Advaita Vedanta

1 / 295 Advaita Vedanta
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Advaita Vedanta
( A Student' s Note)
अदैत वे द ानत
न िह जानेन सदशं पिवतिमह िवदते || (गीता ४.३८)

Nothing exists here as purifying as Knowledge (gItA 4.38).
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PREFACE
My interest in Advaita-Vedanta was kindled by the excellent Marathi text-book of

philosophy, "भारतीय ततवजान" by शीिनवास हिर दीिकत, which I came across in 1991. I found
the foundational status ascribed to consciousness (संिवद्, िचत्) to be an interesting
speculation though it did not induce me to study Advaita seriously at that time .
Monism for me, then, was only an energetic principle - a 'matter-energy
equivalence'; while, I considered consciousness as an emergent property of
particular types of biological processes. My interest in consciousness and Advaita
was rekindled after a decade when I had read more about 'quantum
measurement paradox' and the supposed role of 'conscious observer' in the
quantum measurement process. This was supplemented by my own
understanding of the “hard problem of consciousness” and various consciousness
theories of the contemporary philosophy of mind. Consciousness, I thought, could
be the irreducible fundamental entity after all, as claimed by Advaita!
In my reintroduction with Advaita, its Vedic legacy and its long unbroken tradition
raised number of questions – (1) what is the antiquity and fidelity of the oral
Vedic tradition; (2) whether Shankara, the main protagonist has interpreted the
central doctrines of Advaita in line with the old scriptural teachings; (3) how to
account for the internal stress between Upanishads and Vedic liturgical sections ;
(4) how to reconcile the diversity of opinions within Upanishads themselves ; and
(5) what role the post-Shankara Vedantins played – whether they were mere
carriers of Shankara's view or whether they contributed to the tradition by way of
new interpretation. This note is an attempt to satisfy my own curiosity about
Vedanta and to take few steps towards the answers to these questions.
In Upanishads, there are descriptions of Brahman 'without properties' (Nirguna)

as well as 'with properties' (Saguna). Shankara has used various arguments to
filter out all properties of Brahman from his scheme to advocate Nirguna
Brahman over the Saguna Brahman. The later is useful for meditation, only as an
aid in realizing the Self. The filters that Shankara used are not part, at least
explicitly, of the 'primary source'; but without them the contradictory description
cannot be reconciled to offer a unified view. Chapters 1 to 4 of this note aims to
offer deconstruction of such a unified view which is summarized in Chapter-6.
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To trace the origins and continuity of Vedanta tradition and to understand its
cultural impact, one has to browse through the Vedic as well as post-Vedic
history of the Indic regions. While looking into Rigveda; it is quite natural to peep
into the prehistoric times of Sindhu (Hindu) civilization. In its grounds are hidden
many a seeds of present day Hinduism (Ch-5).
I included Shaiva (Trika), Shakta (Tripura), and Shakya (Mahayana) traditions

along with Vedanta-Vaishnava traditions; all of them have prominent monist
themes and all of them are integral part of Indic culture. Sufism too was included
though it originated outside Indic regions; it had many strands shared with
Vedanta-Yoga.
Advaita's contemporary avatar – new Advaita or new Vedanta (NV) has been
posited in appendix-G and H of section 5.2.6 for the sake of completeness. There
is very little to differentiate NV from analytical metaphysics except that the
aspirant who wants to know the laws of this metaphysics has to operate within
the framework of austerity and equanimity. In old days he had to depend on
direct communication with his Guru; in this age of multimedia communication, he
has many ways to reach his Guru as also to the source material of Vedanta.
Anybody with access to Internet can have access to the source literature in both
Sanskrit and in English. This has practically made irrelevant the exclusivity and
secrecy that was once associated with Vedanta in Indic traditions. Ironically,
Vedanta has become the most famous and open ended part of Veda. This note,
for example, has been prepared by making numerous reference to on-line
resources in addition to published Vedanta texts (see Ch-7 and foot-notes).
Apart from mainstream Advaita-Vedanta, there are other Vedanta sub-Schools,

which are not only important in themselves, but have indirectly contributed to the
evolution and confirmation of Vedanta tradition through polemics. Advaita-
Vedanta competed against these Vedanta Schools and against other Indic Schools
to confirm itself. Many post-Shankara Advaitins defended Shankara-Advaita in
these polemical discussions. It is not possible to do justice to the contribution of
these post-Shankara Advaitins in this type of introductory note, though their
major works are referred to, mainly in Ch 5.2, and then again in the list of Ch 7.4.
This note does not cover Vedanta's exposition in regional Indic languages such as
in Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Marathi etc. though literature in Marathi is
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briefly mentioned.
There are more than one ways of studying Vedanta: (1) exegetical approach of
interpreting ancient scriptures around key dogmatic assertions using exegesis;
(2) rational approach of philosophical analysis and synthesis consistent with
universal human experience and reason; and (3) axiological approach of
meditation and Self-realization. Vedanta tradition blends all the three
approaches. This study-note is inclined towards the second approach .
Consciousness is fundamental in Advaita. Since absolute absence of

consciousness can never be experienced (as the means through which it is to be
experienced is consciousness only); Advaita postulated it to be eternal , and
hence unchanging and non-phenomenal. It is here that Advaita doctrine becomes
interesting; Consciousness of 'intelligent being' IB1 cannot be differentiated from
that of IB2. The world process cannot be experienced without this
undifferentiated, eternal, and noumenal Consciousness. It becomes the 'common
basis' of all the variegated experience in which the aggregate of world objects are
held. Vedanta superposes the concepts of karma, rebirth, transmigration, and
liberation on Consciousness and offers unified theosophy of axiology , ontology
and epistemology.
The main doctrine of Consciousness seems to be under contemplation of Vedic

seers since c.1500BC-1400BC. This was the time when the last book of ॠगवेद, in
which Nasadiya-Sukta and many other monist hymns appear, was redacted-
added. The axiological concepts of transmigration etc. might had tribal animist
origins of anterior dates in the Gangetic plane where Upanishads took roots. If
that is so, Vedanta tradition has transformed the ubiquitous primitive animism
into the apex philosophy of absolute divinity. It is a fascinating story unfolded
over more than three millenniums. Personally for me, this self-study of Vedanta
has been a rewarding experience.
Shashikant Padalkar
N. B. ITRANS scheme was used for transliteration into Devanagari by activating

Marathi-Hindi language support and I-Bus interface on my Ubuntu machine . For
the sake of uniformity and comprehensiveness, the same scheme was used for
Romanized Sanskrit words.
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Advaita Vedanta
(A Student's Note)
Index
Preface 2
Index 5
Legends 8
Transliteration 9
0.0 Introduction 10
0.1 Veda 12
0.2 Vedanga 15
1.0 Means of Knowledge 18

1.1 Primary Source 21
1.2 Secondary Source 27
1.3 Tertiary Source 31
2.0 Method of Knowledge 35

2.1 Criteria of Knowledge 36
2.2 Selection of Text 37
2.3 Metaphysical Criteria 58
2.4 Superimposition 67
2.5 Attribution-Retraction 72
2.6 Continuity-Discontinuity 74
2.7 Method of Indications 76
2.8 Illustrations 77
3.0 Ignorance and Illusion 87

3.1 Illusion 88
3.2 Illusion and Creation 90
3.3 Illusion and Self 94
3.4 vArtika Tradition 97
3.5 bhAmati Tradition 100
3.6 vivaraNa Tradition 105
more...
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Index (contd..)
4.0 Liberation 113

4.1 Realization 114
4.2 Theory of karma 116
4.3 Path of Realization 121
5.0 Historical Overview 128

5.1 History of RRigveda 128
5.1.1 RV Communities 133
5.1.2 RVC and SSC 134
5.1.3 RV Culture 146
5.1.4 RV Time Frame 148
5.1.5 RV Autochthony 151
5.2 Vedanta History 156
5.2.1 Period of Scriptures 156

appx. (A) Gautama Buddha 160
(B) pratItya-samutpAda 164
5.2.2 Period of Collation 166
appx. (A) tathatA 168
(B) mAdhyamaka 178
5.2.3 Period of Recovery 182
appx. (A) yogAchAra 186
(B) yoga vAsiShTha 190
(C) Other Advaita Literature 193
(D) HVC outside India 195
5.2.4 Period of Establishment 196
appx: (A) Kashmir Shaivism 199
(B) Trika & Vedanta 205
(C) Tripura tantra 207
(D) Vedanta Monasteries 215
(E) bhakti Movement 217
(F) Advent of Sufism 218
more...
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Index (contd..)
5.2.5 Period of Dialectic 223

appx: (A) Sufism in India 230
(B) Sufi Theosophy 234
5.2.6 Period of Syncretism 237
appx: (A) shuddhAdvaita 242
(B) Kabir 247
(C) Sufi Literature 247
(D) Sikhism 249
(E) Samarth Ramadas. 251
(F) Nakqshbandi 253
(G) New-Vedanta 255
(H) Advaita and Science 258
(I) Synopsis 271
6.0 Advaita Vedanta Summary 278

6.1 Ontology 278
6.2 Meta-psychology 280
6.3 Epistemology 282
6.4 Axiology 284
7.0 References 286
7.1 Source books 286

7.2 Students' Texts 287
7.3 Other References 288
7.4 Classical Literature 290
Tables: 1. Vedic Branches (pages 13-15)

2. Vedanga Literature (pages 16-17)
3. Primary Source (pages 25-26)
4. Distribution of RV Hymns (page 132)
Maps: 1. Sapta Sindhava Civilization (page 152)

2. Location of Sarasvati River (page 153)
3. Geography of RV-10 (page 154)
3. Epic India (page 155)
Shashikant Padalkar
2004, 2010
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AU aitareya upaniShad [ऐतरेय उपिनषद्]

AV atharva Veda [अथवर वेद]
Bh (shAnkara) bhAShya [(शांकर) भाषय]
BG bhagavadgItA [भगवदगीता]
BU bRRihadAraNyaka upaniShad [बृहदारणयक उपिनषद्]
BS brahmasUtra [बहसूत]
CU ChAndogya upaniShad [छानदोगय उपिनषद्]
GK gauDapAdIya kArikA [गौड़पादीय कािरका]
IU Isha upaniShad [ईश उपिनषद्]
KU kaTha upaniShad [कठ उपिनषद्]
Kau kauShItakI upaniShad [कौषीतकी उपिनषद्]
KEU kena upaniShad [केन उपिनषद्]
Mai maitrI upaniShad [मैती उपिनषद्]
MAU mANDUkya upaniShad [माणडू कय उपिनषद्]
MB mahAbhArata [महाभारत]
MU muNDaka upaniShad [मुणडक उपिनषद्]
NS naiShkarmyasiddhi [नैषकमयर िसिद]
Pai pai.ngala upaniShad [पैगल उपिनषद्]
PP pa.nchapAdikA [पंचपािदका]
PU prashna upaniShad [पशन उपिनषद्]
PY pAta.njala yogasUtra [पातंजल योगसूत]
RV RRigveda [ऋगवेद]
SB shrImad bhAgavatam [शीमद् भागवतम्]
SU shvetAshvatara upaniShad [शवेताशवतर उपिनषद्]
TU taittirIya upaniShad [तैितरीय उपिनषद्]
SV sAma Veda [साम वेद]
US upadesha sAhasrI [उपदेश साहसी]
V (saureshvara) vArtika [(सौरेशवर) वाितर क]
YOV yoga vAsiShTha [योग वािसष]
YS yAGYavalkya smRRiti [याजवलकय समृित]
YV yajurveda [यजुवेद]
ITRANS (transliteration) is used for Sanskrit-Devanagari words (ref next page).

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Devanagari Transliteration ( ITRANS) Scheme.
अ आ इ ई उ ऊ ए ऐ ओ औ अं अः ऋ ॠ ऌ ॡ
a aa i ii u uu e ai o au aM aH RRi RRI LLi LLI

A I U Rî RÎ Lî LÎ
क ख ग घ ङ
ka kha ga gha Nâ
च छ ज झ ञ
cha Cha ja jha JNa
ट ठ ड ढ ण
Ta Tha Da Dha Na
त थ द ध न
ta tha da dha na
प फ ब भ म
pa pha ba bha ma
य र ल व श ष स ह ळ क ज
ya ra la va sha Sha sa ha La xa GYa
श त ह गर ंं ंं गं ंँ गँ ंः दुः ऍ गॅ ऑ गॉ ऽ । . ॐ
shra tra hra rga .n M ga.n .N ga.N H duH .c g.c o.c go.c .a .. . OM
0 १ २ ३ ४ ५ ६ ७ ८ ९
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
<http://www.aczoom.com/itrans/>
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Advaita Vedanta
(A Student's Note)
0.0 Introduction
1
Advaita-Vedanta [अदैत वेदानत] is a “non-dualist system” expounded by
gauDapAda (c.500) and later more exhaustively by sha.nkara (c.700). It is
based on:
2
● upaniShad-s [UP], the concluding parts of Veda
● bhagavadgItA [BG], the axiological dialog in the epic mahAbhArata
● brahma sUtra [BS], the aphorisms that present the standard view of UP
3
The triad of UP, BG, and BS is known as 'source-triad' [ prasthAna traya] . It
is the three-fold foundation of the Vedanta philosophy.
The terms Knowledge and Ignorance have special meanings in Advaita.

Knowledge has the everyday meaning, that of 'knowledge' of the world; it
has another metaphysical meaning, that of 'Knowledge of brahman''
[brahma-GYAna] [paramArtha]. The main purport of later Knowledge is the
'realization' that there is only one, non-dual, eternal, unchanging,
limitless, and attributeless reality called brahman which is of the nature of
4
undifferentiated Awareness and which constitutes the essential core or
the Self called Atman of all beings. This purport is expressed by the
identity “Atman = brahman” [आतमन् = बहन्]. Sometimes it is stated by the
aphorism “बह सतय जगिनमथया जीवो बहैव नापरः”-- brahman is real; the jagat or
Universe is 'other than real' and (Self or Atman of) the soul or jIva is
nothing but brahman. So, Knowledge is Self realization.
1 Also, termed as 'orthodox Vedanta' [Vedanta], 'orthodox advaita' [Advaita], or kevala advaita [KA]. It
is a system that teaches nondualism [advaita] based on vedAnta; hence the name.
2 Veda [veda or vedas] are ancient Indic literature with an oral tradition (see 0.1). UP were compiled
as the last and philosophically the most significant part of Veda, termed as Vedanta (Veda + anta =
end or conclusion of Veda). The philosophy based on them too is known as Vedanta.
3 The word prasthAna stands for 'source' or 'start of the journey'. The prasthAnatraya accordingly
means “traya [triad] of the sources (of Knowledge)” or “triple starting points of the journey (towards
Liberation)”. It is customary to include BG and BS in the Vedanta canon, their basis being UP.
4 Without any kind of difference (bheda) such as (a) 'within itself' (svagata) – as between branches,
leaves etc. of a tree; (b) 'within the same species' (sajAtIya) – as between two trees; and (c)
'between different species' (vijAtIya) – as between a tree and a cow.
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Ignorance too has everyday meaning, that of 'lack of worldly knowledge'

[aGYAna] and metaphysical meaning, that of 'absence of metaphysical
Knowledge' [avidyA]. The two metaphysical entities viz Knowledge and
5
Ignorance distinguish respectively two levels of reality - absolute
6
[pAramArthika] and relative [vyAvahArika] . At the relative level,
knowledge involves the knowing subject and the known object. This level is
said to be manifestation of Ignorance. At the absolute level the subject-
object dichotomy is permanently dissolved and what remains is the
Knowledge absolute, a substratum of undifferentiated limitless Awareness.
Though all subjective knowledge is in the realm of Ignorance, there are
states of empirical knowledge, as we shall see later, which are conducive
to the progress of individual soul [jIva] towards Self realization.
For the jIva who is operating at the relative level, the world is real. For the
7
'Seeker of Knowledge' [sAdhaka] or for the student of Advaita [mumuxu]
who is 'naively' aware of the reality of brahman, the world [jagat] is neither
real nor unreal. It is not real because only non-dual brahman is the
absolute or ultimate reality; but it is not unreal because jIva experiences it.
The relative reality experienced by jIva is known as mithyA. This reality is
the logical-rational [yauktika] position at the vyAvahArika level though it
does not stand at the absolute level where there is no plurality – there is
only brahman. In Advaita-Vedanta only brahman is absolutely real,
everything else is relatively real and hence mithyA.
5 In this note capital letters K and I are used in the spellings of metaphysical Knowledge, Knower,
and Ignorance to separate them from ordinary (relative or empirical) knowledge, knower and
ignorance. The terms Ignorance, Nescience and avidyA are used interchangeably. The word
GYAna [knowledge] is also used in metaphysical context for brevity, and hence aGYAna [absence
of knowledge] too assumes metaphysical purport. Whether these terms GYAna and aGYAna are
used in their everyday relative manner or in metaphysically absolute sense will be generally clear
from the context.
6 KA also admits 'empirical illusion' [prAtibhAsika], dreams [svapna] and deep sleep [suShupti] etc,
but in relation to the absolute state these are all secondary or relative states.
7 According to KA tradition, sAdhaka should have following 'four means' [sAdhana chatuShTaya] to
realize the Knowledge: (1) discrimination between the Real and the unreal [viveka] (2) aversion to
the enjoyment of fruits of action in this world and hereafter [vairAgya] (3) 'six treasures' [ShaT
saMpatti]: calmness [shama], restraint [dama], withdrawal [uparati], endurance [titixA],
concentration [samAdhAna], conviction [shraddhA] and (4) 'yearning for Knowledge' [mumuxutva].
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0.1 Veda: Since Vedanta is the concluding section of Veda, it is worthwhile

to look into Veda and their auxiliaries [vedA.nga-s] [Vedanga ] for the sake
of completeness as also to trace the evolution of Vedanta philosophy.
The word Veda [वेद] is derived from the Sanskrit root vid (to know). The
knowledge in Veda however, is not necessarily about day-to-day secular
affairs. Veda were compiled mainly to conduct sacrifices to gods. RRik
saMhitA or RRigveda [RV] was compiled for the hotRRi priests to invoke
gods to preside over, sAma saMhitA or sAmaveda [SV] was compiled for
the udgAtA priests to sing hymns to entertain the gods, yaju saMhitA or
yajurveda [YV] was compiled for adhvaryu priests to perform the sacrificial
act, and atharva saMhitA or atharvaveda [AV ] was associated with brahma
8
priests, the supervisors of the sacrifice. The saMhitA-s grew into
brAhmaNa parts which expound saMhitA-s and formulate the sacrificial
act. Over the period ritualistic codification and its exegesis became more
9
complex giving way to meditative speculations of AraNyaka-s and
philosophical conclusions of UP. The oldest UP embedded in AraNyaka-s
are the foundation of orthodox Vedanta.
RV, SV, and AV demarcate their respective saMhitA (mantra-s) and

brAhmaNa portions while YV is of two types: shukla yajurveda [SYV] in
which saMhitA and brAhmaNa portions are separated, and kRRiShNa
yajurveda [KYV] in which they are intermixed. UP were mostly compiled as
the last division of the respective Veda. In many ways, RV constitutes the
basis of other saMhitA-s. Not only it is the most ancient vaidika text, it also
contributes hundreds of verses to the other saMhitA-s.
We may use the terms like 'literature', 'scripture', 'texts', and 'books' while
describing Veda; however, Veda have been essentially transmitted by oral
traditions from generation to generation. Each Veda over a course of time
8 Association of AV with brahma priests was not there in the initial phase; AV was canonized late

compared to other three Veda, though some of its practices and rites could be as old (or even
older) than those of RV.
9 AraNyaka (forest book) was so called because of its esoteric nature; it was meant to be
contemplated in seclusion (away from the hustle of worldly affairs – like in forest).
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had many versions (recensions, branches or shAkhA-s) with their own

rendering of a particular Veda or its section. Meanwhile special techniques
10
were developed and deployed to preserve the texts with utmost fidelity.
11
As a part of canonization of rituals, kalpasUtra were composed (see 0.2)
which added to the number of shAkhA-s. A particular performing shAkhA
in its entirety (saMhitA + brAhmaNa + AraNyaka + kalpasUtra ) constitutes
a ‘charaNa’. Two different shAkhA-s might share one or more texts; while
two different versions of the same text may result in two different shAkhA-
s or charaNa-s. There were many shAkhA-s (and charaNa-s) of the yore.
Over the time only few shAkhA-s or their fragments remained.
Extant shAkhA-s or their fragments have been listed in the following

12
Table-1:
(‘X’ indicates 'no information'; ? denotes ambiguity; ?? denotes 'possibly

lost for ever', 'P' denotes 'partial existence'):
13
n shAkhA saMhitA brAhmaNa AraNyaka UpaniShad
(B) (A)
14
1 shAkala RV aitareya aitareya aitareya
(A2.4-6)
2 AshvalAyana RV (shAkala) (shAkala) (shAkala)
3 kauShItakI RV (X) kauShItakI kauShItakI kauShItakI

(A3-6.1-4)
10 These techniques became part of the vaidika science of phonetics and phonology [shixA] and of

metrical composition [Chandas] which were developed as two of the six 'auxiliaries of Veda'
[Vedanga]. Their main purpose was to correctly pronounce or sing and memorize the Veda. The
insistence on preserving pronunciation and accent as accurately as possible is related to the belief
that the potency of the mantras lies in their sound when pronounced. The oldest shixA textbooks
are known as prAtisAkhyas which were evolved from ancient oral padapAThas (vaidika chants).
Metrical rendering helped in recitation and pronunciation.
11 This word has a canonization flavor; kalpa means 'proper, able or well formed' based on the root
kLLip which means to 'put in order or regulate'. The word sUtra (thread) suggests systemization.
12 Ref “Vedic Samhitas and Brahmanas – A popular, brief introduction” at wwwdharmicscripturesorg
13 See “Table of KT/UP” (section 1.1) for more exhaustive branchwise distribution of KT/UP.
14 Shares AshvalAyana kalpasUtra with AshvalAyana shAkhA.
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(B) (A)
15
4 bAShkala RV (kauShItakI) (kauShItakI) (kauShItakI)
5 sha.nkhAyana RV sha.nkhAyana sha.nkhAyana sha.nkhAyana

16
(A7-8,13-14)
6 pai.ngI RV (X) pai.ngI (?) rahasya (??) X
7 mAdhyandina SYV shatapatha shatapatha bRRihadAraNyaka

(B14.1-8) (B14.3-8)
17
8 kANva SYV shatapatha shatapatha bRRihadAraNyaka
(B17) (B17)
9 kAtyAyana SYV (?) kAtyAyana (P) X X
18
10 taittirIya KYV taittirIya taittirIya taittirIya, yAGYikI
(A7-9, A10)
11 maitrAyaNI KYV maitrAyaNI (??) maitrAyaNI shvetAshvatara,
maitrAyaNI = maitrI
12 kAThaka KYV kAThaka (P) kAThaka kAThaka = kaTha
13 kapisthala KYV (P) kapisthala (P) X X
19 20
14 kauthuma SV 8 brAhamaNa-s Incl. in saMhitA ChAndogya
15 rANAyanIya SV (kauthuma) (kauthuma) (kauthuma)
16 talavakAra SV (P) jaiminIya, ArSheya talavakAra kena (talavakAra

=jaiminIya)
15 bAShkala saMhitA has collection of 98 apocryphal hymns called khilAni which are not part of
shAkala charaNa. bAshakalamantra Up. is part of the saMhitA portion.
16 The sha.nkhAyana (A1314); offers “aham brahmAsmi” mantra and the “way to Self realization”.
However, sha.nkhAyana is not known to have extant oral or commentarial tradition.
17 Both kANva and mAdhyandin shAkhAs have their own version of SYV [vAjasaneya] saMhitA and
other divisions. Isha Up. is placed under vAjasaneya saMhitA.
18 ballavI brAhmaNa and vAdhUla brAhmaNa also belong to KYV.
19 These are: (1) tANDya (or pa.nchaviMsha + shaDviMsha), (2) talavakAra, (3) ArSheya, (4) vaMsha,
(5) daivatAdhyAya, (6) ChAndogya, (7) sAmavidhAna, (8) saMhito.apanishad.
20 Sections1&2 of ChAndogya brAhmaNa are known as mantra brAhmaNa; while sections3 to 10 of
ChAndogya brAhmaNa are known as ChAndogya Up..
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(B) (A)
17 shAtyAyana SV (X) shAtyAyana (?) X X
18 paippalAda AV-P ?? X prashna
21
19 shaunakIya AV-S gopatha (P) X muNDaka
Antiquity is not a criterion of authority within a Vedanta tradition, however,

UP with continuous oral tradition of saMhitA and brahmaNa-AraNyaka
have special value of authenticity. As can be seen from the table;
bRRihadAraNyaka, ChAndogya, taittirIya, aitareya, and kauShItakI have
such a continuous tradition. The first three of them along with muNDaka
and kaTha have been most frequently quoted by sha.nkara.
0.2 Vedanga: There are six auxiliary disciplines of Veda. These are:
(1) shixA [िशका]: Phonetics

(2) Chandas [छं दस्]: Prosody
(3) vyAkaraNa [वयाकरण]: Grammar
(4) nirukta [िनरक]: Etymology
(5) jyotiSha [जयोितष]: Astronomy
(6) kalpa [कलप]: Rituals
The first two disciplines (shixA and Chandas) are for preserving the Veda
by ensuring their uncorrupted oral transmission; the later two disciplines
(vyAkaraNa and nirukta) are for understanding the Veda and subsequent
texts; and the last two disciplines (jyotiSha and kalpa) are for stipulating
the ritualistic guidelines based on the Veda.
The kalpa was compiled into four streams: (a) shrauta – about shruti based
great sacrifices, (b) gRRihya - about domestic rites, (c) dharma – about
21 AVshaunakIya (AVS) is arranged in 20 kANDas (books) in 4 divisions not necessarily following

the pattern of other Veda. It deals with healing, magic, rites, warfare and other assorted topics. AV
paippalAda (AVP) is similar but said to be older. Philosophical excursions are found in Books 812.
Some of the UP (like mANDUkya, kaivalya) which do not belong to any shAkhA are placed in AV.
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customs and social duties, and (d) shulba - about geometry for altar
constructions.
Following Table-2 gives Vedanga literature. As can be noted, kalpa sUtra-s

are compiled for each Veda while other Vedanga are generally applicable
to all the Veda though their applicability may not be uniform across all the
divisions.
n Vedanga RV SV KYV SYV AV
1a shrauta AshvalAyana lATyAyaNa, baudhAyana kAtyAyana vaitAna

(kalpa) sha.nkhAyana drAhyAyaNa vAdhUla
jaiminIya mAnava
bhAradvAja
ApastaMba
hiraNyakeshi
vArAha
vaikhanasa
1b gRRihya AshvalAyana, gobhila baudhAyana kAtyAyana kaushika

(kalpa) kauShItakI. khAdira hiraNyakeshi pAraskara
sha.nkhAyana jaiminIya mAnava
kauthuma bhAradvAja
ApastaMba
agni-veshya
vaikhAnasa
kAthaka
vArAha
vAdhUla
kapisthala
1c dharma vAsiShTha gautama baudhAyana

(kalpa) ApastaMba
1d shulva baudhAyana kAtyAyana

(kalpa) mAnava
ApastaMba
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n Vedanga RV SV KYV SYV AV
2 shixA (A) shiva-sUtra: fourteen verses that organize the Sanskrit

phonemes, (B) Oral pATha-s: three prkRRiti-s (vAkya, pada,
krama) and eight vikRRiti-s (jaTA, mAlA, shikhA, rekhA, dhvaja,
danda, ratha, ghana); the reference to pATha tradition is found in
aitareya-AraNyaka-3 and is attributed to shAkalya; (C) five
22
prAtisAkhya-s, one for each saMhitA.
23
3 Chandas Chandas-sUtra by pi.ngala on vaidika meters of versification.
24
4 jyotiSha vedA.nga jyotiSha (vaidika astronomy) by lagadha.
5 vyAkaraNa aShTAdhyAyI by pANini. This work refers to eleven Schools or their

protagonists that preceded it: ai.ndra, shakaTAyana, Apishali,
shAkalya, kAsha-kRRiShNa, gArgya, gAlava, kAshyapa, senaka,
sphoTAyana, chandra-varmaNa, and kuNaravADava.
6 nirukta (A) nighaNTu: list of archaic Sanskrit words used in Veda, grouped
thematically and often with annotations, (B) nirukta by yAska: The
famous commentary by yAska on nighaNTu. Traditionally, nirukta
means etymological glossaries of nighaNTu words.
22 Additionally, there are more than 40 shixA texts. Many of them attached to specific shAkhAs;
others are late texts. Most of them are in metrical form while few are in sUtra (aphorism) form.
23 Later works: (1) ChandassUtra commentary by halayudha, (2) agnipurANa: Ch 328336, (3)
nAtyashAstra: Ch15, (4) bRRihatsaMhitA: Ch14.
24 Later works: (1) AryabhatIya by Aryabhata, (2) pa.nchasiddhAntika or bRRihatsaMhitA by varAha
mihir, (3) brahmasphutasiddhAnta, and khaNDakhAdyaka by brahmagupta, (4) mahAbhAskarIya,
and laghu bhAskarIya by bhAskara1, (5) grahAdhyAya, and golAdhyAya by lallA, (6) siddhAnta
shekhara by shrIpati, (7) siddhAnta shiromaNi by bhAskara2. There is huge timegap between
lagadha (c.1200BC) and Aryabhata (c.500). varAhamihira's bRRihatsaMhitA (c.530) mentions
vRRiddhagarga, garga, parAshara, asita, and devala whose works are not extant but they are
probably anterior to Buddha.
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1.0 Means of Knowledge
A knowledge process involves subject [pramAtA], object [prameya],

instrument of knowledge [pramANa], knowledge (pramA), cognition
(pramiti), and validation [prAmANya]. Cognition is equated with
knowledge, though pramA is distinguished from pramiti as 'valid
knowledge' or 'non-contradicted cognition'.
At the relative level there are six 'means of acquiring-validating

knowledge' [pramANa-s]: (1) perception [pratyaxa, aparoxa], (2)
inference [anumAna], (3) testimony [shabda, Agama], (4) comparison
[upamAna], (5) postulation [arthApatti], and (6) non-apprehension
[anupalabdhi]. Perception overrides all other means of knowledge on a
subjective basis. In the metaphysical domain, authority of shruti (Veda ) is
25
accepted as perception and that of smRRiti is accepted as testimony or
inference. Usually, subject is identified with the body-mind complex due to
Ignorance; in reality it is the transcendental 'Witness-Consciousness' as
will be seen later.
At the relative level, both presence [bhAva] and absence [abhAva] are
facts of cognition. The absence of an object in a particular locus is
cognizable by 'non-apprehension'. Four kinds of absence are cognizable by
non-apprehension:
1. 'Previous absence' [prAgabhAva]: This is absence of effect before it is

produced. For example, the pot of clay does not exist before it is made.
This type of absence has no beginning but comes to an end when the
effect is produced.
2. 'Absence as destruction' [pradhvaMsAbhAva]: This is absence of a thing
25 Scriptures which are based on shruti [Veda] and deal with the code of conduct are known as
[smRRitis]. They include bhagavadgItA and 'religious texts' such as yAGYavalkyasmRRiti,
parAsharasmRRiti, manusmRRiti etc. There are about 18 smRRitis, as many upa smRRitis and
other sacred texts which formulate code of conduct in applicable spheres of life. The word shruti
(hearing) implies direct perception [pratyaxa pramANa], though it is available as shabda or Agama
(testimony), as an indirect means of knowledge; whereas smRRiti (memory) implies indirect means
[apratyaxa pramANa] like testimony or inference. smRRiti is accepted insofar as it does not
contradict shruti. In the event of contradiction shruti prevails. (ref mImAMsA sUtra 1.3.3).
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in its component parts consequent to its destruction or deconstruction.

