Atheistic Philosophy - The Denial of the Supreme Cause
True philosophy leads to the understanding of the Supreme Absolute Truth, Kṛṣṇa. However, throughout history, various systems of thought have emerged that attempt to explain the cosmos without reference to God. Śrīla Prabhupāda analyzes these atheistic philosophies—from the ancient Sāṅkhya to modern materialism—showing that they all stem from a limited fund of knowledge and a desire to avoid the authority of the Supreme Lord.
The Imitation Sāṅkhya
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the confusion between the two Kapilas. The original Kapila, an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, taught theistic Sāṅkhya, which leads to devotional service. However, a later imposter named Kapila propounded an atheistic version that analyzes the twenty-four material elements but denies the existence of the Supreme Person who controls them.
- Kapila is considered an incarnation of Krsna, and His philosophy is mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Later on another Kapila became famous, but his philosophy was atheistic. Thus there is a gulf of difference between them.
- According to atheistic Sankhya philosophy, by a combination of matter and the living force, the many varieties of material manifestation come into existence.
- From the eight separated energies of the Lord are manifest the twenty-four elements of the material world, which are the subject matter of sankhya atheistic philosophy.
- The attempt of the atheistic Sankhya philosophers to consider material nature the source of these elements (earth, water, fire, etc.), forgetting Krsna, is useless, like trying to get milk from the nipplelike bumps of skin hanging on the neck of a goat.
Lord Buddha’s Strategy
Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, yet he preached a philosophy that denied the Vedas and the existence of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this was a divine strategy. Because people were misusing the Vedas to justify animal slaughter, Lord Buddha had to reject the scriptures to stop the violence. His "atheism" was a form of camouflage to trick the faithless into following him.
- Technically Lord Buddha's philosophy is called atheistic because there is no acceptance of the Supreme Lord and because that system of philosophy denied the authority of the Vedas. But that is an act of camouflage by the Lord.
- Every God conscious man must have respect for Jesus Christ. There is no doubt about it. My Guru Maharaja had very great respect for Muhammad, Jesus Christ. We pray Lord Buddha. Although he preached atheistic philosophy, but we know that he's incarnation.
- People may question that "Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Lord Krsna. Then why he preached atheistic philosophy?"
- Sripada Sankaracarya’s propaganda opposed the atheistic philosophy of Buddha.
Māyāvāda: The Masked Atheism
While Buddhism is openly atheistic, Māyāvāda philosophy is covered atheism. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Śaṅkarācārya, an incarnation of Lord Śiva, was ordered to preach this philosophy to drive away Buddhism and re-establish the Vedas. However, by claiming that the living entity is identical to God and that the Absolute Truth is formless, Māyāvāda remains fundamentally atheistic.
- Lord Siva explained to his wife, Parvati, that in the age of Kali he would come in the form of a brahmana to preach an imperfect interpretation of the Vedas, known as Mayavadism, which in actuality is but a second edition of atheistic Buddhist philosophy.
- Although Mayavadi philosophers pretend to accept the Vedic principles, they indirectly preach Buddhist philosophy, or atheistic philosophy, and do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Akrura continued, "Your (Krsna's) appearance is necessary to reestablish actual Vedic knowledge, as opposed to the atheistic philosophy which tries to establish that God and the living entities are one and the same."
- The atheists, headed by the Mayavadi philosophers, do not care for liberation or Krsna's mercy. They simply continue to put forward false arguments and countertheories to atheistic philosophy, not considering or engaging in spiritual matters.
Modern Materialism
In the modern age, atheistic philosophy appears as scientific materialism, Marxism, and hedonism. Echoing the ancient views of Cārvāka Muni, these philosophies assert that life is merely a chemical combination that ends at death. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that this worldview is destructive, leading only to sense gratification and the ruin of human civilization.
- Even influential professors and other educators say that as soon as the body is finished, everything is finished. This atheistic philosophy is killing human civilization.
- If England and America as well as France and Germany can understand this philosophy (of catur varnyam) there will be great theistic revolution which will counteract the atheistic philosophy of Marxism.
- Materialistic so-called chemists and atheistic philosophers always try to avoid even the name of God in relation to the cosmic manifestation. For them God's creation is impossible to understand because they are too materialistic.
- This atheistic philosophy (that the living entities are the body and should therefore enjoy the material senses irresponsibly) also flourished in India, where it was sometimes propagated by Carvaka Muni.
Conclusion
Whether disguised as religious logic or presented as modern science, atheistic philosophy fails to answer the ultimate questions of life. It leaves the soul in darkness, ignorant of its eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to see through these various "editions" of atheism and embrace the true theistic conclusion of the Vedas—surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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