Indian Philosophy, Volume 2

Volume 2 treats the Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Jainism, Early Buddhism, Buddhist schools, Vedānta systems, Vaiṣṇava traditions, Śaivism, and Śāktism in substantial detail.

The first chapter, “The Sāṃkhya Philosophy,” gives a detailed account of Sāṃkhya metaphysics, epistemology, psychology, ethics, liberation, and theology. Sinha analyzes satkāryavāda, pariṇāmavāda, prakṛti, the three guṇas, cosmic evolution, the distinction between puruṣa and prakṛti, the role of buddhi, ahaṃkāra, manas, and the senses, the sources and validity of knowledge, bondage, suffering, and mokṣa. The chapter concludes with a critical evaluation of Sāṃkhya dualism and its relation to competing Indian systems. 

Chapter II, “The Yoga Philosophy,” builds upon Sāṃkhya metaphysics but adds theism and a distinctive discipline of spiritual practice. Sinha discusses substance and modes, causal theory, the relation between Sāṃkhya and Yoga, the role and proofs of God (Īśvara), valid knowledge, error, mind and mental modifications, samādhi, karma, transmigration, and liberation. The uploaded portion reaches the analysis of citta and its mental modes, showing Sinha’s characteristic integration of metaphysics, epistemology, and psychology. 

The remainder of the volume, as shown in the Contents, proceeds through Jaina philosophy, Early Buddhism, the major Buddhist schools, the philosophical background of Vedānta, Śaṅkara’s Advaita Vedānta, the theistic Vedānta traditions of Rāmānuja, Madhva, Nimbārka, Vallabha, and Caitanya, and finally Śaivism and Śāktism. The book thus presents a broad comparative account of the principal metaphysical, epistemological, theological, and soteriological systems of classical Indian philosophy.

Main Headings:

1. The Sāṃkhya Philosophy

2. The Yoga Philosophy

3. The Jaina Philosophy

4. Early Buddhism

5. The Schools of Buddhism

6. The Background of the Vedānta

7. The Advaita Vedānta of Śaṅkara

8. The Background of the Theistic Vedānta

9. The Philosophy of Viśiṣṭādvaita

10. The Dvaitavāda of Madhva

11. Dvaitādvaitavāda of Nimbārka

12. Śuddhādvaitavāda of Vallabha

13. Acintyabhedābhedavāda of Caitanya

14. Śaivism and Śāktism