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Significance of Progress

Progress, as outlined in various texts, encompasses multiple dimensions. In Arthashastra, it signifies a king enhancing wealth and power. The Purana highlights progress in archery skills and the ability of monkeys facing challenges. Vedanta connects progress to spiritual understanding, while Mahayana emphasizes advancement without a defined leader. Indian history considers progress in practical terms, including food, education, and industry, and underscores societal improvement through knowledge and women's treatment, reflecting a dual nature of advancement.1
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Synonyms: Advancement, Development, Improvement, Growth, Evolution, Movement, Progression, Enhancement., Forward movement

In Dutch: Voortgang; In Finnish: Edistyminen; In Spanish: Progreso

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Progress'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Progress denotes the personal advancement ('gamana') individuals can attain independently, emphasizing self-directed growth and exploration on the spiritual path without the need for a specific leader or guide.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The movement or advancement ('gamana') one can achieve even in the absence of a defined leader or guide.[1]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Progress'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Progress encompasses skill advancement, such as archery, a king's growth in power, the monkeys' freedom to overcome challenges, and the elevation of spiritual awareness by reconceptualizing inferior symbols into superior Brahman.

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Kautilya Arthashastra

(1) An improved state where a king increases his wealth and power, thus moving beyond stagnation or deterioration.[2]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) Refers to the ability of the monkeys to move freely and face any challenges in their path.[3]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The advancement in spiritual understanding and realization that occurs by correctly viewing inferior symbols as superior Brahman.[4]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

The concept of Progress in local and regional sources

History Books

Progress encompasses the advancement in knowledge and societal practices through new methods, reflecting both benefits and drawbacks. It signifies humanity's evolving understanding of truth and emphasizes comprehensive development, especially women's status, as a measure of a nation's progress.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) Truth remains ever unchanged, but it can only be presented in a form; so from time to time a new form or expression is given to Truth, as the progress of mankind makes them ready to receive it.[5] (2) This refers to the advancement of the world, which brings about both increased enjoyment and greater misery, emphasizing the duality of progress.[6] (3) The progress of a nation is best measured by its treatment of its women, as stated by Swami Vivekananda, highlighting the importance of women's status.[7]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The progress achieved so far, the targets to be reached, and the hopes for the distant future: Food, Irrigation, Agriculture, Clothing, Housing, Education, Power Projects, Roads, Industries etc., are thus dealt with in detail, bringing out the inter-relatedness of progress in different directions and the need for priorities and planned progress.[8] (2) Advancement or improvement in knowledge, skills, or societal practices, especially through the adoption of new methods.[9]