Introduction to IKS
Importance of Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
Introduction
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is the vast body of knowledge developed and preserved in India over thousands of years. It covers areas such as philosophy, science, mathematics, medicine, arts, literature, agriculture, governance, and ethics. IKS is important because it connects India's past knowledge with present and future needs.
1. Preserves Indian Culture
IKS helps preserve India's culture, traditions, values, literature, and heritage. It connects the younger generation with its cultural roots and strengthens India's cultural identity.
2. Promotes Sustainable Living
Indian knowledge teaches harmony between human beings and nature. Traditional practices such as Ayurveda, natural farming, water conservation, and the careful use of natural resources promote sustainable and eco-friendly living.
3. Encourages Scientific Knowledge
Ancient Indian scholars made important contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, and architecture. Knowledge of these contributions encourages further research, scientific thinking, and innovation.
4. Provides Health and Wellness
Ayurveda and Yoga provide traditional approaches to physical and mental well-being. They emphasize balance between the body, mind, and environment and continue to have relevance in modern wellness practices.
5. Develops Moral and Ethical Values
IKS emphasizes values such as truth, discipline, compassion, non-violence, and responsibility. It teaches that education should develop not only knowledge but also good character and responsible behaviour.
6. Promotes Holistic Education
IKS follows a holistic approach to education, where different areas of knowledge are interconnected. Science, philosophy, art, literature, health, and spirituality are studied as parts of a larger whole.
7. Supports Economic Development
Traditional knowledge can contribute to economic development through Ayurveda, handicrafts, organic farming, wellness, and cultural tourism. It can create employment, encourage entrepreneurship, and support self-reliance.
8. Preserves Indigenous Knowledge
IKS helps protect India's traditional knowledge from being forgotten. Knowledge preserved through texts, manuscripts, oral traditions, and the Guru-Shishya tradition can be passed on to future generations.
9. Increases India's Global Contribution
Indian knowledge traditions such as Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, mathematics, and philosophy have gained recognition around the world. IKS provides an opportunity for India to share its intellectual and cultural heritage globally.
Conclusion
The Indian Knowledge System is not only a record of India's past but also a valuable resource for the future. It preserves culture, promotes sustainable living, encourages scientific thinking, develops values, and provides knowledge that can contribute to India's social, educational, and economic development.
Define Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
Introduction
Indian Knowledge System (IKS) refers to the vast body of knowledge that was developed, preserved, and transmitted in the Indian subcontinent over thousands of years. It represents the intellectual, cultural, scientific, philosophical, and practical knowledge developed by Indian thinkers, scholars, communities, and traditions.
Meaning of Indian Knowledge System
The term “Indian Knowledge System” has three important parts:
Indian – It refers to knowledge traditions that developed in the Indian subcontinent. It includes knowledge from different regions, languages, communities, and traditions of India.
Knowledge – It includes ideas, theories, skills, practices, experiences, and wisdom related to different areas of life. It is not limited to religious knowledge. It includes mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, architecture, metallurgy, philosophy, literature, arts, governance, ethics, and many other fields.
System – The word “system” shows that this knowledge is not a random collection of information. Different branches of knowledge are connected with one another and form an organized and interconnected body of knowledge.
Major Features of IKS
IKS has a holistic approach to knowledge. It does not always separate subjects such as science, philosophy, art, health, and spirituality. Instead, it tries to understand their relationships.
For example, the Nāṭyaśāstra connects drama with music, dance, emotions, aesthetics, and psychology. Similarly, Ayurveda connects health with food, lifestyle, environment, and balance of the body and mind.
IKS also gives importance to knowledge gained through observation, experience, reasoning, practice, and traditional learning.
Sources of IKS
IKS comes from both literary and non-literary sources.
Literary sources include the Vedas, Upanishads, Śāstras, Buddhist and Jain literature, and literature in different Indian languages.
Non-literary sources include oral traditions, folklore, traditional arts, crafts, occupations, food practices, health practices, and other indigenous practices passed from one generation to another.
Examples
Some important examples of IKS are:
Vedas – religious, philosophical and cultural knowledge
Āyurveda – health and medicine
Yoga – physical, mental and spiritual well-being
Arthaśāstra – governance and economics
Nāṭyaśāstra – drama, dance, music and aesthetics
Indian mathematics – numbers, calculations and mathematical concepts
Astronomy – study and observation of celestial bodies
Traditional metallurgy – knowledge of metals and metalworking
Conclusion
Thus, Indian Knowledge System is a comprehensive and interconnected body of knowledge developed in India over a long period of time. It includes not only ancient texts but also practical skills, oral traditions, scientific ideas, philosophical thoughts, arts, and cultural practices. It helps us understand India's intellectual heritage and also provides knowledge that can be studied and applied in the modern world.