When a pot is broken into pieces it does not exist. This absence has
beginning as well as end. It has multiple levels of destruction until the
unchanging 'substratum' [adhikaraNa or locus] is reached.
3. 'Absolute absence' [atyantAbhAva]: This is absence of an entity which

does not exist in a particular locus at any time. For example there
cannot be darkness in lamp, color in the space, cowness in horse etc.
This type of absence also comes to an end because the locus is subject
to destruction and space-time exists only at the relative level. When
Knowledge is realized there is no absence.
4. 'Mutual absence' [anyonyAbhAva]: It is the 'difference'. A jar is different

than a tree. A cow is not a horse. Salt is not sweet. This type of absence
has a beginning when its locus has a beginning; but it is without
beginning when its substratum is without beginning. The beginningless
mutual absence is possible only in relation to Knowledge. This absence
comes to an end when Knowledge is realized.
There is no absolute 'nonexistence' in Advaita. Nonexistence in the name

of 'absence' is acknowledged only at the relative level. Eternal absence of
the empirical duality is known as brahman – the pure Existence. It is
assumed to be the unnegated Self after negating the plurality of Universe.
26
Absolute absence of “Existence, Consciousness, or Infinitude” can never
be subjectively experienced or cognized. As such, brahman is co-
referenced by the triad of Existence-Consciousness-Infinity [[sat-chit-
27
ananta] or [satyam-GYAnam-anantam]] and is axiomatically equated
with Self [Atman]. The knowledge of absence through non-apprehension is
said to be immediate [pratyaxa or aparoxa]. The absence of plurality is
26 In this note the terms Existence, and Consciousness are used synonymously and respectively with
Being, and Awareness. Further, infinitude usually means 'being endless [ananta] and (hence)
beginningless [anAdi]'.
27 Sometimes experiencing anantatva (infinitude) is equated with “joy of pure Being of unlimited
sovereignty or total independence” ('bliss' or 'peace') [Ananda], and triad of satchitAnanda
[sachchidAnanda] is taken as coreference of brahman (= Atman). One however, has to remember
that Truth, Knowledge, Infinitude etc. are not characteristics of brahman; they are only pointers
suggesting negation of their opposites in brahman which can be described only via negativa.
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said to be known directly by non-apprehension in transcendental

28
experience or immediate apprehension of non-dual brahman.
The Knowledge is not realized by mere reasoning. It is supposed to be an

experience. Knowledge being super sensual, the mumuxu has to look into
shruti-s which contain the 'direct teaching' [aparoxa upadesha] about the
Action and the Knowledge. In shruti-s, topics related to brahman are
compiled separately as Knowledge-Text [KT] [GYAna-kANDa], while
remaining action oriented work which is related to rituals and rites is
separated as Action-Text [AT] [karma-kANDa]. KT acts as pratyaxa
pramANa for those whose minds are pure and who possess sAdhana
29
chatuShTaya . The traditions suggest a long drawn process to acquire this
30
eligibility and realize the Knowledge. The 'guiding authorities' [AchArya-
31
s] such as sha.nkara and sureshvara take the stand that AT is to be
followed for secular goals or for purifying the mind so that it can 'grasp' the
Knowledge. AT defines the authority of injunctions only for such purpose.
Realization of Self however, is out side any injunctions. Further, they claim
that KT does not embody any injunctions and does not suffer any loss of
authority due to absence of injunctions. sha.nkara advocates renunciation
[sa.nnyAsa] of all Actions [karma] for realizing the Self. According to him,
28 Experiencing the 'absence of plurality' as brahman (=Atman) at the empirical level is a point of

debate. Atman appearing as a 'pure subject' in the embodied soul is not knowable by empirical
means due to infinite regress. The traditional Seeker however, aspires to realize Atman through an
esoteric experience called samAdhi. Later (see 2.3) we will see that the immediate perception itself
has Atman as direct substratum; however, we fail to 'realize' it due to Ignorance.
29 Ref. BSBh 1.1.1, VS 2.1526, VC 1727, and AA 310. BU 4.4.23 (kANva recension) mentions five of
the sixtreasures (shAnta, dAnta, uparata, titixu, samAhita) which are auxiliaries (a.nga) to
Knowledge. BU 4.4.23 (mAdhyandina recension) mentions shraddhA, the sixth treasure. These six
treasures together constitute one of the means of sAdhana chatuShTaya
30 Knowledge occurs when the inmost soul (Atman) decides to reveal Itself. Since Self is nothing but
brahman which has no doership (kartRRitva), this realization has certain chance element, like the
grace of God. Further, the six means (pramANas) which are applicable in relative domain, are not
directly applicable to absolute Knowledge. Tradition of Advaita suggests few more means
(methods) such as superpositionnegation (adhyAropaapavAda), and continuitydiscontinuity
(anvayavyatireka) for Self realization. sha.nkara, at few places in his commentaries, lends
credence to this tradition. (see sec. 2.58 and sec. 4).
31 sureshvara is known to be the direct disciple of sha.nkara and is credited with the vArtika School
because of his vArtikas (vArtika: subcommentary) on sha.nkara's commentary on bRRihad
AraNyaka and taittirIya UP. He has also written an independent work naiShkarmyasiddhi (NS).
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32
sAdhaka [the seeker of Knowledge and moxa ] has to 'detach' himself
from (the results of) all Actions and involve himself in 'sustained
meditation' in the pursuit of Knowledge alone. There is thus the clear
separation between KT (UP) and AT (parts of Veda related to rites) by
rejecting any 'combination of Knowledge and rites' (GYAna-karma
samuchchaya). This demarcation is credited to sha.nkara though its
scriptural support was available as early as in muNDaka upaniShad. It was
crucial for Vedanta's future development, for it allowed Vedanta to
deliberate its own methods of Knowledge independent of karmakANDa.
33
1.1 Primary Source: upaniShad-s [UP] are the primary source of
Knowledge. The muktikA Up. lists 108 UP; however, Vedanta tradition has
canonized following UP:
(1) bRRihadAraNyaka [BU] [बृहदारणयक] of SYV
(2) ChAndogya [CU] [छानदोगय] of SV
(3) taittirIya [TU] [तैितरीय] of KYV
(4) aitareya [AU] [ऐतरेय] of RV
(5) kaTha [KU] [कठ] of KYV
(6) muNDaka [MU] [मुणडक] of AV
(7) prashna [PU] [पशन] of AV
(8) Isha [IU] [ईश] of SYV
(9) kena [KEU] [केन] of SV
(10) mANDUkya [MAU] [माणडू कय] of AV
32 Knowledge [brahmaGYAna] and moxa are closely related. Realization of Self invariably leads to

moxa which is the cessation of 'cycle of birth and death' for a jIva, as will be seen later.
33 The word 'upaniShad' occurs as early as in RV khila (1.3.7) where the ashvins are addressed as
upaniShads. According to Max Mueller, upaniShad literally means "sit down near" (upa near, ni
down, sad sit) which meant that the spiritual aspirant had to sit devotedly near the teacher to learn
the doctrine. The Vedanta tradition treats UP as esoteric doctrinal knowledge as evident from
assertions like 'guhyAdesha' (ChAndogya 3.5.2), 'paramam guhyam' (kaTha 1.3.17), 'vedaguhya
upaniShatsu gUDham' (shvetAsvatara 5.6) etc. In US 2.1.26 sha.nkara gives another definition. The
word upaniShat is derived from the root sad (to mitigate, or destroy, or to go) prefixed by upa (near)
and ni (completely, certainly) and followed by suffix kwip (which disappears according to pANinIya
rule 3.2.61). So, upaniShat is that which mitigates the bondage of birth, old age etc, enables the
man to approach brahman, and destroys birth, death etc. sha.nkara gives similar explanation in his
UP commentaries: upaniShads are so named because they 'destroy' inborn Ignorance
(bRRihadAraNyaka bhAShya) or because they 'conduct' to brahman (kaTha bhAShya). Modern
scholarship however, is unanimous in accepting UP's historical secret and esoteric aspect.
In this note; Up. abbreviates single upaniShad while UP stands for their plural.
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(11) shvetAshvatara [SU] [शवेताशवतर] of KYV

(12) kauShItakI [Kau] [कौषीतकी] of RV
(13) maitrAyaNI [Mai] [मैतायणी] of KYV
These prime thirteen UP have authority of shruti. sha.nkara has quoted all
of them (except MAU and Mai) and few others, in his 'commentary on
34
brahma-sUtra' [BSBh]. MAU, though smallest of the prime UP and though
not quoted by sha.nkara directly in BSBh, has exalted status due to
'gauDapAda's path breaking commentary on it' [gauDapAdIya kArikA] [GK]
or [mANDUkya kArikA] [MK]. sha.nkara has written separate commentaries
35
on first nine of the primary UP and on MAU+GK; all these “Ten -UP” are
accepted as the most authoritative basis (pramANa) of Advaita. Amongst
the prime UP; (BU, CU), (AU, Kau, TU), and (KEU, IU) originated in pre-
Buddhist era (before 500BC), while KU, MU, PU, and SU are
contemporaneous to, if not prior to the advent of Buddhism. Transmission
and compilation of bigger UP such as CU, BU, KU, and Mai might have
happened in phases.
KT definitively includes primary UP. It can also include some verses from
extant saMhitA and brAhmaNa portions. These later sections, particularly
brAhmaNa-s however, do not contribute much to the KT, their main
purpose is to secure welfare in present and future lives by prescribed
34 From sha.nkara's quotations of UP in his BSBh one can find out frequency of their occurrence:

CU(809), BU(565), TU(142), MU(129), KU(103), Kau(88), SU(53), (agnirahasya(40)), PU(38),
AU(22), jAbAla(13), (mahA)nArAyaNa(9), IU(8), pai.ngI(6), KEU(5), (GK(2))... (ref 7.3(9)).
35 Many more works are traditionally attributed to sha.nkara. Modern scholarship of Hacker, Mayeda,
Ingalls etc. is of the opinion that amongst all these works, commentaries on BS, BG, GK, and the
ten UP, along with the noncommentarial collection upadeshasAhasrI (US) are sha.nkara's
definitive Vedanta works which conform to the criterion of his BS authorship. He might have written
few other works such as vivaraNa on yogasUtrabhAShya of vyAsa and on adhyAtmapaTala ('a
chapter related to inner Self' of dharmasUtrabhAShya of Apastamba). Further, there is a
possibility that GK itself was a treaties of already existing School of Vedanta, closely paralleling
viGYAnavAda (ref AgamashAstra of gauDapAda by V. S. Bhattacharya) or paralleling and
influencing mAdhyamaka of Buddhism (ref Central Philosophy of Buddhism by TRV Murti). In such
case, gauDapAda could be editor of GK, if not its original author. As a paramaguru (GKBh 4.100.2);
and gurorgarIya (US 18.2) of sha.nkara, he is assigned to 7th century, though to conform to GK's
original authorship and from cross references he could be placed anywhere between c.400600.
The terms paramaguru and gurorgarIya then would mean 'supreme preceptor' and not traditionally
assumed 'teacher's teacher'. Whether gauDapAda's authorship of GK is nominal or substantial, GK
is the pioneering text of Advaita.
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'regular' [nitya], 'occasional' [naimittika], and 'wishful' [kAmya] Actions. In

saMhitA too it may not always be Knowledge qua Knowledge but eulogy of
a particular God transcending into higher principle. Still the negation of
plurality and depersonalization of deities is evident. Traces of Knowledge
as a monistic principle are visible from the ancient times of RRigveda [RV ].
In the first Book of RV, the monistic principle is named as aditi (1.89.10),
and sat (1.164.46). In the later case it is famously stated as “ एकं सत् िवपा बहु धा
वदिनत...” [of the One Being, sages speak in diverse ways...]. In the third Book
this principle takes monotheist form: “The Infinite One is the Lord of the
unmoving and the moving” (3.54.8); and “The worshipful divinity of the
gods is One (3.55). In fourth Book It comes as haMsa referring Aditya
(4.40.5). Later in the tenth Book the monism crystallizes under various
names such as brAhmaNaspati (10.72), vishvakarmA (10.81-82), puruSha
(10.90), suparNa (10.114.4-5) - where the seminal ekam sat viprA...
returns with a different wording, then prajApati (10.121), vAch (10.125),
and finally Creation (10.129-130). These hymns stand out for their
monistic-panentheist views. Particularly, nAsadIya sUkta (10.129) is rich in
speculation and contains the seed of both non-dualistic monism and
empirical indeterminism which one can link to the later development of
Advaita and to the concepts of mAyA / avidyA. The metaphor of 'twin
bosom birds perched on the same tree' representing 'transient empirical
soul and unchanging transcendental Self' appears in RV 1.164.20 and in
atharva Veda [AV] (9.9.20). It reappears in MU (3.1.1-2) and SU (4.6-7).
Like RV, the idea of Supreme Being is present in the AV under various
names and words: varuNa (4.16.1-5), aditi (7.6.1), “(Indeed) The Supreme
Being is the inner animating Soul of all this” in brahmasUkta (paippalAda
saMhitA, AV 8.9.1-12); virAja (9.10.24), Him, That (9.10.28), skaMbha
(10.7.17, 10.8.2), yaxa (10.7.38), brahma (10.8.1), One Only (10.8.11),
prajApati (10.8.13), AtmA (10.8.44), One Supreme Power (11.7), “He is the
One, the One alone” (13.4.20-21), puruSha (19.6).
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Principle of Unity in the name of prajApati and puruSha is also seen in SYV
(vAjasaneyI) saMhitA and the taittirIya brAhmaNa of KYV. Hymn 32.1 of
SYV saMhitA (tadeva sUkta or 'That alone' hymn) catalogs everything as
That. In shatapatha brAhmaNa of SYV it is said that “this Self is
everything” (4.2.2.1); and “AtmA of all beings is yaGYa” (14.3.2.1). In
taittirIya AraNyaka (1.23) it is said that prajApati, having created his self
(as the world) with his own self, entered into it.
The forgoing examples show that some of the passages in the saMhitA and
brAhamaNa parts of Veda propagate the aupaniShad Knowledge. We can
include in KT:
● These passages traditionally included in the saMhitA and brAhmaNa

sections of the Veda
● UP which were referred to by sha.nkara and other Vedanta teachers,
36
● UP in recently discovered old manuscripts;
This will have the advantage of:
● Authenticity of antiquity
● Continuity of the tradition
● Clear demarcation between AT and KT
37
We then can consolidate following Table-3 of UP/KT as Primary Source.
36 Such as ArSheya, ChAgaleya, shaunaka, bAShkalamantra (with a commentary attached to it, which
is said to closely resemble the other commentaries of sha.nkara), and kaThashixA. The original
texts of first four UP were published for the first time in 1958, along with the 'prime13' UP and the
jaiminIya Up. by Limaye & Wadekar for Vedic Samshodhan Madal. The kaTha shixA was
reconstructed by M. Witzel and published in Journal of Nepal Research Centre (vol1) in 1977.
37 Many such lists of 'preferred' authoritative UP exist (Refer. “Sixty Upanishads of the Veda” (2
volumes): Paul Deussen's work translated by Bedekar and Palsule, published by MLBD, 1980).
Muktika lists 108 UP. Deussen states that complete text of 108 UP was published in 1883 in Telugu.
Later it was found that the text was available with commentaries by Upanishad Brahmayogin whose
real name was Shri Ramachandrendra belonging to Kanchi Math in Tamil Nadu. Oupnek'hat
collection however, is the first one to be translated in nonIndic (Persian) language at the behest of
Mughal Prince DaraSikoh in 165657. This was translated into Latin by Anquetil Duperron in 1801
02 and into German by Franz Mischel in 1882.
Sometimes UP are classified as: sAmAnya (of general Vedanta purport); sa.nnyAsa (extolling
renunciation); yoga (about yoga traditions); shaiva (naming shiva or His synonyms as the
Supreme); vaiShNava (naming viShNu or His synonyms as the supreme); shAkta (naming shakti or
Her synonyms as the Supreme).
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n shAkhA Knowledge Text ( KT): Primary Source.
1 RV (shAkala) (1) aitareya Up.

(2) asyavAmIya sUkta (1.164.1-64)
(3) puruSha sUkta (10.90)
(4) suparNa sUkta (10.114.4-5)
(5) hiraNyagarbha sUkta (10.121.1-10)
(6) vAch sUkta (10.125)
(7) nAsadIya sUkta (10.129)
(8) mudgala Up. (mudgala branch)
(9) gAlava Up. (gAlava branch)
(10) bahvRRicha Up. (mANDukeya branch)
2 RV (bAShkala) (11) bAShkalamantra Up. (bAShkala saMhitA)
3 RV(sha.nkhAyana) (12) kauShItakI Up.

(13) sha.nkhAyana Up. (in sha.nkhAyanAraNyaka)
4 KYV (taittirIya) (14) taittirIya Up.

(15) yAGYikI or mahAnArAyaNa Up.
5 KYV (kAThaka) (16) kAThaka or kaTha Up.

(17) kaThashruti Up.
(18) kaNThashruti Up.
(19) shivasa.nkalpa brAhamaNa Up.
(20) kaTha shixA Up.
6 KYV (maitrAyaNI) (21) maitrAyaNI (maitrI) Up. or maitrAyaNIya AraNyaka

(22) ChAgaleya Up. of ChAgaleya branch
(23) shvetAshvatara Up. of shvetAshvatara branch.
7 SYV (vAjasaneya) (24) Isha Up. (in SYV saMhitA)

(25) bRRihadAraNyaka Up. (mAdhyandina & kANva rec.)
(26) agni-rahasya section of shatapatha brAhmaNa
(27) jAbAla Up.
(28) subAlA Up.
(29) maNDala brAhamaNa
(30) tadeva sUkta (in SYV saMhitA)
(31) rudra-sUkta (In SYV saMhitA)
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n shAkhA Knowledge Text ( KT): Primary Source.
8 SV (jaiminIya) (32) jaiminIya brAhmaNa or talavakAra AraNyaka Up.

(33) kena or talavakAra Up. in the talavakAra AraNyaka
(34) shAtyAyana gAyatrI Up. of the talavakAra AraNyaka
(35) prANAgnihotra in the jaiminIya brAhmaNa
9 SV (kauthum) (36) ChAndogya or tANDyarahasya Up.
10 AV (shaunaka) (37) atharvaNa or mantra or muNDaka Up.

(38) praNava Up. (of gopatha brAhmaNa)
(39) skaMbha sUkta
(40) uchChishTa sUkta
(41) prANa sUkta,
(42) gAyatrI Up. (in gopatha brAhmaNa)
(43) brahma sUkta
11 AV (pippalAda) (44) prashna Up.

(45) brahma Up.
(46) garbha Up.
(47) saMhitA Up. or brahma sUkta (AV 8.9.1-12)
(48) sharabha Up.
12 AV (w/o shAkhA) (49) chulikA Up.

(50) mANDUkya Up.
(51) brahmabindu Up.
(52) nAdabindu Up.
(53) dhyAnabindu Up.
(54) amRRitabindu Up.
(55) tejobindu Up.
(56) atharvashIrSha Up.
(57) atharvashixA Up.
(58) kaivalya Up.
(59) shaunaka Up.
(60) ArSheya Up.
38
13 Addendum (61) pai.ngala Up. (SYV)
(62) mahA Up. or maho.apaniShad (SV)
(63) vajrasUchi Up. (SV)
(64) sarvasAra Up. (SV)
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1.2 Secondary Source: Secondary source is derived from or based on

the primary source. KA refers to bhagavadgItA [BG] [भगवदगीता] as its main
'secondary source' [smRRiti] among very many other secondary sources
known by the names of vaidika seers. BG tries to accommodate various
theological-philosophical strands to address largest possible audience. It
gives prominence to 'way of Action' [karmayoga] and 'way of Devotion'
[bhaktiyoga], the two streams secondary to the 'way of Knowledge'
39
[GYAnayoga] but more popular in Indic traditions than the later. Still
'commentators' like sha.nkara sought support from BG due to its
40
established position, its accessibility, and its exposition of Knowledge
along side Action and Devotion. It is divided into 18 chapters [ adhyAya-s]
each having number of verses [shloka-s] totaling about 700 verses.
sha.nkara's commentary on BG is the oldest available one though most of
the verses of BG must be quite ancient. From the Knowledge perspective
following chapters of BG are significant (ref 7.1(6)):
Chapter-2 : BG 2.12-30 propound 'Way of Knowledge' [सांखय योग]; BG 2.39-

48 advise 'Way of Action' [कमर योग], and BG 2.49-71 describe 'Steady
Wisdom' [िसथत पजा]. Here the word sA.nkhya [सांखय] does not imply the
38 This is a subjective preference: (1) pai.ngala [Pai] is included in Muktika List [ML], and Deussen's
Oupnek'hat List [OL] (Pank = pai.ngala). It has also been shortlisted by Radhakrishnan (ref. 7.1(4))
and Satprakashananda (ref. 7.3(14): appxA), (2) maho.apaniShad [Mah] gives the famous maxim
वसुधैव कुटुंबकं (6.7273) (whole world is one family). Its earliest reference is in nArAyaNIya section of
shAntiparva (MB 12.325.2, 12.326.100) suggesting its BCE linage from pa.ncharAtra Agama.
sha.nkarAnanda (c.1290) wrote a commentary (dIpikA) on it. Mah is included in ML and OL. (3)
vajrasUchi has been shortlisted by Radhakrishnan (ref. 7.1(4)); he read in it a contemporary
message: 'undermine the birthbased casts'. It is included in ML. (4) sarvasAra defines 23 Vedanta
terms to justify its name. It is included in ML (as sarvasAra) and in OL (as Sarb and not Sarbsar).
39 In the opinion of sha.nkara and sureshvara; while Action and Devotion are useful for 'purification of
mind' an intermediate stage in the path of Liberation; Knowledge is the only necessary and
sufficient condition for Liberation. In postsha.nkara tradition however, devotion itself was equated
with “seeking Selfrealization” (सवसवरपानुसंधानं) and “inquiry into the Truth” (तततव िजजासा) (VC 3132).
40 BG is accessible to all. This is unlike shruti texts which traditionally were not accessible to the so
called lowest class called shUdra. (ref. BSBh 1.3.34 to 1.3.38). One may now argue that sha.nkara
could have used his stature to remove the prohibition and made the vaidika study accessible to all
classes, particularly when jAbAla story (ref BSBh 1.3.37) was open for 'correct' interpretation and
scriptural support such as vajrasUcikA Up. (of SV) was available. sha.nkara however demanded
very tough prerequisites for seeking Knowledge total detachment from worldly affairs and
commitment to the life of austerity, endurance and steadfastness. He recommended Knowledge
only for spiritual Liberation and not for secular gains. This in itself was not likely to be attractive for
men and women of worldly disposition irrespective of their class.
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classical sA.nkhya philosophy nor is it applied to Atman as an adjective. It

implies 'steadfastness in the path of Knowledge of Self' [GYAna yoga,
जानयोग]. sha.nkara identifies sA.nkhya yoga with Vedanta in 18.13 ( अतः तिसमन्
आतमजानाथे सांखये कृतानते वेदानते पोकािन किथतािन िसदये िनषपतयथर सवर कमर णाम् – Thus 'in the
sA.nkhya theory of Vedanta' (सांखये कृतानते वेदानते) are stated the causes which
promote the accomplishment of all work). Similarly yoga [योग] does not
imply necessarily the classical yoga philosophy but its original Sanskrit
meaning - 'concentration and steadfastness in application'.
BG 2.16 states the law of conservation of Absolute: नासतो िवदते भावो नाभावो िवदते
सतः (Being never ceases to exist; Non-Being never comes into existence).
Ch-2 gives summary of entire Vedanta philosophy of BG in the name of

sA.nkhya yoga.
Chapter-4 : BG 4.33-42 teach 'Renunciation of Action and Importance of

Knowledge' [जान कमर संनयास योग]. BG 4.33 (सवर कमारिखलं पाथर जाने पिरसमापयते - all
action in its entirety attains its consummation in Knowledge); BG 4.37
(जानािगः सवर कमारिण भसमसातकुरते - fire of Knowledge reduces all karma to ashes),
and BG 4.38 (न िह जानेन सदशं पिवतिमह िवदते - verily there exists here nothing
nobler than knowledge) emphasizes importance of Knowledge and
supports sha.nkara's preference of Knowledge over Action.
Chapter-5 : BG 5.13-26 propounds 'Way of Renunciation' [संनयास योग]. BG

5.14 and 5.15 projects God's 'acausal' nature. God is not concerned with
worldly affairs neither is He concerned with merits or demerits of
individuals; it is the Ignorance that envelops Knowledge due to which
beings are deluded. BG 5.16 & 17 suggest the remedy – Knowledge reveals
the Supreme (brahman) and Knowledge leads to the moxa; (hence realize
the Knowledge).
Chapter-7 : BG 7.1-15 teach Knowledge with Realization [जान-िवजान योग];

BG 7.16-19 praise 'wise devotee' [जानी]. BG 7.7 says, beyond Me there is
naught, and 'all this' is strung in me; BG 7.17 & 18 mention Lord's
preference for the Knowledgeable devotee; and in BG 7.19: the wise Knows
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that “all this is vAsudeva (brahman) (वासुदेव सवर िमित)”
Chapter-8 : BG 8.17-19 propounds cyclic theory of Creation-Dissolution.

