Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Greetings,

This blog is a response to a task given by Prakruti Ma'am from the Department of English at M. K. Bhavnagar University. It explores the life and philosophy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, focusing on his contributions as a leader, scholar, and philosopher.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an amazing leader, philosopher, and statesman from India. He was India’s second President from 1962 to 1967 and before that, he was the first Vice President, serving from 1952 to 1962. He even worked as India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1949 and 1952. Earlier in his career, he was the Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948 and of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. Radhakrishnan is also one of the most influential scholars of religion and philosophy in the 20th century. He taught at both the University of Calcutta and Oxford University, where he specialized in Eastern religions and ethics.

Write a note on S. Radhakrishnan’s perspective on Hinduism-

In 'The Hindu View of Life' (1962), S. Radhakrishnan explains that Hinduism is more of a philosophy or way of living rather than a strict religion. During his time, many Europeans saw Hinduism as superstitious and outdated. Radhakrishnan, having studied texts like the Vedas and Upanishads, wanted to correct this view. He believed that Hinduism is based on rational thinking and is open to change, rather than being about blind faith.

He also introduced the concept of 'Dharma', explaining that it relates to the actions and responsibilities we take on in everyday life. According to him, Hinduism values personal experiences more than the worship of just one god, giving people the freedom to follow various gods and traditions. He talked about two sides of Hinduism: one being philosophical, focused on inner reflection, and the other being practical, which deals with life in the real world.

Radhakrishnan pointed out that the word "Hindu" originally came from geography, linked to the river Sindhu, and wasn’t about religion. He also discussed the caste system, explaining that it was originally meant to organize society, though it eventually became rigid and led to unfair discrimination. He believed that these outdated aspects should be changed for the good of society.

In short, Radhakrishnan wanted to show that Hinduism is a flexible, thoughtful philosophy, and to clear up misunderstandings people had, especially in the West.

Write a note on the contribution of S. Radhakrishnan in Indian Writing in English-

S. Radhakrishnan was a well-known philosopher, academician, and statesman whose contributions to Indian Writing in English are really significant. His works, like "An Idealist View of Life" (1932) and "The Hindu View of Life" (1962), played an important role in presenting Indian philosophical ideas to the world. He focused on ideas from ancient Indian texts, like the Vedas and Upanishads, but interpreted them in a way that could help address modern-day problems, especially during the time when India was fighting for independence.

One of his main contributions was promoting Advaita Vedanta and the philosophy of absolute idealism. Radhakrishnan believed that humans are more than just physical beings; they are spiritual and capable of going beyond themselves through inner spiritual awakening. He used examples like Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad to show how people can reach this level of understanding. While his ideas may seem idealistic today, they provided a strong moral guide for people to live by.

Radhakrishnan also worked to change how the West viewed Hinduism. At a time when it was seen as superstitious and outdated, he highlighted the rational and flexible aspects of Hinduism by explaining it in a modern context. He showed that Hinduism focuses more on personal spiritual experiences than on strict religious rules, which made it unique compared to other belief systems. By writing in English, he made Indian philosophy more accessible to a global audience, helping break down cultural and linguistic barriers.

He was also deeply invested in education. As the chairperson of the Radhakrishnan Commission, set up after India gained independence, he worked on improving the country's university education system. He believed that a strong India could only be built through quality education that allowed individuals to grow, both intellectually and spiritually. To honor his work in education, his birthday, 5th September, is celebrated as National Teacher's Day in India.

Overall, S. Radhakrishnan's contributions to Indian Writing in English went beyond philosophy. He helped bring Indian thought to the world stage and pushed for educational reforms that shaped India's future. His ideas continue to inspire students, scholars, and thinkers today.

According to Radhakrishnan, what is the function of philosophy?

According to Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, philosophy is a way to help people understand life on a deeper level. He thought that our personal and philosophical experiences come from intuition, and by understanding this intuition, we can reach a higher sense of self. For him, philosophy tackled the big questions about life and existence, helping us figure out what reality really is.

Radhakrishnan believed that philosophy isn’t just about learning facts; it’s about finding connections and discovering truths that aren’t obvious at first glance. It’s also important for helping people grow intellectually and morally by encouraging critical thinking and self-reflection. In his eyes, philosophy wasn’t just about understanding the world—it was a way to improve ourselves and live more ethically.