PREFACE

The ancient civilization of India was a solid unity made of many different developments in art, architecture, literature, religion, ethics, and science, as it was understood in those days. However, the most significant achievement of Indian thought was philosophy. It was seen as the ultimate goal of all high-level practical and intellectual activities. Philosophy provided a sense of unity amidst the apparent diversity produced by the growth of complex cultures across a vast area inhabited by many different peoples. One should not look for the unity of India in its history of foreign invasions, the rise of independent kingdoms at different times, or the empires of various great monarchs. Instead, this unity is essentially one of spiritual aspirations and obedience to the "law of the spirit." These spiritual values were regarded as superior to everything else and have survived all the political changes India has experienced throughout history.

The Greeks, the Huns, the Scythians, the Pathans, and the Mughals original: "Moguls" who occupied the land and controlled the political government never truly ruled the minds of the people. To the Indian people, these political events were like hurricanes or the changing of the seasons—mere natural or physical phenomena that never affected the spiritual integrity of Hindu culture. If India is becoming creative again after several centuries of inactivity, it is mainly because of this fundamental unity of her progress and civilization, rather than anything she might borrow from other countries.

Therefore, it is essential for anyone who wants to appreciate the significance and potential of Indian culture to properly understand the history of Indian philosophical thought. This philosophy is the core around which all that is best and highest in India has grown. Much harm has already been done by the spread of opinions that the culture and philosophy of India were merely "dreamy" and abstract. It is, therefore, very necessary that Indians, as well as other people, should become better acquainted with the true characteristics of the past history of Indian thought and form an accurate assessment of its special features.

But it is not only for the sake of the right understanding of—