PHPDSC 101
Epistemology & Metaphysics: Indian
Unit 1
General ideas about the Schools of Indian Philosophy, Concept of Rta, Law of Karma,
Upanisadic concept of Self/Atman
1. From which root verb has the term Darsana been arrived?
Ans: The term Darsana has been derived from the root verb ‘Drs’ which means ‘to see’.
2. what is the etymological meaning of the term is Darsana?
Ans: In Indian literature Darsana means critical exposition.
3. Is Indian philosophy Hindu philosophy?
Ans: Indian philosophy is supposed by be Hindu philosophy on the ground that the word ‘hindu’
is taken in the geographical sense, meaning the people who lived in the Indus Valley. But if Hindu
means followers of a particular religion then supposition is wrong.
4. what are the two broad classes of Indian philosophy?
Ans: Vedic and non-Vedic.
5. Name the Schools of heterodox system.
Ans: Carvāka, Buddha, Jaina.
6. Name the schools of orthodox System.
Ans: Nyaya, Vaisesika, Yoga, Mimamsa, Samkhya & Vedanta
7. what is Sadadarsana ?
Ans: The six orothodox System of Indian philosophy are popularly known as Sadadarsana.
8. what are the fundamental divisions according to Indian philosophy?
Ans: The fundamental division according to which Indian philosophy has been divided is ‘the
authority of the Vedas’.
9. what are the common characteristics of Indian philosophical systems?
Ans: i. Practical necessity ii. Spiritual disquiet iii. Faith in moral order iv. Right Knowledge v.
Ignorance as the cause of bondage vi. Believe in liberation.
10. What is meant by liberation?
,Ans:. Liberation is the supreme end of human life.
11. Is Indian philosophy is pessimistic?
Ans: No, it is not a pessimistic because Indian philosophy has offered a way out of sorrows and
sufferings.
12. Is Indian philosophy dogmatic ?
Ans: No, Indian philosophy is not dogmatic, because it is a philosophy of rational speculation
supported by testimony.
13. what is the root word of the vedas?
Ans: The term ‘Vedas' is derived from the root word ‘vid’which means to know.
14. what does Vedas etymologically mean?
Ans: Etymologically Vedas means knowledge.
15. What does Rta denote ?
Ans: Rta denotes the order of the world.
16. what are the 5 sheaths of the individual self according to Upanishads?
Ans: Physical Sheath (Anamaya kosa), Vital Sheath (Pranamaya kasa), Mental Sheath (Manomaya
kosa), Sheath of Consciousness (vijñānamaya Kosa), Sheath of bliss (Anandamaya kosa).
17. what are the 4 Stages of Jiva?
Ans: Waking, Dreaming, dreamless Sleeping and Turiya.
18. What is the individual self or Jiva?
Ans: The individual self or Jiva is different from body, mind, intellect and senses. It is caught in
bondage due to its actions.
19. How many Schools are there in Indian philosophy? Name the Vedic and non-vedic Schools
of Indian philosophy?
Ans: There are two schools in Indian philosophy, viz., Vedic and Non-vedic. The Vedic Schools
are Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. The non-Vedic Schools are
Carvatka, Buddha and Jaina.
20. what are the Common characteristics of Indian philosophy?
Ans: All the System regard philosophy as a practical necessity and cultivate it in order that life
can best led.
,The firm faith in an eternal moral order dominates the entire Indian philosophy, barring the solitary
exception of the Carvaka materialism.
All the Systems except Carvaka system believe in the Law of karma. This law of Karna not only
governs life of individuals but also governs the order of the whole physical world.
Another Common view is that ignorance of reality is the cause of the bondage and the true
knowledge is necessary for liberation. Liberation is the process of stoppage of the process of birth
and re-birth. It is the stage of perfection.
The necessity of concentration and meditation led to the development of an elaborate technique,
fully explained in the yoga system. Continued meditation in true sense is needed to remove deep
rooted false beliefs.
Self control is needed to remove passions that obstruct concentration. Self Control means the
control of the lower self by the higher self.