Classification of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) contains a vast body of knowledge developed and preserved in India over thousands of years. It includes knowledge found in literary sources as well as non-literary or oral traditions.
The classification given in the book is based mainly on three factors:
Completeness – all important areas of IKS should be included.
Compactness – knowledge should be grouped in a simple and logical way.
Inter-connectedness – different branches of knowledge should be connected with one another.
Classification of IKS
IKS is broadly divided into:
1. Literary Sources
2. Non-Literary Sources
1. Literary Sources
Literary sources are further divided into three major categories:
A. Sanātana-Dharma Literature
This is mainly Sanskrit literature and is divided into:
(i) Core Literature
The Vedas form the foundation of this category.
Important areas include:
Vedas and Vedic literature
Upanishads
Six Darśanas (philosophical schools)
Religious and philosophical literature
The Vedas are traditionally considered Śruti and form the foundation for many later Indian intellectual traditions.
(ii) Other Sanātana-Dharma Literature
This includes knowledge developed in many practical and intellectual fields.
Major areas and examples:
1. Basic and Applied Sciences
Mathematics
Astronomy
Plant sciences
Example: Āryabhaṭa – important contributions to mathematics and astronomy.
2. Engineering and Technology
Metalworking
Shipbuilding
Dams and water management
Town planning
Architecture
Alchemy
Cosmetics, perfumes and dyes
3. Health, Wellness and Psychology
Caraka-saṃhitā – Ayurveda and medicine
Suśruta-saṃhitā – medicine and surgery
Aṣṭāṅga-hṛdaya – Ayurveda
Rasaratna-samuccaya – Ayurvedic formulations and alchemy
Yoga and Sāṃkhya – philosophical and psychological ideas
Upanishads – ideas related to mind, self and consciousness
4. Nīti-śāstra – Ethics and Good Conduct
Teaches moral and ethical living through stories, verses and examples.
Pañcatantra – moral lessons through stories
Bhartṛhari's works – ethical and philosophical ideas
Subhāṣitas – collections of wise sayings
5. Rāja-nīti – Governance and Administration
Deals with government, administration and public policy.
Manusmṛti – social rules, duties, governance and justice
Arthaśāstra – administration, statecraft, economy and governance
Nītisāra of Kāmandaka – political and administrative ideas
6. Aesthetics, Poetry and Performing Arts
Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata – drama, dance, music, aesthetics and Rasa
Works of Kālidāsa, Daṇḍin and Bāṇabhaṭṭa
Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyana
Sanskrit literature, poetry and performing arts
B. Other Dharmic Traditions
This category mainly includes Buddhist and Jain traditions.
These traditions contributed not only to religion and philosophy but also to mathematics, science, technology and other fields.
(i) Buddhist Literature
Buddhist literature contains religious and philosophical ideas as well as contributions to science and technology.
Important examples:
Nāgārjuna – Rasaratnākara, an important early work related to alchemy
Buddhist literature also discusses mathematical concepts and maritime activities.
Buddhism → Nāgārjuna → Rasaratnākara → Alchemy
(ii) Jain Literature
Jain scholars made important contributions, particularly to mathematics.
Important examples:
Gaṇitānuyoga – a section of Jain literature devoted to mathematics
Tattvārtha-sūtra – important Jain philosophical text by Umāsvāti
Anuyogadvāra-sūtra – mathematical ideas
Vyavahāra-sūtra – mathematical knowledge
Sūrya-prajñapti – mathematical/astronomical knowledge
Mahāvīrācārya's Gaṇita-sāra-saṃgraha – important contribution to Indian mathematics
So remember:
Jainism → Gaṇitānuyoga → Mathematics
C. Regional Literature
India has many regional languages and each has a large body of religious, philosophical, literary and cultural knowledge.
The Indian Constitution's Eighth Schedule recognises 22 languages.
Example:
Tamil literature
Sangam literature – important literary tradition from the first millennium BCE.
Many regional works also explain, develop and expand ideas found in Sanskrit literature.
Thus, regional languages also form an important part of India's knowledge heritage.
2. Non-Literary Sources – Oral Traditions
A large amount of Indian knowledge was transmitted orally from one generation to another.
These traditions include:
Folklore
Art forms
Traditional skills and occupations
Food practices
Health practices
Life practices
Traditional knowledge and customs
Example:
The 64 Kalās mentioned in Indian literature include many artistic and skill-based activities that were traditionally transmitted through practice and oral teaching.
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is a vast and interconnected body of knowledge. It includes Sanātana-Dharma literature, Buddhist and Jain traditions, regional literature, and oral traditions. Its classification helps us understand the richness and diversity of Indian knowledge and preserve it for future generations.
References:
Mahadevan, B., V. R. Bhat, and N. Nagendra Pavana. Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems: Concepts and Applications. PHI Learning, 2022.
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