Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.42
Many Philosophers Follow Different Scriptures
“There are many kinds of philosophers. Some are logicians who follow Gautama or Kaṇāda. Some follow the Mīmāṁsā philosophy of Jaimini. Some follow the Māyāvāda philosophy of Śaṅkarācārya, and others follow Kapila’s Sāṅkhya philosophy or the mystic yoga system of Patañjali. Some follow the smṛti-śāstra composed of twenty religious scriptures, and others follow the Purāṇas and the tantra-śāstra. In this way there are many different types of philosophers.”
What the purport teaches
- Some philosophers follow the logic of Gautama or Kaṇāda, or the Mīmāṁsā philosophy of Jaimini.
- Others follow Śaṅkarācārya’s Māyāvāda philosophy, Kapila’s Sāṅkhya philosophy or Patañjali’s mystic yoga system.
- Some follow the smṛti-śāstra, composed of twenty religious scriptures. Others follow the Purāṇas and the tantra-śāstra.
Try this today
Write down three philosophical traditions named in this translation.
Ask yourself
What does this list help you notice about the variety of philosophical traditions?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.