Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s18: History of Vāda
Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s18
- Language
- English
History of Vāda
c5.s18.1
Right from the inception of Indian civilization, the art of debating was taken up seriously and cultivated assiduously. The debates have been diverse and shifting; many a times very complex and competitive; or enduring and lasting in agreements and understanding also.
c5.s18.2
There are situations of debate described in the Vedic Saṁhitās. The Upaniṣads use the term *brahmodya* for *vāda* and give a number of specimens it — great debates revealing with insights of seers and intellectuals.
c5.s18.3
I have presented the history of debates in India in four successive stages (see next chapter). They can be named as *mantra kāla*, *tarka kāla*, *prasāra kāla* and *ādhunika kāla*. Intrinsic and intensive debates were carried during the second and third phases between the Realists and Idealists, between the Realists and Realists, between the Idealists and Realists and between the Idealists and Idealists. Vigorous interactions and encounters led to revisions and corrections in the systems. Dharmaśāstra offered wider and more potential field for oppositions and providing alternate systems.