A SKETCH OF EVOLUTION IN INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

The recent discovery of God particle ( Higgs Boson ) shows that how we human are keenly interested in knowing about the beginning of the universe . The conception of evolution, which is intensely affecting the today’s modern world, is, therefore, of great importance, in terms of very existence of universe . Various theories, whether scientific or metaphysical, had been propounded from past centuries, pertaining to the evolution. However, evolution, is not a modern concept, or, is not only related to the science or west. Rather it is as old as philosophy itself and has its roots in the hoary past of India . Vedas , in which the Indian philosophical thoughts have their origin, is responsible for the classification of Indian philosophical systems, i.e., orthodox ( āstika -theist, based on Vedas ) and heterodox ( nāstika -atheist, independent of Vedas ). The consideration of evolution, as possibility for the beginning of the universe, made by Vedas has acquired its definite shape in the Upaniṣads . The Indian philosophical systems have tried to flourish the strong foundation laid by the Upaniṣads regarding this conception.