Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

Overview:

- India has a long-surviving civilizations history and practice.

- The ancient knowledge in India was preserved and transmitted ‘Orally’ through ‘Guru-Sisya’.
- Due to major changes in educational system introduced about 200 years back in India this
Guru-Sisya knowledge transmission was disturbed and ended.

Case Study:

1. Turmeric and curcumin patents

Patent Holder: University of Mississippi Medical Center (USA)
Details: In the year 1995, the University of Mississippi obtained a patent for the use of
curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric has been used in Indian Ayurvedic and traditional medicine for centuries and
this patent was controversial because the use of turmeric for medicinal purposes was
already known in Indian culture long before the patent was granted.
Impact: This patent raised concerns of bio piracy, as the knowledge of turmeric’s
medicinal properties was already part of India’s cultural heritage. There were calls for
more robust protections for traditional knowledge and India was vocal about the need for
patent laws to protect indigenous practices.

2. Neem Patents
Patent Holder: International coalition of environmentalists. (USA)
Details: A US company was awarded a patent for neem as pesticide. The company
claimed it had developed an agent that make the active pesticide agent in neem last for
more than the normal 2 weeks. But our Indian scientists had been tinkering around
research on neem for years, neither applied for specific process nor able to bring our
knowledge system to argue.

Importance of Ancient Knowledge

- Ancient knowledge accrued over several generations and preserved in Formal (Documented
knowledge) or Informal (Shared values & practices though oral) means.
- Ancient knowledge serves multiple roles for society.

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Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

Fig: Importance of Ancient knowledge

Identity:

- Ancient knowledge brings identity for the fellow members of the society.
- The social practices and norms have continuity as most of them are transmitted from
generations through practices and supporting knowledge repositories.
- If this knowledge is lost then eventually it challenges on one’s own identity and that of the
society.

Culture:

- Culture provides identity at a societal level by providing a common medium for

communication and transaction of ideas.
- The prevailing knowledge and the literary traditions play a significant role in shaping the
culture of the society.
- If these knowledge systems are abruptly withdrawn from society, the cultural practices will be
rudely jolted.

Received wisdom:

- Ancient knowledge plays the valuable role of ‘received wisdom’ and provides a head start to
society for innovation and new knowledge creation.

Economic value:

- The prevailing ‘military power’ will give way for ‘Knowledge power’ and such nations
demonstrate the superiority of knowledge traditions are bound to lead the world.
- Unless preserving the ancient knowledge, we will not be able to prevent the spillover of our
economic value arising out of our ancient knowledge.

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Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

Defining Indian Knowledge System

Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is the collective knowledge that evolved over many years in out
India.

India: Indigenous source of knowledge generated by the Indian society (Akhanda Bharata – Including
undivided Indian subcontinents).

Knowledge: Knowledge gained by personal experiences with life situations, facing problems and
means to solving them. It also means of intense observation of events, experimentation, conjecturing
and analysis. Knowledge may be transmitted through oral or by literary format.

System: It is the structured methodology and a classification scheme to access the available corpus of
knowledge. The codification and classification of the available knowledge using a defined framework
is the system. These different frameworks also to be provided some sort of logical relationships.

The IKS CORPUS – A classification framework

There are many ways to define and identify IKS classification framework based on knowledge such
as vedas, yoga, vastu, shilpa satras, Ayurveda, Buddhism and Jainism and also based on phrases such
as Indian psychology, Indian Arts, Dance and Architecture.

The usefulness of classification framework depends on three factors:

Completeness- All important components of the IKS are included in proposed framework.

Compactness- Efficiency of the grouping of various topics in IKS in a congruent and logical fashion
(represent in simple, concise and easy to understand and remember).

Inter-connectedness – Bring the logical relationships among the various sub-classifications. Thus it
presents a unified picture of the entire knowledge.

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Figure: The IKS Corpus- A classification Framework

Caturdasa- Vidyasthana

- A Classification framework for the sanatana-dharma literature.

- In this framework, the literature is organized under 14 major divisions ( caturdasa means
fourteen in Sanskrit).
- Components of the 14-part knowledge contains
 4 Vedas
 6 Vedangas
 Puranas
 Dharma Sastras
 Nyaya ( in its detailed form)
 Mimamsa (both Purva and Uttara portions).