Lastly all Indian on Systeme except the Carvaka believe in the idea of liberation as the highest end
of life. Liberation doesnot mean the negation of pain but a state of bliss.
21. what is philosophy?
Ans: Philosophy in its widest sense means love of wisdom, love of knowledge. Philosophy is the
rational reflection of a life. It is a criticism of life. It is mainly concerned with values, meanings
and purpose of life. Philosophy is the study of the universe as a whole.
In India philosophy means Darsana. Every Indian System holds that there is a direct vision of
reality. This spiritualist synthetic outlook of Indian philosophy distinguishes it form that of the
west. Though the different schools of thoughts present diversity of views, yet we find in them the
common stamp - Indian culture, the unity of moral and spiritual out look.
22. Write about the nature of Indian philosophy!
Ans: Indian philosophy is essentially spiritual. The aim of Indian philosophy.i is to apply its
realisation in practical life. In Indian thought religion consists in the real experience of truth and
Philosophy means inner realisation of truth in real life. Thus philosophy and religion in India are
concerned with one ideal – realisation of truth and its application to real life. On account of the
close connection between theory and practice, doctrine and life. Indian philosophy approach to
becomes a way of life, spiritual realisation.
Indian philosophy is tolerant as well as broad minded in nature. Various schools of thought coexist
with mutual realisation in India. Criticising others view, the schools establish their own views by
forwarding sufficient grounds. This is the principle of unity and diversity and coexistence of Indian
philosophy.
23. Define vedic system
, Ans: The systems which believed in the authority of the vedas are called vedic systems of Indian
philosophy. Vedic systems are also known as Astika which means believer in the vedas. Nyaya-
Vaisesika, Samkhya - Yoga, mimansa and vedanta- these six chief philosophical systems are vedic
system. They are popularly known as Sada darsana.
24. Define non-vedic system.
Ans: The Systems which donot believe in the authority of the Vedas are called non-vedic systems
of Indian philosophy. This system is also known as Nastika which means non-beliver in in Vedas.
Carvaka, Jaina and Buddha - these three systems are non vedic.
25. What are the two Sub-divisions Vedic systems?
Ans: Vedic Systems are subdivided into two classes, viz., (i) System directly based on vedas (i)
Systéms based on independent reasoning.
Out of six vedic systems mimamsa and Vedanta are directly based on the vedas and may be said
to be the direct continuation of the Vedic culture. Nyaya-vaisesika and Samkhya,-yoga – these four
systems though accept the Vedic authority are mainly based on rational thinking of their own.
26. What is the scope of Indian philosophy?
Ans: Indian philosophy is the vision of the Reality. It is an insight into the real nature of the Reality
or in other words it is the direct realisation of the Truth. Most people misunderstood Indian
philosophy just as most people have misconceptions of Philosophy. According to them Indian
Philosophy means only Hindu philosophy. But it is not the case. Indian philosophy means all
philosophical speculations of India, ancient and modern, Hindus and non-hindus, theists and
atheists.
27. Explain the concept of Karma in Indian
Philosophy?
Ans: All the schools of Indian philosophy except the Carvaka, believe in the law of karma. As we
Saw, So we reap. A right action inevitably produces good consequences. A wrong action inevitably
produced bad consequence. Performance of a duty or prescribed action produces a merit (punya)
in the Soul. Violation of a forobidden action produces a demerit (Papa) or vice (adharma) . Merit
or virtue produces happiness. Demerit or vice produces misery. Merit and demerit are unseen
agencies (adrsta) which mature in course of time and bear fruits life. They are predisposing causes
of happiness or misery while eternal objects are their exciting causes. in this life . There is no
escape from consequences of actions. Their fruits must be reaped in this life or future life. There
is no destruction of the fruits of right or wrong actions. One can never reap the fruits of action
undone. The law of karma is the inexorable law of moral causation.
