Some Notes On The Sarva Darsana Samgraha

This document is a scholarly piece by Hajime Nakamura, offering "Some Notes on the Sarva Darsana Samgraha" by Madhava. The Sarva Darsana Samgraha is a foundational text in Indian philosophy, aiming to survey sixteen different philosophical systems.

Nakamura's notes serve as a valuable supplement to existing translations and studies of the Sarva Darsana Samgraha, highlighting areas that remain challenging or require further clarification. He points out that while the work is authoritative, it contains difficult passages.

Key points of Nakamura's notes include:

• Existing Translations and Editions: Nakamura acknowledges earlier English translations by Cowell and Gough, and a German translation by Paul Deussen. He also commends the efforts of the Poona edition editor, Vasudev Shastri Abhyankar, in identifying sources, while also noting that many citations and difficult passages still need elucidation.
• Contribution of Japanese Scholars: A significant portion of the document is dedicated to showcasing the contributions of Japanese scholars to the study and translation of individual chapters of the Sarva Darsana Samgraha. Nakamura lists specific chapters and the Japanese scholars who translated or studied them, expressing admiration for their work.
• Detailed Citations and Source Identification: For several chapters (especially the Cārvāka, Bauddha, Pūrṇaprajña, Paṇini, and Śāmkara darśanas), Nakamura provides specific line numbers and meticulously traces citations back to their original Sanskrit sources. These sources include works like the Pramāṇavārttika, Lankāvatāra-sūtra, Vimsatikā, Brahmasūtra-bhāṣya, Mahābhāṣya, and Vākyapadiya, among others.
• Comparative Philosophy: Nakamura occasionally draws parallels between Indian philosophical concepts and those found in Western philosophy, such as comparing the refutation of universals in the Bauddha chapter to Parmenides' critique of Plato's theory of ideas.
• Chapter XVI (Śāmkara-darśana) and Authorship: Nakamura dedicates considerable attention to the final chapter on Advaita philosophy. He notes that it has not been translated into Western languages and that scholarly debate exists regarding its authorship by Madhava himself. He discusses textual evidence suggesting it might have been added later. Nakamura then proceeds to offer detailed critical comments and source identifications for this chapter, demonstrating its complexity and the scholarly efforts to understand it.
• Linguistic and Terminological Clarifications: Throughout his notes, Nakamura offers explanations for specific Sanskrit terms and phrases, providing alternative interpretations or pointing out potential corruptions. This is particularly evident in his detailed breakdown of the Śāmkara-darśana chapter.
• Purpose and Dedication: Nakamura concludes by expressing his hope that his "garland of flowers" – referring to his scholarly notes – will be offered to a respected master in Vienna on his jubilee. This indicates the collaborative and appreciative spirit within the field of Indology.

In essence, Hajime Nakamura's "Some Notes on the Sarva Darsana Samgraha" is a meticulous scholarly work that aims to deepen the understanding of Madhava's seminal text by identifying sources, clarifying difficult passages, and highlighting the collaborative efforts of scholars, particularly from Japan, in this important endeavor.