Epistemology in the Principal Upanishads- A New Perspective (An Old and Rare Book)

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About the Book This book is an effort to do an in depth study of the principal Upanişads from the perspective of epistemology, discussed in relation to the inquiry about reality, within the frame of Nyaya epistemological model. It deals with the issues like role of consciousness in knowledge process, means of knowledge, objectivity and unknowability of Brahman, conception of the objective world, etc. which altogether refer to the conclusion that Upanişads are the foundation of later developments of epistemological study in Indian philosophy.

About the Authors Dr. Surjya Kamal Borah, currently a civil servant, did M.A. from Delhi University in Sanskrit and M. Phil. & Ph.D. from Jawahar-lal Nehru University. He actively participates in the academic debates of Indian intellectual tradition with a special interest in the area of philosophy, management, religion and spirituality as a contemporary response to the various global crisis. He has presented 12 research papers in national and international seminars/conferences and has 15 publications in reputed journals/ conference proceedings. He taught 'Hinduism' in Jamia Millia Islamia for some time as a guest faculty.

Preface The Upanişads which are also known as Vedanta, are the essence of the Vedas. It is said that 'ekam sadviprā vahudha vadanti" of the Rgveda culminates in the ekamevadvitḍyam' in the Upanişads. The Upanisadic philosophy is not considered as a system of philosophy, rather a source of philosophical insights. So, we have different philosophical systems in India, tracing their roots to the Upanişads. But very significantly, though the Upanişads are the repository of ideas but the common current of thought integrating all the Upanisads, specially the principal ones, is the wisdom of non-dual reality. Thus, from the knowledge point of view, Upanisads are called Brahma-vidya or Science of the realization of Brahman and also Atma-vidya or Science of the realization of Atman which is the basis of all knowledge. Again in order to make understand as well as realize the Ultimate Reality, Upanisads explain this phenomenal world, Jiva and their relation with the Ultimate Reality. Hence, we find an exposition of the philosophical issues in two different layers of reality - empirical as well as transcendental. But all these philosophical issues have been frequently deliberated by the scholars from the metaphysical point of views only. There is hardly any discourse on the Upanisadic philosophy from the epistemological point of view that is too within a strict epistemological framework. Furthermore, rooted in the law of karma and moksa; Upanisadic philosophy teaches a lesson of human journey from a life sorrow and suffering to the unlimited bliss which is reflected in the epistemological discussions on the Upanişads.

Foreword Upanişads are regarded as the texts of the highest wisdom and truth realized and encoded by uncounted Vedic seers since time immemorial. They present a holistic worldview by applying reciprocal method of education involving teacher-taught directly. This method not only reflects the traditional way of exploring and understanding reality but also setting example for future generation to maintain scientific and non-sectarian approach to arrive at truth. This is the reason why Upanisadic conclusion is accepted as the foundation of Sanatana Dharma of Hindu tradition and the source text of so many other branches of learning including scientific one particularly in the context of unification theory.

**Contents and Sample Pages**