Contents

Unit-1: Vedic Thought                                                        9
Meaning of the term "Samhita"
Theology of Samhita
Cosmology of Samhita
The Concept of Ethics inherent in the Samhitas
Meaning of Brahmanas
General Character and Theory of Sacrifice in Brahmanas
The Ethical Perspective of the Brahmanas
Aranyakas: Meaning
The Upanishads: Meaning
Doctrines of Upanishads
Questions
Unit-II: Non-Vedic Thought                                                 77
Early Buddhism
Buddha: Four Noble Truths
Theory of Impermanence and Momentariness
No-Soul Theory (Nairatmayavada)
Jaina: Anekântvåda
Saptabhangi Nyaya or the Seven Forms of Judgment
Syâdvâda
The Concept of Bondage in Jainism
The Concept of Libration in Jainism

Cârvaka: Theory of Knowledge or Carvaka
Epistemology (Denial of Inference and Testimony)
Rejection of Transcendental Entities or the Carvaks Metaphysics
Carvaka Ethics
Questions
Unit-III: Smriti and Epics                                                  143
The Idea of Dharma in the Manusamhita
The Religion of Mahabharata
The Concept of Dharma in the Mahabharata
Râmâyana: Idea of Perfect Life
Questions
Unit-IV: Puranas                                                             177
Meaning of the term Pûrânas
Cosmogony of the Pûrânas
Cosmology in the Purânas
Pûrâna: Origin
Pûrâna: Content
The Concept of Ethics as found in the Pûrânas
Bibliography