In a brahmA's cycle of day (Creation) and night (Dissolution); all beings
are created from and dissolved into Unmanifested (avyakta, अवयक). BG
8.20-22 state that beyond aforementioned avykta; there is another eternal
and imperishable avyakta – a supreme goal attaining which none returns.
It is the 'supreme Spirit' (पुरषः स परः) in whom all beings dwell and by whom
all this is pervaded (यसतानतःसथािन भूतािन येन सवर िमदं ततम्).
Chapter-9 imparts 'Kingly Knowledge' [राजिवदा-राजगुहयोग]. BG 9.4-6: All this

word is pervaded by Me, all beings exist in Me but I am not contained in
them (panentheism), in BG 9.7-10, God gradually states his position that
He does nothing; in His observance prakRRiti [पकृित] produces every-thing
(मयाऽधयकेण पकृितः सूयते सचराचरम्); and in BG 9.19 He states ultimate pan-
entheistic position - I am immortality and death; being and non-being am
41
I” (अमृतं चैव मृतयुशच सदसचचाहमजुरन).
Chapter-13 deals with 'Field and Field-Knower' [केत-केतज योग]. In this

philosophical chapter Knower, Known, and Knowledge are explained. In BG
13.11 Lord defines 'steadiness in spiritual knowledge' (अधयातमजानिनतयतवं) and
'deep understanding of the philosophical knowledge' (ततवजानाथर दशर नम्) to be
the true Knowledge and whatever else is Ignorance. BG 13.7-10 specify
the indicators (laxaNA-s) of this Knowledge comparable to sAdhana
chatuShTaya. In BG 13.12 He says that the supreme brahman is
42
beginningless, neither being nor non-being (अनािदमतपरं बह न सतनासदचु यते) ; it
is that by knowing which one attains immortality ( यजजातवाऽमृतमशनुते). BG 13.13
attributes perceptual qualities to That (brahman). In BGBh, sha.nkara
explains this as a deliberate 'false attribution' to be later retracted to intuit
the true nature of brahman. This method is known as 'attribution-
retraction' [adhyAropa-apavAda, अधयारोप-अपवाद], and according to some
41 This is an attributive panentheistic position in relation to ultimate supraconceptual reality of Ch13.
42 brahman is beyond the terminology of being or nonbeing which are merely attributive words. The
ultimate reality is supraconceptual beyond words and conceptualization.
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modern scholars, is the only traditional method of Advaita -Vedanta. So,

BG 13.14 & 15 negates all perceptual attributes and call the reality as
sarvendriyavivarjitaM [सवेिनदयिवविजर तं] and as nirguNa [िनगुरण] devoid of all
properties and qualities. In BGBh 13.26; sha.kara sees everything as the
union of Subject (xetraGYa, केतज) and Object (xetra, केत) by mutual
superimposition (adhyAsa, अधयास), indicative of Nescience (िमथयाजान) (स अयं
अधयाससवरपः केतकेतजयोः संयोगः िमथयाजानलकणः).
Chapter-15 propounds yoga of the supreme spirit [पुरषोतम योग]. BG 15.1-7:

shows the way to Liberation. The limitless fugitive 'inverted tree' of saMsAra
caused by Ignorance needs to be cut by the weapon of detachment and
Knowledge to attain Liberation. In BG 15.12-20, starting from the
pantheistic form of the God, the concept of Supreme God - uttama
puruSha or purushottama [पुरषोतम] is reached over and above perishable
principle - prakRRiti, and imperishable principle - God or Ishvara. The
uttama puruSha is the panentheist principle that pervades everything and
still remains inexhaustible.
Chapter-18 summarizes the axiology of BG. BG (2,46,49) propounds

Action and Devotion, BG 50-57 teaches Knowledge and Devotion, and BG
65-66 suggests dedicated devotion and total surrender (renunciation) for
Liberation (सवर धमारन् पिरतयजय मामेकं शरणं वज, अहं तवा सवर पापेभयो मोकियषयािम मा शुचः).
According to sha.nkara, BG 18.66 teaches steadfastness in Knowledge

alone by total renunciation of all worldly things. According to
madhusUdana, devotion is common to both Action (such as in 18.46) and
to Knowledge (such as in 18.55); hence BG 18.66 teaches devotion.
In post-sha.nkara Advaita, devotion is nothing but the longing for the

Supreme – a way of Knowledge. Vedantin like madhusUdana thinks that
the first six BG Chapters teach niShkAma karma as means of Knowledge
(Thou part); the next six chapters teach bhakti – the bliss of bahman (That
part); and the last six chapters reveal GYAna (the purport of whole “Thou
Art That” the well known salient sentence of Vedanta (see 2.2.1)).
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1.3 Tertiary Source:

43
The brahma-sUtra [BS] is a collection of aphorisms [sUtra-s] about
brahman. It is also known as shArIraka-sUtra [शारीरक सूत] (about embodied
Self), Vedanta-sUtra [वेदानत सूत] (about Vedanta), bhixu-sUtra [िभकू सूत] (for
bhixu or renunciate), and uttara-mImAMsA-sUtra [उतर-मीमांसा सूत] (about
posterior exegesis). The commentaries [bhAShya-s] and sub-
commentaries [vArtika-s] written on the source-triad are treated as
tertiary literature. sha.nkara's commentaries on BS, on ten pramANa UP,
and on bhagavadgItA have de facto foundational status in Advaita-
Vedanta. In general, shruti and smRRiti together with epics mahAbhArata,
rAmAyaNa, and purANa-s are known as main shAstra-s. Added to it are
44
sectarian literature including theological and philosophical treaties.
45
BS is known as nyAya prasthAna [नयाय पसथान] because it aims to set forth
Vedanta teaching in a logical order. The word sUtra means aphorism; it has
also another meaning - that of 'connecting thread' implying a system
made of multiple parts. It is divided into four books ( adhyAya-s), each
book consists of four quarters (pAda-s), each quarter has number of topics
(adhikaraNa-s), and each topic has one or more aphorisms. According to
sha.nkara there are 192 topics including the one discussed by him in the
preamble known as adhyAsa bhAShya [essay on superimposition]. He has
commented on 555 aphorisms.
Brevity of sUtra-s allowed multiple interpretations. Various pre-sha.nkara

and post-sha.nkara teachers wrote commentaries on BS to support their
own view. sha.nkara's commentary on BS is the earliest extant
commentary which stands out for its consistency and completeness. It is
supported by his parallel commentaries on UP and BG forming a de facto
43 The author of BS is traditionally known as bAdarAyaNa. Whether he is the same person who
supposedly composed the epic mahAbhArata in the name of vyAsa is not known. (ref 7.1(7&8))
44 shAstras are generally divided into: (1) shruti (Veda), (1) smRRiti (code of conduct), (3) itihAsa
(history for moral and religious teachings), (4) purANa (compendium of itihAsa, sargacosmology,
pratisargasecondary creation, vaMshagenealogy of kings, and manvantarareigns of manus), (5)
Agama (sectarian theological treatises) and (6) darshana (philosophical treaties). Generally, (3) to
(6) are treated as tertiary source, though Agama acquires a foundational status for sectarian faith.
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foundation of Vedanta exegesis and philosophy
The first book of BS is called harmony [ samanvaya] [समनवय]. The first

quarter of the first book has first five important aphorisms. sha.nkara uses
the first one (अथातो बहिजजासा - Henceforth an 'inquiry into brahman') (1.1.1)
to distinguish the 'inquiry into brahman' from the ritualistic portion of
Veda there by separating Knowledge Text from the Action Text and then
discusses the ontology and epistemology of brahman while commenting
next four aphorisms: जनमादसय यतः - That from which the birth etc. of this
(universe) (1.1.2); शास योिनतवात् - (brahman is omniscient) because of (Its)
being the source of the scriptures (1.1.3); ततु समनवयात् - But that brahman
(is known from the UP), (It) being object of their full import (1.1.4); and,
ईकतेनारशबदम् - It is seen that (sA.nkhya pradhAna is not the cause because it
is) not mentioned (in UP) (1.1.5). Thereafter, till the end of third quarter of
first book sha.nkara puts forth his view that Knowledge Text teaches the
existence of brahman.
From the 4th quarter onwards till the end of the second book (called non-
conflict or avirodha, अिवरोध) sha.nkara engages himself in polemics and
refutes the rival views. Mean-while he also establishes the provisional
view of causality – the brahman to be both efficient and material cause of
the World and that the World has no separate existence other than
brahman. World being an effect of brahman is non-different from brahman
- it is only an appearance – the cause alone is real (तदननयतवमारंभणशबदािदभयः)
(2.1.14). He says that soul [jIva] is to brahman what reflection is to
prototype - like the semblance of the sun in water (आभास एव च) (2.3.50).
In the third book (called 'means to release' or sAdhana, साधन), sha.nkara

discusses transmigration and establishes the essential nature of soul via
the aphorisms एक आतमनः शरीरे भावात् (3.3.53), and वयितरेकसतदावाभािवतवन तूपलिबधवत्
(3.3.54). He argues that brahman which is devoid of attributes and form
(अरपवदेव िह ततपधानतवात्) (3.2.14)), appears to be endowed with attributes and
45 nyAya = Logic and dialectics; hence nyAyaprasthAna stands for source of Knowledge which is

open to logic and dialectics for the systemization and realization (leading to Liberation).
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form on account of limiting adjuncts (पकाशवचचावैयथयारत्) (3.2.15). Although

essentially of the nature of pure consciousness, brahman appears as
many, as the sun gets reflected in many vessels containing water (अत एव
चोपमा सूयरकािदवत्) (3.1.18). The Advaita tradition adopts the method of
negation to indicate the absolute reality. It finds support in following
aphorisms: (पकृतैतावतवं िह पितषेधित ततो बवीित च् भूयः - (UP) certainly deny the
limitation and thereafter say something more) (3.2.22); and तदवयकमाह िह -
That (brahman) is unmanifest (because UP) say (so) (3.2.23). Liberation is
not a postmortem state; it is the essential and eternal nature of the Self,
which is realized when the veil of Ignorance is lifted; Knowledge is possible
even in 'this' life (ऐिहकमपयपसतुतपितबनधे तदशर नात्) (3.4.51).
The last book (called 'fruit' or phala [फल]) discusses modes of departure
and some details of the 'release'. The book claims that one being able to
realize brahman even in this very life, his subtle body does not depart
(पितषेधािदित चेन शारीरात्) (4.2.12), implying that he gets immediate release and
is freed from all sins (तदिधगम उतरपूवारघयोरशलेषिवनाशौ तदवयपदेशात्) (4.1.13). The
Knower realizes the absolute non-difference with brahman (अिवभागो वचनात्)
(4.2.16). There is no transmigratory cycle for him after his worldly death.
The one who is 'free of bonds of this world' [jIvanmukta] is also 'free from
the bonds of the body and transmigration' [videhamukta] after his death.
Following two examples will give us a flavor as to how sha.nkara reconciles

46
the seemingly contradictory positions and puts the things in order:
(1) अंशो नानावयपदेशात्, अनयथा चािप - (The soul is) part (of brahman) on account
of difference (between the two) being declared (here) and otherwise also
(i.e. on account of being non-different from brahman as declared
elsewhere) (BS part-2.3.43): Here shan.kara assumes two view points; one
valid at the ordinary empirical level which is the secondary or relative
reality, while the other valid at the absolute level which is the ultimate
46 Systemic guidelines used by sha.nkara for extracting consistent meaning from the scriptures are

summarized in (2.0) along with their metaphysical criteria in 2.1(a) and exegetical criteria in (2.1(b).
These methods are further explained in rest of the section and illustrated in (2.8).
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reality. He says, brahman, being non-differentiated and limitless, cannot

have any parts; the soul is a part of brahman only as it were – an imagined
part from empirical standpoint; from the absolute standpoint both
brahman and the soul are identical.
47
(2) न सथानतोऽिप परसयभयिलङ, सवर त िह - Even from (difference of) place a
twofold characteristic cannot (be predicted of brahman), because
throughout (scriptures teach It to be otherwise) (BS 3.2.11): In the
scriptures we find two kinds of descriptions for brahman; one qualified as
in "That which is all actions, all desires.. etc”(CU 3.14.2); and another
unqualified, as in “That which is neither gross nor minute, neither short nor
long.. etc.” (BU 3.8.8). Do we justify this two fold nature on account of the
association of adjuncts? sha.nkara refutes this by saying: Even by
association with the limiting adjuncts a substance that is different in kind
cannot change its nature into another; for a transparent crystal cannot
become opaque even when in contact with red lac; the idea of opaqueness
is a mere error. The adjuncts are also conjured by Ignorance. Hence, only
attributeless, changeless brahman, such as in BU 3.3.8 or KU 1.3.15 is the
ultimate reality. The other brahman is only for upAsanA (meditation).
sha.nkara's commentary of BS is the most famous exegesis of Vedanta . His

view of non-duality however, is not the original one and existed from
much earlier times. The idea of 'non-dualistic monism' germinated in the
antiquity of RV, particularly, in Rk hymns like nAsadIya-sUkta [नासदीय-सूक].
Its further basis is clearly available in the oldest UP like BU and CU. BG
gives it a theist basis. GK, which has all the essential features of Advaita ,
offers the earliest extant systemic reference. BS, with its anterior and
posterior commentators, indicates an ancient and unbroken Vedanta
tradition from the period of earliest UP to that of sha.nkara and then all the
way to the 20th century. (see 7.4).
47 BS 3.2.11 demonstrates the interpretative flexibility of BS. If we assume " न (not)” to be applicable
only to सथानतोऽिप (as rAmAnuja and niMbArka did) and not to the whole of 'सथानतोऽिप परसय उभयिलङ्'
(as sha.kara did); we can interpret the aphorism in the opposite way – brahman will then have two
fold characteristics rather than unitary nature. However, 'सवरतर िह' seems to go in sha.nkara's favor.
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2.0 Methods of Knowledge
The Knowledge-Text [KT] though separated from Action Text, is open to

more than one interpretations and at places appears to be obscure or
contradictory. Following methods are used to explain the diversity in KT
and to put the things in order:
1. Doctrine of Reality Levels (सता िसदानत): Knowledge is categorized as: (a)

pAramArthika (absolute, transcendental, acosmic, non-phenomenal);
48
and (b) vyAvahArika (relative, empirical, cosmic, phenomenal).
2. Seeker's Capability (अिधकारी भेद): Knowledge is identified in steps to suit

the capability of individual Seeker. (ref: (1) CUBh 8.7-12, (2) 7.1(9):
intro: p.liv, (3) 7.3(10): p.12-13).
3. Coarse and Fine Graining (अरनधती नयाय): Gross (coarse) things are
taught to the Seeker first, followed by more subtle concepts. (ref: same
as above).
4. Doctrine of mAyA (माया वाद): Fallacies due to mutual dependencies,

infinite regress, or due to any other reason are resolved by (magic of)
mAyA. The ontological grade of mAyA is indeterminate and mAyA's
relationship with brahman is undefined. This inexplicable
(anirvachanIya) mAyA is a distinctive feature of Advaita. (see 2.8(3),
49
3.x, and 6.x).
5. Attributed-Attributeless brahman (सगुण-िनगुरण बहन्): guNa represents

basic and substantive qualities of Universe. The ' brahman with guNa'
[सगुण बहन्] is for meditation - as an object for concentration and
instrument of purification; while 'brahman without guNa' [िनगुरण बहन्] is
48 See 0.0 (Intro.). These metaphysical levels are essentially epistemological positions; however, in
KA, they converge onto ontological grades viz pAramArthika (a.k.a. adhyAtmika, pAraloukika, adhi
bhautika, or parA) as 'absolutely real' (satya) visavis vyAvahArika (a.k.a. prApa.nchika, laukika,
bhautika, or aparA) as indeterminate (mithyA). The word cosmic here means 'worldly' or empirical,
while acosmic means 'other worldly' or transcendental. Sometimes 'cosmic' means universal.
Whether the word cosmic points to a world process or to an all pervading universal will be clear
from the context. Other viewpoints such as yauktika (rationalinferential), illusory (prAtibhAsika),
dream (svapna), sleep (suShupti) etc. are included in the relative fold.
49 Advaita, due to its acceptance of the inexplicableness of the world phenomenon, is also known as
anirvachanIya khyAti vAda [अिनवरचनीय खयाित वाद]
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the ultimate reality. (ref: BSBh 1.1.11).
6. Attribution-Retraction (अधयारोप अपवाद): Attribution (superimposition) is

to cancel the opposites so that its retraction (negation) can reach the
ultimate substratum. In an equivalent schema called neti neti (not this,
not thus), whatever is conceived is negated to reach the ultimate – the
Self, which cannot be negated. (see 2.5)
7. Continuity-Discontinuity or Agreement-Contrariety (अनवय वयितरेक): The

presence (absence) of something is juxtaposed with the presence
(absence) of another thing. This is used to show the dependency
relation between the two. (see 2.6).
50
8. Method of Indication (जहत्-अजहत् लकणा ): This is an exegetical method
that excludes mutually incompatible elements of primary and
secondary sentential meanings. (see 2.7).
9. Method of Common Substratum (सामानयािधकरण): Two things are brought

on a common platform (see 2.7, 2.8(8)).
10.Discrimination schema (िववेक-पिकया) separates the Real (acosmic,

permanent, acausal, independent), from the relative (cosmic,
transient, causal, dependent) based on the metaphysical criteria. (see
2.1, 2.3, 2.8).
2.1 Criteria of Knowledge: Following metaphysical and exegetical

criteria are applied while interpreting KT:
51
(a) Metaphysical Criteria
50 laxaNA means secondary meaning that may exclude (jahat) or not exclude (ajahat) the primary
meaning. This exegetical method is usually part of general way to find common substraum.
51 Interrelated concepts of 'identity' and 'dependency' are implicit in these '4C' criteria. Advaita
assumes identity as the basis of reality. All beings have identity or 'inmost Self' [Atman] which is
nothing but totally independent and eternal brahman, the substratum [adhishThAnam] of all. As a
counter example, in Buddhism there is no Atman or essence all things are interdependent and
transient; there is no independent substratum. Dependency can also be viewed from 'wholepart'
relationship. Whole is dependent on parts; it can be totally independent [svayaMbhU], only if it 'has
no parts' [niravayava]; it is attributeless [nirguNa], space and time independent [nirAkAra, anAdi
ananta], acosmic [nishprapa.ncha], and in general cognitionindependent [amatam, avijnAtam].
Advaita postulates such Absolute in the name of brahman and identify It with Self. In Advaita, total
dependency implies 'identity' or 'illusory appearance' [vivarta] like 'reflection'. Universe [jagat] which
is said to be totally dependent on brahman is mere appearance; in reality there is only brahman.
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1. Cognition: subject-object discrimination: पमातृ-पमेय (दक्-दशय) िववेक

2. Constancy: permanence-transience discrimination: िनतय-अिनतय िववेक
3. Causality: cause-effect discrimination: कारण-कायर िववेक
4. Completeness: Independence: पिरपूणरतव: सवातंतय
52
(b) Exegetical Criteria
1. Unity in the opening and closing paragraph: उपकम-उपसंहार ऐकय

2. Emphasis implied by repetition: अभयास
53
3. The theme's originality; idea not being mentioned before: अपूवरतव
4. The theme's significance by way of result or utility: फल
54
5. Specific mention, eulogy or highlighting of a point: अथर वाद
6. Logical consistency in the thematic interpretation: उपपित
2.2 Selection of Text: If we apply the exegetical criteria to UP and look

for the answers of metaphysical queries; following passages stand out:
a) BU 1.4: Creation of multiplicity

b) BU 2.4-5: Dialog between yAGYavalkya, maitreyI
c) BU 3.4: Dialog between yAGYavalkya, ushasta
d) BU 3.7: Debate between uddAlaka, yAGYavalkya
e) BU 3.8: Dialog between yAGYavalkya, gArgI
f) BU 4.2-4: Dialog between yAGYavalkya, janaka: Not this, Not This.
g) BU 5.1: That (brahman) is infinite, and this (cosmos) is infinite...
h) CU 3.14.1: All this is verily brahman.

i) CU 6: Dialog between shvetaketu and his father uddAlaka AruNi
j) CU 7.23.1 – 26.2: Dialog between nArada and sanatkumAra
k) CU 8.7.1 – 15.1: Dialog between prajApati and devAsura
l) TU 2.1-8: Teachings of the five sheaths
m) AU 3.1: Consciousness is brahman.
52 उपकरमोपसंहारावभयासोऽपूवरताफलं | अथावादोपपती च िलंगं तातपयरिनणरये ॥ (Prologue – epilogue consistency,

reiteration, originality, result, eulogy, and reason are the (six) exegetical criteria (ref 7.2(3):VS V.184)
53 The theme should have a novelty value and should not be mere contextual variation. The abhyAsa
is necessary before the theme is selected, but apUrvatva needs to be maintained amongst the
selected themes.
54 It should have a metaphysical or ethical purport and its utility should be universal and not personal.
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n) KU 1.2: yama's teachings to nachiketA

o) KU 2.2.15: He shining all these shine.
p) KU 3.3.12-15: Mortal becomes Immortal.
q) MU 1.1: Higher and Lower Knowledge.

r) MU 2 and 3.2: Higher Knowledge of puruSha and brahman.
s) MU 3.1: “A Tree and Two Birds”
t) MAU: Three empirical states (waking, dreaming, sleeping) and the

Fourth transcendental one.
u) PU: Questions 1-3 & 5: exegesis of rites and meditation, and

v) PU: Questions 4 & 6: elucidation of MU 2.1-3; principle of puruSha.
w) IU: Renunciation, Knowledge, and meditation of 'manifest' and
'unmanifest'.
x) KEU 1 & 2: Super-sensuous, acosmic, uncomprehending brahman.
2.2.1 Salient sentences and stanzas:
Vedanta tradition uses select sentences from UP for meditation and

teaching. Five of them – one from each of five saMhitA-s, are traditionally
considered to be of special significance viz.
(1) ततवमिस [Thou art That] (CU 6.8-16 / SV)

(2) अहम् बहािसम [I am brahman] (BU 1.4.10 / SYV)
(3) अयमातमा बह [This Self is brahman] (MAU 2 / AV)
(4) पजानम् बह [Consciousness is brahman] (AU 2.1.1 / RV)
(5) सतयं जानं अननतं बह [Truth , Knowledge, Infinity is brahman] (TU 3.1.3/ KYV)
One can however, find other equally meaningful sentences depending on

one's approach, such as:
(6) सवर म् खिलवदम् बह [All This is Verily brahman] (CU 3.14.1)

(7) तसय भासा सवर िमदम् िवभाित [In Its luster shines all this] (KU 2.2.15; MU 2.2.10)
(8) नेित नेित [(brahman is) Not this; Not thus] (BU 2.3.6, 4.2.4) etc.
Along with these salient sentences there are aupaniShad stanzas which are
frequently used for illustrations and exegetical teachings. They may
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include few apparently contradictory stanzas such as "सवर कमार सवर कामः...” (CU
3.14.2) which are interpreted semantically (as in the translation 2.2.1.2(b))
or thematically (as in the illustration 2.8.7). The famous mantra "पूणरमद:

55
पूणरिमदं...” (BU 5.1) can be interpreted in terms of mathematical infinities; it
is used for peace invocation in BU and IU.
Following is the list of salient quotes from “Ten-UP”, preceded by the

nAsadIya-sUkta [नासदीय सूक], the earliest and the most celebrated
expression of vaidika monism, and followed by shevAtAshvatara Up., the
store-house of ideas and origin of theist Vedanta.
56
2.2.1.0 nAsadIya sUkta (RRigveda 10.129)
नासदीय सूक (ऋगवेद १०.१२९)
नासदासीनो सदासीतदानीम् नासीदजो नो वयोमा परो यत् ।

िकमावरीवः कुह कसय शमर नंभः िकमासीदगहनं गभीरम् || १ ||
नमृतयुरासीदमृतं न तिहर न रातया अह आसीत् पकेतः

आनीदवातं सवधया तदेकं तसमाधदानयन परः िकं चनास || २ ||
तम आसीत् तमसा गुळहमगेऽपकेतं सिललं सवर मा इदम्

तुचछयेनाभविपिहतं यदासीत् तपससतनमिहनाजायतैकम् || ३ ||
कामसतदगे समवतर तािध मनसो रेतः पथमं यदासीत्

सतो बनधुमसित िनरिवनदन् हिद पतीषया कवयो मनीषा || ४ ||
ितरिशचनो िवततो रिशमरेषा मधः िसवदासी३दपु िर िसवदासी३त्
55 In mathematical (set theoretic) terminology: “A set is infinite iff it is 'equivalent' to one of its proper
subsets.” This (jagat) can be seen as proper subset of That (brahman), both jagat and brahman
being infinities (see 2.2.1.1(y)). Here, 'infinite set' is only a conceptsimile for infinitude and not for
brahman or jagat. It offers 'panentheistic' interpretation for "सवरम् खिलवदम् बरह". (see 5.2.6(H)). Even if
PU is finite (but limitless or boundary less – that is अनािदअननत), the simile holds. For other nuances,
see “Interpreting the Upanishads” by Ananda Wood (2000).
56 The name of the hymn is derived from the hymn's first combined word नासदासीत् (nAsadAsIt). The
exploratory nature of ideas expressed therein and synchronism of RV Bk10 with MB and late SSC
etc could place the hymn in 1415th century BC (see 5.1.4); however, the novelty and depth of ideas
could as well place it in any other later times! The metrical rendering is by J. Muir (OST: volume5).
The first verse indicates the inadequacy of the concepts of 'being' and 'nonbeing' for expressing
'That One'. Verses (2, 3, 4) are the origin of the multiplicity of ideas: तदेकं (~monist principle), 'तमस्
(~Ignorance), सवधा (~mAyA, spanda shakti), तपस् (~shakti, heat, light), तुचछ (~low order, illusory flux,
chaos), काम (~desire to produce), रेत (seed potency). These ideas later developed into essential
aspects of Advaita and other monist Schools like TrikaTantra. Verse 5 can be interpreted as the
scenario of 'primal production'. Verses (6, 7) register an open, agnostic position. This is the origin of
doctrinaire inexplicableness and indeterminism (anirvachanIyatva, mithyatva) of Advaita.
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रेतोधा आसन् मिहमान आसन् तसवधा अवसतात् पयितः परसतात् || ५ ||
को अदा वेद क इह प वोचत् कुत आजाता कुत इयं िवसृिषः

अवारगदेवा असय िवसजर नेनाऽथा को वेद यत आबभूव || ६ ||
इयं िवसृिषयर त आबभूव यिद वा दधे यिद वा न

यो असयाधयकः परमे वयोमन् तसो अङ वेद यिद वा न वेद || ७ ||
Then there was neither Aught nor Nought, no air nor sky beyond.
What covered all? Where rested all? In watery gulf profound? || 1 ||
Nor death was then, nor deathlessness, nor change of night and day.
That One breathed calmly, self sustained; nought else beyond its lay. || 2 ||
57
'Darkness hid in darkness' existed first – like a sea, eluding view.
That One, a void in chaos wrapt, by inward fervour grew. || 3 ||
Within it first arose desire, the primal germ of mind.

