MATERIALISM IN ANCIENT INDIA
Dr. K. Jamanadas
Lokayata is a most neglected and highly maligned philosophy of ancient India. Harrapan civilization gave birth to this positive philosophy of ‘lokas’; the Bahujans, though the Vedic books labeled it as Asura culture, and denigrated Charvaka as ‘Nastika Shiromani’
The Lokayats criticized the yajnyas, shraddha-s, and doctrines of soul and god, rebirth and karma-vipak and were ‘essentially this-worldly’. They opposed Chaturvarnya and caste rules and propagated social equality.
There is a strong relation between Tantras, tribal primitive society and materialism. After the Buddha’s revolution, Manusmriti brought in counter-revolution. Charvaka philosophy was the greatest opponent of Manusmriti.
Devas, Asuras, Nagas, Rakshasas etc. were all human beings. The accounts of more important Asura kings are discussed and Relevance of Lokayata philosophy in it is stressed
Author Dr. K. Jamanadas, an Ambedkarite author of ‘Tirupati Balaji was a Buddhist Shrine’ and other writings
Blue World Series
Rs. 400/-
