Spheres of Knowledge – Part 3 : Introduction to Ancient Indian Knowledge Systems
In the previous episode, the various means of Knowledge were explained. In this episode ‘Introduction to ancient Indian knowledge systems’, the specific branches of knowledge obtained are explained in detail.
Even before the human society in the rest of the world began chronicling its early intellectual pursuits, India, the great grand peninsular, unfolded the secrets of wisdom and gifted the first and finest contents of it to the mankind in the form of the Vedas. The earliest wish for Global Fraternity registered its first claim in this oldest literary record. Knowledge flourished here with all its disciplines in the name of the Sastras, fulfilling the social, ethical, psychological, scientific, spiritual, aesthetic and philosophic needs of the globe.
While the means of knowledge are called “Pramanas,” the knowledge obtained through those Pramanas is known by the term “Prameya.” Prameya can be any subject with all its components taught by a Guru to disciples in a very systematic manner. The Prameya part is very vast…
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In the process of learning about Prameya in ancient Indian Knowledge systems, it is very much essential to learn about the concept of ‘Ashram’. The Dharma Shastras give the following definition…
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Among all the branches of ancient Indian knowledge systems, the ‘Vedic literature’ is preeminent and its various branches include Samhitas (the Mantra bhaaga/section of the Vedas), Brahmanas (equal in number as Samhitas , recommend procedures to be followed while using the Mantras in various rituals)…
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The ancient Indian knowledge systems further branch into subjects related to Bhouta (Physics) and Rasaayana (Chemistry) vijnaana. The sources of these branches are Nyaaya and Vaiśeṣika Darsanas, Manu Smriti, Matsya Puranam…
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Further, the next branch of sciences is Mathematics. The five major branches of Mathematics which include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Binomial theorem have references in various texts. For example, the basics of Arithmetic can be found in Krishna Yajur Veda and in Ramayana. In Śulbasūtras we find…
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