Which nothing with existence links, as sages searching find. || 4 ||
The kindling ray that shot across the dark and drear abyss--
Was it beneath? or high aloft? What bard can answer this?
There fecundating powers were found, and mighty forces strove--

A self supporting mass beneath, and energy above. || 5 ||
Who knows, whoever told, from whence this vast creation rose?
No Gods had then been born - who then can e'er the truth disclose? || 6 ||
Whence sprang this world, and whether framed by hand divine or no--
Its Lord in heaven alone can tell, if even he can show. || 7 ||
58
2.2.1.1 | बृह दारणयक उपिनषद् | [ bRRihadAraNyaka upaniShad ] [BU]:
57 The word 'gloom' in the Muir's rendering is replaced here by the word 'darkness' to resonate with
the word tamas in the original Sanskrit text; in Advaita, tamas is equated with 'dark side' of avidyA.
58 BU (of SYV) is most conducive to Advaita philosophy. It is one of the biggest (6 chapters, 47
sections, 435 mantras) and oldest UP. Stanza 3.8.89 and 'netineti' description 4.2.4 etc offer
scriptural support to acosmic (nirguNa) brahman. mantras (1.4.10, 2.5.114, 3.4.12, 3.5.1, 3.7.323,
4.4.5) promulgate the axiom of transcendental identity Atman = brahman including the mahAvAkya
“I am brahman” [aham brahmAsmi] (1.4.10). BU 4.4.19 denies the multiplicity of relative world. BU
2.4.14 and 3.8.11 explain appearance of 'pure subject' – the unseen Seer, the unthought Thinker,
the unknown Knower. Vedanta tradition of hearing, pondering, and sustained meditation is based
on (2.4.5). BU refers meditation methods (vidyAs) such as antarAditya (5.52), pa.nchAgni (6.2),
prANAgnihotra (5.9), and udgItha (5.8.1). In 4.3 BU also discusses threestates (avasthAtraya) of
wakefulness, dreaming, and deepsleep and concludes that in deep sleep soul attains the supreme
bliss, the Ignorance being at rest and the self (jIvAtmA) is said to be in unity with Self (Atman);
there is no mention of transcendental Fourth state (turIya) here. BU offers two famous invocation
mantras: असतो मा सदगमय... (1.3.37) and पूणरमद: पूणरिमदं... (5.1).
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a) तदाहु : यत् बहिवदया सवर भिवषयनतः (१.४.९)
Through the Knowledge of brahman we shall become all (infinite

Being) (1.4.9)
b) अहं बहािसम (१.४.१०)
I am brahman (1.4.10)
c) अथात आदेशः -- नेित नेित (२.३.६)
Now therefore the declaration (of brahman) “Not this, Not this”
(2.3.6)
d) आतमा वा अरे दषवयः शोतवयो मनतवयो िनिदधािसतवयो मैतेिय, आतमनो वा अरे दशर नेन शवणेन मतया िवजानेने दं
सवर िविदतं (२.४.५)
The Self, O maitreyI, should be realized – should be heard of, should

be reflected on, should be meditated upon; By realization of this
(Self) all this is Known (2.4.5)
e) इदं सवर यदयमातमा (२.४.६)
This all is this Self (2.4.6)
f) यत िह दैतिमव भवित तिदतर इतरं िजघित, तिदतर इतरं पशयित, तिदतर इतरं शणोित, तिदतर इतरं अिभवदित,
तिदतर इतरं मनुते, तिदतर इतरं िवजानाित; यत वा असय सवर मातमैवाभूततकेन कं पशयेत्, ततकेन कं शुणुयात्,
ततकेन कं अिभवदेत्, ततकेन कं मनवीत्, ततकेन कं िवजािनयात् ? येनेदं सवर िवजानाित तं केन िवजािनयात्?
िवजातारमरे केन िवजािनयािदित (२.४.१४)
For when there is duality, as it ware, then one smells another, one
sees another, one hears another, one speaks another, one thinks
another, one knows another. When (however) all has become the
very Self of Knower of brahman then what should one smell and
through what? What should one see and through what? What should
one hear and through what? What should one speak and through
what? What should one think and through what? What should one
know and through what? “Through what should one know that owing
to which all this is known?” Through what, O dear, should one know
the Knower? (2.4.14)
g) इदं अमृतं इदं बह इदं सवर (२.५.१-१४)

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This (Self) is immortal, This (Self) is brahman, This (Self) is all

(2.5.1-14)
h) रपं रपं पितरपो बभूव तदसय रपं पितचकणाय । इनदो मायािभ पुररप ईयते युका हसय हरय: शता दश ||
(२.५.१९)
(He) assumes likeness of each form. That form of His is for His
revelation. The Lord, due to mAyA, is perceived as manifold, for Him
are yoked tens of hundreds of organs.
i) एष त आतमा सवारनतर: (३.४.१-२, ३.५.१)
(Tell me precisely about brahman That is immediate and direct – the

Self That is within all). This is your Self that is within all (3.4.1-2,
3.5.1)
j) एष त आतमा अनतयारमयमृत: (३.७.३-२३)
This is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal Self (3.7.3-23)
k) स होवाच, एतदै तदकरं गािगर बाहणा अिभवदिनत, असथुलं अनणु अलहसवं अदीघर मलोिहतं असनेहं अचछायं अतम:
अवायु: अनाकाशं असंगं अरसं अगंधं अचकु:कं अशोतं अवाक् अमन: अतेजसकं अपाणं अमुखं अमातं अनंतरं
अबाहं, न तदशनाित िकंचन न तदशनाित कशचन (३.८.८)
He said, 'O gArgI:, the knowers of brahman describe It verily as

immutable. It is neither gross nor minute, neither short nor long,
neither red color nor oiliness, neither shadow nor darkness, neither
air nor space, unattached, neither savor nor odor, without eyes or
ears, without vocal organ or mind, without the vital force or mouth,
not a measure, and without interior or exterior. It does not eat any
thing, nor is it eaten by any body (3.8.8)
l) एतसय वा अकरसय पशासने, गािगर , सुयारचनदमसौ िवधृतौ ितषत: एतसय वा अकरसय पशासने, गािगर , दावापृिथवयौ
िवधृते ितषत: एतसय वा अकरसय पशासने, गािगर , िनिमषे मुहूतार अहोराताणयधर मासा मासा ऋतव: संवतसरा इित
िवधृतािसतषिनत; एतसय वा अकरसय पशासने, गािगर , पाचयोऽनया नद: सयनदनते शवेतेभय: पवर तेभय: पतीचयोऽनया:,
यां यां च िदशमनु; एतसय वा अकरसय पशासने, गािगर , ददतो मनुषया: पशंसंित, यजमानं देवा:, दिवर म्
िपतरोऽनवायता: (३.८.९)
Under the mighty rule of this Immutable, O gArgI, the sun and moon
are held in their positions; under the mighty rule of this Immutable
O gArgI, heaven and earth maintain their positions; under the
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mighty rule of this Immutable, O gArgI, moments, Muhurtas, days

and nights, fortnights, months, seasons and years are held in their
respective places; under the mighty rule of this Immutable, O gArgI,
some rivers flow eastwards from the White Mountains, other flowing
westward continue in that direction, and still others keep their
respective courses; under the mighty rule of this Immutable, O
gArgI, men praise those that give, the gods depend on the sacrificer,
and the manes on independent offerings (darvIhoma) (3.8.9)
m) तदा एतदकरं गागयर दषम् दषा, अशुतं शोता, अमतं मंता, अिवजातं िवजाता; नानयददोऽिसत दषा, नानयददोऽिसत
शोता, नानयददोऽिसत मंता, नानयददोऽिसत िवजाता, इतिसमनु खलवकरे गागयारकाश ओतशच पोतशच इित
(३.८.११)
This immutable, O gArgI, which is the unseen Seer, unheard Hearer;

unthought Thinker; unknown Knower. There is no other witness, no
other hearer, no other thinker, no other knower. This very Absolute,
O gArgI, pervades the unmanifested space (3.8.11)
n) िवजानमाननदं बह (३.९.२८:७)
It is brahman which is absolute Consciousness and Bliss. (3.9.28:7)
o) असतिमत याजवलकय, चनदमसयसतिमते, शानतेऽगौ, शानतायां वािच िकंजयोितरेवायं पुरष इित; आतमैवासय
जयोितभर वतीित, आतमनैवायं जयोितषासते पलययते कमर कुरते िवपलयेतीित (४.३.६)
'After the sun and the moon have both set, the fire has gone out, and the
sound is hushed, yAGYavalkya, what serves as a light for a man?' 'The Self
indeed serves as his light. It is through the light of the Self that he sits, moves,
works and comes back.” (4.3.6)
p) स वा अयमातमा बह (४.४.५)
This same Self is verily brahman (4.4.5)
q) यथाकारी यथाचारी तथा भवित -- साधुकारी साधुभरवित, पापकारी पापो भवित; पुणयः पुणयेन कमर णा भवित,
पापः पापेन | अथो खलवाहु : काममय एवायं पुरष इित; स यथाकामो भवित ततकतुभरवित यतकतुभरवित ततकमर
कुरते, यतकमर कुरते तदिभसंपदते || (४.४.५)
Thus it is associated with what is perceived and what is inferred. As

it does and as it acts, so it becomes: The doer of good becomes
good, and the doer of evil becomes evil; it becomes virtuous through
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virtuous act and vicious through a vicious act. Others, however say
that the self is identified with desire alone. It resolves as it desires; it
does the work that it resolves; and it attains the result of the work it
does.
r) िवदानबहामृतोऽमृतं (४.४.१७)
Knowing brahman I am immortal (4.4.17)
s) नेह नानािसत िकंचन, मृतयो: स मृतयुमापनोित य इह नानेव पशयित (४.४.१९)
There is no multiplicity (nAnA) whatsoever here. He who sees

diversity here, as it were, goes from death to death (4.4.19)
t) एकधैवानुदषवयमेतदपमेयम् धुवं | िवरज: पर आकाशादज आतमा महानधृव: (४.४.२०)
It is to be realized as homogeneous (ekadhA), unknowable,

unflappable, and pure. Self is taintless, beyond the sky, birthless,
great (infinite) and unchanging (dhruva) (4.4.20)
u) स वा एष महानज आतमाजरोऽमरोऽमृतोऽभयो बह; अभयं वै बह; अभयं िह वै बह भवित य एवं वेद (४.४.२५)
That great birthless Self is undecaying, immortal, undying, fearless

brahman. brahman is indeed fearless. He who Knows It as such
certainly becomes the fearless brahman. (4.4.25)
v) स एष नेित नेतयातमा (४.२.४, ४.४.२२, ४.५.१५, ३.९.२६)
This is that “Not this, Not this” Self (4.2.4, 4.4.22, 4.5.15, 3.9.26)
w) तदेतततयम् िशकेत् -- दमं दानं दयािमित (५.२.३)
Therefore one should learn these three – self-control, charity, and

mercy.
x) सतयं िह एवं बह (५.४.१)
Truth indeed is the brahman (5.4.1)
y) असतो मा सदगमय, तमसो मा जयोितगर मय, मृतयोमार अमृतं गमय (१.३.२७)
From untruth lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from

death lead me to immortality (1.3.27) (N.B. This and the next
mantra are used for invocation)
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z) पूणरमद: पूणरिमदं पूणारतपूणरमुदचयते | पूणरसय पूणरमादाय पूणरमेवाविशषयते || (५.१)
That (brahman) is infinite, this (universe) too is infinite. The infinite

(universe) emanates from the infinite (brahman). Assimilating the
infinitude of the infinite (universe), the infinite ( brahman) alone is
left (5.1)
59
2.2.1.2 | छानदोगय उपिनषद् | [ ChAndogya upaniShad ] [CU]:
a) सवर खिलवदं बह तजजलािनित शांत उपासीत | अथ खलु कतुमयः पुरषो यथाकतुरिसमनलोके पुरषो भवित तथेतः
पेतय भवित स कतुं कुवीत || (३.१४.१)
“Verily , all this is brahman.” From Him do all things originate, into
Him do they dissolve and by Him are they sustained. On Him should
one mediate in peace. For as his one's conviction such indeed one is;
and as is one's conviction in this world, such one becomes on
departing hence. Let one therefore cultivate conviction (3.14.1)
b) सवर कमार सवर कामः सवर गनधः सवर रसः सवारिमदमभयातोऽवाकयनादर एष मे आतमानतहरदय एतदबहैतिमतः
पेतयािभसमभािवतसमीित यसय सयाददा न िविचिकतसासतीित ह समाह शािणडलयः शािणडलयः (३.१४.२, ४)
That which is (origin of) all actions, all desires, all odors, all tastes;
which pervades all this; which is without speech (and other senses),
and which is free from hankering – (That is my Self) (3.14.2) –
residing in (the lotus of) heart; He is brahman. On departing hence I
shall attain to His being. One who possesses this true faith, has no
further doubt. Thus declared shANDilya, – yes, shANDilya. (3.14.2, 4)
c) एष म आतमानतहरदयेऽणीयानवीहेवार यवादा सषर पादा शयामाकादा शयामाकतणडु लादैष म आतमानतहरदये
59 CU (of SV) is one of the two biggest and oldest UP quoted most frequently by sha.nkara in his

commentaries. It has 8 chapters, 154 sections, and 628 mantras. It begins with meditation on Om,
sung by udgAtR priests. Ch2 recommends various meditations (vidyAs) with sAmans (mantras
of SV) including reference to four Ashramas (stages of life) and wisdom of the Knower (of
brahman) attaining immortality. In the following chapters vidyAs such as madhu (3.111), gAyatrI
(3.12), shANDilya (3.14), puruSha (3.1617), saMvarga (4.3), upakosala (4.1015), axipuruSha
(4.15.1), pa.nchAgni (5.310), vaishvAnara (5.1017), sat (6.12), bhUmA (7.2325), dahara (8.1) are
referred. pa.nchAgnividyA also appears in BU and delineates the process by which the dead
returns to this world again. Ch6 is philosophically the most important chapter in which Vedanta's
version of satkAryavAda (causeeffect relationship) is explained along various similes to assert that
all forms are only names based on words and only material (cause) of which these forms are made
of is true. It also asserts the Atman = brahman identity in the 'great sentence' (mahAvAkya) Thou
Art That [tat tvam asi] which is repeated nine times (6.816) in CU. In Ch7 sanatkumAra guides
nArada; and in Ch8 prajApati leads Indra, in stages, to the Knowledge of Self.
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जयायानपुिथववया जयायाननतिरकाजयायािनदवो जयायानेभयो लोकेभयः(३.१४.३)
This Self of mine within the heart, is smaller than the paddy or barley
or mustard or millet seed or a kernel of a millet seed. This Self of
mine within the heart, is greater than the earth, greater than the
intermediate space, greater than heaven, greater than all these
worlds (3.14.3)
d) यथा सोमयैकेन मृितपंडेन सवर मृनमयं िवजातं सयादाचारमभणं िवकारो नामधेयं मृितकेतयेव सतयं (६.१.४)
Just as through a single clod of clay all that is made of clay would be
known, “all modification is but name based upon words” and the
clay alone is the truth (6.1.4)
e) सदेव सोमयेदमग आसीदेकमेवादीतीयं (६.२.१-२)
In the beginning, O dear, 'This was Being alone, one only without a
second' (6.2.1-2)
f) तदैकत बहु सयां पजायेयेित ततेजोऽसृजत ततेज ऐकत बहु सयां पजायेयेित तदपोऽसृजत ता आप ऐकनत बहः सयाम
पजायेमहीित ता अनमसृजनत (६.२.३-४)
That Being willed, 'May I become many, may I grow forth'. It created
fire. That fire willed, 'May I become many, may I grow forth'. It
created water. That water willed, 'May I become many, may I grow
forth'. It created food (6.2.3-4)
g) वाचारमभणं िवकारो नामधेयं तीिण रपाणीतयेव सतयं (६.४.१-४)
All modification is but name based on words, only the three forms
are real (6.4.1-4)
h) सोमयेमाः सवारः पजाः सदायतना: सतपितषा: (६.८.४, ६)
All these creatures, dear boy, have Being as their root, have Being as
their abode, and have Being as their support (6.8.4, 6)
i) स य एषोऽिणमैतदातमयिमदं सवर ततसतयं स आतमा ततवमिस शवेतकेतो (६.८-१६)*
That which is this subtle essence, all this (cosmos) has got That as
the Self. That is Truth. That is Self. “Thou art That,” O Svetaketu
(6.8.7, 6.9.4, 6.10.3, 6.11.2, 6.12.3, 6.13.2, 6.14.2, 6.15.2, 6.16.3)
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j) यत नानयतपशयित नानयचछरणोित नानयिदजानाित स भूमाथ, यो वै भूमा तदमृतमथ यदलपं तनमतयर म् (७.२४.१)
In which one sees nothing else, hears nothing else, understands

nothing else, that is the infinite. That (brahman, bhUmA) which is
infinite, is alone immortal, and that which is finite is mortal. (7.24.1)
k) आतमैवेदं सवर िमित (७.२५.२)
The Self indeed is all this (7.25.2)
l) तसय ह वा एतसयैवं पशयत एवं मनवानसयैवम् िवजानत आतमतः पाण आतमत आशातमत: समर आतमत आकाश
आतमतसतेज आतमत आप आतमत आिवभारवितरोभावावातमतोऽनमातमतो बलमातमतो िवजानमातमतो
धयानमातमतिशचतमातमतः संकलप आतमतो मन आतमतो कमारणयातमत एवेदं सवर िमित (७.२६.१)
Verily from him alone who sees thus, reflects thus and understands
thus, prANa spring from Atman, AkAsha from Atman, fire from
Atman, water from Atman, appearance and disappearance from
Atman, food from Atman, strength from Atman, understanding from
Atman, contemplation from Atman, intelligence from Atman, will
from Atman, mind from Atman, speech from Atman, name from
Atman, hymns from Atman, rites from Atman; all this (springs) from
Atman alone (7.26.1)
m) एष आतमेित होवाचैतदमृतमभयमेतदबहेित तसय ह वा एतसय बहणोनाम सतयिमित (८.३.४)
This is the Self. This is immortal. This is beyond all fear. This is
brahman. Verily, the name of this brahman is truth (8.3.4)
n) य आतमापहतपापमा िवजरो िवमृतयुिवर शोको िविजघतसोऽिपपासः सतयकामः सतयसंकलप: सोऽनवेषवय: स

िविजजािसतवय: स सवारशच लोकानापनोित सवारशच कामानयसतमातमानमनुिवद िवजानातीित ह पजापितरवाच
(८.७.१)
The Atman which is free from evil, old age, and death, free from
sorrow, free from hunger and thirst, whose desire is of the truth,
whose resolve is of the truth, he should be sought, him one should
desire to understand (8.7.1)
60
2.2.1.3 | तै ि तरीय उपिनषद् | [ taittirIya upaniShad ] [TU]:
60 TU (of KYV) has 3 chapters and 31 mantras. Ch2 (brahmAnandvallii) opens with the declaration
“Knower of brahman attains the highest” and offers the most authentic description of brahman viz
Truth KnowledgeInfinity. It then outlines the concept of hierarchical five sheaths of personality with
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a) ओिमित बह | ओिमतीदं सवर | (१.८.१)
Om is brahman. Om is all this (1.8.1)
b) सतयं वद | धमर चर | सवाधयानमा पमद: | (१.११.१)
Speak the truth. Practice rightness. Don't miss your study (1.11.1)
c) बहिवदापनोित परं | (२.१.१)
The Knower of brahman attains the param [brahman] (2.1.1)
d) सतयं जानं अनंतं बह | (२.१.१)
brahman is Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity (2.1.1)
e) तसमादा एतसमादातमन आकाश: संभूत: | आकाशादायु: | वायोरिग: | अगेराप: | अदभय: पृिथवी | पृिथवया ओषधय:
| ओषधीभयोऽनं | अनातपुरष: | (२.१.१)
From that brahman indeed, which is this Self, was produced space.
From space emerged air. From air was born fire. From fire was
created water. From water sprang earth. From earth were born the
herbs. From the herbs was produced food. From food was born man.
(2.1.1)
f) यतो वाचो िनवतर नते | अपापय मनसा सह | आनंदं बहणो िवदान् | न िबभेित कदाचनेित | (२.४.१, २.९.१)
One is not subjected to fear at any time, if one Knows the bliss that
is brahma, failing to reach which words along with the mind turn
back (2.4.1, 2.9.1)
g) सोऽकामयत | बहु सयां पजायेयेित | स तपोऽतपयत | स तपसतपतवा | इदं सवर मसृजत | यिददं िकंच | ततसृषटा |
तदेवानुपािवशत | तदनुपिवशय | सचच तयचचाभवत् | िनरकं चािनरकं च | िनलयनं चािनलयनं च | िवजानं
चािवजानं च | सतयं चानृतं च सतयमभवत् | यिददं िकंच | तद् सतयिमतयाचकते | (२.६.१)
He (the Self) wished, 'Let me be many, let me be born.' He

undertook the deliberation. Having deliberated, He created all this.
That (brahman) having created (that), entered into that very thing.
And having entered there, It became the formed and the formless,
increasing interiority, which is adapted and termed by sha.nkara as pa.nchakosha. TU also

separately identifies brahman with Truth (2.6.1), with Knowledge (3.5.1), and with Bliss (2.4.1, 2.4.9,
2.7.1, 2.9.1, 3.6.1). Later Advaita interpreted Bliss (peace) as the experience of Infinity and
described brahman as “ExistenceAwarenessBliss” [satchitAnanda]. TU saliently brings forth the
Ananda [bliss, peace] aspect of the brahman.
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the defined and the undefined, the sustaining and the non-
sustaining, the sentient and the insentient, the true and the untrue.
Truth became all this that there is. They call That as Truth (2.6.1)
h) असदा इदमग आसीत | ततो वै सदजायत | तदातमानं सवयमकुरत | तसमाततसुकृतमुचयत इित | (२.७.१)
In the beginning all this was but the unmanifested. From that
emerged the manifested. That brahman created Itself by Itself.
Therefore It is called the self-creator. (2.7.1)
i) िवजानं बहेित वयजानात् | (३.५.१)
(He) knew Knowledge as brahman (3.5.1)
j) आननदो बहेित वयजानात् | (३.६.१)
(He) knew Bliss as brahman (3.6.1)

61
2.2.1.4 | कठ उपिनषद् | [ kaTha upaniShad ] [KU]:
a) दरू मेते िवपरीते िवषूची अिवदा या च िवदेित जाता | (१.२.४)
That which is known as Knowledge and that which is known as

Ignorance are widely contradictory and they follow divergent courses
(1.2.4)
b) नैषा तकेण मितरापनेया | (१.२.९)
This (Knowledge) is not accessible to mind by logic (1.2.9)
c) न जायते िमयते वा िवपिशचनायं कुतिशचन बभूव किशचत् | अजो िनतय: शाशवतोऽयं पुराणो न हनयते हनयमाने शरीरे
(१.२.१८)
The Self is neither born nor does it die. It did not originate from
61 KU (of KYV) has 6 chapters and 120 mantras. It is built around the story of nachiketA who saw his
sacrificeperforming father gifting away useless cows. He offered himself to make good this
imperfect sacrifice. His father in a fit of rage cursed his son 'I give you to death'. In obedience
nachiketA approached yama, the God of death and in the process acquired Knowledge which is
worded in this Up.. It talks about two choices before humans, one of preyas (short term 'pleasure')
and another of shreyas (long term 'goodness'). It declares Knowledge (Selfrealizarion) as the
highest aspect of shreyas; while preyas is said to be the path of Ignorance (avidyA). KU declares
Atman to be unborn, eternal, and acausal (1.2.18). Self reveals Itself on Its own (1.2.23), and on the
other hand Selfrealization is not possible without selfcontrol (1.2.24). KU uses simile of chariot
(1.3.39) in which self or soul (here called Atman) is the master of chariot, intellect is the charioteer,
and final destination (param padam) is the abode of God, which is described as puruSha (1.3.11)
and as “That” (acosmic brahman) (1.3.15). The absolute idealism [nirupAdhika chidvAda] of KU is
expressed in (2.2.15). KU is multifaceted; it has absolutist, theist, kArmika, and yogika strands.
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anything nor did anything originate from it. It is birthless, eternal,

undecaying, and ancient. It is not injured even when the body is
killed (1.2.18)
d) अणोरणीयानमहतो महीयानातमा ॥ (१.२.२०)
The Self is subtler than the subtle and greater than the great (1.2.20)
e) नायमातमा पवचनेन लभयो न मेधया न बहु ना शुतेन | यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभयसतैष आतमा िववृणुते तनूं सवां ||
(१.२.२३)
This Self cannot be known through much study, nor through the
intellect, nor trough much hearing. It can be known through the Self
alone that the aspirant prays so; this Self of that seeker reveals Its
true nature (1.2.23).
f) नािवरतो दशु चिरतानाशानतो नासमािहत: | नाशानतमानसो वाऽिप पजानेनैनमापनुयात् || (१.२.२४)
One who has not desisted from bad conduct, whose senses are not
under control, whose mind is not concentrated, whose mind is not
tranquil, cannot attain this Self through knowledge. (1.2.24)
g) अशबदमसपशर मरपमवययं तथाऽरसं िनतयमगंधवचच यत् | अनादननतं महत: परं धुवम् िनचायय तनमृतयुमुखात्
पमुचयते || (१.३.१५)
One becomes free from the jaws of death by Knowing That which is
sound-less, touch-less, colorless, undiminishing, and also tasteless,
eternal, odor-less, beginningless, endless, distinct from mahat and
ever constant (1.3.15)
h) एन रपं रसं गंधं शबदान् सपशारशच मैथुनान् | एतेनैव िवजानाित िकमत पिरिशषयते | एतदै तत् || (२.१.३)
What remains here (unknowable to this Self) through which very Self
people perceive color, taste, smell, sound, touch, and sexual
pleasure? This indeed is That (Self) (2.1.3)
i) यदेवेह तदमुत यदमुत तदिनवह | (२.१.१०) मनसैवेदमापवयं नेह नानाऽिसत िकंचन | मृतयो: स मृतयुं गचछित य इह
नानेव पशयिनत || (२.१.११)
What indeed is here, is there; what is there is here likewise (2.1.10).

This is to be attained through the mind indeed (2.1.11). There is no
diversity here whatsoever. He who sees as though there is difference
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here, goes from death to death (2.1.10-11)
j) एकसतथा सवर भूतानतरातमा | रपं रपं पितरपो बभूव || (२.२.९-१०)
The Self inside all beings, though one, assume a form in respect of
each shape; and (yet) It is outside (2.2.9-10)
k) न तत सूयो भाित न चनद तारकं | नेमा िवदुतो भािनत कुतोऽयमिग: | तमेव भानतमनुभाित सवर | तसय भासा सवर िमदं
िवभाित || (२.२.१५)
There the sun does not shine, nor the moon or the stars; nor do
these flashes of lightning shine there. How can this fire do so? “He
shining all these shine; through his luster all these are illumined”
(2.2.15)
l) यम जातवा मुचयते जानतुरामृतततवं च गचछित | (२.३.८)
Knowing That a man becomes freed and attains immortality (2.3.8)
m) यदा सवे पमुचयनते कामा येऽसय हिद िशता: | अथ मतयोऽमृतो भवतयत बह समशनुते || (२.३.१४)
When all desires clinging to one's heart fall off, then a mortal
becomes immortal (and he) attains brahman here. (2.3.14)
62
2.2.1.5 | मुण डक उपिनषद् | [ muNDaka upaniShad ] [MU]:
a) स बहिवदां सवर िवदापितषां | (१.१.१)
That Knowledge of brahman is the basis of all knowledge (1.1.1)
b) दे िवदे वेिदतवये इित ह सम यदबहिवदो वदिनत परा चैवापरा च || (१.१.४)
There are two kinds of knowledge to be known as told by the wise -

the higher and the lower (1.1.4).
c) ततापरा ॠगवेदो यजुवेद: सामवेदोऽथवर वेद: िशका कलपो वयाकरणं िनरकं छनदो जयोितषिमित | अथ परा यया
62 MU (of AV) comprises 3 chapters, 6 sections, and 64 mantras. To start with, MU declares that
brahman is the basis of all knowledge (1.1.1) and divides the knowledge as upper Knowledge (para
vidyA) of brahman and lower knowledge (apara vidyA) of empirical shAstras including Veda (1.1.4).
MU points out limitations of sacrificial rituals (yaGYas) and advises the Seeker to eschew them like
a fragile raft (1.2.7), to take to the life of renunciation and approach the Guru for Knowledge
[brahmavidyA] (1.2.1213). MU 1.2.7 is the strongest possible statement of Vedanta against the
sacrificial rites and rituals. MU teaches panentheistic principle in the name of puruSha (2.1.2),
Knowing which the knot of Ignorance is dissolved (2.1.10), and actions are dissipated (2.2.8). The
absolute idealism [nirupAdhika chidvAda] of KU is declared here in the same words (2.2.10) as also
with the same belief that Self reveals Itself on Its own (3.2.3). The metaphor of “two birds perching
on the same tree” appears in (3.1.1) while the well known declaration that “truth alone wins and not
untruth” [satyameva jayate nAnRRitam] appears in (3.1.6).
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तदकरमिधगमयते || (१.१.५)
Of these the lower comprises the RRigveda, yajurveda, sAma-Veda,

atharva-Veda, grammar, etymology, meter, astrology etc. Then
there is the higher (Knowledge) by which attained that Imperishable
(brahman) (1.1.5)
d) पलवा हेते अदढा यजरपा अषादशोकमवरं येषु कमर | एतचछरेयो येिभननदिनत मूढा जरामृतयुं ते पुनरेवािप यिनत ||
(१.२.७)
Since a sacrifice of 18 constituents (16 priests and sacrificer couple)

on whom the the inferior karma has been said to rest is like a fragile
raft, therefore those ignorant people who get elated with the idea
'This is (the cause of) Bliss, undergo old age and death over again
(1.2.7)
e) िदवयो हमूतर पुरष: सबाहाभयनतरो हज: | अपाणो हमना: शुभो हकरातपरत: परः || (२.१.२)
The puruSha is transcendental since He is formless. And since he is

coextensive with all that is external and internal and since he is
birth-less, he is without vital force and mind; He is pure and superior
to (other) superior imperishable (mAyA) (2.1.2)
f) पुरष एवेदं िवशवं कमर तपो बह परामृतं | एतदो वेद िनिहतं गुहायां सोऽिवदागंिथं िविकरतीह सोमय || (२.१.१०)
The puruSha alone is all this – karma and Knowledge. He who Knows
this supreme, immortal brahman, existing in the heart, destroys here
the knot of Ignorance (2.1.10)
g) िभदते हदयगिनथिशछदनते सवर संशया: | कीयनते चासय कमारिण तिसमन् दषे परावरे || (२.२.८)
When that Self, which is both high and the low, is realized, the knot
of the heart gets untied, all doubts are dissolved and all one's
actions become dissipated (2.2.8)
h) तमेव भानतमनुभाित सवर | तसय भासा सवर िमदं िवभाित || (२.२.१०)
He shining all these shine; through his luster all these are illumined
(2.2.10)
i) बहैवेदममृतं पुरसतादबह पशचादबहदिकणतशचोतरेण | अथशचोधवर म् च पसुतं बहैवेदं िवशविमदं विरषं ||

(२.२.११)
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All this that is in front is but brahman, the immortal. brahman is at

the back, as also on the right and the left. It is extended above and
below, too. This world is nothing but brahman, the highest (2.2.11)
j) दा सुपणार सयुजा सखाया समानं वृकं पिरषसवजाते | तयोरनय: िपपपलं सवादतयनशनननयो अिभचाकशीित ||
(३.१.१)
Two birds that are bosom friends, cling to the same tree. Of these,
one eats the sweet fruit, and the other looks on without eating
(3.1.1)
k) सतयमेव जयते नानृतं | (३.१.५)
Truth alone wins and not untruth. (3.1.5)
l) स यो ह वै ततपरमं बह वेद बहैव भवित | (३.२.९)
Any one who Knows brahman becomes brahman indeed. (3.2.9)

