Course Details

Subject {L-T-P / C} : HS1310 : Science of Consciousness in Ancient India { 3-0-0 / 3}

Subject Nature : Theory

Coordinator : Prof. Surabhi Verma

Syllabus

• Unit 1: Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems
1. Indian Knowledge Systems
2. Modes of classification of Indian Knowledge Systems
3. Domains and disciplines of Knowledge
4. Vaidika Literature
5. The concept of ?tvik
6. The Mantras
7. Characteristics of Indian Knowledge Systems
8. Darsanas- Nyaya, Vaise?ika, Sa?khya, Yoga, Vedanta and Kashmir Saiva.
• Unit 2: Consciousness, its Dimensions and Nature
1. Consciousness: Definition and Nature
2. Meaning of the term 'Consciousness' and 'Sciousness'
3. Deviation states of Consciousness
• Unit 3: The Cognitive Process
1. The meaning of the term 'darsanam’
2. Three constituents of the triangle of cognition
3. The cognitive procedure
• Unit 4: Cognitive Process in few Indian Knowledge Systems-
1. Nyaya - Vaise?ika
i. Ontology of Nyaya Vaise?ika
ii. Metaphysics of Nyaya Vaise?ika
iii. The Concept of Padartha
iv. Causation Theory:
v. Epistemology of Nyaya Vaise?ika (Prama?a mima?sa)
vi. Means of Cognition
• Direct Perception (Pratyak?a)
• Stages in Direct Perception
• Anumana (Inference)
• Five Steps of Inference
• Upamana (Comparison)
• Sabda (Verbal Testimony)
2. Sa?khya-Yoga
i. Ontology of Sa?khya System
ii. Epistemology of Sa?khya System
iii. Sa?khya Metaphysics
• Subtle body in Sa?khya
• Gross body in Sa?khya
• The Cognitive Apparatus and Cognitive Cycle in Sa?khya System
i. Ontology of Yoga System
ii. Epistemology of Yoga System
iii. Metaphysics of Yoga System
• The Reflection Theory
• Citta–the Cognitive Apparatus of Yoga System
• The Stages of Citta
• Fluctuations of Consciousness
• Cycle of Fluctuations and Impressions
• How to restrict the fluctuations…?
• The Cycle of Sufferings
• Non-Attachment and Detachment
• How to practice (Abhyasa) Non-Attachment..?
3. Vedanta
i. Ontology of Vedanta System
ii. Epistemology of Vedanta System
iii. Metaphysics of Vedanta System
• The Causal Body in Vedanta
• The Subtle body in Vedanta
• The Process of Pañcikara?a
• The Pañcakosas
• The Gross Body in Vedanta
• The four grand statements of Vedanta Darsana
• The Cognitive Cycle as per Vedanta System
4. Kashmir Saiva Darsana
i. Introduction to the Literature of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
1. Origin of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
2. Total number of Agamas in Saiva Darsana
3. Branches of Literature
4. Acharyas of Agamika Literature
5. Main Works of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
ii. Ontology of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
iii. Epistemology of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
iv. Metaphysics of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
• Prakasa-Vimarsa form of Parama Siva
• Sakti as the Principle of Manifestation
• The Characteristics of Citi
• The Manifestation Process
1. The Subjective Manifestation
• Four Levels of Vak
2. The Objective Manifestation
• The Limitation Theory
i. The Primary Limitation
ii. The Secondary Limitation
• The Concept of Time
• The Concept of Space
• Inter-connected Time and Space
v. ‘The Cognizor’ in Kashmir Saiva Darsana
vi. Few Special Doctrines of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
1. Theory of Absolute Freedom
2. Theory of Reflection
3. Theory of Recognition
• Practices for Recognition
vii. Special characteristics of Kashmir Saiva Darsana
• Unit 5: Discourse about Existence in different Darsanas
1. Asatkaryavada
2. Satkaryavada
3. Vivartavada
4. Abhasavada

Course Objectives

Course Outcomes

1. This Course will help the students to acquire the necessary and important information about Consciousness and its nature which has been already discovered, experimented and verified by Indian Intellectuals a long back and is present in Ancient Sanskrit Scriptures but is not accessible to our students due to Language Constraint. <br />2. This course will provide them required information for their further advancement in the area of research and also enrich our technical students with new vision and concept to follow in the methodology of investigation and experimentation.

Essential Reading

Supplementary Reading

Journal and Conferences