Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses

About the Author
Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi is known for his original contributions to literature as well as for his studies on N??ya??stra and S?hitya??stra. He has published 162 books, 227 research papers and critical essays. He has received 35 national and international awards and honours for his literary contributions. About the Book
V?da, meaning debates, dialogues, discussions, was the quintessential of Indian spirit, enabling and promoting the growth of different philosophical and knowledge systems of India. It percolated deep into our mindset and enriched the moral, ethical, religious and sociocultural edifice of anything that was essentially Indian in nature. As continuation of ?nvik??k? from the bc era, v?da helped thrive Indian traditional knowledge systems. It subsists on diversity and its tradition envisages pluralism.
Most of our Sanskrit works, covering a wide gamut of knowledge systems, are structured in the techniques of debate. This reality applies not only to the philosophical writings, but to Indian medical systems (Ayurveda), Artha??stra of Kau?ilya and K?mas?tra of V?tsy?yana as well. Even great epics like R?m?ya?a and Mah?bh?rata are no exceptions.
V?da culture involved verbal duals, attacks and even violence of speech, and all major religious systems — old or modern — were parties to it. This book also elucidates how v?ta was vital and critical for the growth of our socio-political fabrics. It shows how some of the major conflicts in philosophical systems were centred around karma, jñ?na, choice between violence and non-violence, pravr?tti and nivr?tti. It also presents the manifestations of v?da on a vast canvas during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Modern spiritual and religious gurus like Ramana Maharshi, J. Krishnamurti and Vinoba Bhave were men of dialogues. Our scholars have applied the varied techniques of v?da against the philosophical and scientific systems of the West to prove them correct.
This collector's issue should enthrall a wide audience of philosophers, scholars and believers in Indian knowledge systems.