Who is Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?
“When we think we know, we cease to learn”.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan History
- Born: September 5, 1888, in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Education: Studied philosophy at Madras Christian College.
- Academic Career:
- Lecturer at Madras Presidency College and University of Mysore.
- Professor of Philosophy at the University of Calcutta.
- Held the prestigious Spalding Chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford (1936–1952).
- Renowned for works on Indian philosophy and comparative religion.
- “Indian Philosophy”
- “The Hindu View of Life”
- “The Principal Upanishads”.
- India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1952).
- First Vice President of India (1952–1962).
- Second President of India (1962–1967).
- Teachers’ Day: His birthday, September 5, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
- Philosophy: Advocate of Advaita Vedanta; emphasized humanism, tolerance, and secularism.
- Awards: Received the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
- Death: Passed away on April 17, 1975.
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s Perspective on Hinduism:
“Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced.”Here, Radhakrishnan is suggesting that Hinduism balances logical thinking (reason) with inner understanding (intuition). He's saying that Hinduism can't be fully understood just by reading about it or thinking about it logically it needs to be experienced to be truly grasped. Radhakrishnan believed that one of the main purposes of Hinduism was to facilitate personal development and self-realization. The journey of life, according to this view, is about understanding oneself better.
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s articulation of Hinduism was instrumental in dispelling many Western misconceptions. He sought to prove that Hinduism was not fatalistic or otherworldly but rather an active, dynamic faith. As he once put it, "Religion is not a department of life; it is something that enters into the whole of it." For him, Hinduism was intertwined with every facet of life, and it encouraged a search for the truth that could harmonize faith and reason.
"The end of all our exploration will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time"
this quote is actually from T.S. Eliot, but it resonates with Radhakrishnan's philosophy. This idea suggests that the spiritual journey in Hinduism is like a circular path. You might end up back where you started, but with a completely new understanding. It's about seeing familiar things with new eyes, gained through experience and self-reflection.
Radhakrishnan's Contribution to Indian Writing in English:
Significant works:
- "Indian Philosophy":
This two-volume work is considered one of Radhakrishnan's masterpieces. It provides a comprehensive overview of various schools of Indian philosophy, from ancient times to the modern era. Its enduring relevance is evidenced by its continued use in universities.
2."The Hindu View of Life":
In this book, Radhakrishnan explains core Hindu concepts and beliefs in a way that's easy for people from different cultural backgrounds to understand. It's an excellent example of his ability to bridge Eastern and Western thought.
"It is not God that is worshipped but the authority that claims to speak in His name"
this quote reveals Radhakrishnan's critical thinking. He wasn't afraid to question established norms or interpretations, even in matters of religion. This approach made his writing powerful and thought-provoking. Radhakrishnan's work helped establish Indian writing in English as a serious literary and academic field. He showed that English could be used effectively to express Indian ideas and philosophies, paving the way for future Indian writers in English.
Through his writing, Radhakrishnan became a cultural ambassador of sorts, introducing Indian thought to the West and helping to foster greater understanding between different philosophical traditions.
The Function of Philosophy According to Dr. Radhakrishnan:
“Philosophy is a logical inquiry into the nature of reality, yet it also serves as a guide to life.”
Radhakrishnan also saw philosophy as a bridge between science and religion. He believed that while science provides empirical knowledge, philosophy helps us understand the moral and spiritual dimensions of life. In his view, “The function of philosophy is to systematize and harmonize the various principles of knowledge,” blending reason, intuition, and ethics into a coherent understanding of the world.
He argued that philosophy had the power to foster peace and understanding by encouraging dialogue between different cultures and perspectives. In a world divided by political, social, and religious differences, Radhakrishnan believed that philosophy could help individuals transcend their narrow identities and find common ground.
In conclusion, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan wasn't just a political leader. He was a thinker, a writer, and a true philosopher. His ideas on Hinduism, his contributions to Indian writing in English, and his views on philosophy continue to inspire and challenge us today.
Thank You!!
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