Philosophers’ Day Celebration

29th July, 2024

Philosophers’ day celebrations were organised by CIKS ON 29th July, 2024 in context with the celebration of lives of two of the greatest philosopher-saints in India, Śri Ādi Śaṅkarācarya and Śri Rāmānujācarya. The celebration was held with a talk by Dr. Shonaleeka Kaul, Professor at Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The subject of the talk was ‘Metaphysics as Metaphor – Adi Shankaracharya and the Idea of India’. The talk was facilitated by Dr. Naveen Bhat. Dr. Kaul spoke introduced the participants to the historical and social scenario during the time of Ādi Śaṅkarācarya and the way in which he brought about a revolution in thought and in the practices of the time. She gave a deep and critical view about the way the works and the life of Ādi Śaṅkarācarya has been presented Historically and the colonial influence in the texts, that give a rather distorted view of the idea of India. The discussion around teleology and Philology of research methods in the Indian context also showed flaws and biases based on which the modern narrative on the history of India is presented. Several pieces of evidence on the matter were cited by the speaker which highlight the problem and the need for change in the paradigm of research. The discussion concluded with the understanding and vision that Ādi Śaṅkarācarya presents in integration multiple streams of thought and creating one Bhārata with its diverse cultures coming together. The event was attended by over 70 participants including students and faculty of Chanakya University.