63
2.2.1.6 | ऐतरे य उपिनषद् | [ aitareya upaniShad ] [AU]:
a) आतमा वा इदमेक एवाग आसीत | नानयत िकंचन िमषत् | स ईकत लोकानु सृजा इित || (१.१.१)
In the beginning this was but the absolute Self alone. There was
nothing else what so ever that winked. It thought 'let me create the
worlds'. (1.1.1)
b) सवर ततपजानेतं पजाने पितिषतं पजानेतो लोक: पजा पितषा "पजानं बह" || (३.१.३)
All these are impelled by consciousness. Consciousness is

substratum. Universe has Consciousness as its eye, and
Consciousness as its end. Consciousness [praGYAnam] is the
'ultimate Reality' [brahma] (3.1.3)
64
2.2.1.7 | मांडू कय उपिनषद् | [ mANDUkya upaniShad ] [MAU]:
63 AU (of RV) has 3 chapters, 5 sections, and 33 mantras. In Ch1 it says “in the beginning the
Atman was one alone and thought “let Me create the worlds” (1.1.1). AU then gives a rather
elaborate account of creation including His entry into the soul (1.3.12). In the last chapter it
distinguishes between mind and consciousness and gives its important mahAvAkya: “pure
consciousness is brahman” [praGYAnam brahma].
64 MAU (of AV) is quite small in size (12 mantra), but one of the most important UP because (a) it
uses daytoday experience of three states (avasthAtraya) of jAgrutI (wakefulness), svapna (dream),
and sushuptI (deep sleep) to derive its truth of turIya (the Fourth), the ultimate Reality; and (b) a
commentary called kArikA attributed to gauDapAda is the earliest record of Advaita as a system; it
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a) सवर हेतद् बह "अयमातमा बह" | (२)
All this is verily brahman. This Self is brahman (2)
b) नानत:पजं न बिहषपजं नोभयत:पजं न पजानघनं न पजं नापजं | अदषमवयवहायर मगाहमलकणं अिचनतयं अवयपदेशयं
एकातम-पतययसारं पपंचोशमं शानतं िशवामादैतं चतुथर मनयनते स आतमा स िवजेय || (७)
They consider the Fourth to be that which is not conscious of the

internal world, nor conscious of the external world, nor conscious of
both the worlds, nor a mass of consciousness, nor conscious, nor
unconscious; which is unseen, beyond empirical dealings, beyond
grasp, uninferable, unthinkable, indescribable; whose valid proof
consists in the single belief in the Self; in which all phenomenon
cease; and which is unchanging, auspicious, and non dual. That is
the Self, that is to be Known (7)
65
2.2.1.8 | के न उपिनषद् | [ kena upaniShad ] [KEU]:
a) यदाचाऽनाभयुिदतं येन वागभयुदते | यनमनसा न मनुते येनाहु मरनो मतं | यचचकुषा न पशयित येन चकूिमष पशयित |
यचछरोतेण न शुणोित येन शोतिमदं शुतं | यतपाणेन न पािणित येन पाण: पणीयते | तदेव बह तवं िविद नेदं
यिददमुपासते || (१.५-९)
That which is not uttered by speech, (but) by which speech is

revealed; That which is not comprehended by mind, (but) by which
mind is encompassed; That which is not seen by the eye, (but) by
which eye is able to see; That which is not heard by the ear, (but) by
which hearing is effected; That which is not vitalized by the vital
forces, (but) by which forces are vitalized – Know That to be
brahman (1.5-9)
b) यसयामतं तसय मतं मतं यसय न वेद स: | अिवजातं िवजानतां िवजातमिवजानतां || (२.३)
is based on this Up.. Its second mantra gives the 'great sentence “This Self is brahman”
[ayamAtmA brahma], while mantra7 describes Self (= brahman) as turIya in the manner of neti
neti, to express Its acosmic nature.
65 KEU (of SV), also known as talavakAra Up., has 4 chapters and 35 mantras. Its first half is metrical
and the second half is prose. In Ch1 brahman is described as Atman which cannot be known or
perceived as an object, it being a pure subject and the support of all our sense organs and mind
(1.28). When this pure subject – the Seer, the Knower etc is realized; that person becomes
immortal (1.9). In Ch2 the inscrutable nature of brahman is described while in Ch4 it is called by
secondary adjectives such as adorable (vanam) (4.6) and ananta svarga loka (boundless bliss),
and the Knower is said to remain firmly seated (there) (4.9).
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It is Known to him to whom It is unknown; he does not know to whom

it is Known. It is unknown to those who know well, and Known to
those who do not know. (2.3)
c) पितबोधिविदतं मतममृततवं िह िवदंते | आतमना िवदंते वीयर िवदया िवदंतेऽमृतं || (२.४)
It is really Known in each state of consciousness. Through one's own

self one gets ability (so that); through Knowledge is attained
immortality (2.4)
66
2.2.1.9 | पशन उपिनषद् | [ prashna upaniShad ] [PU]:
a) एतदै सतयकाम परं चापरं च बह यदोकार: | तसमािददानेतेनैवाऽऽयतनेनैकतरमनवेित || (५.२)
O Satyakama, this brahman, (known as) the inferior and the

superior, is but this Om. Therefore the illumined soul attains either of
the two thro' this one means alone (5.2).
b) स यथेमा नद: सयनदमाना: समुदायणा: समुदं पापयासतं गचछिनत िभदेते तासां नामरपे समुद इतयेवं पोचयते |
एवमेवासय पिरदषु िरमा: षोडश कला: पुरषायणा: पुरषं पापयासतं गचछिनत िभदेते चासां नामरपे पुरष इतयेवं पोचयते
स एषोऽकलोऽमृतो भवित || (६.५)
Just as these flowing rivers that has sea as the goal, get absorbed
after reaching the sea; their name-forms are destroyed, and they
are called merely the sea, so also these sixteen parts of the all
seeing puruSha, that have puruSha as their goal, disappear on
reaching the puruSha, when their name-forms are destroyed as they
are simply called as puruSha. Such a human of realization becomes
free of the parts & is immortal (6.5).
c) अरा इव रथनाभौ कला यिसमनपितिषता: | तं वेदं पुरषं वेद यथा मा वो मृतयु: पिरवयथा इित || (६.६)
You should Know that puruSha who is worthy to be known; in him are
66 PU (of AV) has 6 chapters each dealing with one of the 6 questions asked by 6 sages to seer
pippalAda. The discourse is described in 67 mantras. The last three questions, according to
AnandagirI's gloss, pertains to MU verses 2.1.1, 2.2.4, and 2.1.3 respectively. In Ch1 prajApati (the
Lord of All) is said to create the universe through the combination of rayi (soma or matter) and
prANa (fire or Aditya or spirit). Ch2 describes main prANa (lifeforce) as the support of the body
while, Ch3 traces it to the Self. Ch4 discusses dream and deep sleep. In the later, jIva is said to
merge with supreme Self (Atman). PU 4.8 describes subtle and gross elements. The next chapter
delineates the meditation on praNava (Om) to attain brahmaloka, while in the last, shodashakalA
puruSha (person with 16 parts or jIvAtman) after destruction of the parts becomes puruSha
(Atman) like flowing rivers get absorbed in Sea and are called Sea only (6.6).
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transfixed the parts like spokes in nave of a chariot wheel, so that

death should not afflict you. (6.6).
67
2.2.1.10 | ईश उपिनषद् | [ Isha upaniShad ] [IU]:
a) ईशा वासयिमदं सवर यितकंच जगतयां जगत् | (१)
All this – whatever lives in the World – should be covered by the Lord
(1)
b) यसतु सवारिण भूतानयातमनयेवानुपशयित | सवर भूतेषु चातमानं ततो न िवजुगुपसते || (६)
He who sees all beings in the Self itself, and the Self in all beings,
feels no hatred by virtue of that (realization). (6)
c) अिवदया मृतयुं तीतवार िवदयाऽमृतमशनुते || (११)
(One) attains immortality thro' vidyA by crossing over death thro'

avidyA (11)
68
2.2.1.11 | शवे त ाशवतर उपिनषद् | [ shvetAshvatara upanishad ] [SU]
a) पञसोतोऽमबुं पञयोनयुगवकां पञपाणोिमर पञबुदधयािदमूलाम् | पञावतार पञद ु:खौघवेगां पञाशदेदां पञपवारमधीम

(१.५)
67 IU (of SYV) with 17 mantras is the smallest Up. after MAU and is the only one coming in saMhitA
portion. It is one of the earliest and clearest pantheist expressions. It teaches that the whole
universe is pervaded by IU (the Godhead). It encourages the human beings to live full life by
performing karma (duties). After describing the nature of Atman, IU declares that one who has
realized Self sees the same in others and transcends sorrow and delusion. It prefers avidyA (here,
karma as duty) over vidyA (here, meditation without faith) (9). It also prefers asaMbhUti (meditation
of unmanifest) over saMbhUti (meditation of manifest) (12).
68 SU (of KYV) with 113 mantras is divided into six chapters. Ch1 captures the flow, motion and
cyclic nature of the world process (saMsAra or brahmachakra), akin to bhAvachakra of Buddhism
(1.46). SU however, brings out the difference between the two by refuting naturalism and
confirming brahman as the propeller of this brahmachakra 'appearance' (6.1). SU is aware of the
reality of impersonal and absolute brahman beyond existence and nonexistence (4.18), beyond
space and time (3.14, 5.13, 6.5), only as Witness (sAxi chetA) and w/o any qualities (nirguNa, 6.11).
At the same time, SU displays its theist inclinations by naming the highest reality as hara, rudra,
shiva (1.10, 3.4&7, 4.10&12), demanding Its attention (3.5), declaring It to be the Lord of all their
cause and refuge (3.17), the beneficent (4.11), creator of time and director of karma (6.2) etc.
In addition to brahmachakra, SU elucidates the concept of mAyA; which is equated with prkRRiti as
the very nature (and power) of God (4.10). SU alludes to vivarta (appearance) where the word
vivartate is used for the first time in aupaniShad terminology (6.2). SU puts forth the idea of periodic
dissolution and reproduction of Universe (3.2, 5.3, 6.3). Allusion to 3fold guNa is there (4.5); karma
theory comes explicitly in (5.7, 5.12); and implicitly in famous 'twobirds' metaphor (4.67). The
luminosity of ultimate reality is repeated here in SU 6.14, after KU 2.2.15 and MU 2.2.10. Most of
these ideas are there in BG too which were picked up by later theist vaishNava and shaiva Schools.
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We know (the river) that has five currents of water, made turbulent
and winding by the five elements, whose waves are the five organs
of action, whose origin (mind) is the root of five perceptions, which
has five and whose rapids are the five fold misery; (Further) it has
five whirlpools pain bearing obstructions and (totals) fifty variations.
(1.5)
b) सवारजीवे सवर संसथे बृहनते अिसमनहंसो भामयते बहचके | पृथगातमानं पेिरतारं च मतवा जुषसततसतेनामृततवमेित ||
(१.६)
In this great wheel of brahman all life life exists, and in that it finally
dissolves, in it the souls rotate deluding themselves as separate
from brahman (the controller). When however, it adores (identifies
with) God, it becomes immortal. (1.6)
c) सहसशीषार पुरषः सहसाकः सहसपात् | स भूिमं िवशवतो वृतवातयितषदशाङुलम् || (३.१४)
The puruSha has thousand heads, thousand eyes, and thousand

feet. Pervading the universe totally He remains transcendent over it
by ten fingers breadth. (3.14)
d) मायां तु पकृितं िवदानमाियनं तु महेशवरम् | तसयवयवभूतसै तु वयापं सवर िमदं जगत् || (४.१०)
Know nature to be mAyA, and the Lord to be the reality (controller)

of mAyA. Indeed by objects which are of His own effect, this entire
universe is pervaded. (4.10)
e) यदातमसतन िदवा न राितनर संन चासिञछव एव केवलः | तदकरं ततसिवतुवररणे यं पजा च तसमातपसृता पुराणी ||
(४.१८)
When Ignorance is gone, then there remains neither day nor night,
no existence or non-existence, but Shiva alone the absolute and
imperishable. From Him proceeded the ancient wisdom. That savitA
indeed is worthy of adoration. (4.18)
f) अनादननतं किललसय मधये िवशवसय सषारमनेकरपम् | िवशवसयैकं पिरवेिषतारं जातवा देवं मुचयते सवर पाशे ||
(५.१३)
The beginningless and infinite exists in the middle of chaos (the

world) and is the projector of the universe of various forms. Realizing
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Him, the One who pervades the universe, one is free from all fetters.
(5.13)
g) देवासयैष मिहमा तु लोके येनेदं भामयते बहचकम् || (६.१)
It is because of the glory of the God only, the wheel of brahma

appears to be rotating in the (form of ever changing) world. (6.1)
h) येनावृतं िनतयिमदं िह सवर ज: कालकारो गुणी सवर िवदः | तेनेिशतं कमर िववतर ते ह पृथवयपेजोऽिनलखािन िचनतयम् ||
(६.२)
By whom all this is pervaded constantly, who is omniscient, the

creator of time, (the source of) all qualities, omnipresent; on whose
basis the action of creation appears (by transfiguration) as Earth,
Water, Fire, Air, and Space; Meditate on Him. (6.2)
i) ततकमर कृतवा िविनवतयर भूयसततवसय ततवेन समेतय योगम् | एकेन दाभयां ितिभरषिभवार कालेन चैवातमगुणशै च सूकमै :
|| (६.३)
After producing that work w/o any change in Him (by mere Witnessing), (He)
again brings about union (of Self) with one (avyakta), two (puruSha,
prakRRiti), three (sattva, rajas, tamas), or eight (five mahAbhUta-s, manas,
buddhi, aham) principles of nature with time and other subtle parts (of jIva-s)
(6.3)
j) एको देवः सवर भूतेषु गूढः सवर वयापी सवर भूतानतरातमा | कमारधयक: सवर भूतािधवासः सािक चेता केवलो िनगुरणशच ||
(६.११)
The one divinity is hidden in all beings and is all pervasive and the inmost Self
of the all, supervisor of all actions, resides in all beings, the Witness
Consciousness, the absolute devoid of all qualities. (6.11)
2.3 Metaphysical Criteria:
2.3.1 Cognition or experience is the most basic and natural criteria of

reality for all sentient beings. In Advaita, 'experience is knowledge' and at
the relative level, it includes sensory perceptions, thinking, emotions,
intellect and every thing which we associate with 'psychic apparatus'
(mind, antaHkaraNa). It is customary to assume that mind operates in four
interconnected modes, namely manas (experiential), buddhi (intellectual),
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ahaMkAra (subjective), and chitta (memorative) with their respective

faculties viz. experience, intellect, subjectivity, and memory. Subject-
object duality appears naturally in the cognition. The existence of Self (as
a cognizing subject) is beyond doubt; the argument of denial itself is
associated with the Self. The UP make exhaustive search of It and conclude
that in any cognition; Self is the pure Subject. It is the unseen Seer, the
unthought Thinker, the unknown Knower – the incognizant Cognizer (BU
69
3.8.11). It cannot be the object of cognition; It is the basis of cognition. It
can only be self-evident or self-Knowable (सवयंवेद) (US 18.203). It is the
70
eternal, undifferentiated Consciousness . In any empirical experience It
appears as Witness-Consciousness [sAxi-chaitanya]. (see 2.8(4)). Mind in
itself is said to be unconscious, but becomes conscious when pervaded by
the Self; which, in its individuated form is known as sAxin [सािकन्], the
passive observer. Just as the 'space limited in a pot' (ghaTAkAsha) is the
same as 'limitless space' (mahAkAsha); this sAxin as individuated in a
body is nothing but Self (Atman). The complex of sAxin and mind is the
provisional experiencer, and in that form it is known as jIva or empirical
self. This complex endures in one form or other throughout jIva's 'living
experience' till the final release after which sAxin remains as Self
69 sureshvara, in his BUBhV ((vol1) 919922), distinguishes between (a) perception which reveals
objects without differentiating them, and (b) cognition which differentiates the perceived objects
mediately. This perception (a) or direct experience is the basis of cognition; It is undifferentiated
Awareness or Self [Atman]. In US 5.5 too, pure Experience, the residual cognition after removal of
'objective' part (idama.nsha) from it, is taken as Self. The commentators of US like rAmatIrtha,
bodhanidhi, and AnandaGYAna equate this pure Experience with sAxin (ref 7.3(16)).
70 In TUBhV 2.651 sureshvara argues: to know that 'consciousness' had a beginning at a point of
time, the absence of consciousness prior to that point of time (prAgabhAva) needed to be known.
The knower has to be a conscious entity because unconscious (insentient) entity can never be
credited with the knowledge. In such a case consciousness has no prior nonexistence; it is
beginningless. Similarly, to know that consciousness ended at a point of time, the absence of
consciousness posterior to that point of time (pradhvaMsAbhAva) will have to be known. For any
such knowledge, consciousness is required posterior; making it endless. Therefore, consciousness
is eternal. Further, consciousness is not limited by space and time since both are its products.
Similar arguments can be applied to show that 'existence' too is eternal and unlimited. The
homogeneous limitless consciousness and pure being can be approached from the criteria of
constancy and independence as well. If one takes into account the eternal and unlimited nature
(Infinitude) of both Existence and Consciousness the triad of Existence ConsciousnessInfinity
[satchitanantam] is arrived. It is customary to state this triad as TruthKnowledgeInfinity [सतयं जानं
अनंतं] as in TU or BeingAwarenessBliss [सिचचदानंद] as in later texts (ref 7.3(1): Deussen: Part1, Ch4)
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(brahman) and mind returns to its source – avyakta or mAyA. In empirical

experience sAxin is the pure subject without any attributes. It is the
transcendental Self that appears to be limited.
Mind is always 'mobile' and changes from state to state, except in deep
sleep when it is latent. Each mind-state is a 'cognitive state' ( vRRitti) and
hence a state of 'empirical knowledge' (vRRitti-GYAna). This ever
changing vRRitti-GYAna which arises from the interaction of subject and
object is differentiated from the changeless sAxi-GYAna (absolute
Knowledge); the later is both the qualitative and integrative basis of the
former. At the empirical level, seeker aspires to have this sAxi-GYAna by
'quietening the vRRitti-s' (chitta-vRRitt-nirodha) or by 'dissolution of the
mind' (manonAsha).
In immediate perception of external object, mind is assumed to go out

through sense organs and pervade the object - transform itself into a
'particular state' (vRRitti) according to the form of the object of perception.
Since vRRitti is 'mode of the mind' this pervasion of the object by the mind
is really the 'coincidence' of the cognizer (subject) and the cognized
(object), both occupying the same locus. It is this co-incidental
identification of the subject and the object in 'time and space' which gives
immediacy to the experience. The object of the immediate perception
need not always be 'external'; for example, it could be the ego associated
with experiential attributes like pain and pleasure. Immediacy can be
71
experienced by the cognizer, insofar as the proper coincidence of space,
71 ushasta's and kahola's question (BU 3.4.12, BU 3.5.1) implicitly equates brahman with immediate
and direct experience. Experience or perception (vRRiti) in itself is unconscious. It becomes
conscious acquires quality (form, color, smell, intensity etc), due to Atman (pure Consciousness or
chit) (US 18.65, 68). Here, Atman is actionless (akriya), changeless (kUTastha), and constant
(nitya); still It becomes the enabler of perception not by intention, but by Its mere existence. Mind
pervades the object to 'situate' it (in itself) and is pervaded by reflection (pratibiMba) of pure
Consciousness leading to perception, just like a jar (situated in space) is illumined by the light. Self
here is mere witness. (US 5.4, 14.3, 18.5356, 94). There is integrity to the perceptual experience
because Self (sAxin) is able to see antaHkaraNa in its entirety which gives rise to the 'notion' of
perceiver. In reality there is only perception without any perceiver (USProse 2.75, 77, 79). The
reflection which pervades the mind, and the notional perceiver of integrated experience; both are
appearance (AbhAsa) of one and the same entity the Atman. (In postsha.nkara vivaraNa tradition
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time, and vRRitti takes place. Generally, in inferential or memorative

experience this coincidence and hence the immediacy is missing; such an
experience is said to be the 'mediate' experience.
Do perceived objects have existence independent of individual

perceptions? According to one view, “world exists independent of its being
perceived” [sRRiShTi - dRRiShTi vAda], that is to say, there are 'material
objects' [bhoutika padArtha] constituting the Universe independent of their
72
being perceived. In post-sha.nkara Advaita tradition such objects are
explained by postulating 'primal Ignorance' [mUlAvidyA] which is the
material cause of the Universe and which brings forth the manifest 'names
and forms' [nAmarUpa-s]. The primal Ignorance is one (or manifold) but
its manifestation in individual souls in the form of 'derived ignorances'
[tUlAvidyA-s] are many and they cause subjective illusions. The reality
grade of both these types is said to be indeterminate to sustain causality
73
as well as non-duality.
There is also another view; “world exists only if it is perceived” [dRRiShTi –

74
sRRiShTi vAda]. This view leads to “Single Soul Theory [ekajIva vAda]”
however, the reflection is real). The false notion of perceivership created in the mind is known as I
notion (aham pratyaya, ahaMkAra or aham). The vRRiti (experience) is always changing; it is the
mediate experience of Atman or chit as AbhAsa (chidAbhAsa). When qualitative component
(qualia) is removed from the perception, what remains is substratum, or immediate and direct
perception, which is nothing but Awareness (Atman) appearing as chidAbhAsa (Also, see 3.3)
72 Though Advaita's overall position is idealistic; sha.nkara at times, moves towards realistic monism.
In BSBh, he acknowledges that empirical knowledge (GYAna) depends on existing things (vastu
tantra) and not on injunctions (chodanAtantra), or on cognizer (puruShatantra) (BSBh 1.1.4). Here,
sha.nkara accepts objective reality independent of subjective cognition. He refutes yogAchAra
position which sees no difference between knowledge and the object of knowledge (BSBh 2.2.28
29). There he asserts cognitionindependent existence of external objects and distinguishes
between dream and waking state to stress the empirical reality of objects perceived in waking state.
However, at other places sha.nkara and gauDapAda claim the world to be unreal as a foam, as a
mirage, as a dream, or as a magic show. Specifically, in GK/GKBh 3.2931 the equivalence
between waking and dream state is sought to be established by noting that duality exists only in
mind in both the states. In US 16.34, 'external' empirical objects are equated with dream objects.
This dichotomy of views arises due to two different standpoints from which sha.nkara argues.
73 According to sureshvara (NS 2.4445), the objects of Awareness cannot be shown to exist
independent of Awareness nor are they identical to Awareness, for then they would not be
perceived at all. The ontological status of the world from ego onwards is indeterminable. Duality is
not real; it is only an appearance (mithyAsiddha).
74 The earliest extant text to which this view is traced is brahmasiddhi of maNDana (ref S. N.
Dasgupta, 6.3.5, vol 2, page 84) though in GK too elements of this view can be found. brahma
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which avoids concept-ualization of multiple creators and fragmented

reality. Here ekajIva [Single Soul] with the adjunct called mAyA, perceives
and sustains totality of the Universe in His waking, dreaming, and sleeping
states in the name of vaishvAnara, hiraNyagarbha, or Ishvara. He directly
perceives the Universe as vyAvahArika sattA (primary illusion); while
subjective perceptions of 'other' jIva-s are His prAtibhAsika sattA
(secondary illusion). He is thus omnipresent and omniscient. The manifold
world and subjective cognitions are his mind states (vRRiti-s). There is an
opinion that dRRiShTi-sRRiShTi-ekajIva vAda is more compatible with the
monistic position of older UP.
Nature of knowledge: Empirical level is an interplay of nAmarUpa and

karma (BU 1.6.1) suggesting world-process to be an ever changing 'flux in
motion'. Cognitive processes of individual psychic apparatus are part of the
world-process. They are of two types: sensory (indriyajanya) and non-
sensory (indriyAjanya). The later type is related to ego (agony, pleasure,
pride, desire etc), to intellect (inference, abstraction etc), and to memory
(storage, retrieval) which acts as a glue connecting various cognitive
states. Since manas is the main instrument of cognition; ego, intellect, and
memory are sometimes considered to be modes or modifications of
manas. When Self (Atman) is reflected in intellect (buddhi) – that is when
Self is superimposed on intellect, it appears to be 'conscious' and is called
as knower (GYa, ज) (US 18.65-68). This ज gives the basic notion of ego or
aham (empirical subjectivity, or empirical self) – that of individual's
existence in the form of mind-body complex. Ego is reinforced over the
time by innumerable 'superimpositions' of 'me and mine' (as also of 'not
me' and 'not mine') on the 'basic superimposition of Self and not-Self' (ज).
Seeker tries to reverse this process to dissolve the ego and “realize the
Self” (see 2.4, 2.5 etc.).
Advaita tradition sets Self-realization as its goal with the implicit
siddhi says, it is the individual persons (jIvAH in plural) who by their own individual Ignorance
(svAvidyayA) create for themselves on the changeless brahman the false world appearance.
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assumption that there exists cognitive states (vRRitti-s) which: (a) do not
consolidate the ego; or (b) are conducive to the dissolution of ego and
75
realize the Self. Unlike some other Indic Schools, Advaita does not
consider knowledge to be an action (activity). Knowledge is neither an
action in itself nor does it cause any action (kriyA, karma) and the
resultant bondage (karmaphala), if ego-building states are removed from
its ambit. Such ego-less knowledge, though it is in the form of vRRitti-
76
GYana, is capable of transcending itself to sAxi-GYAna. GYAna then
becomes an epistemic-axiological concept and “sat-chit-Ananda”
becomes the “ontologic-epistemic-ethic” unity.
In Advaita, intellect is a mode of mind which 'reflects' Self and creates the
notions of ego (aham) - GYa (knower), kartRRi (doer), and bhoktRRi
(enjoyer). This ego is said to be the cause of bondage and as such the GYa
itself operates in the realm of Ignorance. Although all empirical knowledge
is relative and hence technically is a mode of metaphysical Ignorance, its
moral content and its ability to transcend itself to absolute Knowledge can
be gaged on the scale of its subjectivity. Subjectivity (ego), or rather its
dissolution, becomes an ordinal measure of axiological advancement.
Selfless work (niShkAma-karma), four-fold means (sAdhana-
chatuShTaya), purified mind (chitta-shuddhi), equanimity (samatva),
75 Advaita identifies these natural dispositions as sAttvika vRRittis by adapting the sA.nkhya
categories of sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia) according to their decreasing moral
order and increasingly deformed subjectivity viz. knowership, doership, and consumership. In
general; sattva, rajas, tamas have ethic as well as epistemic and ontologic content that constitutes
Ignorance (VS 34: अजानं तु सदसदभयामिनवरचनीयं 'ितरगुणातमक' जानिवरोिध भावरपं) in matrix with perceptual
elements (tanmAtras). The sAttvika vRRitti is egoless in a processual sense – it does not add to
the existing ego and is conducive to Knowledge. In BG, such egoless knowledge manifests itself
as sattva (serenity) in Ch14, as daivesaMpat (divine attributes) in Ch16, as sAttvika shraddhA
(pure conviction) in ch17, and as samatva (equanimity) in many of its other Chapters. It leads to the
ultimate Knowledge which is 'auspicious' (shivam) (MaU 7) and 'supreme purifierennobler' (param
pAvanam, pavitram paramam (US 16.71, US 17.85). The purifying (moral) content of 'egoless
knowledge' (GYAna [जान]) – its ennobling ability to be conducive to Selfrealization and Liberation is
celebrated in gItA: “Nothing exists here as purifying as Knowledge” (न िह जानेन सदृश ं पिवतरिमह िवदते)”.
76 Buddhist and mImAMsA Schools consider knowledge to be an 'activity'. In Advaita, knowledge not
being an activity do not create karmabindings (karmaphala). However, egocentric knowledge
(vRRittis related to desire, lust, avarice etc), though not in itself an activity, leads to karma and
associated karmaphala. (see 4.2, 4.3); this binding does not exist in egoless knowledge. So, ego
less knowledge, though vRittiGYAna, can transcend into absolute Knowledge.
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liberation-in-life (jIvanmukti), steady-wisdom (sthita-praGYA) etc are all

axiological-moral concepts that represent the state of dissolution of ego to
various degrees (see 4.2, 4.3). The jIvanmukta retains the minimal level of
subjectivity (ज) to maintain essential empirical procedures (loka-
vyavahAra) without any supernatural powers.
2.3.2 Constancy suggests that Reality be eternal; it should never

77
change. This implies that both intrinsic (subjective, internal,
immeasurable) and extrinsic (objective, external, measurable) properties
of the Real entity should never change. In Advaita , perception is a 'state of
mind' [vRRiti] corresponding to the object being perceived. It changes from
time to time. Similarly, we are reasonably sure that extrinsic properties too
change in space and time. We can objectively measure and subjectively
cognize the extrinsic properties and their changes. This all pervasive
empirical changeability suggests that both intrinsic and extrinsic
78
properties are mithyA. From Advaita point of view, all properties are
objective since they can be empirically cognized or conceived. That which
is objective is mithyA; it is limited by time, space and causality. Criterion of
constancy thus demands limitlessness or infinitude. It points towards an
79
attributeless description of Reality. Identity of the perceiving subject
(inmost Self) conforms to this reality – Its existence cannot be denied and
It cannot be quantified or qualified (see 2.8(3)). It is attributeless, though
It appears to be attributed by 'Nescience' (see 2.4). Constancy thus leads
us to the absolute Being which however, cannot be distinguished from the
non-Being both being attributeless. We then have to turn to causality to
differentiate between the two.
2.3.3 Causality criteria of Advaita distinguishes Being from non-Being

by figuratively attributing efficient and material cause of the phenomenal
world to pure Being. The 'becoming' world then is neither real nor unreal. It
77 TUBh 2.1.1, GK 2.6, GK 4.31.
78 This term is used for a reality which is sublated; which is secondary in relation to the Absolute.
79 As in BU 3.8.8; KU 1.3.15, Ma 7. This is scriptural support for acosmic (nirguNa) brahman.
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is not real because it changes; it is not unreal because it is experienced.

