The SKBU Journal of Philosophy invites submission of papers for its upcoming issue on Indian Knowledge System in order to shaping the future.
The existence of knowledge is accepted by all as without it no linguistic usage is possible and we see India has been attaching great importance to it over the millennia. The Indian Knowledge System has a vast and rich repository of knowledge which is deeply interconnected with various discipline like Philosophy, Science Literature, Art, Mathematics, Medicine, Astronomy, Mythology, Spirituality etc. in order to have a holistic realization of existence including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of life. The system aims at promoting holistic approach, experiential learning, self-realization, tradition (Parampara) and system of teachers’ students’ relationship (Gurukul) in education. Jñāna, Vijñāna and Jīvanadarśana arising from the people of India is its essence.
The root of IKS is the ancient Indian Texts. The Veda, (Circa 1500-500 BCE) the oldest Indian Text, deals with various aspects of life like cosmology, spirituality, Ethics. The Upaniṣada deals with metaphysics (Nature of Soul and the Ultimate Reality). Two great Epics, the Rāmayana and the Mahābhārata can be considered as the treasure trove of moral and ethical teachings. Six Classical Indian Philosophical Systems developed a very rich bases of intellectual and philosophical discourse including Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics and Spirituality. We know that India is famous for her concepts of Zero, decimal systems advanced trigonometry, concept of Earth’s rotation and revolution, rules for solving quadratic equations developed by famous Ancient Indian mathematicians like Aryabhaṭṭa, Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya. India was strong enough in the field of Astronomy also when we see that there was a very strong and developed system for celestial movements prediction. Two great Ancient Indian Astronomer were Varahmihira and Aryabhaṭṭa, the first one combined astronomy with meteorology and astrology in a book called Brihat Saṁhitā while the last one is famous for his precise calculation of the Earth’s circumference. The indigenous medicine system of India is Ayurveda which aims at holistic treatment using herbal remedies, dietary practices and therapeutic technique. Two seminal texts on this area are Śuśruta Saṁhitā and Caraka Saṁhitā that deals with surgery and internal medicine respectively.
Though Indian knowledge system adopted primarily oral method like storytelling and discourses, textual and artistic tradition were also used as knowledge transmitting methods. This system highlights not only theoretical, but practical application of knowledge for the benefit and well-being of individual as well as societal. We see this system is a continuous process and has been evolving and cultivating over millennia in Indian sub-continent to meet the contemporary challenges in order to prove its modern significance and relevance. Government of India has started to take initiative to preserve and revive IKS as it can play vital role in sustainable development and peace. Ministry of Education of India already introduced Indian Knowledge System Division in 2020 to encourage interdisciplinary research, incorporate IKS into modern curricula of schools, colleges and universities levels emphasizing Vedic Mathematics, Ayurvedic medicine, Yoga, ecological wisdom and experiential learning and value-based education through National Education Policy, 2020 in order to show the “Indian Way to the world”. We see how IKS is being incorporated into various fields like health and wellness, agriculture, education, environmental science and global diplomacy and ethics. etc. In medical science, we see Ayurveda and Yoga are being used. Prāṇāyāma and dhyāna are being used as alternative therapy in mental health science. In global diplomacy and ethics, IKS is emphasizing the famous, noble and rich Upaniṣadic concept ‘Vasudhā Eva Kutumbakum’ i.e., the entire world is one family which is an important pre-requisite for sustainable development and peace of the entire world.
Subthemes:
Submission Guidelines:
Dr. Iti Chattopadhyay
Chief Editor
SKBU Journal of Philosophy (Vol. VI, Issue. I)
28.02.2026
