Atman and Brahman

By Santosh Chaudhary, M.Sc (Physics) Nalanda Open University Symbolic image for Material Wealth In Indian philosophy, material wealth, known as Artha , is one of the four traditional aims of life, collectively referred to as Purusharthas . The other three aims are Dharma (righteousness, moral values), Kama (pleasure, love, psychological values), and Moksha (liberation, spiritual values). Artha signifies the pursuit of wealth or material advantage. It ensures dignity through food, shelter, clothing, and enough material possessions to live a meaningful life. The pursuit of material comforts helps to maintain social order. However, excessive pursuit of wealth can lead to greed and social disorder. In the philosophical school of Indian Materialism, known as Lokayata or Carvaka , the good is strictly associated with pleasure and the only ethical obligation forwarded by the system is the maximization of one's own pleasure. It's important to note that all four Purusharthas are co...

By Santosh Chaudhary, M.Sc (Physics) Nalanda Open University Symbolic Physical Body In Indian philosophy, the physical body is considered significant for several reasons: 1. Vehicle of the Soul : Ancient Indian philosophy views the soul as divine and the body as the vehicle of the soul. This perspective is similar to Plato's thought, which has had a continuous influence on Western philosophy. 2. Impermanence and Suffering : A defining feature of South Asian religious and yogic traditions is the belief in the body's impermanence and its perception as a source of suffering. This suffering typically results from a misguided attachment of the self to its corporeal manifestation. 3. Path to Liberation (Moksha) : The physical body is seen as an impediment to attaining liberation (moksha or kaivalya) in classical yoga. However, early medieval Haṭhayoga texts present ontological changes in the perception of the physical body in liberation. The concept of "living liberation" ...