However, the terms like Being, Existence etc are only labels; brahman is
beyond words, sense perception, and mental conception.
80
Causality theory of Advaita is similar to satkAryavAda of sA.nkhya
81
School where effect preexists in a cause as a potentiality. Effect is non-
different than the cause in the cause-effect [kAraNa-kArya] relationship. It
is just an expression and appearance [nAma-rUpa]; it is mithyA or of a
secondary reality. The first 'provisional' cause of creation is brahman
(BSBh 1.1.2, TU 2.7.1). The creation (cosmos), being an effect, is only an
'illusory appearance' [vivarta]. Hence, sometimes from relative view-point,
Advaita's creation is known as vivarta vAda. Since effect is mithyA,
creation is mithyA too. At the absolute level vivarta does not exist. There is
82
no creation and no creator; only brahman exists. In GK this is declared in
a telling manner:
● Like a dream and a magic are seen, and just as mirage city is seen in the
sky, so is this universe seen by those who are well versed in UP.
● There is no cessation, there is no origination, no one is bound and no one

strives (to be free), no one desires liberation. This is the ultimate truth.
sha.nkara's commentary on CU 6.2.1-2 explains his stand on Creation as

also his critique of the positions of naiyyAyika-s (Logicians) and
80 Its adaptation in Advaita may be called satkAraNa vAda. (ref 7.3(5): vol1 page 258)
81 This is an Indic dualist School based on two primal principles: transcendental puruSha and material
prakRRiti. The later principle is analogous to jadAtmikA mAyA or bhAvarUpa avidyA of Vedanta.
82 GK 2.3132. There is similarity between these verses, and verses in nAgArjuna's mUla
mAdhyamaka kArikA [MMK] (7.34, 25.12). (See VC 56974 for similar verses in a text of post
sha.nkara Advaita). The collaborative spirit between Vedanta and mAdhyamaka of that time is clear
when GK 4.5 approves bauddha ajAtivAda (nonorigination). GK 4.22 offers similar version echoing
MMK 21.13, 1.1, and 1.7. If however, the word jAti is interpreted as 'generic attributes or class (of
names and forms)' and not as 'origin' then the ajAti is akin to sha.nkara's 'unseparated, unevolved
name and form' (avyAkRRita nAmarUpa) of US (prose 1.18), which is a figment of Ignorance and is
the germinal power [bIjashakti] of universe (BSBh 2.14.1). GK has some commonality with the
language and ideas of bauddha literature. GK however, does not leave the thread of Atman as
undifferentiated Consciousness which is the ground of all changing phenomenon. MMK's ajAtivAda
is based on 'pratItyasamutpAda' (dependent origination) while GK's ajAtivAda is based on Atman.
That ajAtivAda was part of mainstream KA is clear from its reference in amRRitabindu 10, VC 574,
and PD 6.235. Its another more archaic formulation is in BG 2.16 which is echoed in US 19.8.
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mAdhyamaka-s (Buddhists). According to Logician an effect does not

remain inherent in its cause, it is altogether a new creation. The cause
loses its former identity and becomes non-existent as it were, and from
that non-existence the product emerges as a new creation. Logicians
believe in both existence and nonexistence. According to Buddhist
(mAdhyamaka), nothing exists before its production. There is no pure
being (Existence) or non-being (Non Existence). There is only incessant
change (Becoming) without any permanent identity. For the Buddhist, only
change is real, though it is not the absolute truth. It is governed by the law
83
of 'Dependent Origination'.
All these positions are axiomatic from their respective standpoints:

vedAntin assigns reality only to 'being' ( brahman) and follows a
modification of satkAryavAda (apparent origination in Existence); Buddhist
assigns reality to only 'becoming' and follows pratItyasamutpAda
(interdependent origination); while Logician assigns reality to both 'being'
and 'non-being' and follows asatkAryavAda (origination in Non-
Existence).
2.3.4 Completeness criterion merges ontology, epistemology and

eschatology. The Knower becomes brahman; there is no duality and there
84
is nothing more to be known or gained. The brahman (Self) is the
substratum of the superposition of Universe, non-dual, self-evident,
83 Effect is not a manifestation of the cause but a conditional occurrence of a consequent event. Each
state of Becoming is dependent on cause as well as factors external to the cause but immanent in
the World. Thus the next momentary reality is dependent on the previous state as well as external
conditions. This Law of Becoming is termed as 'pratItyasamutpAda' or 'dependent origination'.
(Also, see 5.2.1: appx. (B))
84 BU 1.4.9: Through the Knowledge of brahman we shall become all (brahman); BU 2.4.5: By
knowing This (Self) everything is known; BU 2.4.6: This all is this Self; BU 2.4.14: Knowing to which
all this is known; CU 3.14.1: Verily, all this is brahman; BG 7.2: Knowing which nothing more here
remains to be known; BG 7.7: Beyond Me there is naught; BG 7.19: all this is vAsudeva (brahman);
BG 8.21: They call Him the supreme Goal; MU 1.1.1: brahman is basis of all knowledge. MU 3.2.9:
Any one who Knows brahman becomes brahman indeed; KU 1.3.11: He is the highest goal; KU
2.3.9: Those who Know Him become immortal (brahman); KU 2.3.8: Any one who becomes a
Knower thus (like nachiketA) of the indwelling Self attains brahman; TU 2.1.1: The Knower of
brahman attains the brahman.
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85
independent, and complete in itself. In a way this criterion includes all
other criteria; it is the basis of 'realizing' Atman (= brahman) as the sole
86
purpose of Vedanta.
2.4 Superimposition: sha.nkara describes Self as self-luminous

[svayaMjyoti]. It reveals Itself after removal of the Ignorance which is the
root cause of duality. He advises to eliminate the difference between the
known (object) and the knower (subject) by removing the superimposition
of erroneous empirical knowledge. The concept of superimposition
[adhyAsa] [अधयास] is one of the key concepts of shA.nkara Advaita; it is
87
explained in his preamble to BSBh known as adhyAsa-bhAShya. Here, he
states the the learned view that considers superimposition of non-Self
(object) on the inmost Self (subject) is Ignorance [avidyA]; and the
ascertainment of the nature of real entity by separating the superimposed
thing from it is called Knowledge [vidyA]. Since all the empirical
transactions are based on subject-object relationship based on
'superposition' and since this superimposition is nothing but Nescience;
ontology of superimposition assumes an epistemological purport. The
otherwise fragmentary concept of Ignorance becomes a vehicle for the
unification of the ontology and epistemology of Advaita . The entire
adhyAsa-bhAShya is produced here:
(Preamble starts here): It is a matter not requiring any proof that the object
88
and the subject whose respective spheres are the notion of the 'Thou' (the
Non-Ego) and the 'Ego,' and which are opposed to each other as much as
85 Pai 1.2: 'complete in all respect' [paripUrNam]; CU 6.2.1: one only, nondual [ekamevAdvitIyam]; VP
(Ch7, page155): 'substratum of the superimposition of Universe' [jagadadhyAsAdhiShThAnatvam];
BUBh 4.3.23: selfluminous [svayaMjyoti]; US 11.11: selfeffulgent [svayaMprabhA]; US 18.203: self
evident [svataH pramANaka]; US (prose) 2.93: selfestablished, independent [svataH siddha]; VC
225: pure [vishuddham], supreme [param]; BUBh 5.1.1: It is complete and unconditioned. All these
aspects are part of brahman's completeness (paripUrNatva) and independence (svAtantrya).
86 In US 17.4 sha.nkara says “There is no other attainment higher than that of Atman (= brahman) for
the sake of which exist words of the Veda, smRRitis, as well as Actions”. In US 17.9 he says, “The
sole purpose of Veda is to Know (brahman) and understand the oneness of Atman (and brahman)
as contained in one sentence (such as "तततवमिस" or "अहम् बरहािसम" etc.)
87 Translated by George Thibaut, The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 34 edited by F. Max Muller
(Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1890, 1896). Also, check Ref 7.1(11).
88 Object: nonSelf or matter [bhoutika padArtha], and Subject: Self (sAxichaitanya or Consciousness)
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darkness and light are, cannot be identified. All the less can their respective
89
attributes be identified. Hence it follows that it is wrong to superimpose upon
90
the subject--whose Self is intelligence, and which has for its sphere the
notion of the Ego--the object whose sphere is the notion of the Non-Ego, and
the attributes of the object, and vice versa to superimpose the subject and the
attributes of the subject on the object. In spite of this it is on the part of man a
natural procedure--which has its cause in wrong knowledge--not to
distinguish the two entities (object and subject) and their respective
attributes, although they are absolutely distinct, but to superimpose upon
each the characteristic nature and the attributes of the other, and thus,
coupling the Real and the Unreal, to make use of expressions such as 'That am
I,' 'That is mine.'--But what have we to understand by the term
'superimposition?'--The apparent presentation, in the form of remembrance,
to consciousness of something previously observed, in some other thing .
Some indeed define the term 'superimposition' as the superimposition of the

91
attributes of one thing on another thing. Others, again, define super-
imposition as the error founded on the non-apprehension of the difference of
92
that which is superimposed from that on which it is superimposed . Others,
again, define it as the fictitious assumption of attributes contrary to the nature
93
of that thing on which something else is superimposed. But all these
89 Subject is characterized by sentience or qualitative experience while object which is bound by
space, time, and causality is deemed to be 'contextually' nonsentient.
90 Simple (undifferentiated) consciousness.
91 Such as when a nacre (MotherofPearl) is mistaken for silver, the nacre is mentally connected with
the image of silver memorized in the mind due to error in cognition in the form of supernormal
connection with silver (anyathAkhyAti of nyAya School) or in the form of false externalization of
subjective idea (AtmakhyAti of yogAchAra School). In both these cases the superimposed object is
said to be real, however, in madhva's dvaita, which otherwise follows the lead of nyAya, the
superimposed object is said to be unreal (abhinavaanyathA khyAti). This seems to be in counter
position to Advaita's sadasavilaxaNa anirvachanIya khyAti by equating mithyA with asat and holding
that asat (unreal) can be experienced. This is because madhva holds that 'cognition of the unreal'
(asatpratIti), 'cognition of the illusory' (mithyApratIti), and 'cognition of the absent or nonexistent'
(abhAvapratIti) are one and the same. (Ref. “Perceptual Error – The Indian Theories” by Srinivasa
Rao, Pub. University of Hawai Press (1998)).
92 Such as the akhyAti view of prabhAkara which holds that nacresilver type confusion is essentially a
sequence of two cognitions – partial perception of nacre immediately followed by memory of silver.
prabhAkara refuses to call any of them as erroneous cognition and holds that confusion arises due
to inability to discriminate between two types of cognition (asaMsargAgraha). As against this bhatta
(mImAMsA School) holds that confusion is due to 'wrong synthesis' (saMsargagraha). This later
view is known as viparIta khyAti. (Ref. 7.3(6): p315317).
93 Such as asatkhyAti view of mAdhyamaka where unreal silver appears in place of unreal nacre.
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definitions agree insofar as they represent superimposition as the apparent

94
presentation of the attributes of one thing in another thing. And therewith
agrees also the popular view which is exemplified by expressions such as the
following: 'Mother-of-pearl appears like silver,' 'The moon although one only
appears as if she were double.' But how is it possible that on the interior Self
which itself is not an object there should be superimposed objects and their
attributes? For every one superimposes an object only on such other objects
as are placed before him (i.e.in contact with his sense-organs), and you have
said before that the interior Self which is entirely disconnected from the idea of
the Thou (the Non-Ego) is never an object. It is not, we reply, non-object in
95
the absolute sense. For it is the object of the notion of the Ego, and the
96
interior Self is well known to exist on account of its immediate (intuitive)
presentation. Nor is it an exceptionless rule that objects can be superimposed
only on such other objects as are before us, i.e. in contact with our sense-
organs; for non-discerning men superimpose on the ether, which is not the
object of sensuous perception, dark-blue color. Hence it follows that the
assumption of the Non-Self being superimposed on the interior Self is not
unreasonable. This super-imposition thus defined, learned men consider to be
97
Nescience [avidyA], and the ascertainment of the true nature of that which is
94 Along with this general position, some vedAntins also subscribe to anirvachanIyakhyAti (ref:
IShTasiddhi of vimuktAtman) where erroneous cognition is said to be indescribable or indetermin
able. sA.nkhya view known as sadasatkhyAti however, sees the same thing as real and unreal in
two different conditions (view of kapila) or sees united cognition of real and unreal object (view of
aniruddha); while satkhyAti or yathArtha khyAti of rAmAnuja treats both nacre and silver as real
because silver has cognate elements of nacre. Falsity of perception, according to rAmAnuja lies not
in the unreality of the object but in its failure to serve any practical purpose.
The various theories of perceptual error are classified in four groups: (1) theories where the super
imposed object is real (satkhyAti vAda) such as nyAya's anyathA khyAti, yogAchAra's atmakhyAti,
kumArila bhatta's viparItakhyAti, prabhAkara's akhyAti, and rAmAnuja's yathArthakhyAti; (2)
theories where the superimposed object is both real and unreal (sadasatkhyAti vAda) such as
sA.nkhya view of both kapila and aniruddha; (3) theories where the superimposed object is unreal
(asatkhyAti vAda) such as mAdhyamaka's asatkhyAti and madhva's abhinavaanyathAkhyAti; (4)
superimposed object is neither real nor unreal (sadasadvilaxaNa khyAti vAda) such as
anirvachanIyakhyAti of AdvaitaVedanta.
95 This objectification of Self due to which 'superimposition' [adhyAsa] occurs is a point of debate in
Advaita. Superimposition seems paradoxical due to reciprocal dependence and infinite regress
involved in the process. Here sha.nkara seems to take adhyAsa as an axiomatic presupposition. He
calls adhyAsa as natural procedure (naisargika lokavyavahAra).
96 The Self identification occurs in all souls irrespective of their lack of knowledge or understanding.
97 Here Ignorance (avidyA) itself is defined as 'superimposition' (adhyAsa). There is another more
established view in the tradition which extrapolates sha.nkara's other commentaries and sees
superimposition as the product of Ignorance. In this view Ignorance is of three types viz. (1) non
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(the Self) by means of the discrimination of that (which is superimposed on

the Self), they call Knowledge [vidyA]. There being such knowledge (neither
the Self nor the Non-Self) are affected in the least by any blemish or (good)
quality produced by their mutual superimposition. The mutual superimposition
of the Self and the Non-Self, which is termed Nescience, is the presupposition
on which there base all the practical distinctions--those made in ordinary life
as well as those laid down by the Veda--between means of knowledge,
objects of knowledge (and knowing persons), and all scriptural texts, whether
they are concerned with injunctions and prohibitions (of meritorious and non -
meritorious actions), or with final release. -- But how can the means of right
knowledge such as perception, inference, &c., and scriptural texts have for
their object that which is dependent on Nescience? -- Because, we reply, the
means of right knowledge cannot operate unless there be a knowing
personality, and because the existence of the latter depends on the erroneous
notion that the body, the senses, and so on, are identical with, or belong to,
the Self of the knowing person. For without the employment of the senses,
perception and the other means of right knowledge cannot operate . And
without a basis (i.e. the body) the senses cannot act. Nor does anybody act by
means of a body on which the nature of the Self is not superimposed. Nor can,
in the absence of all that, the Self which, in its own nature is free from all
contact, become a knowing agent. And if there is no knowing agent, the
means of right knowledge cannot operate (as said above).
Hence perception and the other means of right knowledge, and the vaidika
texts have for their object that which is dependent on Nescience. (That human
cognitional activity has for its presupposition the superimposition described
above), follows also from the non-difference in that respect of men from
animals. Animals, when sounds or other sensible qualities affect their sense of
hearing or other senses, recede or advance according as the idea derived from
the sensation is a comforting or disquieting one. A cow, for instance, when she
sees a man approaching with a raised stick in his hand, thinks that he wants to
beat her, and therefore moves away; while she walks up to a man who
cognition (agrahaNa), (2) wrongcognition (viparItagrahaNa), (3) uncertaincognition (saMshaya).
Noncognition is the root (mUla) of the other two types which are 'variously' defined as super
imposition. In this causal sense rootIgnorance is said to be substantial (bhAvarUpa) though only
'relatively existent' (mithyA).
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advances with some fresh grass in his hand. Thus men also--who possess a
higher intelligence--run away when they see strong fierce-looking fellows
drawing near with shouts and brandishing swords; while they confidently
approach persons of contrary appearance and behavior. We thus see that men
and animals follow the same pattern with reference to the means and objects
of knowledge. Now it is well known that the procedure of animals bases on the
non-distinction (of Self and Non-Self); we therefore conclude that, as they
present the same appearances, men also--although distinguished by superior
intelligence--proceed with regard to perception and so on, in the same way
as animals do; as long, that is to say, as the mutual superimposition of Self
and Non-Self lasts.
With reference again to that kind of activity which is founded on the Veda
(sacrifices and the like), it is true indeed that the reflecting man who is
qualified to enter on it, does so not without knowing that the Self has a
relation to another world; yet that qualification does not depend on the
knowledge, derivable from the Vedanta-texts, of the true nature of the Self as
free from all wants, raised above the distinctions of the brAhmaNa and
xatriya-classes and so on, transcending transmigratory existence. For such
knowledge is useless and even contradictory to the claim (on the part of
sacrificers, &c. to perform certain actions and enjoy their fruits). And before
such knowledge of the Self has arisen, the vaidika texts continue in their
operation, to have for their object that which is dependent on Nescience . For
such texts as the following, 'A brAhmaNa is to sacrifice,' are operative only on
the supposition that on the Self are superimposed particular conditions such
as caste, stage of life, age, outward circumstances, and so on. That by
superimposition we have to understand the notion of something in some other
thing we have already explained. (The superimposition of the Non-Self will be
understood more definitely from the following examples.) Extra-personal
attributes are superimposed on the Self, if a man considers himself sound and
entire, or the contrary, as long as his wife, children, and so on are sound and
entire or not. Attributes of the body are superimposed on the Self, if a man
thinks of himself (his Self) as stout, lean, fair, as standing, walking, or
jumping. Attributes of the sense-organs, if he thinks 'I am mute, or deaf, or
one-eyed, or blind.' Attributes of the internal organ when he considers himself
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subject to desire, intention, doubt, determination, and so on. Thus the

producer of the notion of the Ego (i.e. the internal organ) is superimposed on
the interior Self, which, in reality, is the witness of all the modifications of the
internal organ, and vice versa the interior Self, which is the witness of
everything, is superimposed on the internal organ, the senses, and so on. In
this way there goes on this natural beginning--and endless superimposition ,
which appears in the form of wrong conception, is the cause of individual souls
appearing as agents and enjoyers (of the results of their actions), and is
observed by every one.
With a view to freeing one's self from that wrong notion which is the cause of
all evil and attaining thereby the knowledge of the absolute unity of the Self
the study of the Vedanta-texts is begun. That all the Vedanta-texts have the
mentioned purport we shall show in this so-called shArIraka-mImAMsA.
(Preamble ends here).
98
2.5 Attribution- Retraction: sha.nkara does not accept injunctions for
KT, and mentions a traditional method followed by his illustrious
predecessors: that of 'Attribution-Retraction' [adhyAropa–apavAda]. This
method with its variations is analyzed by modern scholars such as Swami
satchidAnandendra (ref 7.3(10)), Richard De Smet, Anantanand
Rambachan, and Michael Comans (ref 7.3(11)).
The ultimate reality according to Vedanta, is super sensuous and beyond

words, beyond the comprehension of mind (TU 2.4.1, 2.9.1). The ordinary
language of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs can describe only the
sense objects or a 'state of mind' [vRRiti] through subject-object
relationship. Since brahman is neither of these, KT uses the language of
negation coupled with indication [laxaNA]. The direct description that is
supposed to come closest to the nature of brahman is “Existence-
99
Consciousness-Bliss” [sat-chit-Ananda] or “Truth -Knowledge-Infinity”
[satyam-GYAnam-anantam] (TU 2.1.1). Here these nouns are not
98 The method can be traced to BGBh 13.13, BUBh 4.4.25, BUBh 2.3.6, CUBh 3.14.24, CUBh 6.2.1,
and GK 3.26. The word adhyAropaapavAda appears in Pai 2.12 in more general sense as a
method of realization.
99 Ref 7.2(3): vedAntasAra 2.33.
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properties of the brahman but they indicate the essential nature of

brahman co-referentially. These terms individually are negated by saying
'Not this, Not this' because there is no other more appropriate description
than this: 'Not this' (BU 2.3.6). Even the Consciousness is negated (MAU
7), Existence is denied, and Reality is transcended beyond Being and non-
Being by denying both (BG 13.12). One may wonder if this perpetual
negation ultimately will result in 'absolute non-existence' [shUnya] – that
of denial of substratum reality leading to mAdhyamaka position. sha.nkara
asserts that this need not be the case; there has to be an unnegated
100
substratum otherwise what is being negated would assume reality. He
says: as (the Self) cannot be negated, it is left as the remainder (by way
101
of) 'Not this, Not this' so that it (Self) becomes known, and further: 'Not
this, Not this' negates all that is superimposed on Self, along with the mind
itself (US 18.25). Obviously this attribution-negation has to happen in such
a way that negation process is properly guided. Various indicators are used
to guide the negation. These indicators through their indicative (implied,
secondary) meaning provide the context in which the search for brahman
takes place.
sha.nkara uses this method in TUBh while discussing the nature (notion) of
brahman which is indicated (superimposed) by the words Truth [satyam],
Knowledge [GYAnam], and Infinity [anantam]: The word satya by definition
negates all things that change. The word GYAna indicates brahman to be
sentient and at the same time non-agent. It is non agent when used co-
referentially with GYAna and ananta because anantatva [infinitude] rules
out agent-ship of knowledge as agent has to be separate from both
knowledge and instrument of knowledge and infinity does not brook
separateness. When all three words are used co-referentially then
brahman is indicated by unchanging sentience or undifferentiated
100 BSBh 3.2.22. This argument is based on the assumption that there has to be unchanging acosmic
substratum which is both efficient and material cause of the universe as taught by shruti. However,
mAdhyamaka denies this substratum assuming the 'madhyama mArga' (middle way: neither
'being' nor 'nonbeing' but 'becoming without any substratum').
101 US (metrical) 2.1
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awareness. This then is supposed to become identical with pure Being

without change and boundaries. The person who goes through the
102
guideposts of laxaNA-s thus comes closer to the intuition when he uses
their secondary meanings along with other superimposed attributes and
their implied negation. sha.nkara argues that here the 'primary meaning'
[vAchyArtha] of the words 'truth' (factuality) and 'knowledge'
(understanding) is not used 'primarily' while describing the brahman. Still
the nature of brahman can be intuited because the words satya etc. on
account of their being co-referential, are mutually restricted (adjusted)
and thereby distinguish brahman from the literal meaning of the word
satya etc. and direct the mind towards brahman. Though the terms such as
'undifferentiated Awareness' may come close to the identity of brahman,
sha.nkara still insists that this is not the exact definition of brahman. Any
term either alone or used in conjunction with other terms like Being,
Infinity etc. will only be approximate description of brahman. These words
are in reality limiting adjuncts of mind and body (KeUBh 2.1) and they are
used as indicators in contextual manner. (Also see 2.7).
It is believed that UP not only teach the existence of Atman = brahman,

but also teach how to realize the Self. The method of adhyAropa-
103
apavAda is considered by many to be the main method of Knowledge.
Operationally this method is used for purifying the mind. The core of such
method is to use guided superimpositions (saMskAra-s) to negate
unwanted impressions, tendencies and habits (see 2.8(10)).
2.6 Continuity- Discontinuity: An exegetical scheme in the form of

agreement [anvaya] and contrariety [vyatireka] has been discussed by
104
sha.nkara (US 18.96-97, 18.191) and more prominently by sureshvara.
In its modified general form, this scheme can be seen as a logical method
102 In all through this note, he = she = it = embodied Self.
103 VS31 mentions adhyAropaapavAdanyAya, a method which is part of Teacher's instructions. It is
the removal (apavAda) of superimposition (adhyAropa = Ignorance) to attain Knowledge.
104 In addition to number of references of anvayavyatireka in NS; it is also referred in TUBhV 2.vv
335, 656, 714, 715; TUBhV 3.vv 8, 9, 11, 19, 30; BUBhV 1.4.vv 64, 1060, 1345, 1386, 1387;
BUBhV 2.1. vv 167, 170, 173; BUBhV 2.4.vv 107, 114; BUBhV 3.5.vv 179, 181. (Ref 7.3(11)).
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to find out the dependency relation between two entities by juxtaposing

their continuity and discontinuity. While doing so it can apply the criteria of
cognition, causality, and constancy to the entity under consideration.
Consequently, four generic types of anvaya-vyatireka reasoning are
identified based on: (1) subject [seer or dRRik] and object [seen or
dRRishya], (2) cause [kAraNa] and effect [kArya], (3) perceptional
universals and sensory particulars, and (4) common substratum and
perishable adjuncts.
As illustrated in dRRik-dRRishya analysis of 2.8(3) the pure subject is

approached by successively discarding whatever that can be objectified,
for what can be objectified cannot be pure subject. Here, Awareness in the
role of pure subject persists in the wake of changing states of body-mind
complex and in the sublatable states of relative experience (refer 2.8(4 &
5)). The second reasoning is illustrated in 2.8(2) where brahman is the
only eternally independent entity and everything else is dependent on It as
Its effect and hence transitory in nature. The third reasoning observes that
the individual changing perceptions cannot exist without the ever present
perceptional universals which themselves are superimpositions and need
to be negated to reveal the substratum of brahman (refer 2.8(6)). The
fourth reasoning shows by using the metaphor of pots and temples that
the common material cause (earth or clay) and universal base (AkAsha or
space) persists through the particularized names and forms and their
changing states (refer 2.8(8)).
As seen earlier, exegetical application of adhyAropa-apavAda and

anvaya-vyatireka themes is available in the literature of sha.nkara and
sureshvara. sureshvara strengthened it by 'normalization' (NS 3.3) (Also,
see 2.7). In general, however, post-sha.nkara development of Advaita was
guided more by the defense of Advaita doctrines against the arguments of
rival competing Schools. In the process traditional methods took back seat
105
and dialectical polemics came to the fore.
105 Such as in khaNDanakhaNDakhAdya of shrIharSha, nyAyamakaranda of Anandabodha, tattva
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2.7 Method of Indications: The sentential meaning, according to

Advaita, is threefold: primary meaning [vAcyArtha]; implied secondary
meaning or indication [lAxyArtha]; and suggested tertiary meaning or hint
[vya.ngyArtha]. The lAxyArtha, also known as laxaNA is divisible into three
groups: (a) 'exclusive indication' [jahat-laxaNA] such as in “There is a
village on the Ganga” where the primary meaning Ganga is abandoned to
give way to the implied meaning of its bank, (b) 'inclusive indication'
[ajahat-laxaNA] such as in “Lamps entered through the door” where the
word lamp also includes person or servant carrying the lamp. Thus in
ajahat-laxaNA the whole of the vAcyArtha is retained and something more
is included into it, and (c) 'exclusive-inclusive indication' [jahat-ajahat
laxaNA] where qualified portion of the vAcyArtha is left out, and a portion
of it is taken such as in the example of “That is this Devadatta.” Here
“That” refers to a thing qualified by the past time and (may be another)
place, and “This” is qualified by the present time and place. Hence two
adjectival pronouns referring to the past and the present apply
contradictions. Therefore, by abandoning the incompatible indications of
‘That’ and ‘This’ the apparent inconsistency is removed, and both of them
refer to the same identity, that of substantiative Devadatta.
Rejecting the first two laxaNA-s, later vedAntin-s accept the third laxaNA
and apply it to the prime-sentence [mahAvAkya] “tat tvam asi” [Thou Art
That] as an exegetical method. Here That is qualified by omniscience
[sarvaGYatva] and Thou is qualified by 'inner organ' [ antaHkaraNa]. The
sentence however, indicates the identity of That and Thou in their
essence, excluding the mutually incompatible elements. Since their
essential characteristics viz. the 'cosmic consciousness' (That) and
'individual consciousness' (Thou) cannot be identical; the incompatible
qualifiers 'cosmic' and 'individual' are abandoned to maintain the identity.
This exegetical scheme can be seen as a part of general normalization
pradIpikA of chitsukha, Advaitasiddhi of madhusUdana, chandrikA of brahmAnanda. This

polemics continued in 19th century (e.g. vimarsha of rAmarAya) and in 20th century (e.g. shata
bhUshaNi of anantakRRiShNa).
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[sAmAnyAdhikaraNa] process where two things are equated by excluding

their incompatible attributes and retaining their common-compatible
attributes to reach the common substratum. In “Thou Art That” Atman =
brahman is the common substratum of Thou and That.
2.8 Illustrations: Following schemes and metaphors discriminate

between what is Real and what is relative to illustrate Advaita's
metaphysical principles:
106
1. Microcosm - Macrocosm Transference [नर – वैशवानर अधयारोप]
Microcosm – macrocosm theme has been propounded since vaidika

times in various names of microcosms (nara, jIva, vyashtI) and
macrocosm (vaishvAnara, nArAyaNa, virATa, samaShTI, puruSha,
shiva, Ishvara). This schemes transfers the structure and properties of
microcosms onto macrocosm equivalent of cosmic Being, an all
pervasive single deity. This monotheistic-pantheistic form is to be
negated to 'see' the Absolute as the substratum of both.
In RV 10.90 and BU 1.1.1 the analogy between soul and Cosmic

'puruSha' is sought to be established by transferring the microcosm
properties onto macrocosm. In BU 1.2.1–7 the superimposition is
described as the process of Creation whereby microcosm (the
sacrificial horse) is related to cosmos. In MU 2.1.4 similar transference
is seen. Microcosm – Macrocosm transference is the oldest monist
theme of the Veda.
2. Effect - Cause Discrimination [kArya-kAraNa viveka] [कायर - कारण

