Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c11.s17.4

c11.s17.4

Pt. Badarinath Shukla (1898–1988) was an outstanding Naiyāyika of Kāśī. Known for his original works *Ārambhavādaḥ* and *Śataślokī* on Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika system, he had proposed a new concept of *mokṣa* in Nyāya philosophy by defining it as *sukhātmaka* (imbued with pleasure). He was first introduced to the world of modern philosophers perhaps in 1982 when Dayakrishna convened a seminar at Sārnāth on Nyāya philosophy. He created quite a sensation amongst the traditional *paṇḍits* as well as the modern scholars of philosophy by his presentation on *nyāyaśāstrīyavicārapaddhatyā dehātmavādasambhāvanā* (the possibility to accept body as self according to Nyāya methodology). The event raised a new debate. Pt. Shukla argued that *ātman* (the self) need not be accepted as an additional category, its purpose is served by the body and the mind only. He clearly had a vision of modern democratic values that have been emerging.