Sound’s role in Indian philosophical thought
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Sundar Sarukkai argues in his new book that sound holds a central position in Indian metaphysics, serving as the foundation for understanding the nature of language and the universe itself.
Ancient Indian philosophical schools believed the universe originated from sound, with the idea that even the smallest thing contains infinity within it, a concept encapsulated in sound.
Scholars like Pāṇini and authors of the Tolkāppiyam demonstrated the importance of linguistic study in India through their detailed analyses of Sanskrit and Tamil grammar. Sarukkai explains that these traditions view meaning as originating from the body, countering the Western emphasis on the mind as the sole source of language. He points to the origin of sound within the body, questioning whether vocalizations stem from conscious intention or a deeper, more primal impulse.
Yogic traditions highlight the connection between sound and breath, and propose that we perceive only a small portion of any given sound, a concept explored in Indian music theory, which identifies five elements of sound, including subtle and unmanifested forms. Furthermore, Sarukkai draws on the work of the philosopher Bhartrihari to illustrate how speech develops through stages, beginning with undifferentiated sound and culminating in articulated language.
Bhartrihari and later Abhinavagupta linked these stages to the manifestation of the universe, suggesting a fundamental connection between language, consciousness, and the cosmos. Ultimately, Sarukkai suggests that sound isn't simply a tool for describing the world, but rather a manifestation of something already present within us.
