Vedic Knowledge System: Ordering and Purpose

Abstract

Vedic system represents the knowledge of ancient India deeply rooted in triqualities (trai-gunya) of sansar (material world). Trai-gunya represents sattva (mode of purity), rajas (mode of passion), and tamas (mode of ignorance). Accordingly, every individual in pursuit of attaining three purposes/goals of life representing trivarga(three ends of human endeavour) or three categories, popularly known as paths of life, i.e. dharma (righteousness), artha (pursuits of wealth), and kama (pleasure). Later Upanishads and other post-Vedic literature added a new goal ‘moksha’ attaining peace or liberate oneself from the worldly objects. These four paths of human life collectively are described as purusarthas (four paths of life/ purpose of human life) and became bases of knowledge classification. There are various principles of knowledge classification. The paper discusses the vital subjects representing knowledge covered in these four paths of life in Vedas. Further, discusses Ranganathan’s representation of Vedic knowledge systems in his writings and their relationship with the knowledge classification system (Colon Classification) in ordering of the main subjects in the form of main classes.