Charvaka, sweet talker, ladies’ man, godless libertine, was the First Atheist. Many have been disgusted at the mention of his name because he liked to eat, drink, and fornicate. He was also known for questioning the authority of the Brahmin priests. Little is known of him and mystery shrouds his existence. No writings of his exist. Charvaka was The First Atheist – a man who preached the doctrine of eat, drink, and be merry in response to suppression and controls imposed by those in charge. He recognizes religion, but sees that it is no more than an instrument in the hands of the powers that be, used to forward their own agenda. The protagonist, Jan, discovers Charvaka and India through a chain of events set off by a love affair with the sensual Parvati during his student days. When Parvati is murdered in a religious rite honoring Shiva, Jan is confronted with age-old tensions between human sexuality and religion, skeptical thought, and a religious fervor that stops at nothing. Jan’s experience offers a personal insight into life in India. No references are given; it appears as if the tale is no more than a great feat of his imagination. Fact or fiction? Story or documentary? Truth has many faces, reality many layers.
2007-08-19
17:51:16
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4 answers
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asked by
Nicole
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Religion & Spirituality