Essay name: Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)
Author:
R. Laxmi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study of the Sankalpa Suryodaya—an allegorical Sanskrit drama by Venkatanatha, a distinguished philosopher-poet and dramatist of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta tradition. This work of Venkata-natha (or, Vedanta Deshika). stands out for integrating allegory to convey moral and philosophical truths. The thesis examines its place in Sanskrit literature.
Chapter 5 - Philosophical doctrines
9 (of 28)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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the persons following the path of righteousness, i.e. Vedantins can never be
injured by their teachings because they possess the knowledge of discrimination.
Further, पठन्तस्रय्यन्तान्परिहसनकाकुं विदधता� [paṭhantasrayyantānparihasanakāku� vidadhatā� ] ie "Let the Vedantins mock at us by
posing questions". This sentence signifies that Cārvāka philosophy is fit to be
rediculed. Then another statement : भजन्तस्ताटरथ्य� परिभवितुमिच्छन्त� महतः [bhajantastāṭarathya� paribhavitumicchantu mahata� ] i.e. “Let
them pretend to be impartial while wishing to put greatmen to shame." This speech
denotes that Vedantins are greatmen and neglect this philosophy of atheism.
Another statement उदन्तः शान्तानामयमिति � जल्पन्त्वभिमतं [udanta� śāntānāmayamiti ca jalpantvabhimata� ] ie "Let them prate as they
please, saying - this is the considered view of goodmen with a serene outlook. This
sentence denotes that Vedantins are very good at heart with a serene outlook.
Therefore for the good of society, they consider Cārvāka Philosophy as
meaningless. The last statement किमन्तर्दुर्दान्तै� कृपणकथकैरेभिरि� नः � [kimantardurdāntai� kṛpaṇakathakairebhiriha na� | ] i.e. “What
have we to do with these wretched disputants and inwardly arrogant ?". This
statement suggests that Cārvākas are indeed wretched disputants and inwardly
arrogant. So Vedāntins have nothing to do with them. In essence it means that
although the teachings of Cārvāka philosophy are quite attractive to the people of
mundane world, they lead the person to the sorrowful condition. Realising this
point, Vedāntins redicule this philosophy. Before Vedāntins, the Cārvāka's are butt
of redicule. Really this is the considered view of good men with a serene outlook.
Thus Cārvākas are wretched disputants. 16
7. Mīmāmsā School of Kumarilabhaṭṭa :
Mimȧmsaka's attempt to defend the authority of the (former part of the)
Vedas, but have given up the Vedanta (the latter portion of Vedas). The philosophy
of Vedānta or the Upanisads is the head of the Vedas. Therefore, Mimāmsakas
should not have neglected the concluding part of the Vedas also. As such,
accepting lower part of the body and rejecting upper part of the body, put the
Mīmāṃsakas to the condition of headless body. As a matter of fact, the devotees of
16.
पठन्तस्त्रय्यन्तान्परिहरान काकु� विदधता� भजन्तरताटस्थ्य� परिभवितुमिच्छन्त� महतः �
उदन्तः शान्तानामयमिति � जल्पन्त्वभिमतं किमन्तर्दुर्दान्तै� कृपणकथकैरेभिरि� नः �
[paṭhantastrayyantānpariharāna kāku� vidadhatā� bhajantaratāṭasthya� paribhavitumicchantu mahata� |
udanta� śāntānāmayamiti ca jalpantvabhimata� kimantardurdāntai� kṛpaṇakathakairebhiriha na� ||
] S.S. V - 60, p-515
