तर्क संग्रह- Tarka-Sangraha (Text with Sanskrit Commentary Dipika, English Translation of the Text, a critical Introduction Explanatory Notes.)

Every country on the surface of the earth which claimed or claims a civilization of its own, boasts its own literature. But in few such countries has there been clear, independent ans spontaneous development of philosophy which has demanded for itself a name. Perhaps, Greece and India are conspicuous exceptions; and philosophics which other countries may claim as their own have either originated from the above fountain-heads or they are a species of religious mysticism. The names for philosophy have the same meaning in India and Greece, the desire for knowledge; and therein is found a definition of its origin and original form, though philosophy is an abstract idea baffling all attempts at accurate definition, or is one of those expansive conceptions only suggested by a high stage of civilization. It is then "the dawning consciousness of the power of the intellect which blushing at its ignorance and its blind belief, urges the search after hidden and unknown truth through the intermediate channels of internal investigation, rather than the surer but more tedious path of established science."

The birth of philosophy is an important era in the annals of every people; and the enquiry as to the causes of its origin is bound up with the investigation of their religious and social history. Thus the history of most nations is divisible into three great periods, which are distinctly characterized alike by their social and religious peculiarities. Let us indicate the prominent features of each period.

(i) The Age of Barbarism-Instinct prompted self preservation and this again suggested invention. Hence the origin of useful arts. The elements and the common phenomena were deified. The necessity of propitiating them for his good taught man the expedient of sacrifice. But if the gift were wanting, instinct had already taught him the power of flattery, and hence the origin of hymns of praise. Prayer naturally followed these and thus a complete system of element worship arose. But in all this work of instinct, prompted by selfish motives, he had not quite neglected his conscience.

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