Sambodhi 1979 Vol 08

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 36

A Note on the Nomenclature for Materialists in Ancient India
35
the name of the disciple to whom the doctrine was first communicated by its founder". 9
Even as an individual Cārvāka has received several identifications : (1) that of being the founder or (2) the disciple of the founder have been noticed. Besides, (3) "The name Cārvāka is clearly connected with that of Kārva, and this is given as a synonym of Buddha by Bālaśāstrin in the Preface to his edition of the Kāsikā (p. 2). He is represented as a teacher of the Lokāyata or world-wide system, if that is the meaning originally intended by the word”.10 Then, (4) “The Mahābhārata describes a Cārvaka as a demon (rākşasa) in the garb of a Brāhmaṇa. He performed austere penances, and got a boon from Brabmā that he would be immune from injury at the hands of all creatures He was warned not to oftend the Brāhmaṇas. Armed with this boon he began to torment the gods They approached Brahmā to compass his destruction. He assured them that he would meet with destruction by insulting the Brāhmaṇas. Stripped of poetic metaphors, the story indicates that the Cārvākas did not believe in the superiority of the Brāhmaṇas and the existence of gods or heaven, and that they sought their own pleasure by injuring others”. 11 The Mahābhārata also "relates that during Yudhisthira's triumphal entry into Hastināpura, a raksasa (demon) named Cārvāka disguised himself as a brāhmin and reviled him, reproaching him for the crimes by which he had gained the throne. The demon preached profane, atheistical and heretical doctrines, but he was soon exposed by real brāhmins and reduced to ashes by the fire of their eyes". 12
Some explain Cārvāka as a generic rather than as a specific name. Thus it is suggested that “More probably the word is to be understood as the equivalent of sweet-tongued (caru-vaka) which aptly describes the advocates of a doctrine characterized by so much superficial attractiveness”. 13 According to another view, "They were called Cārvāka because they would only eat but would not accept any other religious or moral responsibility. The word comes from cary to eat". 14 Some scholars like to hold both these options open and suggest that "The word carvāka is derived from either Căruvāk or sweet-tongued or carv, to eat", 15 Others try to combine the two derivations "They encouraged good living, good eating and good drinking, and due to this doctrine some authorities believe that the name Cārvāka does not derive from a philosopher but from a school of epicures (carva, 'chewing') and hedonists (cāru, pleasing)". 16
Thus the significance of Cārvāka remains obscure. It may be a proper name, but "According to still another view, the word 'Cārvāka' is not a proper name, but a common name given to a materialist, and it signifies