Page:A History of Indian Philosophy Vol 1.djvu/224

CHAPTER VII THE KAPILA AND THE PATANJALA SAlKHYA (YOGA)!. A Review. THE examination of the two ancient Nastika schools of Buddhism and J ainism of two different types ought to convince us that serious philosophical speculations were indulged in, in circles other than those of the U paniad sages. That certain practices known as Yoga were generally prevalent amongst the wise seems very probable, for these are not only alluded to in some of the U paniads but were accepted by the two nastika schools of Buddhism and J ainism. Whether we look at them from the point of view of ethics or metaphysics, the two N astika schools appear to have arisen out of a reaction against the sacrificial disciplines of the Brahmat:tas. Both these systems originated with the Kattriyas and were marked by a strong aversion against the taking of animal life, and against the doctrine of offering animals at the sacrifices. The doctrine of the sacrifices supposed that a suitable com- bination of rites, rituals, and articles of sacrifice had the magical power of producing the desired effect-a shower of rain, the birth of a son, the routing of a huge army, etc. The sacrifices were enjoined generally not so much for any moral elevation, as for the achievement of objects of practical welfare. The Vedas were the eternal revelations which were competent so to dictate a detailed procedure, that we could by following it proceed on a certain course of action and refrain from other injurious courses in such a manner that we might obtain the objects we desired by the accurate performance of any sacrifice. If we are to define truth in accordance with the philosophy of such a ritualistic culture we might say that, that alone is true, in accordance with which we may realize our objects in the world about us; the truth of Vedic injunctions is shown by the practical attainment of our J This chaptcr is based on my Study if" Patalljali, published by the Calcutta University, ann my Yoga philosophy in relation /0 otller Indian Systems of thought, awaiting publication with the same authority. The system has been treated in detail in those two works.