verse. The burden of the Western philosophy is what is 728ntally
xtuteligible and that of the Vedanta philosophy is what is byuz•
tially 44bercble. But to call Vedanta a disual system preaching
from beginning to end, the dreary gospel of despair and disap"
pointment is extremely onesided and does not touch its essential
features. It is, no doubt, true that the note of pessimism is clearly
andible in the system but it disappears altogether and gives place to
sublime optimism in the region of the higher spiritual synthesis 'of
the Universe taught in the Vedanta. As Swवैai Vivekananda puts
it:-‘The Vedanta system begins with tremendous pessimism and
ends with real optimism. We deny the sense-optimistm, but assert
the real optimism. Real happiness is not in the senses, but above
the senses; and it is in every man. The sort of optimism which
we see in the world is what will lead to ruin through the senses
Abnegation has the greatest importance in our philosophy. Nega.
thion implies affirmation of the real Self. Vedanta is pessinistic
so far as it negates the world of the senses, but it is optimistic in
its assertion of the real world.” Schopenhauer who has frequently
and handsomely avowed his obligations to the Upanishads which
he unhesitatinglycalls Sacred, says:-‘‘In the whole world there is
no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the U¢zhats ,
It has been the solace of my life, it will be the solace of my death.'
Prof. MaxMuller says:—'Indian philosophy contains no outcry
against divine injustice, and in no way encourages suicidal expe .
dients. They would, in fact, be of no avail, becauseaccording
,
to Indian views, the same troubles and the same problems would
have to be faced again and again in another life. Considering that
the aim of all Indian philosophy was the removal of suffering,
which was caused by nescience, and the attainment of the highest
happiness, which was produced by knowledge, we should have
more right to call it eudoemonistic than pessinuistic.
The spiritual life, in the words of Prof. Royce, is not a gentle
or an easy thing. It is, indeed, through and through and forevert
paradoxical, earnest, enduring, toisone; yes, if you like, painfully
पृष्ठम्:तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद्भाष्यम्.djvu/१४
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