Charvaka and the Materialistic View of Life

At a Glance

• School Lokayata (Charvaka)
• Knowledge Only through the senses
• Stand No god, no other world
• Context Economic growth 500 BC to AD 300
• Decline Overshadowed by the fifth century AD
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Ancient History: Philosophy, Cultural Interaction and Transition

Where Does It Fit?

This is the second topic of the category on philosophy, cultural interaction and transition. The previous topic covered the six systems, and this one covers the materialist school. The next topic covers cultural interaction with Asian countries. Previous topic: Six Systems of Indian Philosophy.

What Did Charvaka Teach?

In short: Charvaka taught that only what the senses perceive is real and rejected gods, souls and rituals.

By and large the six systems promoted an idealistic view of life, and all became paths of salvation. The Samkhya and Vaisheshika systems advanced a materialistic view: Kapila, the earliest exponent of Samkhya, teaches that a man’s life is shaped by forces of nature and not by divine agency. Materialistic ideas also figure in the doctrines of the Ajivikas, a heterodox sect of the Buddha’s time. Charvaka, however, was the main expounder of the materialistic philosophy known as Lokayata, meaning ideas derived from the common people. It underlined the importance of intimate contact with the world (loka) and showed a lack of belief in the other world. Charvaka opposed the quest for spiritual salvation and denied any divine or supernatural agency. He accepted as real only what could be experienced by the human senses and organs, which implied a lack of faith in brahma and god. He held that the brahmanas manufactured rituals to get gifts (dakshina). His opponents highlight only one teaching, that a person should enjoy himself while he lives and borrow to eat well, but his real contribution lies in his materialistic outlook, which denies divine and supernatural agency and makes man the centre of all activity. The Samkhya background is in Six Systems of Indian Philosophy.

Where Did Materialism Come From?

Another account names Ajita Kesakambalin as a materialist who believed that humans are made of four elements and that there is no life after death, and says Indian materialism, also called Carvaka after one of its two founders, was established as a formal philosophy by Carvaka and Ajita. The materialist school was marked by scepticism, pursuit of knowledge through experience and questioning of the authority of the Vedas. The schools emphasising materialism developed in the period of an expanding economy and society between 500 BC and AD 300. The struggle against nature in founding settlements in the Gangetic plains led to iron-based agricultural technology, metal money and thriving trade and handicrafts. This new environment gave rise to a scientific and materialistic outlook, mainly reflected in Charvaka and also seen in several traditional schools. The heterodox teachers are in Ajivikas, Charvakas and Other Heterodox Sects, and the economic background in Second Urbanisation and Rural Economy in the Age of the Buddha.

Why Did Idealism Overshadow It?

By the fifth century AD materialist philosophy was overshadowed by exponents of idealistic philosophy, who constantly criticised it and recommended performance of rituals and cultivation of spiritualism as a path to salvation. They attributed worldly phenomena to supernatural forces. This hindered scientific inquiry and rational thinking, and even the enlightened found it hard to question the privileges of priests and warriors. With the decline in trade, handicrafts and urbanism, idealist systems came to the fore, and people steeped in them could resign themselves to the inequities of the varna system and the strong authority of the king. Materialism was thus linked to a time of urban and commercial growth and idealism to a period of decline. As an analytical point, the Charvaka position survives mainly through its opponents’ summaries, so its details must be treated with caution. The later shift in society is in From Ancient to Medieval – Agrarian Changes and Rise of Landlords, and the idealist side in Six Systems of Indian Philosophy.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Rationalism in India Frequent Mains theme
• Source awareness Hostile summaries
• Economy and ideas Link between growth and outlook

What Came Next?

The next topic describes India’s cultural interaction with Asian countries. Next topic: Cultural Interaction of India with Asian Countries.

Key People and Terms

• Lokayata Ideas from the common people
• Charvaka Materialist thinker
• Loka The world
• Dakshina Priestly gift
• Materialism Matter and senses as basis of reality
• Idealism Primacy of spirit or ideas

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions ask about materialism and its decline. These points add depth.

• Tenets Sensory knowledge
• Context Economic growth
• Decline Idealist dominance