature, particularly in the Yajur Veda which explores the infinite nature of the divine and the universe through its sacrificial formulas.

Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE) taught Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which emphasizes the non-dualistic nature of reality - that the individual soul (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman) are one and the same. He established four monasteries (mathas) across India and wrote commentaries on key Hindu scriptures.

The Agnya (third eye) chakra is associated with intuition, insight, and spiritual awareness in yogic traditions. It's located between the eyebrows and is considered the seat of higher consciousness and inner wisdom. The Anahat is the heart chakra, Vishuddhi is the throat, and Muladhar is the root chakra.

In the chakra system of yoga and spirituality, the Muladhar (root) chakra, located at the base of the spine, governs basic survival instincts, security, and primal nature including animal instincts. Vishuddhi (throat) deals with communication, Swadhisthan (sacral) with creativity and emotions, while Anahat (heart) relates to love and compassion.

Truth, as comprehended by an ordinary human being, is what Gandhiji called relative truth.

Early Indian and Greek philosophers classified matter as ‘Panch Tatva’.

Vyuhavada is the doctrine of manifestations or emanations associated with Bhagavatism and the Pancharatra school. It explains how the supreme being manifests in various forms (vyuhas) like Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha for different cosmic functions.

Dharmachakraparvartana means 'Turning the Wheel of Dharma' in Sanskrit, referring to Buddha's first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath where he began teaching his philosophical insights. This event marks the formal beginning of Buddhism as a teaching tradition, where Buddha shared his realized wisdom with the world. Parinirvana refers to Buddha's final passing away, while Nirvana generally means liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

The Vaishesika system, one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, was propounded by Kanada (also spelled Kanda). It focuses on categorizing reality into seven padarthas (categories). Gautam founded Nyaya, Kapila founded Samkhya, and Patanjali is associated with Yoga philosophy.

Philosophical thinkers made their own original speculation on metaphysical problems and founded their own systems known as the six systems of Hindu philosophy. Four of these: Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Vaisheshika were not influenced by the Vedas, while the Purva Mimamsa and the Uttara Mimamsa were based on the teachings of the Upanishads.

Ramanuja interpreted Vedanta in a unique way to produce the system known as Vishistadvaita.

'Nyaya' is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. It was formulated by Gautama.

Jain Doctrine is “established” upon an undying Universal Truth. It was Rishabh Dev who is first thought to realise the truth and achieve Kevalya Gyana.