Fig: A pictorial representation of Caturdasa-Vidyasthana.

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Vedas: They are the primordial source knowledge in the scheme of the Sanatana-Dharma literature.

Darsanas: It is a philosophical thought or view to understand three forces: an individual (Jiva), The
universe (Jagat) and a larger force governing the other two ( Isvara, Brahman etc).

Puranas and Itihasas:

Puranas contains rich repository of ideas, using vedic thoughts detailed stories. It present several
social-cultural ideas and practices for living.

Itihasas are the historical events that have taken place which can be associated with specific timelines.
Ex: Mahabharata, Ramayana.

Dharma-Sastras and Smrtis:

The Dharmic principles engrained in the vedic corpus are presented in multiple formats in our
knowledge traditions.

Smrtis are rule book with specific operating guidelines for applying Dharmic principles and to
understand its consequences of not doing so.

The Vedic Corpus

Introduction to Vedas:

- Veda derived from the Sanskrit root विद (Vid-to know).

- Veda can be derived from 5 verbal roots – to exist, to know, to discriminate, to obtain, to
make known.
- Veda indicates a vast body of knowledge concerning eternal spiritual values and principles
and practices for gainful and happy living.
- Veda is revealed to the ‘Rsis’ through their deep meditation. So it is called as non-human
source ( Apauruseya).
- It is believed that Veda is the poetry of Gods and it neither fades nor becomes state by the
passing of time.
- Vedic repository is preserved and transmitted through an oral tradition. So ot is referred to as
‘Sruti’ – What is heard.
- Vadic knowledge was transmitted in an unbroken line from teacher to student through
‘Siksa’- one of the vedangas.
- UNESCO recognis the Vedas as a heritage for preservation.

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- Vedic corpus ‘Karma-Kanda’ an individual to obtain a purity of mind as they are engage with
world.
- Vedic corpus ‘Upasana-Kanda’ provides ideas for individuals progress. (Upasana means
sitting near upa + asana).
- The ‘Jnana-Kanda’ opens the mind of an individual to its limits and facilitates much deeper
inquiry about one self.

The Four Vedas

- “ Vyasa” rishi organised the Vedic corpus into four major divisions. They are
1. Rgveda
2. Yajurveda
3. Samaveda
4. Atharvaveda

1. Rgveda
- It is the oldest, largest and main repository.
- It contains features of classical Sanskrit poetry, Indian literature and spiritual culture.
- There are several ‘Suktas’ in Regveda . ‘Suktas’ are a Vedic hymn or a collection of hymns.

2. Yajurveda
- Mainly focuses on conducting the Sacrifices.
- ‘Yajurveda’ – ‘Yaj’- Worship associated with sacrifices; ‘Veda’- focuses on yajna.
- Mantras in Yajurveda referred as ‘Yajus’.
- The ‘Adhvaryu’ is priest mainly charged with the performance of sacrifices makes use of the
Yajus.
- Even though major topic of Yajurveda is Yajna may other topics are also discussed such as
human anatomy, metals, constellation, seasons, numbers and geometry etc.
- Yajurveda divided into two branches: The Krsna (Black)- Yajurvedaand The Sukla(white)-
Yajurveda.

3. Samaveda
- Derived from Sanskrit ‘Sama’- to please, pacify or satisfy.
- It is referred to the singing of Rgveda mantras.
- Manthras in Samaveda referred to as ‘Sama’.
- Samaveda is divided into two parts: Purvarcikam and Uttararcikam.
- Origin of Indian classical music lies in the Samaveda.

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4. Atharvaveda
- Means one which brings wellness.
- Atharvaveda is a later addition to the original set of 3 Vedas (Rg-Yajur-Sama).
- Atharvaveda priest is known as Brahman, Main job to overall coordination and monitoring of
the Vedic rituals.
- Atharvaveda- Samhita is divided into 4 books and 20 kandas in each book. Each kanda is
again subdivided into suktas or hymns, and the suktas are into mantras.

