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Carvaka was one of the first known propagators of atheistic philosophy in Ancient India. Scholars opine however that his doctrine was based upon an older form of atheism called ‘Lokayata’ that was propounded by the philosopher Brhaspati in his treatise Lokayata-sutras.
Nothing is known of the lives of either Carvaka or Brhaspati, and although none of Carvaka’s original works have survived, other Indian philosophers refer to his doctrine in their works with the intention of refuting it.
The only surviving treatise of the Carvaka school is the Tattvopaplava-simha (‘The Upsetting of All Principles’) written by Jayarasi Bhatta (6th Century CE). In this text Jayarasi Bhatta endevours to refute rival doctrines – both theistic and atheistic – advocating the idea of absolute nihilism.
Followers of Carvaka believed that theology and speculative metaphysics should be avoided and that the surest method of discovering the true nature of all things was through the process of pratyaksa (direct sensory perception).
Carvakans denied the existence of the soul (atma) and although they accepted a system of cause and effect, they limited it to the present life only. In the Carvakan doctrine life and death were the only provable facts and life itself was produced by the combination of material elements.
Carvakans rejected the practice of worldly renunciation and penance (as observed by the followers of the Vedas and by the Buddhists). Rather, they advocated a tempered amount of bodily sense enjoyment. Their ideal of good living was symbolized by the consumption of clarified butter (ghee), a food regarded by ancient Indians as life-strengthening and as a symbol of wealth. Critics of the Carvaka school considered their emphasis on artha (economic development) and kama (sensual pleasure), without regard of dharma (religiosity) and ultimate moksa (liberation) as an extreme form of narcissistic hedonism. Carvakans denied the existence and importance of dharma and moksa since both factors are not perceivable to the senses, whereas kama and artha were.
The Carvakans also denied any type of hierarchical social system and considered all humans as equal. Sections of Carvaka’s writings quoted in Vidyaranya’s Sarva-darsana-sangraha clearly show that Carvaka had strong distain towards the organized religion of India at that time.
Due to his promotion of hedonistic living and his rejection of social values, Carvaka and his followers found themselves at odds with other Indian philosophies and eventually Carvaka philosophy died a natural death.