107
िववेक]
As stated earlier in 2.3, effect preexists in the cause as a potentiality.
106 Refer 7.3(6): M. Hiriyanna (1932) (Chapter 2: pages 5560) for possible evolution of the identity
Atman = brahman by seeking correspondence between individual and the World. Also, refer
“Vedic origins of karma: cosmos as a man in ancient Indian myth and ritual” by Herman Wayne
Tull, Pub. Sunny Press, 1989. Here, not only this anthropomorphic microcosmiccosmic
correspondence is discussed but the evolution of concept of karma is sought to be explained
therefrom concentrating on agnicayana ritual of shatapatha brA.
107 See CU 6.1.46, 6.4, 6.2.1, BU 1.2.1, BSBh 2.1.14. The term vivarta and its implied illusoriness
however, is not directly expounded in pramANa UP.
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All 'names and forms' (nAmarUpa-s) are essentially effects and are
no more than 'appearance' of the 'first cause' ( brahman) similar to a
rope appearing to be a snake in the darkness. This appearance is
called vivarta; it is neither different from nor identical with brahman
and as such is inexplicable. When the vivarta is negated by the
cessation of Ignorance what remains is brahman.
Causality can be seen as dependency relation through anvaya-

vyatireka. For example, The observation “ X exists, Y occurs ( anvaya)
and X does not exist, Y does not occur ( vyatireka)” is a cause-effect
relationship. Though such relationships for material cause [upAdAna
kAraNa], instrument cause [sahakArI kAraNa], efficient cause [nimitta
kAraNa], and functional cause [samavAya or vyApAra kAraNa] etc. can
be formulated, general dependencies are more complex as they
involve multiple entities and their inter-dependence as well as
external dependence. Given any set of interdependent entities it is
possible to establish dependence on external entities and then include
them in existing set to form a new expanded set. In principle, the
limiting position of such an infinite expansion should map the totality
of the Universe in space and time. Space and time themselves are not
independent entities as they are dependent on empirical cognition;
108
they are effect of Ignorance (superimposition) . Only one totally
independent entity (brahman) is postulated which is out-side the
109
world processes and hence acosmic. The process of forming and
110
expanding the entity set by tracing dependencies should trace the
material cause of the Universe. sha.nkara conceives the unmanifested
[avyakta] to be the seed [bIja] of the Universe. It is the essence of
108 Ref. 7.3(10): Ch 11.10; BUBhV 1.4.1452
109 In contrast, Buddhism's pratItyasamutpAda principle does not envisage any independent entity. In
a certain sense causality and anvayavyatireka as described here can be seen as a method
(prakriyA) that validates pratItyasamutpAda at the relative level to establish the postulate of
brahman = Atman.
110 Dependencies can be traced and examined using laws of Science. Though these laws are mithyA;
they can be useful as indirect means of knowledge like inference, postulation etc.
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111
unmanifested (unevolved) name-and-forms and the combination
of all the powers of causes and effects (BUBh 4.1.2, 4.4.17). Elsewhere
he says that the seed potency [bIjashakti] is of the 'nature of
Ignorance' [avidyAtmikA] and is scorched (negated) by Knowledge
(BSBh 1.4.3).
3. Discrimination of Creation, Maintenance, Dissolution [“utpatti,

112
sthiti, vilaya” viveka] ["उतपित, िसथित, िवलय" िववेक]
The whole world is said to proceed from the brahman, is maintained
and then dissolved in It. Figuratively, It is said to be the material as
well as efficient cause of the world. The world in its original
(unevolved or dissolved) state is seen as a seed [ bIja] of nAmarUpa
which is unmanifested [avyakta]. This bIja is seen as the material
cause and associated with saguNa brahman or Ishvara it is also seen
as the efficient cause of the Universe. This seed itself, on criteria of
'eternity' and 'causality', is a superimposition through Ignorance. It is
negated to deny the reality of cosmos and to reach the absolute
substratum, 'the one only without dual' [ekamevAdvitIyam] brahman.
In reality there is nothing except brahman and all creation,
sustenance and dissolution is mithyA.
There are three main ways of understanding creation in the Advaita

113
tradition - ajAti vAda (creation is mithyA) [अजाित वाद], sRRiShTi-
dRRiShTi vAda (what has been created is perceived) [सृिष-दिष वाद], and
114
dRRiShTi-sRRiShTi vAda (what is being created is perceived) [दिष-
सृिष वाद]. The first one is absolute view while other two are relative
views. (Also, see 2.3 and 3.6.2).
Creation (of cosmos and souls) is a 'matter of fact' at the relative level
111 KU 1.3.11. The avyakta is not independent; brahman is the only totally independent reality.
112 TU 2.7, MU 2.2.12, BG 7.37, BS 1.1.2.
113 This is the corollary of “law of conservation of Absolute” “nAsato vidyate bhAvo nAbhAvo vidyate
sataH”: Being never ceases to exist and nonBeing never comes into existence. (BG 2.16).
114 This view was promoted by GYAnottama, more prominently by prakAshAnanda and his disciple
nAnA dIxita, and later by kAshmIraka sadAnanda. The origin of this view may be traced to
brahmasiddhi. (ref. 7.3(5&17)).
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and human mind seeks the cause of this fact. The brahman being
115
acausal, another notional entity called mAyA [माया] is conceived as
the cause of the creation. mAyA however, cannot belong to brahman
because brahman is attributeless; mAyA cannot exist because only
brahman exists. Still, mAyA's existence cannot be denied because its
manifestation is experienced. So, mAyA is said to be inexplicable
(anirvachanIya). The vivaraNa tradition identifies metaphysical
Ignorance (avidyA) with mAyA which is said to have two powers: (1)
projecting power (vixepa shakti) which projects (creates) the subtle
bodies and cosmos, and (2) veiling power ( AvaraNa shakti) which
conceals the reality of brahman from the souls which operate at the
relative level. mAyA thus acts both as the bridge and the insulator
between relative level and absolute level adding to its inexplicable
character.
4. Subject - Object Discrimination [dRRik-dRRishya viveka] [दक् -

116
दशय िववेक]
Empirical knowledge is seen as a process involving subject-object

duality. In the 'sentient being' [jIva] the 'apparent mixing of subject
and object' [adhyAsa] is (due to) Ignorance. The Knowledge of Self is
the process of 'removing innumerable superimpositions' of the ego
115 sha.nkara is many time accused of borrowing this concept from bauddha philosophies; however its
conception in its varied hues is as old as RV. This word occurs in 75 RV hymns. In UP, the word
mAyA appears in BU (2.5.19), PU (1.16), SU (1.10, 4.910), Mai (4.2), and Pai (1.12). In GK mAyA
plays a prominent role (ref 1.1617, 2.12, 2.19, 2.31, 3.19, 3.2729, 4.5859. 4.6162). Earlier in BG,
mAyA occurs in (4.6, 7.14, 18.61) and in BS only in 3.2.3; but in BSBh it occurs more frequently
(1.1.17, 1.13.19, 1.4.3, 2.1.1, 2.1.9, 2.1.21, 2.1.28 etc). In all such cases the meaning of mAyA is
magic, veiling or projecting power, appearance or illusion in addition to its archaic meaning as
mental power and deception. The word is derived from root mA = 'to measure' (mIyate anayA iti,
i.e. by which is measured). Root mA also means 'to know' (िममीते जािनते कमर मीयते अनयेित), i.e. by
which the rituals etc. are known or realized); and 'to show' ( माित (सवातमानं) दशरयित इित माया) i.e. that
which shows itself – that which appears (without any real existence)). Another popular derivation is
mAyA = mA + yA; i.e. that which is not (but still appears to be). For a traditional Vedanta position
evolved after sha.nkara and influenced by the sA.nkhya view see PD 1.4445, 2.4749, 249, 3.37
42, 4.1213, 6.128142. For evolution of the concept of mAyA, ref 7.3(9).
116 General basis: BUBh 2.4.14, BUBh 3.8.11, BUBh 4.5.15. At least in two other places: (1) adhyAsa
bhAShya in BSBh, and (2) First chapter of IShTa siddhi, the subjectobject analysis is undertaken.
In later case the subjectobject duality and its manifestation is sought to be proved as
'indeterminate' by a dialectical method.
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notion that will lead to the ultimate subject. The ultimate subject
(Witness or sAxin) is the Awareness or Self which does not have
empirical or phenomenal properties; otherwise it will be an object of
117
cognition and knowledge.
sha.nkara argues that sAxin perceives the entire movement of the

mind as an object and hence It is transcendentally changeless. The
changing mind-states of perception-cognition require an unchanging
homogeneous substratum to capture the entirety of the experience. At
that plane there is no difference between perceiver and perception;
both are figurative. In reality there is only eternal Awareness or
118
Atman.
The sAxin is without any 'agent-ship' or 'attachment'. It is the basis of
all experience. It is immutable [axara] like a 'space within pot'
[ghatAkAsha] is immutable even after destruction of the pot. Here,
sAxin is only an 'appearance' of that limitless undifferentiated
Consciousness which is the common substratum of sentient beings as
well as 'non-sentient beings' [padArtha or vastu]. In this sense It is
the inmost Self of all perceiving souls and perceived objects and is the
only unchanging and independent entity which persists amongst the
transience of the world.
This subject-object relationship is sometimes expressed in another

119
way. Any entity has five attributes: “existence, cognition, attraction,
form, and name” [asti, bhAti, priya, nAma, rUpa]. Of these the first
three are the co-referencing indicators of brahman corresponding to
Truth [sat], Awareness [chit], and Bliss [Ananda] while the last two are
117 If Self is not object of cognition how does it become an object of superimposition? Who makes this
superimposition? Both these questions evoked intense debate and varied response. sha.nkara
(ref 2.4) says, superimposition or mixing of Self and nonSelf is a natural procedure on part of
man. He further says, Self is not a nonobject in absolute sense and that learned men consider
superimposition as Ignorance. Here he merges ontology of superimposition with epistemology of
Ignorance. Later Schools postulated ontologically indeterminate rootIgnorance [mUlAvidyA] as
cause of the superimposition that appears as manifest universe, and the auxiliaryignorance
[tUlAvidyA] as its individual epistemological derivative.
118 US (prose): 2.75, 77, 79, 81.
119 Ref 7.2(6): DDV (~ sarasvatI rahasya Up.), verses 2021; and 7.2(2): VP, Ch 7 – page 156.
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the manifestation of mAyA. The brahman [Self] is the substratum of all

entities while the nAmarUpa-s are the differentiators of objects. In
sentient beings Self appears as sAxin, the pure subject while names
and forms represent body-mind adjuncts. When these adjuncts are
negated, that is when sAxin is decoupled from the names and forms;
sAxin remains 'as it is' – Self, like a space is unaffected after
destructions of pots etc.
5. Discrimination of Five Sheaths: [pa.nchakosha viveka] [पंचकोश

120
िववेक]
The sentient being (soul) is made of five sheaths (1-outer body, 2-

vital force, 3-mind, 4-intellect, 5-bliss) each of which can be known
as an object and hence can be negated to Know the inmost Self, the
unknown Knower. This Knower is called sAxin (consciousness as a
witness). It persists unchanged through all the body processes and
changing conditions of outer sheaths. The term sAxin is appearance of
Atman (Self) which is the same as brahman, the acosmic substratum
of cosmos.
6. Discrimination of Three States: [avasthAtraya viveka] [अवसथातय
120 The concept of pa.nchakosha has a basis in TU (ref TUBh 2.2.12.8.5). Sheath1 is gross body

(sthUla sharIra) which perishes after death and returns to the source (prakRRiti); sheaths2,3,4
are subtle body (sUxma sharIra) which partly transmigrates (ref BSBh 3.1: intro); and sheath5 is
causal body (kAraNa sharIra), the bliss or the Self in deep sleep. Here, Atman is differentiated
from Ananda, the later being the bliss experienced in deep sleep. Ananda (bliss) is the fifth inner
layer beyond which is the inmost Atman. The 'causal self' (kAraNAtmA) is relatively permanent self
which persists through successive rebirths determined by the law of karma. Gross body has five
'sense organs' (GYAnendriya) viz auditory (shrotRRi), tactile (tvach), visual (chaxus), gustatory
(rasanA), and olfactory (ghrANa). Gross body also has five 'gross organs of action' (karmendriya)
viz speech (vAch), hand (hasta), foot (pAda), excretion (pAyu), and reproduction (upastha). Gross
body is sustained by five types of vital airs (prANas) responsible for biomotor functions viz
expiration (prANa), inspiration (apAna), suspension (vyAna), exit (udAna), and digestion
(samAna). In subtle body, in addition to vital airs, there are five 'cognitive senses' (pratyayas)
which correspond to exterior sense organs; five conative drivers (karmendriyas) which initiate the
actions of exterior organs; and psychic apparatus of four subtle faculties viz perception (manas),
intellect (buddhi), memory (chitta), and ego (ahaMkAra) predominantly made of tejas and hence
quite mobile and restless except in sleep when it is latent. Cognitive senses and subtle faculties
are said to be derived from sattva particles of 'subtle elements' [tanmAtras] while conative drivers
and vital airs are said to be made of rajas particles of tanmAtras. Conative drivers are part of
sheath2. Cognitive senses and faculties belong to the sheaths3,4 (see, VS 2.6197).
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121
िववेक]
At the relative level deep sleep, dream, and waking states are
experienced. Each one of them is sublated by the other and there
persists in each of them Ignorance as well as sAxi-chetA or sAxin
(Witness-Consciousness) [सािकन्]. In deep sleep (sushuptI), the sAxin is
said to experience (witnesses) only mUlAvidyA of essential body
functions and not tUlAvidyA, the derived Ignorance of souls in the
form of subsequent superimpositions. Whatsoever that may be; there
is no perception in deep sleep because internal psychic organs are
122
inactive. The Self in this state is a mass of mere consciousness
(praGYAnaghana MAU 5, ghanapraGYA GK 1.1). The soul does not
perceive the external objects, not because Consciousness ceases to
be. It is because of Consciousness ( sAxin) that one denies the
existence of external sense-objects (US prose 2.90-93). Deep sleep is
said to be the seed (bIja) of the other two empirical states (US 16.18).
Appearance of Self in this state is called prAGYa. It is also called
avyAkRRita or unmanifest (US 17.65). Interestingly and significantly,
elsewhere in US (prose 1.18) sha.nkara uses the term avyAkRRita
nAmarUpa (unmanifested name and form) to denote the 'seed of the
Universe' (jagadbIjabhUtayoH) [जगदीजभूतयोः] and call it 'indescribable
as identical with or different from' (tattvAnyatvAbhyAm-
anirvachanIyayoH) [ततवानयतवाभयामनीवर चनीययोः] Self and 'cognizable by Self
(alone)' (svayaMvedya) [सवयंवेद]. What is called as 'deep sleep'
(suShupti), Ignorance (aGYAnam), or darkness (tamas) is the seed of
waking and dream state. It is burnt by the fire of Self (Knowledge) and
no more produces any effect like a burnt seed that does not germinate
(US 17.26). This seed called mAyA, time and again evolves into the
121 Ref MAU, GK, and (MAU+GK) Bh. The Self 'appearing' in (1) waking, (2) dream, (3) sleep, (4)
tUrya), is variously and respectively called (1) vishva, virAta (vaishvAnara, virAja); (2) taijasa
(hiraNyagarbha, prajApati); (3) prAGYa, avyAkRRita (Ishvara); (4) Atman (brahman), from
individual (and cosmic) view point.
122 In Advaita tradition, this nonperception itself is sAxin's experience of 'primal Ignorance' or 'avykta'
in the form (!) of latent mind. Alternatively, it is interpreted as sAxin experiencing itself as 'bliss'.
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three states, one after another wherein Self in the garb of mAyA
(mAyAvyAtmA) appears to be many like a reflection of sun in waters
123
(US 17.27-28).
The fourth state, called turIya is changeless state which is the

Knowledge, which cannot be sublated by any other state, and which is
beyond time, space, and causation. It is the direct experience of
acosmic brahman, the state of Liberation. In other three states
Knowledge exists as a substratum without being tainted by Ignorance.
It exists as a sAxi-chetA which is essentially cosmic consciousness
(sarva sAxi, sarva dRRik or Ishvara sAxin). From the axiological point
of view turIya state is distinguished from ordinary 'death' where the
sAxin is associated with karma-phala due to Ignorance. This
association results in transmigration. In turIya however, individuated
sAxin figuratively assumes original sarva sAxitva.
7. Universal - Particular Discrimination [samanta - vishiShTha

viveka] [समंत – िविशष िववेक]124
One can only hear a particular sound when the drum is beaten or a
conch is blown or when a lute is played. This is 'the sounds of that
particular instrument'. However, when we perceive such a class of
123 There is pointer to SingleSoul theory three individual experiential states can be mapped onto the
aggregate experiential states of the SingleSoul viz. nonmanifestness (His sleep), subjective
multisoul experiences (His dream or secondary illusion), and integrated world experience (His
waking or primary illusion). US (prose 1.1820, verse 17.2628) and similar comments from
sha.nkara's other works such as in (KUBh 1.3.11; CUBh 8.14.1; BUBh 2.4.10; BUBh 1.4.7; BSBh
1.2.22; BSBh 1.4.2,3,7,9; BSBh 2.1.14; BUBh 3.5.1) offer the basis for later commentators to
equate the term Ignorance with mAyA, avyAkRRita, avyakta, avyAkRRitanAmarUpa, nAmarUpa
(and with prakRRiti by borrowing the term from sA.nkhya), and call it indeterminate (mithyA).
124 Ref BU 2.4.712, CU 3.14.114, BG 3.1214, KU 1.3.1315. There are three views of the universal
[samanta] in Indic philosophies: (1) nyAyavaisheShika view: This is a realist view in which the
universal is a real entity which is distinct from but inheres in many individuals. (2) bauddha view:
This is a nominalist view according to which universal is a mere name; it has no objective
existence. Only the particular at a point of time is ultimately real. Two particulars though different
from each other are identified together due to their more pronounced contrast with third object. For
example, the so called sameness of cows is exclusion of noncows. (3) Jain and Advaita view:
This is a conceptual view. Both reject concept of universal as a real, independent and objective
entity. It is only a concept in our mind constituted by the essential common attributes of individuals
which are present in the object of our experience (ref 7.3 (16), page 201).
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sounds we know that we are 'hearing a sound'. This 'hearing of sound'

is general and universal. The particularized sound has no separate
existence other than the principle of hearing, the universal sound. In
the same way, the particulars and classes of touch, color, test, and
odor do not exist apart from the universals to which they respectively
belong. We can say by analogy that none of the particulars and
classes found in the world during its period of manifestation exists
independently of the greatest and all inclusive universal, the saguNa
(qualitative) brahman which is all actions, all desires, all smells, all
essences etc. (सवर कमार सवर कामा सवर गंध: सवर रस: …. ) as described in CU
3.14.2&4. The same universal is figuratively described in BG 13.13 as
“on all sides It has hands and feet; on all sides eyes, heads and
mouths etc. (सवर त: पािणपादं सवर तोऽिकिशरोमुखं...). This perceptional universal is
superimposed to reject the insentient and finite qualities in saguNa
brahman. The absolute (nirguNa) brahman is beyond the universals
and particulars. It is the negation of both perceptional and conative
qualities of the saguNa brahman; it is attributeless and acosmic as
indicated in BU 3.8.8, KU 1.3.15, MAU 7. It is the undifferentiated,
limit-less, unchanging, and acausal Awareness that is the Self of all
beings.
8. Principle of Common Substratum [sAmAnyAdhikaraNa nyAya]

[सामानयािधकरण नयाय]:
The pot [ghaTa] and the temple [maTha] have common substratum
(space) and common material base (earth). By negating the limiting
adjuncts and particularized forms of pot and temple, we find the
undifferentiated space and the material earth. Similarly brahman and
indeterminate mAyA are common substratum and material base
respectively of all appearances of names and forms. Similar ' ghaTa -
ghaTAkAsha' metaphor is used in GK 3.3-3.7 to draw number of
conclusions: pot-spaces merge in space after destruction of pots,
likewise individual souls merge in Self (3.4); single pot-space is
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associated with smoke etc likewise individual has his own mind-states
(3.5); individual name-form-function differ, but space does not differ;
same applies to soul (3.6); pot-space is neither a modification or part
of space, likewise individual soul is neither a modification or a part of
Self (3.7).
9. Ocean- Waves Simile [samudra-tara.nga nyAya] [समुद-तरंग नयाय]:
Each wave of the ocean is perceived separately and can be

distinguished from the other wave. But all are water only, and are not
separate from the ocean. The difference between them is only
apparent. Similarly all the innumerable jIva-s that appear in this
universe, though apparently they are perceived to be separate from
one another, are in reality one with the brahman. There is no
difference or diversity. The 'sea-wave-foam' simile is used by
sha.nkara in BSBh 2.1.13, while the 'water-foam' simile is used by him
in US 1.1.19 to illustrate the mithyatva of world process.
125
10. Two Thorns Simile [kaNTakadvaya nyAya] [कंटकदय नयाय] :
A thorn stuck in the leg is removed by another one and then both are
thrown away. Similarly, impurities are removed with the help of
prescribed karma and after realizing Knowledge, karma is abandoned.
Prescribed karma superimposes (inculcates) virtuous habits and
values to cancel vices and impurities. Purified mind free of impurities
is the ready receptor of Knowledge. After realization of Self, karma and
associated habits and impressions become redundant; they are
abandoned figuratively. (Also, ref. Pai 2.12). After the realization of
Knowledge, instruments of knowledge such as Veda too become
redundant and are figuratively abandoned.
125 The simile can be seen as elucidating the method of adhyAropaapavAda. Its contemporary
reference is available in RK Math diaries volume 5; its roots however, may be in tantra or shAkta
literature. IU verse11 can be interpreted on the line of this simile as also verse 18 of amRRita
bindu Up..
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3.0 Ignorance and Illusion
If Knowledge (GYAna) is the realization of Self which is attributeless,

126
independent, unsublatable, and acausal; Ignorance (avidyA) is
attributed, dependent, sublatable and causal.
Ignorance is customarily identified with following features: (1) It is without

beginning [anAdi], (2) It 'can be terminated by Knowledge' (GYAna-
nivRRitya), (3) It is 'positive or causal' [ bhAvarUpa], (4) It has qualitatively
127
3-fold (triguNAtmaka) , (4) It is inexplicable and indeterminate
128 129
(anirvachanIya , mithyA ), (5) It has two powers: concealment
[AvaraNa] and projection [vixepa], (6) Its locus [Ashraya] is either
brahman or jIva.
In BSBh preamble Ignorance [Nescience] is equated with Superimposition

[adhyAsa] which is the basis of all our empirical activities. At times
however, sha.nkara seems to suggest Ignorance to be the root cause of
the world. At other times this causality is only figurative, of the type of
rope-snake metaphor where rope is seen as a snake due to ignorance
(darkness) and when knowledge of reality occurs snake vanishes. The
metamorphosis of Ignorance as a positive causal power projecting the
world phenomenon mainly happened in post-sha.nkara period while
126 The word 'avidyA' occurs in IU (11), KU (1.2.5) and MU (1.2.89), not necessarily in the technical
sense in which it is used in BSBh and later commentaries. In BSBh however, it mainly comes with
epistemologicalpsychological purport, while in postsha.nkara Advaita it is posited as ontologically
indeterminate causal power that projects the universe and its objects while concealing the
absolute reality (brahman). This was further elevated to the principle of metaphysical agnosticism.
For example, shrI harSha in khaNDana states: 'everything other than the Self is indeterminable'.
(One may decide to call that 'other' as Ignorance or mAyA).
127 Made of sattva (purity), rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia) (VS 34; VC 108, 110120; VP p.159161).
128 sha.nkara uses this term (anirvachanIya) for avyAkRRita nAmarUpa (unmanifested names and
forms) and not for avidyA though later vedAntins, particularly vivaraNa School, subsumed the
concept of avyAkRRita nAmarUpa by the concept of indeterminate Ignorance. In the extant
Vedanta literature, the term anirvachanIya first appeared as an adjective of avidyA in brahma
siddhi (ref brahmasiddhi by AchArya maNDana mishra with a commentary by shankhapANi, Ed.
by S. Kuppuswami Sastri, Publ. by Govt. Press, Madras). Postsha.nkara vedAntins, with few
exceptions like sureshvara, associated this term with avidyA.
129 In TP, chitsukha defines 'mithyA' as that which is canceled by Knowledge. To posit Knowledge as
selfluminous and Ignorance as darkness, he defines selfluminosity as that which can be
experienced in immediate Awareness but which cannot be object of cognition.
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defending Advaita principles against rival schools. In that role Ignorance is

known as mUlAvidyA, is synonymous with mAyA, and is of indeterminate
reality grade.
3.1 Illusion: Advaita acknowledges following existential states: (1)

Absolute [pAramArthika] of the Liberated soul; (2) Empirical [vyAvahArika]
where Self reveals Itself as immediate experience of the wakeful soul, as
also (2a) Soul's mental [mAnasika] states such as dreams, and (2b) Deep
sleep [sushuptI] and other unconscious states. (see BSBh 3.2.10); (3)
Illusory [prAtibhAsika] where there is erroneous wakeful experience. It is
negated by the valid experience, such as rope mistaken for snake in semi-
darkness is revealed on proper scrutiny. Some times, grade (2a) is
clubbed with grade (3) and the combined one is known as prAtibhAsika in
the sense of subjective reality rather than cognitive error. Ultimately, there
is subjective element even in the wakeful experience, however,
vyAvahArika subjectivity can be shared (communicated) and validated on
a 'moment to moment basis' with other sentient beings. Its 'qualitative
experience' is different than that of other states.
As seen in 2.4, illusory experience is a 'perceptual error' - 'obfuscation of

the substratum reality' [AvaraNa] or 'projection of a different reality'
[vixepa]. It is due to defects or limitations of cognizing apparatus or due to
inherent nature of cognitive process. This illusion is said to be of two kinds:
1. 'Objective Superimposition' [arthAdhyAsa]: It confuses one object of

cognition with another, such as perceiving the rope as a snake, post as
a man, nacre as a silver, two moons instead of one, rainbow in a sky,
mirage in a desert etc;
2. Attributive Superimposition [GYAnAdhyAsa]: It confuses attributes of

one cognition with another, such as colors in the crystal, shadows on
the wall, blurred images, smallness of distant objects, sky color,
apparent stillness of rotating wheel etc.
Illusions have always some extra-mental substratum and differ from pure
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memory, dreams, and hallucinations which are mental [mAnasika]

phenomena inasmuch as there is no direct contact with extra-mental
object. All illusions have hierarchy of supports. In a particular context, the
lowest (ultimate or most real) support is known as substratum
[adhiShThana] differentiated by the support(s) [AdhAra-s] of super-
imposed object(s) of lower reality. So, in nacre-silver illusion nacre is the
130
substratum while silver is the support. Even in so called pure mental
phenomenon there is some support for mental objects. Various Indic
Schools formulated their own illusion theories, termed as khyAti (ibid. f. n.
of 2.4). The Advaita's theory of illusion is known as anirvachanIya khyAti; it
holds the illusory object to be an instantaneous and apparent creation of
ignorance [aGYAna] associated with substratum which is but vaguely
perceived. This ignorance (illusion) is of indeterminate reality.
Empirical experience itself is a jumble of superpositions; the fundamental

one is that of body-mind complex on Self. It persists throughout life-time
of jIva as ego [aham pratyaya]. Superpositions of sensory perceptions are
like a fresco drawn on the Self (see PD 6.1-10). Some of the
superpositions take forms of impressions [saMskAra-s], some becomes
propensities [vAsanA-s], and some others becomes memories [ smaraNa-
s]. Self is the 'ultimate substratum' [adhiShThAna] of all experiences. At
the cosmic level it is indeterminate mAyA which hides brahman and
projects multiplicity of names and forms. The soul due to Ignorance is not
131
able to apprehend the ultimate substratum that is brahman. Though
traditionally illusion is understood to be an error in empirical cognition that
can be corrected by valid means of knowledge, after critical analysis we
find that our so called validated cognition itself is erroneous due to
limitations of superimposed body-mind complex. The basic cognitive error
130 sarvaGYAtmana introduced these two terms in SS 1.3133.
131 In pramANa UP, the illusoriness of multiplicity is implicit (BU 2.4.14, 2.5.19, 4.3.7, 4.4.4, PU 1.16)
and inferable by the statements of nonduality (BU 4.4.19, CU 3.14.1, 6.2.12, CU 6.8.7, KU 2.4.10
11, MU 2.2.11, MAU 2, 7). In BG illusoriness is more explicit as in 7.1315, 13.16 but in BS only in
3.2.3. In later UP like Mai, Pai and in GK, BSBh illusoriness quite clearly comes out. Ref 7.1(9),
7.3(1), 7.3(9).
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(primary Illusion, fundamental Ignorance or Nescience) cannot be

corrected by mere applications of relative means of knowledge but
requires something more (see Ch-4).
3.2 Illusion and Creation: In the first Chapter of BSBh sha.nkara

clarifies that brahman is known to have two aspects – one as qualified by
the adjuncts in the form of the varieties of modification of name and form
and the other free of all adjuncts (BSBh 1.1.12). In the second Chapter, he
points out that brahman cannot undergo change, and explains (BSBh
2.1.14) that the one becoming many as nAmarUpa is only an 'appearance'
conjured up by Ignorance; and Ishvara is relevant only in the relative
plane. In the absolute plane, there are no empirical transactions.
Elsewhere (BUBh 3.8.12, AUBh 3.1.3) he says that the brahman, devoid of
all attributes and actions, by the association of the adjuncts of unlimited
knowledge (mAyA or prakRRiti), becomes the omniscient Ishvara and is
known as antaryAmi by virtue of his being activator and controller of the
activity of the unmanifested seed of the universe. When it has the adjuncts
of the individual body-minds, characterized by ignorance, desire and
action, it is called the 'transmigrating soul' [saMsArI jIva].
At the absolute level there is no transmigration, law of action, worldly

affairs, and liberation - the very basis of the Advaita theology. Only
brahman exists. This brahman is different than mAdhyamaka's shUnya in
one important respect. It is the substratum of the Universe including
sentient beings. The mAdhyamaka seeks to explain the world phenomenon
including sentience 'from within', while Advaita seeks to explain it taking
recourse to acosmic Noumenon relegating the world to the ontological
level of neither real nor unreal, a manifestation of metaphysical Ignorance.
This Ignorance gave rise to three world views in post sha.nkara period: (1)
Illusion Theory [AbhAsa vAda], (2) Delimitation Theory [avachCheda
vAda], and (3) Reflection Theory [pratibiMba vAda]. They were developed
as a part of what we now know as vArtika, bhAmati, and vivaraNa
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132
traditions respectively.
In AbhAsa vAda [आभास वाद], the creator is God [Ishvara], an entity of a