The Four Divisions of each Veda

Fig: Classifications of each Veda into Sub-components

- Sage ‘Vyasa’ organized each Veda into distinct portions based on material presented, the
primary objective and use of the material, the target audience and the focus.
- Veda is further sub-divided into 2 level hierarchies. First is Mantras (Also known as Samhita)
and Brahmanas. Further Brahmana divided into Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanisad.
- Brahmana has substantive content addressing the ritualistic aspects.
- Veda are divided in to four portions: 1.Samhita, 2. Brahmana, 3. Aranyaka and 4. Upanisad
1. Samhita:
- Consist of main portion of each veda and certain number of mantras.
- Rgveda- Samhita mentioned 400 rsis and several categories of devatas in that 4 main devatas
are Indra, Agni, Varuna and Mitra.
2. Brahmanas:
- These are a collection of knowledge mainly confined to the issue of rituals and rites written in
prose.

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- Several aspects of the rituals are mentioned in Brahmanas portion. First reasons for
performing rituals are mentioned. Later prescribe the mantras from the samhitas that need to
be recited for the rituals.
- Brahmana also provides detailed instructions for preparing alter for the Yajna.
- Samaveda has largest collections of Brahmanas (Eight).
3. Aranyakas
- It explains the symbolism and philosophical aspects of a ritual, daily chores such as breathing
and eating.
- Aranyakas are supposed to be learnt from a Guru in a secluded place far from human
dwellings in forest areas (Aranya). So called as Aranyakas.
- Aranyakas are considered as bridge between Brahmanas and Upanisads.
- There are 6 Aranyakas associated with first 3 Vedas. No Aranyaka associated with
Atharvaveda.
4. Upanisads
- Upanisad means sitting near a Guru and receiving his wisdom through a teaching – learning
process.

Fig: 108 Upanisads in the Four Vedas

- It provides deep spiritual and philosophical insight into life.

- The loftiest thoughts of vedic seers are found in the Upanisads.
- Upanisads pertains to the Jnana-Kanda of the Veda.
- The Maha-Vakyas are fond in the Upanishads.
- There are ten principal Upanishads they are
a. Isha Upanishad
b. Kena Upanishad
c. Katha Upanishad
d. Prashna Upanishad

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e. Mundaka Upanishad
f. Mandukya Upanishad
g. Taittiriya Upanishad
h. Aitareya Upanishad
i. Chandogya Upanishad
j. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Vedangas

- Vedangas are the specific body of knowledge, practices and tools and techniques created to
preserve the Vedas and appropriately use them.
- Vedangas became part of the Vedic literature. ( Vedanas – limbs of Vedas).

Fig: The Role of Vedangas

- There are 6 Vedangas they are:

a. Siksa
- Measns ‘to acquire knowledge’.
- In the Vedic context the discipline that deals with pronunciation is called Siksa.
- It is the first thing students were taught in the ancient educational system.
- Siksa-sastra is a systematic approach to the art and practice of phonetics.
b. Vyakarna
- It deals with rules of grammar.
- The term Vyakarana essentially means to divide, separate and analyse.
- Vyakarana is highly structured and rule-based.

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c. Nirukta
- Nirukta is etymology, which is extracting the meaning of a word using linguistic theories and
considering phonetic changes.
d. Chandas
- Rhythm is the key aspect of an oral tradition. Chandas is the metre of poetic composition.
- Chandas (meter) can be viewd as a three-level hierarchy

Fig: The Hierarchical structure of Metre

- The lowest unit or building block of a metre is a syllable called aksara.

- A certain number and pattern of aksaras make up a pada (quarter) and a certain number of
padas make a metre.

e. Kalpa

- Focused on several operational aspects of Vedic corpus

- Kalpa is a guide or user manual that provides instructions and directions to lead all aspects of
life including personal, family and social dimensions.
- Kalpa – sutras is a basic instructive text.

Fig: Components of Kalpa

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Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

- Srauta-sutras – Guide for Vedic rituals.

