Editing Charvaka (section)

===Controversy on reliability of sources===
{{harvnb|Bhattacharya|2011|pp=10, 29–32}} states that the claims against Charvaka of [[hedonism]], lack of any morality and ethics and disregard for spirituality is from texts of competing religious philosophies (Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism). Its primary sources, along with commentaries by Charvaka scholars, are missing or lost. This reliance on indirect sources raises the question of reliability and whether there was a bias and exaggeration in representing the views of Charvakas. Bhattacharya points out that multiple manuscripts are inconsistent, with key passages alleging hedonism and immorality missing in many manuscripts of the same text.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|2011|pp=10, 29–32}}

The ''Skhalitapramathana Yuktihetusiddhi'' by Āryadevapāda, in a manuscript found in Tibet, discusses the Charvaka philosophy, but attributes a theistic claim to Charvakas - that happiness in this life, and the only life, can be attained by worshiping gods and defeating demons. Toso posits that as Charvaka philosophy's views spread and were widely discussed, non-Charvakas such as Āryadevapāda added certain points of view that may not be of the Charvakas'.{{sfn|Del Toso|2010|pp=543-552}}

Buddhists, [[Jain philosophy|Jains]], [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaita Vedantins]] and [[Nyāya]] philosophers considered the Charvakas as one of their opponents and tried to refute their views. These refutations are indirect sources of Charvaka philosophy. The arguments and reasoning approaches Charvakas deployed were so significant that they continued to be referred to, even after all the authentic Charvaka/Lokāyata texts had been lost. However, the representation of the Charvaka thought in these works is not always firmly grounded in first-hand knowledge of Charvaka texts and should be viewed critically.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|2011a}}

Likewise, states Bhattacharya, the charge of [[hedonism]] against Charvaka might have been exaggerated.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|2011|pp=10, 29–32}} Countering the argument that the Charvakas opposed all that was good in the Vedic tradition, {{harvnb|Riepe|1964|p=75}} states, "It may be said from the available material that Cārvākas hold truth, integrity, consistency, and freedom of thought in the highest esteem."