Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan as a Prose Writer and his philosophy

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan as a Prose Writer and his philosophy

Hello Everyone,😊


This blog is part of thinking activity assigned by Prakruti Ma'am. This blog post reflects my understanding of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's views on Hindu philosophy, his thoughts on idealism, and his overall contribution to Indian philosophy.

About Dr. Sarvpalli Radhakrishnan:

   Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975) was a key Indian philosopher, educator, and politician. He was the first Vice President and the second President of India. Radhakrishnan was known for his ideas based on Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy that teaches oneness with the universe.

He believed philosophy should help us understand reality and our experiences, focusing on personal religious experiences as important. Radhakrishnan thought education should promote truth and love, nurturing our minds, hearts, and spirits.

In his book, "An Idealist View of Life," he expressed his belief that each person has a divine essence within them and that everything in reality is connected. He also defended Hinduism against criticisms from the West, helping to form a modern Hindu identity.

Besides his philosophical work, he was a dedicated teacher at several universities, including the University of Madras and Banaras Hindu University. His influence on philosophy and education continues to be felt in India and beyond.

Write a note on S. Radhakrishnan’s perspective on Hinduism.

S. Radhakrishnan’s perspective on Hinduism was influenced by the time when India was still a British colony. During this period, many British people, especially Christians, considered Indian culture, traditions, and religion to be backward and inferior. Hinduism, in particular, faced criticism from the West, and this motivated Radhakrishnan to defend it. He wanted to show that Hinduism had its own philosophical depth and ethical values, countering the claim that it lacked moral structure.

In his famous work The Hindu View of Life (1927), Radhakrishnan explored Hinduism in detail. He did not offer a strict or simple definition of Hinduism because, according to him, it’s more than just a religion—it’s a way of life. The word "Hindu" itself wasn’t originally connected to religion. It came from the Sanskrit word "Sindhu," which referred to the Indus River, and was used by outsiders to describe the people living in that region. Over time, Indians adopted this term to refer to their religious and cultural identity.

Radhakrishnan argued that Hinduism is very broad and doesn’t follow a single path or worship just one god. He explained that Hinduism is polytheistic, meaning it accepts many gods, as opposed to religions like Christianity and Islam, which worship only one God (monotheism). Hinduism’s roots can be traced back to ancient times when natural elements like the sun, wind, and fire were worshipped, especially by the Aryans.

One of the key points Radhakrishnan made was that Hinduism is tolerant and open-minded. It allows people to question and doubt, which makes it flexible and intellectually rich. He believed this made Hinduism unique and valuable, especially in comparison to the Western religions that were often seen as rigid.

He strongly emphasized that Hinduism is both philosophical and ethical. He defended it by explaining that Hindu philosophy, particularly the Advaita Vedanta (a non-dualistic school of thought), is coherent and provides a clear view of reality. According to Advaita Vedanta, the world is divided into two main concepts: Prakriti (nature) and Brahman (the ultimate reality). The goal of life, in this view, is to realize that Atman (the individual soul) is actually one with Brahman (the universal reality).

Radhakrishnan also explained that Hinduism believes in the cyclical nature of life, where karma (actions) and dharma (duties) play a crucial role. These ideas help explain the ethical system of Hinduism, where one’s actions determine future consequences, and fulfilling one’s duties is a key moral obligation.

One of Radhakrishnan’s most important points was that intuition, or a direct understanding of truth, is more important than pure intellectual reasoning. He believed that deep, personal experiences of truth and spirituality were at the heart of Hinduism, not just bookish knowledge or logic.

But, in today’s context, Radhakrishnan’s views are sometimes seen as controversial. Some people argue that his idealized portrayal of Hinduism might support the political idea of turning India into a Hindu Rashtra (a Hindu nation), which can be problematic in a country with so many diverse religions and cultures. Additionally, his emphasis on intuition as the source of knowledge might be questioned in the modern world, where science and rational thinking are highly valued.

So we can say that, Radhakrishnan’s work has had a big influence on how Hinduism is understood today, particularly in response to Western criticism. While his views are sometimes debated, his contributions remain crucial in shaping modern interpretations of Hindu philosophy and religion.

