Hinduism, as I understand started as a way of life by the diverse inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent. Some of them were existing tribes from South and some were newer migrants from North. All these happened some 5 to 6 thousand years ago. Anyway Hinduism transformed to a religion and the oldest texts dates back to about 3000 years from today. So far this 3000 year old religion is yet to wage a *holy* war…

This is the only religion in the world as far as I know that consider atheism to be legitimate (as per the Vedic teachings – four of the “holy books”). So let’s delve into the philosophical roots of Atheism in Hinduism.

There are 9 major schools of thought in Hinduism. They falls under either *Astika* or *Nastika* schools. Astika and Nastika loosely means ‘theist’ and ‘atheist’. The six schools which fall under *Astika* schools follow the teaching of Vedas and some of them do not believe in a Creator-God.

*Samkhya* and Karma-Mimasa thinkers belong to the *Astika* group. They believe in the existence of the spirit (Purusha) and the material world (Prakriti), but not in omnipotent God. They don’t have a need of an omnipresence, omnipotent being to enforce the *Karmic* law which states that good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds punished in one’s lifetime.

The three *Nastika* schools are Buddhism, Jainism and Carvaka. These schools reject the doctrine of the Vedas. Buddhism is the only major religion in existence which is agnostic. Jainism again rejects the idea of an omnipotent God. This religion believes in natural laws governing an eternal universe.

Carvaka or *Lokayata* was named after the founder Carvaka. This religion originated around 300 BC and was erased around 1400 AD. All the original works were burnt and the present day knowledge is based upon tomes of criticism of Carvaka philosophy prepared by mainstream Hindu and Buddhist opponents.

Vedas according to Carvaka was “incoherent rhapsodies of rascals”. Carvaka said:

“The Sacrifices, the three Vedas, the ascetic’s three stave / and smearing oneself with ashes / Brhaspati says these are but means of livelihood / for those whao have no manliness nor sense”

Very strong criticism of the Brahmans and the priests – no wonder they go killedJ

Carvaka was against religious rituals and concept of heaven and he quoted the poet Madhava:

“If a beast slain in the Jyotishtoma rite will itself go to heaven / why then does not the sacrificer, forthwith offer his own father?”

He lashed out against caste systems, well ahead of his time:

“What is this senseless humbug about the castes and the high and low among them when organs like the mouth, etc in human are the same?”

Carvaka was a strong proponent of materialistic and hedonistic philosophy and believed that the only mode of perception is one’s senses and all inferences should be derived from these senses. Carvaka said:

“While life is yours, live joyously;

None can escape Death’s searching eye;

When once this frame of ours they burn,

How shall it ever return?”

No wonder the Nirvana / Reincarnation-believing Buddhists were hostile towards it but I think Gautama Bhuddha was more nearer to Carvaka than any other school of thoughts.

So, I am the last Carvaka standing. Will the 2300 years old Carvaka school of thought end with me… I don’t believe so… I think there are more closet Hindu atheists out there!!!

Moe, Nora, Priest Agnishwara and friends: I think I have somewhat cleared what and who is a Hindu Atheist…