Mahabharate Nastikata

Genre: Ramayan - Mahabharat - Puran Charcha

ISBN: 9789389876673

Cover: Hardcover

Pages: 212

Weight: 361 gram

About the Book:
In the Shantiparva of India’s great epic, the Mahabharat, particularly in the Mokshadharma chapter, various philosophical theories are discussed. How do these philosophical debates connect to the direct story of the Kauravas and Pandavas? When Pitamah Bhishma was lying on his deathbed, he resolved various existential questions raised by Yudhishthira. In this discourse, Bhishma mentions several atheistic views. Among these are Siddhanti Acharya Panchshikh, as well as earlier schools of thought like Lokayat (Charvaka), Jain, Buddhist (Saugata), and Vaisheshika. Moreover, the Ashwamedha Parva introduces the philosophical schools of Tirthika and Uroloma, which are labeled as atheistic by the narrator Vyasa.

In various sections of the Mahabharat, even the Vaisheshika philosophy, formulated by Maharshi Kanada, is considered atheistic. The text also refers to Anvikshiki (logic and dialectics) as atheistic. This book explores the different atheistic sects discussed in the context of the Mahabharat.

The Mahabharat outlines that those who do not believe in posthumous rituals are atheists. These rituals must be aligned with the Vedas, and those who reject these rituals are also non-believers in the Vedic texts. Therefore, atheism in the Mahabharat refers to disbelief in God, disbelief in the Vedas, and disbelief in Vedic posthumous rites.

About the Author:
Shamim Ahmed (Born: 1973) completed his education at Khandera Primary School, Khandera ANHM High School, Salar Edward Jakeria School, Presidency College, Calcutta University, and Visva-Bharati University. He holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Philosophy, and has conducted research on the philosophy within the Mahabharat. He currently serves as the Head and Associate Professor of the Philosophy Department at Belur Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir.

In addition to his essays, he writes short stories and novels and is a regular contributor to various newspapers. He is also the research supervisor at the Vivekananda Research Center. His areas of interest include world mythology and folk tales. With sixteen published books so far, this work on atheism in the Mahabharat is his sixth research-focused publication on the epic.