- Sulba- sutras – Rules for measurements and construction of fire altars, sacrificial
place, etc.
- Grhya-sutras- Deals with house-hold ceremonies.
- Dharma-sutras – Guide for social duties.

f. Jyotisa

- The knowledge of the movement of stars and planetary bodies is called Jyotisa.
- Jyotisa- sastra is classified into Vaidika (related to Vedas) and laukika (related to the world)

Philosophical Systems

Father – Son Conversation in Taittiriya – Upanisad

- Upanisads employ several methods of imparting knowledge such as conversational mode

between teacher and student, father and son etc.
- Bhrgu desirous of knowing Brahman approaches his father Varuna asking him to share
knowledge of Brahman.
- Father Varuna replies, “That from which all the beings are born, that which supports their life,
that into which they enter and dissolve in end is Brahman. This can be known through deep
introspection with a single point focus (tapas)”.
- Bhrgu starts taps and realizes that beings are born out of food, they live with the support of
food and when they die they become one with the food, therefore food must be Brahman.
- But Bhrgu was unsatisfied and approached father Varuna again. So father Varuna said “ it can
only be known through deep introspection with a single pointed focus (tapas)”. Bhrgu went
back to do more tapas.
- This process continued and Bhrgu understood the layers of the consciousness such as vital
force (Prana), mind(manas), and knowledge (vijnana) as Brahman. He finally realized that
bliss (Ananda) is Brahman.
- This states that importance given to one’s own experience of truth has been the hallmark of
Indian philosophical system.

Indian Philosophical systems – Development and Unique features

- The philosophical systems provide a true worldview and a vision for life and helps to resolve
the issues that we face in our life.

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- the ultimate goal of the human life is clearly spelt out and the path for attaining the same is
also articulated in all the darsanas ( Darsanas- Holistic view of the world derived from
Sanskrit drs- to see)
- The philosophical inquiry continued in India further giving rise to several schools.
- Each of these schools presents its view with rigorous intellectual exercise and
uncompromised importance on the self-experience.

Vedic Schools of Philosophy

- All schools have a coomon goal to answer questions shuch as “who am I?” what is the
process for final liberation?”.
- The context for philosophical discussion is three inter-related concepts of God- Universe –
Individual.

Samkhya and Yoga Schools of Philosophy

- Samkhya and Yoga philosophical system begins with the basic premise that Prakrti the
source of the physical universe and the ‘self’ are sub-ordinate to a large force called Purusa.

Samkhya school of Philosphy

- Liberation of the ‘Self’ involves getting to know the right knowledge of the Purusa and
Prakrti and their role.
- Purusa is the pure consciousness, sentient, changeless, eternal and passive.
- Prakrti is the root cause of all activityes including the entire creation.
- Prakrti is made of three basic constituents namely sattva, rajas and tamas. (also called as
gunas)
- Sattva is the faculty that is light and causes knowledge and pleasure.
- Rajas causes movement and is the cause of pain.
- Tamas is heavy, causes ignorance and indifference.

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- Evoluation of the Prakrti results in creating: Mahat (Buddhi), Ego(Ahankara), Mind (Manas),
five sense organs (Jnanendriyas- ears, skin,eyes,tongue & nose), five organs of action
(Karmendriyas- mouth,hands, feet, sex organs and anus), five sense organs (Tanmatras-
sound, touch, color, taste & smell), five gross elements (Bhutas- ether, air, fire, water and
earth).

Yoga Schools of Philosophy

- Yoga as a school of philosophy has been founded by Patanjali through his Yoga-Sutras.
- Yoga serves as a methodology to the realization of the difference of Prakrti and Purusa.
- According to Yoga philosophy, to attain liberation, an individual must focus on the physical,
psychological and moral states of his being.
- Yoga is the cessation of mental modifications.
- Yoga system provides an eight step process to attain complete cessation of the activities of
mind, they are :
 Yama – forbearance or control over mind, body and speech. Five activites to be
practice- abstaining from harming (Ahimsa), speaking the truth (Satya), not stealing
others belongings (Asteya), keeping away from lust (Brahmacarya) and resisting from
accumulating wealth (Aparigraha).
 Niyama- five niyamas- cleanliness of body and mind (Sauca), being happy (Santosa),
tolerating heat, cold and other physical difficulties(Tapas), study of Vedas
(Svadhyaya) and meditation of Isvara (Isvara- pranidhana).
 Asana- A meditative posture where one can sit comfortably for a long time.
 Pranayama- controlling the breath.
 Pratyahara- Withdrawing the cognitive senses from their objects.
 Dharana – focusing the mind on an object.
 Dhyana - meditating continuously on an object without break.
 Samadhi- final step liberated, free from all pain.
Nyaya and Vaisesika Schools of philosophy
- It deals with individual experiences, varieties of valid knowledge.
- Nyaya philosophy proposes that one attains liberation only when he/she acquires the
knowledge of the truth.
- Vaisesika was propounded by Kanada.
- Vaisesika school considers all entities to be different from each other.
- The word Vaisesika is derived from the word ‘Visesa’ meaning difference or unique.

