CHARVAKA

Rationalism. Secularism. Freedom

Śrīharṣa

  • The Social Outlook of the Cārvāka/Lokāyata
    A Reconstruction

    RAMKRISHNA BHATTACHARYA

    Ramkrishna Bhattacharya explores how the Cārvāka/Lokāyata school opposed caste and gender discriminations in ancient India. Reconstructing its social outlook from hostile Vedāntin sources like Kṛṣṇamiśra and Śrīharṣa, he demonstrates that its materialist rejection of scriptural authority produced an egalitarian, anti-śāstric philosophy with enduring democratic relevance for modern secular society.

  • Cārvāka Miscellany – I

    RAMKRISHNA BHATTACHARYA

    The notes propose to throw light on certain aspects of materialism in ancient India and point out some longstanding errors that have gone unnoticed. Some links are also sought to be established between the pre-Cārvāka materialism and the Cārvāka/Lokāyata system that emerged in or around the sixth/seventh century CE.

  • History of Indian Materialism

    RAMKRISHNA BHATTACHARYA

    Discover the true history of Indian materialism beyond popular misconceptions. This paper traces the evolution of the Cārvāka/Lokāyata school, clarifying its authentic textual origins, core tenets, and distinct epistemological identity while dismantling long-standing myths about its philosophy. Ramkrishna Bhattacharya provides a definitive analysis of this crucial tradition in Indian thought.