The Buddhist, the jaina, the Shankara and the mimansa believe in a impersonal law of karma which
adjusts the realm of nature to the realm of spirits the physical order to the moral order. It adjusts
Epistemology & Metaphysics: Indian
Unit 1
General ideas about the Schools of Indian Philosophy, Concept of Rta, Law of Karma,
Upanisadic concept of Self/Atman
1. From which root verb has the term Darsana been arrived?
Ans: The term Darsana has been derived from the root verb ‘Drs’ which means ‘to see’.
2. what is the etymological meaning of the term is Darsana?
Ans: In Indian literature Darsana means critical exposition.
3. Is Indian philosophy Hindu philosophy?
Ans: Indian philosophy is supposed by be Hindu philosophy on the ground that the word ‘hindu’
is taken in the geographical sense, meaning the people who lived in the Indus Valley. But if Hindu
means followers of a particular religion then supposition is wrong.
4. what are the two broad classes of Indian philosophy?
Ans: Vedic and non-Vedic.
5. Name the Schools of heterodox system.
Ans: Carvāka, Buddha, Jaina.
6. Name the schools of orthodox System.
Ans: Nyaya, Vaisesika, Yoga, Mimamsa, Samkhya & Vedanta
7. what is Sadadarsana ?
Ans: The six orothodox System of Indian philosophy are popularly known as Sadadarsana.
8. what are the fundamental divisions according to Indian philosophy?
Ans: The fundamental division according to which Indian philosophy has been divided is ‘the
authority of the Vedas’.
9. what are the common characteristics of Indian philosophical systems?
Ans: i. Practical necessity ii. Spiritual disquiet iii. Faith in moral order iv. Right Knowledge v.
Ignorance as the cause of bondage vi. Believe in liberation.
10. What is meant by liberation?
,Ans:. Liberation is the supreme end of human life.
11. Is Indian philosophy is pessimistic?
Ans: No, it is not a pessimistic because Indian philosophy has offered a way out of sorrows and
sufferings.
12. Is Indian philosophy dogmatic ?
Ans: No, Indian philosophy is not dogmatic, because it is a philosophy of rational speculation
supported by testimony.
13. what is the root word of the vedas?
Ans: The term ‘Vedas' is derived from the root word ‘vid’which means to know.
14. what does Vedas etymologically mean?
Ans: Etymologically Vedas means knowledge.
15. What does Rta denote ?
Ans: Rta denotes the order of the world.
16. what are the 5 sheaths of the individual self according to Upanishads?
Ans: Physical Sheath (Anamaya kosa), Vital Sheath (Pranamaya kasa), Mental Sheath (Manomaya
kosa), Sheath of Consciousness (vijñānamaya Kosa), Sheath of bliss (Anandamaya kosa).
17. what are the 4 Stages of Jiva?
Ans: Waking, Dreaming, dreamless Sleeping and Turiya.
18. What is the individual self or Jiva?
Ans: The individual self or Jiva is different from body, mind, intellect and senses. It is caught in
bondage due to its actions.
19. How many Schools are there in Indian philosophy? Name the Vedic and non-vedic Schools
of Indian philosophy?
Ans: There are two schools in Indian philosophy, viz., Vedic and Non-vedic. The Vedic Schools
are Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. The non-Vedic Schools are
Carvatka, Buddha and Jaina.
20. what are the Common characteristics of Indian philosophy?
Ans: All the System regard philosophy as a practical necessity and cultivate it in order that life
can best led.
,The firm faith in an eternal moral order dominates the entire Indian philosophy, barring the solitary
exception of the Carvaka materialism.
All the Systems except Carvaka system believe in the Law of karma. This law of Karna not only
governs life of individuals but also governs the order of the whole physical world.
Another Common view is that ignorance of reality is the cause of the bondage and the true
knowledge is necessary for liberation. Liberation is the process of stoppage of the process of birth
and re-birth. It is the stage of perfection.
The necessity of concentration and meditation led to the development of an elaborate technique,
fully explained in the yoga system. Continued meditation in true sense is needed to remove deep
rooted false beliefs.
Self control is needed to remove passions that obstruct concentration. Self Control means the
control of the lower self by the higher self.
