Preface

To the scholars and students of Indian philosophy Udayana does not need any introduction. Udayana belonged to the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika School, but he was respected by rival philosophers also as an outstanding thinker in the field of Indian philosophy in general. He had to his credit a number of commentaries and independent works some of which are considered as classics of Indian philosophy. The Nyāyaksumāñjali on which my thesis is based is primarily concerned with proving the existence of God. However, Udayana`s discussion is not limited to only the grounds for the existence of God. Almost all important philosophical problems have been taken up, discussed and finally, Nyāya views have been defended by strongly criticizing the position of the opponents. The work is almost like an encyclopedia of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika doctrines. A study of this work is important for understanding not only the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika School, but also the Indian philosophical tradition as a whole which has developed through clash of ideas. But Udayana`s writing is abstruse and quite difficult to understand. Perhaps that is why few works analyzing the works of Udayana are available. I have tried to present a logical analysis of the views of Udayana on the basis of the Nyāyakusumāñjali.

The plan of the present study was suggested to me by Professor Sarbani Ganguli, Department of Sanskrit, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. She was kind enough to act as my supervisor also. She has given me all the help I needed. She has spared a lot of her valuable time to provide me help. I am very much grateful to her.

I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to study some portions of the text under Professor Mrinal Kanti Gangopadhyay, formerly Asutosh Professor of Sanskrit, Calcutta University. I pay my respect to him. I also record my indebtedness to all authors and editors from whose works I have received help. I am also thankful to all my teachers in the Department of Sanskrit, Jadavpur University, for their good wishes and cooperation.

Ramen Bhadra