Purva-Mimamsa and Vedanta schools of Philosophy

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Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

- The Purva-mimamsa school has established based on karma-kanda and Vedanta school based
on Jnana-kanda.
- The Purva-mimamsa text provides rules for the interpretation of the Vedas and provides
philosophical justifications for the observance of Vedic rituals.
- Vedanta school of philosophy rely on 3 major texts: Advaita-vedanta ( propounded by
Sankara on the concept of Nirguba-brahman : attribute-less God), Visistadvita-vedanta (
proposed by Ramanuja on the concept of bhakti devotion to a personal God), Dvaita-vedanta
(fonded by Madhvacarya on the concept of Visnu- Hari is the supreme God).

Non-Vedic Philosophical System

Jaina School of Philosophy

- ‘Jain’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘ji’.

- Jain School considers twenty-four Tirthankaras, starting from Vrsabhadeva to Mahavira as
prophets and masters of philosophy.
- Mahavira is the last and twenty-fourth Tirthankara.
- There are two sects of Jains, Svetambaras (White-clad ascetics) and Digambaras (Sky-clad
ascetics).
- In Jain school the cycle of birth-death is attributed to tiny particles of matter (Pudgala) that
have embedded themselves in to the Jiva which is called as Karma.
- In this school spirityal growth is to overcome karma.
- Three gems are prescribed in Jain that is right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

Bauddha School of Philosophy

- Bauddha (or Buddhist) school of philosophy is based on teachings of Gautama Buddha (

Siddhartha).
- There are two forms of Buddhism: the Northern form and the Southern form.
- Northern Buddhism- Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan.
- Southern Buddhism- Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
- Buddha’s philosophy focuses on ending the suffering of the individuals based on four noble
truths, they are:
 There is suffering
 There is the cause of suffering
 The cessation of suffering
 There is a path to end the suffering.

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- The ultimate goal in Buddhist philosophy is to reach Nirvana (Nirvana is the sinless calm
state of mind attained due to freedom from desires and passions, a state of perfect peace,
goodness and wisdom.

Carvaka School

- Carvaka means “sweet-tongued”

- This school is also called Lokayata.
- According to carvaka school whatever is directly perceivable can only be accepted as valid
means of knowledge.

Traditional Knowledge vs. Indigenous Knowledge

Traditional knowledge and indigenous knowledge, highlights that both are essential components of
IKS but differ in their scope and focus.

• Traditional Knowledge is often understood as knowledge passed down through generations

within a particular culture, typically integrated with practices in fields such as health,
agriculture, and governance.

• Indigenous Knowledge, on the other hand, is more geographically and culturally specific,
arising from local communities and their relationship with the environment. It emphasizes
a deep understanding of the local ecosystem and sustainable practices.

• Key Points:

– Traditional knowledge is broader and can be shared across cultures, whereas

indigenous knowledge is more specific to a particular community or region.

– Both forms of knowledge are complementary, as traditional knowledge tends to be

more general, while indigenous knowledge is focused on localized practices and
experiences.

Traditional Knowledge vs. Western Knowledge

• Explore the differences between traditional knowledge in the Indian context and Western
knowledge systems, particularly in terms of worldview, epistemology, and approach to
development.

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• Key Points:

– Western knowledge is often reductionist and linear, focusing on specialization and

the separation of disciplines, whereas IKS is holistic and interdisciplinary, seeing
all knowledge as interconnected and applicable to various domains of life.

– Western knowledge tends to separate science from spirituality, while IKS

integrates the two. In IKS, science and spirituality are not seen as opposing forces but
complementary aspects of human existence.

– It is argued that traditional Indian knowledge emphasizes the unity of knowledge,

focusing not only on empirical facts but also on their ethical, spiritual, and social
implications.

– IKS promotes knowledge systems that respect nature and support sustainable
practices, while much of Western knowledge has historically promoted exploitation
of nature in pursuit of industrial growth.

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