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Śramana, Vol. 57, No. 3-4 July-December 2006
PHILOSOPHICAL INTERPRETATIONS
OF RELIGION
-Prof. S. P. Dubey*
Any fruitful discussion on this subject invites a word or two on the two terms of the title, i.e., philosophy and religion. We all know that etymologically the term 'philosophy' means 'love' (Greek, philien) "of wisdom' (Sophia). The universally accepted Sanskrit word for philosophy is darśana ('to see' often root drs). In some regional Indian languages the word tattva-vidyā (science about Reality) is also used for it. Likewise, we know that the word 'religion' is derived from Latin term religion meaning thereby to 'treat with care' (religere), or 'to bind' (relegate), the latter being close to Sanskrit term used for it, i.e., dharma, from the root 'dhr', expressing the meaning 'to hold fast'.'
Roman writer Cicero (106-43 B.C.), in his De Natura Deorum (On the Nature of gods) held that 'religio' is derived from the root 'leg' - meaning 'to take 'to observe'. Leg' is the counterpart of the Greek term 'paratērēsis' (observation). Roman grammarian Servius (fl. end of 4th cent A.D.), on the other hand, maintained that 'religio' came from another root 'lig' - 'to bind', so that religio meant a 'relationship' between man and God (cf his comm. on Virgil). St. Augustine (354-430 A.D.) uses both the meanings. It is most likely that the earlier one was the original. But the historical Jesus has shown preference for the former as he is reported as saying the Kingdom of God cometh not with paratērēsis' and adds 'the Kingdom of God is entos humon' (it is
*HOD, (Philosophy)Rani Durgavati Univ. Jabalpur (M.P.) For Private & Personal Use Only
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