Write a note on the contribution of S. Radhakrishnan in Indian Writing in English.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan made a huge contribution to Indian Writing in English, especially in the areas of philosophy, religion, and education. He was known for creating a link between Indian and Western intellectual traditions. Radhakrishnan’s works explored how Indian and Western thought could come together, and he encouraged both sides to understand and respect each other’s views. His writings helped people in the West appreciate the richness of Indian philosophy and culture.

One of Radhakrishnan’s major achievements was translating important Indian texts, like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, into English. By doing this, he made these complex spiritual and philosophical texts easier for people around the world to access and understand. His translations weren’t just word-for-word—they also included his own interpretations and insights, which helped explain Indian ideas in a way that Western readers could grasp. This was very important because, at that time, there were many misconceptions in the West about Indian traditions, and Radhakrishnan worked to clear those up.

Also to his translations, Radhakrishnan wrote original works such as Indian Philosophy and The Philosophy of the Upanishads, where he examined how Indian and Western philosophies were similar and where they could interact. He often focused on the idea of religious tolerance and believed that different religions had more in common than people thought. By pointing out these similarities, he promoted respect and understanding between different cultures and faiths.

Radhakrishnan was also deeply involved in education. He believed that education shouldn’t just be about learning facts and gaining knowledge—it should also shape a person’s heart and spirit. He argued that true education helps in the all-around development of individuals. When India became independent, Radhakrishnan chaired the Radhakrishnan Commission, also known as the University Education Commission (1948), which aimed to improve higher education in India. He believed that a strong education system, which included spiritual and moral teachings, was necessary for building a united and prosperous India. He also strongly supported the idea of free and compulsory education for all children, regardless of their background.

Radhakrishnan’s philosophical outlook was shaped by Advaita Vedanta, a school of thought that teaches the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal reality (Brahman). He believed that human beings are more than just physical matter; we are spiritual beings with the potential to grow and develop beyond our current limitations. He felt that spiritual awakening was necessary for realizing this potential, and he pointed to figures like Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad as examples of individuals who had achieved this kind of spiritual enlightenment.

Even though Radhakrishnan’s philosophy of absolute idealism might seem too idealistic or impractical to some today, especially in a world where fewer people follow such strict philosophical principles, his work still holds great importance. He helped interpret ancient Indian ideas in a way that was relevant to modern times, addressing the challenges people face today.

Radhakrishnan’s contributions went beyond philosophy. He played a major role in shaping education in India, and his birthday, September 5th, is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in honor of his impact on education. He believed that the best way to build a strong India was through higher education that helped individuals grow not only intellectually but also morally and spiritually. In the 1930s and 1940s, he shared his vision for an independent India, saying that the country should be led by educated people who understood the importance of India’s identity and purpose.

So we can say that, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s contributions to Indian Writing in English are vast. Through his translations, original works, and involvement in education, he played a key role in promoting Indian philosophy, religion, and culture to the world. He showed how ancient Indian ideas could be relevant in modern times and helped people understand that true education must include not just intellectual growth, but also the development of the heart and spirit.

According to Radhakrishnan, what is the function of philosophy?

According to Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the function of philosophy is to help us understand reality and our experiences more deeply. He believed that the philosophy of religion should be based on personal religious experiences and become more grounded in reality, much like science. His own philosophy was based on Advaita Vedanta, which he adapted for the modern world. Radhakrishnan’s views were idealistic, as he believed in a higher spiritual truth while also accepting the real, everyday world.

He saw philosophy as more than just thinking; it was about discovering the divine within ourselves. For him, philosophy was a path to connect with this inner divinity and understand the deeper, ultimate reality beyond ordinary life. He thought we could gain knowledge through sense experience, intellectual thinking, and intuitive understanding, but only intuition could truly lead us to this highest truth.

Radhakrishnan also believed that philosophy should help India stay connected to its rich traditions while moving forward into the future. In short, philosophy for Radhakrishnan was idealistic, spiritual, and transcendental—a way to help people realize their true selves and understand the oneness of all reality.



Thank you so much for your valuable time😊

References:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sarvepalli-Radhakrishnan. Accessed 21 September 2024.


Nivasulu Reddy, P., and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. “A Critical Analysis of ‘The Hindu View of Life’ by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.” Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, vol. IV, no. II, journal-article, Mar. 2014, p. 337. www.oiirj.org/oiirj/mar-apr2014/45.pdf?authuser=0