World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 481

senses, not mind, not ego, we reach the final stage of Vedanta, the spiritual knowledge.
Whether the philosophy is theistic or atheistic, they are all steps towards spiritual enlightenment. At each level, that particular experience is correct. For instance, imagine a high mountain and the steps to reach its top. At every step of climbing the mountain, the climber has a different scene around him. By climbing one kilometer high mountain, one can see an area of nearly 4-6 Km. By climbing higher and higher, the climber sees a vaster area. At every stage, the visual experience of the reality he gains is true and right.
That is why various schools of philosophy or sub-branches of philosophy are different stages on way to reach the highest peak of spiritual enlightenment. Charvaka philosophy is the most basic one. All of them would reach ultimately the same and single destination. As this harmonising principle was there in the philosophical approach of Shri Shankara and in his Advaita Philosophy, even after him the other schools of philosophical thought continued as an undercurrent in our tradition. As a result of this, every branch of Indian philosophy - the six theistic branches viz. Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Pěrvamimamsa and Vedanta, and the six atheistic branches of philosophy viz Charvaka, Jaina, Madhyamikad Yogachara in Bouddha, Sautrantika, Vaibhashika - has retained its respectable status.
Shri Shankara's harmonising philosophical attitude is clearly visible in his commentaries on “Adhyasa”. This is the zenith of the philosophical writings in the world. While writing commentaries on the Brahmasutra, Shri Shankara writes at the beginning an introduction. The title of the introduction is “Adhyasa Bhashya". There were atheists in his period who didn't respect and believe the Vedas and the Upanishaths. For them without quoting from and referring to the Vedas and the Upanishads, he had to provide the initial foundation for his philosophy. He wrote with divine vision and sharp logical power an introduction to the Brahmasutra. This introduction (Adhyasa Bhashya) is even today a great wonder and is given a high place in the philosophical writings of the world. Here Shri Shankara shows the harmonising philosophical attitude.
आह कोऽयमध्यासो नाम। स्मृतिरूपः परत्र पूर्वदृष्टावभासः ॥
What is 'adhyasa'? It is the illusion hidden in the experiences of all. For instance, when we travel in a vehicle we feel that the trees on either side are running. This illusion is, in terms of philosophy, 'adhyasa'. The illusion of running is imposed on the standing tree. This is because the impression of the experience of having seen the running animals is there in mind. Because of this influence of past experience, the traveller forgets that he is sitting in a
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