Philosophical Doctrines

    Modern education has given more stress on science and technology and this has resulted in neglect of the field of Languages, Arts, Philosophy, Logic and other subjects that come under  humanities. Now, the interest is more market oriented subjects such as Business Management, Human Resources for Administration, Computer Science and Technology. As a result, the worst affected field of study  if that of Philosophy, Religion, Ethics and Moral Science. Religious Studies are also restricted. There is no enthusiasm in studying different cultures, history and religions these days. Only religious institutions undertake such studies in a limited way depending on the resources available. Hence, there are fewer Samskruta pathashalas, schools of Buddhist and Jain Studies. This is only a general observation.

    Philosophical doctrines such as advaita, dvaita, vishishtadvaita, bheda bheda and bhedabheda, vaishnava and shaiva, shakta and tantra shastra are very important points under discussion here. We have, for instance, Gokarna, Sringeri and Udupi where the three important sects viz, Shiva. Sharadamba, and Sri Krishna are the Deities worshiped, respectively. These Centres are all of early days of contemporary history and culture. Side by side, there also exists Shravanabelagola, a Jain Centre with a monolith stature of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. These cultures coexisted near Sirsi, Soda. Thus, it is important to know how several cultures, religious sects, coexisted in Karnataka, South India. There is need for a closer study of these and the universities have failed to evince serious interest in these so far! Archaeological excavations and study of available scriptures in published and unpublished sources such as palm leaves have to be taken up. Many temples that had valuable books have been submerged and we have lost the books on various subjects. 

   The stalwarts of religious sects today show lack of proper understanding. It seems they practice rituals, as if, without proper understanding the underlying principles. Mantra are chanted without proper attention to their phonetic perfection, proper understanding of their meaning, and purpose for which they are chanted. Devotion is lacking. In fact, there are either mantra of adoration or propitiation and prayer for grants! Where is the need for adoration of an unknown? Efforts should be to know who He is whom we adore, 'sakshatkara'. Even if one wish is fulfilled there is no need to pray again and again? This has led the youngsters away from all these religious cults. Moreover, easy movement and closer contacts with the west and inter-regional marriages have complicated the matter further. Thus, both religion and philosophy have been relegated. Under these circumstances, it seems futile to discuss the philosophical doctrines or teachings. Plato and Aristotle have become more or less irrelevanttoday.

   But, it is now more urgent and important to study all the six branches of Indian philosophy, darshan shastra viz, sankhya, yoga, nyaya, vaisheshika, purva mimamsa and uttara mimamsa (Vedanta), than ever! Every Indian, irrespective of religious affinity, should study these and understand carefully the doctrines enshrined in them. The Bhagavad-Gita is the most relevant guide and handbook today.