Lastly all Indian on Systeme except the Carvaka believe in the idea of liberation as the highest end
of life. Liberation doesnot mean the negation of pain but a state of bliss.
21. what is philosophy?
Ans: Philosophy in its widest sense means love of wisdom, love of knowledge. Philosophy is the
rational reflection of a life. It is a criticism of life. It is mainly concerned with values, meanings
and purpose of life. Philosophy is the study of the universe as a whole.
In India philosophy means Darsana. Every Indian System holds that there is a direct vision of
reality. This spiritualist synthetic outlook of Indian philosophy distinguishes it form that of the
west. Though the different schools of thoughts present diversity of views, yet we find in them the
common stamp - Indian culture, the unity of moral and spiritual out look.
22. Write about the nature of Indian philosophy!
Ans: Indian philosophy is essentially spiritual. The aim of Indian philosophy.i is to apply its
realisation in practical life. In Indian thought religion consists in the real experience of truth and
Philosophy means inner realisation of truth in real life. Thus philosophy and religion in India are
concerned with one ideal – realisation of truth and its application to real life. On account of the
close connection between theory and practice, doctrine and life. Indian philosophy approach to
becomes a way of life, spiritual realisation.
Indian philosophy is tolerant as well as broad minded in nature. Various schools of thought coexist
with mutual realisation in India. Criticising others view, the schools establish their own views by
forwarding sufficient grounds. This is the principle of unity and diversity and coexistence of Indian
philosophy.
23. Define vedic system
, Ans: The systems which believed in the authority of the vedas are called vedic systems of Indian
philosophy. Vedic systems are also known as Astika which means believer in the vedas. Nyaya-
Vaisesika, Samkhya - Yoga, mimansa and vedanta- these six chief philosophical systems are vedic
system. They are popularly known as Sada darsana.
24. Define non-vedic system.
Ans: The Systems which donot believe in the authority of the Vedas are called non-vedic systems
of Indian philosophy. This system is also known as Nastika which means non-beliver in in Vedas.
Carvaka, Jaina and Buddha - these three systems are non vedic.
25. What are the two Sub-divisions Vedic systems?
Ans: Vedic Systems are subdivided into two classes, viz., (i) System directly based on vedas (i)
Systéms based on independent reasoning.
Out of six vedic systems mimamsa and Vedanta are directly based on the vedas and may be said
to be the direct continuation of the Vedic culture. Nyaya-vaisesika and Samkhya,-yoga – these four
systems though accept the Vedic authority are mainly based on rational thinking of their own.
26. What is the scope of Indian philosophy?
Ans: Indian philosophy is the vision of the Reality. It is an insight into the real nature of the Reality
or in other words it is the direct realisation of the Truth. Most people misunderstood Indian
philosophy just as most people have misconceptions of Philosophy. According to them Indian
Philosophy means only Hindu philosophy. But it is not the case. Indian philosophy means all
philosophical speculations of India, ancient and modern, Hindus and non-hindus, theists and
atheists.
27. Explain the concept of Karma in Indian
Philosophy?
Ans: All the schools of Indian philosophy except the Carvaka, believe in the law of karma. As we
Saw, So we reap. A right action inevitably produces good consequences. A wrong action inevitably
produced bad consequence. Performance of a duty or prescribed action produces a merit (punya)
in the Soul. Violation of a forobidden action produces a demerit (Papa) or vice (adharma) . Merit
or virtue produces happiness. Demerit or vice produces misery. Merit and demerit are unseen
agencies (adrsta) which mature in course of time and bear fruits life. They are predisposing causes
of happiness or misery while eternal objects are their exciting causes. in this life . There is no
escape from consequences of actions. Their fruits must be reaped in this life or future life. There
is no destruction of the fruits of right or wrong actions. One can never reap the fruits of action
undone. The law of karma is the inexorable law of moral causation.
The Buddhist, the jaina, the Shankara and the mimansa believe in a impersonal law of karma which
adjusts the realm of nature to the realm of spirits the physical order to the moral order. It adjusts
