Lokayata, a critical study: Indian spiritualism reaffirmed (Sri Garib Das oriental series)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Author: Shubhada A. Joshi

• Language: English

• Pages: 286

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 21.5 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: 370 gm

• Edition: 1995

• ISBN: 9788170304104

About the Book:

This book critically evaluates Lokayata, the interpretation of Indian philosophy from a Marxist perspective by Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya. Chattopadhyaya’s Marxist approach to the history of Indian philosophy is analyzed and refuted, with the author demonstrating how this framework fails to provide an ideal understanding of the subject. The critique focuses on the drawbacks of Marxist interpretations and offers a positive reevaluation of Indian philosophy, emphasizing its deeper spiritual aspects.

Dr. Shubhada A. Joshi methodically dissects Chattopadhyaya’s Marxist methodology and offers a thorough critique of his interpretations of the Vedas, Samkhya, Tantra, and other philosophical traditions. Joshi argues against the Marxist view that the Vedic society was classless and primitive. She counters the portrayal of the Vedic man as a "hungry savage," demonstrating the sophistication and organization of early Vedic society, including the development of private property, trade, and social structure.

The book also critically examines Debiprasad's interpretation of Vedic philosophy, focusing on the spiritual meaning of Vedic rituals and the symbolic nature of texts from the Chandogya Upanishad and other sources. Joshi challenges the view that these texts promote materialism, arguing instead that they reveal a profound spiritualism embedded within the Vedic worldview.

About the Author:

Dr. (Mrs.) Shubhada A. Joshi is a prominent scholar in the field of philosophy, currently associated with the Department of Philosophy at the University of Bombay. She has extensively studied Indian philosophy, with a particular focus on the critical evaluation of Marxist perspectives on Indian thought. Joshi has contributed significantly to the understanding of Indian spiritualism and its philosophical underpinnings. Her research is characterized by a deep engagement with both Western and Indian philosophical traditions.

Through this book, she offers a nuanced analysis that challenges existing interpretations and encourages a more balanced and insightful understanding of Indian philosophy, especially in contrast to Marxist frameworks.