Critique of 'Avidyavicara' of Prof. Nagin G. Shah
By Vijay Pandya
Summary
A Critique of 'Avidyavicara' of Prof. Nagin G. Shah Vijay Pandya Prof Nagin ઉ. Shah whose work '$Sankara-Vedantaman Avidyavicara' in Gujarati has been taken up here for a philosophical evaluation is a well-known erudite scholar of Indian Philosophy. He has written several volumes on various Indian philosophical systems such થડ Jaina, Buddha, Sammkhya, Yoga, - Nyaya, Vaisesika and Vedanta and it can be seen that he has covered a vast ground of Indian Philosophy. His doctorate thesis entitled Akalanka's Criticism of Dharmakirti's Philosophy A Study has been critically acclaimed by the scholarly world for its meticulous marshalling of the cogent arguments and sharp critical acumen. His three other works in English (1) A Study of Nyayamaifijari, a mature Sanskrit work or: Indian Logic (in three parts) (ii) Essays in Indian Philosophy and ઊં) Samantabhadra's Aptamimarhsa - Critique of an Authority can be regarded as his substantial contribution to the Indian Philosophical world. His two volumes in Gujarati entitled as Saddarsana : ડોળા લો) and Yoga and Nyaya and Vaisesika have served 35 an authentic text book of Indian Philosophical Systems for several generations of students of philosophy of Gujarat, though it is a misnomer to call it as Saddarsana થડ it does not complete the figure of six having left out Purvamimamsa and the Uttaramimarnsa systems. This, my paper, though in its present form in which I am presenting, is somewhat elementary and introductory in its nature, may be regarded as a humble tribute to this great Savant of Gujarat who contributed ceaselessly and tirelessly, while he lived, a lot to the cause of Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy. Now to take up the subject of this paper, the book entitled Sankara-Vedanta man Avidyavicara, 15 written by Dr. Nagin G. Shah, taking up the consideration of the concept of Avidya, a cornerstone of the grand edifice of the system of philosophy of the Sankara-Vedanta. According (૦ me, there are two strange things, which draw our attention regarding this book. First of " Vol. XXXVII, 2014 A Critique of 'Avidyavicara' of Prof. Nagin G. Shah . 55 all, in his introduction, Prof.Nagin Shah has dwelt upon the historical aspect of the Vedanta Philosophy, Upanisadic Philosophy to be more precise. Prof.Nagin Shah has delineated how this Non-dualistic Vedanta reached in the West, in the modern times beginning with Dara Sukoh (1657 c.e. year of the Persian Translation of the 50 Upanisads) and how
Conclusion
which is positive entity is neither a cause nor an effect. What is essential fcr a material cause is that it is persistent in થો! its effects, अन्वयिकारणत्वम् उपादानत्वे T4 | Thus goes on the arguments. All this has been very admirably, lucidly and perceptively discussed by Prof. Nagin Shah in this book 'Avidyavicara'. This is not a place to deal with all those marshalling of the arguments. But Prof. Nagin Shah's grasp of the fundamentals of Indian Philosophy 15 admirably come through and his works wait for a deeper study and analysis by scholars and students of Indian Philosophy.