[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021) › c9.10 # Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c9.10 Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c9.10 - **Language:** English ### [c9.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9.10) The lines of demarcation as well as the debates between the Vedic and non-Vedic philosophical systems — Cārvākas, Ājīvakas, Buddhists, Jainas — as well as the onslaught of philosophers like Madhva, Rāmānuja, Nimbārka and Rāmānanda within the orthodox philosophies as well as the Tantric cults need to be understood in a broad socio-cultural framework. When Dharmakīrti and other Buddhist philosophers were rejecting the whole concept of \*jāti\* as (generality) as a philosophical category, they were also challenging the concept of \*jāti\* in the sense of social hierarchy. The Tantric systems were also debating with the whole \*varṇāśrama\*-centric culture when they emphatically declared that after initiation in the cult, a śūdra no more remains a śūdra and a brāhmaṇa no more a brāhmaṇa. All distinctions based on caste are eliminated.⁴ Abhinavagupta in this context raises a voice of protest against those who believe in the caste hierarchy. He says: - [Previous: c9.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9.9) - [Next: c9.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9.11) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c9.10) · Pramāṇa