133
secondary reality constituted by 'semblance of brahma-chaitanya''
[chidAbhAsa] [िचदाभास] and formed by association of brahman with the
cosmic adjunct called mAyA. The soul, also of a lower reality, is
constituted by chidAbhAsa formed as the secondary consciousness in the
individual adjunct of subtle body.
In avachCheda vAda [अवचछे द वाद], the figurative creator is the brahman

acquiring the quality of omniscience [sarva GYAna] and omnipotence
[sarva shakti] through conditioning by the adjunct [ upAdhi] [उपािध], a
manifestation of mAyA. The conditioned brahman is called Ishvara.
Similarly, the soul is brahma-chaitanya limited by the 'individual adjunct'
[sharIra]. It is non-different from brahma-chaitanya but souls deluded by
individual Ignorance [adhyAsa], mistake it to be different.
In pratibiMba vAda [पितिबंब वाद], the creator is brahman acquiring the

adventitious status as the prototype [biMba], corresponding to the
reflection [pratibiMba] of brahma-chaitanya in the cosmic adjunct [mAyA]
and individual adjunct (subtle body). The biMba is Ishvara. What appears
as a reflection is brahma-chaitanya Itself. It is thought by souls to be
different owing to the delusion (adhyAsa) caused by Ignorance. Here, the
agentship [kartRRitva] of causing reflection is with Ishvara in conjunction
with mAyA and not with nirguNa brahman.
In AbhAsa vAda, Ishvara and jIva are semblance of consciousness in mAyA

and individual intellect respectively, while in other two Schools Ishvara’s
consciousness and jIva’s consciousness are non-different from brahma-
chaitanya – that is to say, there is no secondary consciousness of a lower
132 Ref: annexes by D. Krishna Ayyar (check www.vedantaadvaita.org) and Ref. 7.3(5, 8, 10, 17).
These three traditions differ in: (a) metaphoric and metaphysical relationship between brahman
and jIva, Ishvara; (b) locus of avidyA; (c) immediacy of Knowledge; (d) causality and types of
Ignorances; and (e) ways of 'realization'. The locus of avidyA is the main differentiator between
bhAmati and other Advaita traditions.
133 Here, the word chaitanya is indicative of consciousnesses as the animating sentience.
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order of reality as omniscient [sarvaGYa] in case of Ishvara and as 'knower

[pramAtR] with limited knowledge' [alpaGYa] in case of jIva. The souls, on
account of superimposition [adhyAsa] caused by Ignorance, regard the
very brahman-consciousness to be the differentiating knower-
consciousnesses of self and to be the omniscient consciousness of Ishvara.
This difference between “illusion as an effect of superposition” and
“illusion as superposition” in souls may appear mere play of words, but
this subtlety differentiates the 'illusion' of vivaraNa and bhAmati traditions
from the 'illusion' of AbhAsa line.
sha.nkara provides guideposts of 'creation' in his commentaries. In his

adhyAsa bhAShya, he equates Ignorance with superimposition. However,
at places he equates Ignorance with seed potency of nAmarUpa in the
names of 'unmanifest' [avyakta], mAyA, seed-state [bIjAvasthA] etc. and
134
reiterates brahman’s agent less Lordship over avyakta or mAyA.
Sometimes he uses the term nAmarUpa itself to denote 'seed of the
cosmos' (nAmarUpayoH jagadbIjabhUtayoH) (CUBh 8.14.1) as the
unmanifest primary condition of cosmos. In upadesha sAhasrI (prose 1.18-
20) sha.nkara says that cosmos and differentiated sentience - space, air,
fire, water, earth etc and then flora-fauna, food, embryo, sentient beings
etc. all originally evolved from 'unevolved-unmanifested name and form'
[avyAkRRita nAmarUpa] [अवयाकृत नामरप] in a gradual, cascaded and
135
collaborative manner. Here sha.nkara anticipates the difficulty of
134 BSBh 1.4.23, BSBh 1.4.9, BUBh 1.4.7; also see KU 1.3.11, MU 2.1.2, SU 4.5, SU 4.10 (‘Know
mAyA to be prakRRiti and maheshvara, the God to be mAyin, the master of mAyA).
135 In US, sha.nkara follows 5element evolution based on TU 2.1. However, the oldest reference to
evolutionformation of matter is the trivRRitkaraNa theory of CU 6.3.23 which assumes three
subtle elements viz. fire, water, and food that are mingled to form gross elements of the world. BS
(2.4.2022) mentions this '3element theory' to suggest tripartite creation of names and forms
using the term trivRRitkurvataH (by Him who does the tripartite creation). BS (2.3.514) also
mentions '5element evolutiondissolution' viz ether, air, fire, water, and earth evolving (dissolving)
from (into) one another. BG (7.4, 13.5) alludes to similar reduction which is closer to sA.nkhya
doctrine. The oldest reference to '5element evolution' is found in TU 2.1 and the oldest reference
to '5element theory' called pa.nchIkaraNa is found in MB 12.9089, and 12.244.2 (Poona Critical
Ed). The perceptual character of tanmAtra can be tenuously inferred from TU 2.1 and PU 4.8
though its clear reference comes from yogavAsiShTha (YOV 3.1213, 6.2.8792). sha.nkara
comments on trivRRitkaraNa w/o contradicting BSBh or CUBh, however in US (prose 1.1820), he
propounds five subtle elements to support his idea of creation and alludes to their perceptual
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accepting a cause other than brahman which leads to dualism. Hence he

promptly tags the unevolved nAmarUpa as anirvachanIya [indescribable].
He is also careful not to define it as an independent material cause of the
universe by characterizing it as abiding in Self (brahman). On one hand he
stresses unevolved nAmarUpa's essential difference from brahman and on
the other hand he asserts that it evolves from the brahman. He uses the
simile of 'clear water' and 'dirty foam' that arises from clear water. In ref
7.3(16) Mayeda shows that this simile is capable of expressing the same
illusoriness as that of rope-snake simile used elsewhere in US and that the
word dirt, by its analogy with Ignorance, might have prompted sha.nkara's
pupil padmapAda to take Ignorance as the material cause of the universe.
In the context of creation, sha.nkara also quotes the aupaniShad position
that brahman, after creating the body, entered in the name and form of
136
the body as Atman . Therefore brahman is Atman; this is one way of
approaching the transcendental identity Atman = brahman.
In post-sha.nkara Advaita, mAyA plays a more prominent role. She brings

forth the universe with movable and immovable (objects); acts as
nature in US 16.2 (metrical). This might have given impetus to the theory of pa.nchIkaraNa as

detailed later by sadAnanda (VS 15/123128), and dharmarAja (VP page 157166). sha.nkara's
intention however, seems not to establish any cosmic theory of creation as such, but to show the
evolution of one unmanifestedunevolved name and form into multiplicity of names and forms
including sentient beings, and stress their unity.
pa.nchIkaraNa: Natural elements are of two kinds (ref PU 4.8) – subtle, uncompounded elements
(tanmAtra, sUxmabhUta) and gross, compounded elements (mahAbhUta, sthUlabhUta). The word
tanmAtra could mean tanmAtra: '(subsisting) from this alone'. There are five tanmAtras and five
mahAbhUtas. In general, tanmAtras have five perceptual attributes related to five human
cognitive senses; tanmAtras are evolved forth from one another, each preserving the attributes of
the preceding one and adding one more attribute. Thus, 'unmanifest' (avyakta) [अवयकत] has no
perceptual attributes; ether (AkAsha) which comes from 'unmanifest' has sound as attribute; air
(vAyu) which comes from ether has sound and touch as attributes; fire (tejas) which comes from
air has sound, touch, and vision as attributes; water (Apa) which comes from fire has sound,
touch, vision, and flavor as attributes; earth (bhUmi) which comes from water has sound, touch,
vision, flavor, and smell as attributes. Further, each mahAbhUta is formed by taking (½) of its
respective tanmAtra and adding to it (1/8) of rest of tanmAtras. For example, gross AkAsha = ½
subtle AkAsha + 1/8 subtle vAyu + 1/8 subtle tejas + 1/8 subtle Apa + 1/8 subtle bhUmi.
Obviously, this theory does not fit into the framework of modern science; it however, offers two
interesting concepts: (1) unmanifested name and form (avyAkRRita nAmarUpa, avyakta) and (2)
'perceptual subtle element' or 'monad' (tanmAtra).
136 TU 2.6.1, BU 1.4.7, BG 5.13, 13.2
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'projecting power' [vixepa shakti] and the veiling power [AvaraNa shakti].
The projecting power creates everything from subtle body to the gross
universe. The veiling power conceals the distinction between real perceiver
(Witness or sAxin) and the perceived objects which are cognized within the
body (everything from empirical ego to the gross body), as well as the
distinction between brahman and the phenomenal world which is
perceived outside one's own body (ref. DDV 13-15).
From the absolute level, the attributeless brahman is neither the

'intelligent cause' [nimitta kAraNa] nor the 'material cause' [upAdAna
kAraNa] of the universe. In fact, there is no creation at all. From the
relative level the intelligent cause of creation is the qualified [saguNa]
brahman with mAyA as upAdhi; while mAyA is the material cause of
creation, in the sense of seed of nAmarUpa evolving into manifested
nAmarUpa and being superimposed [adhyAsita] on the reality that is the
nirguNa brahman.
sha.nkara’s description of the soul seems to be the fore runner of all the
three views. He talks of soul as being perceived in the cavity of the
intellect, as possessed of such distinctions as being a seer, a thinker, a
knower etc. (TUBh 2.6.1). He then talks of brahman conforming to upAdhi-
s like space conforming to pots, jars, etc. (BSBh 1.2.14) The example of
space in pot, jar, cave etc. is also given for the conditioning of the
consciousness by the intellect whereas at other places he talks of the
intellect as being pervaded by a 'semblance of witness-consciousness'
[dRshta-AbhAsa] (US 12.1), and the modifications of the intellect being
pervaded by the 'reflection of consciousness' [chaitanya-pratibiMba] (US
5.4). In BUBh 1.4.7, he says that Atman is perceived in the mind as a
reflection of sun etc. in water and the like.
3.3 Illusion and Self: Even though the origins of these metaphors and
associated prakriyA-s of illusion, reflection, and delimitation can be traced
in sha.nkara's commentaries; his preference seems to be in favor of
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'semblance or false appearance of the Self' [chidAbhAsa]. In fact in all

probability, it was sha.nkara who introduced the concept of AbhAsa while
explaining the relationship between the Self [Atman] and the 'inner organ'
137
[antaHkaraNa] in the act of perception . He uses the term both as
reflection and as false appearance. When AbhAsa means only reflection,
138
he uses the terms pratibiMba, pratichChAyA, and ChAyA. He says, when
the 'reflection of Atman-consciousness' [chaitanya-pratibiMba] pervades
the buddhi which is by nature unconscious; it appears to be endowed with
action, and appears as perceiver (US 5.4), just as torches etc. appear to be
possessed of power of burning (on account of there being light in them)
(US 18.71). The soul is not the Atman (at the relative level). On account of
the constant proximity of the Atman (pure consciousness), the ego
becomes its semblance (US 18.26-27). After pervading and taking the
forms of external objects, the intellect becomes, as it were, an illuminator
due to Atman's reflection in it and thus perceives external objects (US
18.155, 157). Just as the face is different than its reflection in mirror,
Atman is different from Its reflection in intellect (US 18.32-33), and the
reflection is by nature unreal (US 18.40-46, 18.87). Atman's perceiver-
ship means not that Atman is the agent of action of perceiving, but that
reflection of the Atman is the enabler of perception by simply being in
vRRitti (state of mind-intellect). Atman does not do anything; It simply
exists. Following are the examples from sha.nkara's commentaries:
a) “That (brahman), having created (that) entered into that very thing –
"ततसृषटा तदेवानुपािवशत्” is discussed (TUBh 2.6.1). One of the suggestions
discussed is, ”The entry may be like that of reflections of the sun etc in
water”. sha.nkara comments that the entry is not actual entry; it has
entered, as it were; that is, it is perceived within the cavity of the
intellect, to be in possession of such distinctions as being a seer, a
hearer, a thinker, a knower etc. The idea of an entry is 'imagined'
inasmuch as brahman has no distinct attributes, It cannot be realized
137 Ref. 7.3(16): page 3637
138 US 5.4 (pratibiMba), BUBh 4.3.7 (pratichChAyA) , and US 12.6, US 14.33 (ChAyA)
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elsewhere; brahman is recognized only through Its association with the

mind, since the mind has proximity to the Self and has the nature of
illumination like the Self. (Just as the mind is mithyA, the reflection of
brahman in the mind (intellect) is also mithyA, i.e. the consciousness of
the mind is of a lower order of reality than the brahman-consciousness;
it is an illusion [AbhAsa] of brahma-chaitanya).
b) To the query “Is it not incongruous for the omniscient Deity, not being a
saMsArI, to deliberately wish and enter into the body and subject Itself
to sorrow?” sha.nkara answers: As the Up. states expressly, the ‘entry’
is in the form of several souls. A soul is merely a semblance of the
Deity. It is like the reflection of a person that appears to have entered
into a mirror and like the sun in water etc. The contact of the Deity with
the intellect results in a 'semblance of consciousness' [chaitanya
AbhAsa]. The Deity does not Itself become connected with the human
happiness, sorrow etc. (CUBh 6.3.2).
c) The Self is the witness of vision of two kinds, worldly and absolute.
Worldly vision is a mode of the mind; it arises as a reflection of the Self.
It has a beginning and an end (BUBh 3.4.2). (As such this empirical
vision is unreal; only a semblance of a vision).
d) In the dialog between maitreyI and yAGYavalkya (BUBh 2.4.12-13),

there is this discussion about Self. The seer yAGYavalkya tells maitreyI
“In the one who is freed of the body-mind complex, there is no more
consciousness”. In response maitreyI says, “Here you have confused
me, sir – by saying that after death there is no more consciousness
(contrary to what you have described earlier - Self as homogeneous
Consciousness, is endless and infinite)”. sha.nkara explains in the name
of yAGYavalkya: “I did not attribute them (endlessness, infinitude) to
the same entity. You have mistaken the same entity to have opposite
attributes. What I said was this: When the individual ego which is
superimposed by Ignorance and is connected with the body-mind is
destroyed by Knowledge, the particular consciousness connected with
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the body-mind and 'consisting of false notion' is destroyed on the

destruction of the limiting adjuncts (body-mind), just as reflection of
moon and the reflected light etc is destroyed when their support, water
etc. are destroyed. But there is no destruction of the transcendental
Self, the endless Consciousness, just as there is no destruction of the
real moon etc.” (The empirical consciousness is only an appearance
which is different than the Self or pure undifferentiated Consciousness;
this apparent particularized consciousness is destroyed after death; not
the undifferentiated Consciousness or Self)”.
e) It is to be understood that this individual soul is only a semblance of

paramAtmA like the sun in water (BSBh 2.30.50).
f) A clear crystal appears colored because of the external adjunct or other

conditioning factors. Its true nature can be known by valid means of
knowledge. Similarly individual soul mixed up with adjuncts of body,
mind and intellect appears to acquire adventitious properties. When
soul acquires 'four-fold means of realization' [sAdhana-chatuShTaya],
mind purification; and applies right methods of hearing, pondering, and
meditation there may spring the Knowledge of Self (BSBh 1.3.18).
3.4 vArtika Tradition [वाितर क संपदाय] : According to sureshvara; brahman is

non-dual, eternal, changeless and is neither cause nor effect. It has no
parts. There is no material external to brahman working on which brahman
can create anything. brahman has no organs of perception and is devoid of
intellect, desire and will. To talk of creation of the universe by brahman of
139
such a nature is illogical. For sureshvara, Ignorance is the absence of
Knowledge and effect thereof. Ignorance is established due to lack of
reflection and contemplation. Its seat is the Self and it manifests itself as
immediate experience. When Ignorance is destroyed the whole world is
destroyed and is turned into pure consciousness (BUBhV 1.4.1329). The
sole cause of superimposition is Ignorance, which means 'I do not know'. It
139 TUBhV 2.140, 142, 143, 144, 375, BUBhV Vol 1 2.1.385, 2.4.244
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is established only through one's own experience of it like the owl's

experience of night by day (TUBhV 2.176). One who wishes to see
Ignorance by means of Knowledge is like one hoping to see the darkness in
the depths of a cave with a lamp (meaning Ignorance is destroyed by
Knowledge like darkness is destroyed by lamp). Whatever appears in this
world as non-Self is a result of Ignorance. Knowledge has only one form,
that of the Self. Ignorance has no other nature but failure to apprehend the
Self. Ignorance is non-Knowledge in the sense of opposite of Knowledge
(TUBhV 2.177-179). sureshvara does not distinguish lack of knowledge,
wrong knowledge, and doubt as separate metaphysical entities; he clubs
them together as one metaphysical entity – that is absence of Knowledge
or Ignorance (TUBhV 1.4.440).
The whole world of duality is per se endless, in that it rests on bare

Ignorance of the non-dual Self as the “silver rests on the ignorance of the
nacre”. Hence it is Ignorance of the Self which is ultimately the cause of all
evil (NS 1.1 intro). sureshvara says, “Ignorance of the Self is the
precondition for this magic show of duality, and the Absolute is the cause
mediately through that” (BUBhV 1.4.371).
The world which is composed of names and forms has no existence of its
own. Absolute (brahman) is the only pure existence. The relative existence
of all phenomenal things proceed from the eternal Ishvara. Everything has
its being in the being of Self. The names and forms – ahaMkAra (ego) and
other objects – are superimposed on the transcendental Absolute. The
'reality of the gross and the subtle phenomenon' [vyAvahArika satya] and
140
the illusion like mirage [prAtibhAsika satya] have sprung from Ignorance.
The cosmos is 'uncategorizable duality' [anirvachanIyasiddha dvaitavastu]
[अिनवर चनीय दैतवसतु]. It is a false appearance with no reality of its own; it is
caused by mAyA and defies understanding (NS 2.44).
From the extracts given above, we can say that, according to sureshvara,
140 TUBhV 2.407, 408, 416, 417, 418, NS 2.45.
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the cause of the universe is not nirguNa brahman but Isvara, constituted
by the semblance of brahma-chaitanyam in mAyA, which is mithyA. The
reality is brahman as Existence. The mithyA names and forms displayed by
mAyA are superimposed on brahman. Ishvara who is omniscient and
omnipotent is the intelligent cause of creation.
mAyA defies understanding. It cannot be said to be non-existent because

it appears. It cannot be said to be existent because it is sublated. We
cannot say that it is different from brahman because, brahman being non-
dual, there is no second entity. Nor can we say that it is non-different from
brahman, because brahman is its locus. It is mithyA. It is beginningless
(anAdi in the sense that its beginning is not in time and it has no cause)
(NS 1.1 intro).
3.4.1 Ignorance – its content and locus: According sureshvara, it is

the Self alone which is both the seat of Ignorance and the object of
Ignorance. He argues that Self obviously is not identical with Ignorance
which obscures the Knowledge and veils the Self. Nor is Self the effect of
Ignorance since Self is eternal and unchanging. Self is postulated to have
self-sustaining independent existence. This implies that Self can be the
seat of Ignorance and it is not the other way round. At the relative level
Self appears to be differentiated in knower, knowledge, and known due to
mere Ignorance just as it is mere Ignorance due to which 'rope appears as
a snake' – the rope and Self in reality are quite unaffected (NS 3.1). At the
absolute level, Ignorance simply does not exist and the notion that
141
Ignorance has its seat in Knowledge is only imagined in Ignorance.
The extracts given below show that sureshvara is an advocate of AbhAsa

vAda:
a) Soul is a semblance of brahma-chaitanyam [chit-AbhAsa] in the

intellect. An AbhAsa is different from the original but is resembles the
original (BUBhV).
141 See, saMbandha vArtika (176) of sureshvara; this vArtika is an introduction to his own BUBhV.
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b) The non-dual Seer (Self) appears to be many in several bodies,

because of the presence of the internal organ, just as the sun appears
to be many in different water vessels (NS 2.47).
c) Just as in the case of fire and wood, the object and the burning agent
exist together in the same place, the mind and Atman exist together.
The mind which is a product of Ignorance, undergoes modification due
to its relation with external objects and there arises the ‘I’ notion in it
for delimiting the modification as such and such. The mind, being
delimited by the ‘I’ notion becomes an object directly to the 'reflected
consciousness' [chidAbhAsa] of which the 'immutable' Atman is the
142
cause (NS 3.60).
d) The body, the senses, the mind and determinative modes of the
intellect are negated as not-Self, because they are perceived and are
subject to origination and cessation. The 'internal organ' which has the
‘I’ notion can be objectified and appears-disappears; it is also,
therefore, not-Self [anAtmA] (NS 3.82).
e) The intellect which contains the semblance of Atman chaitanyam is the

agent [kartA]; Self is not the agent, because it is immutable (NS 2.63). If
the ‘I’ notion was an attribute of the Self, it would be eternal, like the
Self; that is, it will continue during suShupti and even in the state of
Liberation.
Reflection is taken here as an illusion in a primary sense (as AbhAsa). In

Schools of vivaraNa and bhAmati this reflection is real in primary sense
and is illusion in a secondary sense as an effect of superimposition
(Ignorance or Nescience).
3.5 bhAmati Tradition [भामित संपदाय] : sha.nkara's elder contemporary

143
maNDana mishra articulated some of the Advaita opinions, including his
142 Atman remains absolutely unchanged; it has no intentionality, doership, or consumership and in
that sense It is acausal (akriya).
143 In addition to brahmasiddhi, maNDana wrote works on mImAMsA, on philosophy of language
(sphotasiddhi) and, on theory of error (vibhramaviveka). He had profound influence on post
sha.nkara Advaita.
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own, prevalent at his times in his brahmasiddhi, an influential treaties on

144
Advaita. Another well known commentator vAchaspati mishra
incorporated some of maNDana's opinions while commenting on BSBh (of
145
sha.nkara). This commentary of vAchaspati is titled bhAmati. It posits an
influential view within Advaita tradition in the name of bhAmati School. It
incorporates 'avachCheda vAda' or 'delimitation theory'.
vAchaspati defines truth and ultimate reality as 'immediate self-

revelation' [sva-prakAshatA] which is never contradicted [abAdhita]. Only
inmost Self qualifies for such reality. In his commentary on BSBh 1.3.30 he
says that at the time of 'great dissolution' [mahApralaya] all products of
Ignorance cease to function and merge into their root cause – Ignorance,
'as subtle potentialities' [sUxmeNa shakti-rUpeNa]. After great dissolution
they come out like limbs of the tortoise and assume their names and
forms. He does not consider nirguNa brahman to be the material cause of
the universe, ruling out Its actual transformation into the universe. He says
that if the universe was an actual transformation of brahman, (brahman
being consciousness) all objects of the universe, not merely souls, would
be sentient. So, brahman is only an 'apparent material cause' [vivarta
upAdAna kAraNa]. He makes a distinction between 'unconditioned
brahman' [nirupAdhika brahman] and conditioned brahman [sopAdhika
brahman]. Owing to the adjunct of Ignorance (mAyA), brahman acquires
the attributes of omniscience and omnipotence (bhAmati 1.1.1). This
sopAdhika brahman called Ishvara is the material and intelligent cause of
the universe. The mAyA is the adjunct of Ishvara and the intellects which
are manifestation of mAyA are the adjuncts of souls.
vAchaspati speaks of the 'indeterminable nature' of the universe

[anirvachanIyatvam] giving the analogy of the mirage. Is the cognition of
water appearing in the rays of the sun reflected from the desert sand real
or not? If it was real it would not be negated, but we do negate it when we
144 A versatile commentator who has written books on other classical Indian Schools too.
145 bhAmati is said to be the name of author's wife; bhAmati also means shining intellect.
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reach the spot where we perceived it and find that there is no water. At the
same time we cannot absolutely deny the existence of the water, because
water was cognized. The experience of the perception of water, qua
experience, cannot be negated. Thus, the mirage is neither existent nor
non-existent nor existent-cum-non-existent. Similarly, the universe of
objects, bodies and organs are also, indescribable as existent or non-
existent. brahman’s absoluteness [pAramArthika satyam] is proved by
scriptures and reasoning. The objects, bodies, sense organs and intellects
(minds) of the universe are superimposed on brahman owing to Ignorance.
The substratum of this superimposed mithyA world is brahman, just as the
rope is the substratum of the erroneously perceived snake. Ignorance in
the form of superimposition is indeterminable. In bhAmati 2.2, vAchaspati
says that the objects are themselves indefinable in their nature and they
are not mere mental ideas; they exists independent of perceiver. Their
nature and raison d'etre however, is undefinable (anirvAchya).
Soul is not different from Atman [brahman] nor is soul a modification of

brahman. Soul is brahma-chaitanyam itself appearing to be limited owing
to the influence of Ignorance (bhAmati 1.4.22). Ignorance operates at the
relative plane, through it's dual power of concealment [AvaraNa] and
projection [vixepa]. Souls are at the mercy of the concealing and projecting
powers of Ignorance. Ishvara, being its Lord is not affected by it. The
concealing power gives rise to the non-apprehension of the identity of
souls with brahman. The consciousness in the body-mind complex is
wrongly apprehended as finite just as space enclosed in pots etc is
apprehended as the limited space. The brahman is homogeneous,
undifferentiated consciousness, but owing to the qualities superimposed
by Ignorance, It appears as differentiated objectified intellects and as
numerous limited individuals. Here, vAchaspati uses the metaphor of
reflection. Just as reflections of spotless prototype, though non-different
from prototype, appear variegated due to the reflecting media, in like way
jIva-s too, though non-different from brahman, appear differentiated due
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to intervening adjuncts.
3.5.1 Ignorance – its content and locus: Like other Advaita

philosophers, vAchaspati also says that the content of Ignorance is
brahman. It is due to the influence of Ignorance that souls, forgetting the
identity of brahma-chaitanyam and pratyagAtma (Self, witness-
consciousness) regard the enclosed pratyagAtmA to be a limited individual
knower-consciousness and themselves to be limited individuals.
The bhAmati tradition speaks about two fold power of indeterminable

Ignorance, one fold related with dissolution (laya) or non-cognition and
another with projection or wrong cognition (vixepa). vAchaspati says,
causal Ignorance is of the nature of dissolution, associated with the
impressions of world-projections in the previous world-periods. Name and
forms so conceived are called mAyA (bhAmati 2.2.2). This two-fold causal
power was later termed as root-Ignorance [mUlAvidyA]. As regards locus
of Ignorance, vAchaspati holds that soul is the locus of Ignorance. His
argument is that it is only the soul who is the agent [kartA], the enjoyer
[bhoktA], the one who has the notion of “I” [ ahaMkAra], the transmigrator
[saMsArI] and the victim of all suffering. Therefore soul alone can be the
locus of the Ignorance which is the root cause of multiplicity. On the other
hand, brahman is pure [shuddha], defect-less [niranjana] and is of the
nature of Knowledge [vidyAtma]. Therefore it is illogical to speak of
brahman as the locus of Ignorance. Further, it is the soul, not brahman,
who requires the Knowledge for removing Ignorance. Logically, the
destroyer vidyA, and the destroyed avidyA, must have the same locus.
According to vAchaspati, Ignorance is not one; there are as many

Ignorances as there are souls, soul being the seat of Ignorance. If
Ignorance was a single entity, then when one soul attains the knowledge ‘I
am brahman’ [aham brahmAsmi], the single Ignorance will be removed
and, there being no Ignorance to delude other souls, all souls will be
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146
simultaneously liberated, without any efforts on their part. He explains
the use of “mAyA” in singular (SU 4.10) by interpreting it as the state of
being deluded by Ignorance. The objection raised against this is, “soul
being a product of Ignorance cannot be its locus” [anyonya Ashraya].
vAchaspati mishra's answer is “there is a succession of births; my present
birth is due to the Ignorance located in me in my previous birth and the
Ignorance located in me in the present birth will produce my next birth;
thus, there are two beginningless series, one of birth and the other of
Ignorance. So there is no defect of anyonya Asraya.” In the similar vain
vAchaspati waives the objection against the reciprocal dependence
between Self-objectification and 'super-imposition'; he says the Self-
objectification and superimposition is a beginningless process like a seed
and sprout so that every subsequent superimposition has for its object that
147
which was the effect of each earlier superimposition.
3.5.2 bhAmati main points: Following is the summary of the bhAmati

position:
a) Performance of 'obligatory' duties leads to the 'desire of Knowledge'.
b) Text (shruti) cannot produce immediate cognition (perception). It is the

mind (antaHkaraNa or buddhi) that produces perception; and mind
purified by meditation produces Knowledge. Text is a helpful auxiliary
for that purpose. Mind is a sense-organ and also an instrument
through which Self-realization arises.
c) Sustained Meditation [nididhyAsa] is the principal factor while hearing

or study [shravaNa] and reflection [manana] are its subsidiary factors.
d) Soul is Consciousness limited by Ignorance, while God [Ishvara] is the

Consciousness transcending the limiting adjunct.
146 The concept of “Plurality of Ignorances” needs reconciliation to prevent it from sliding into multi
soul solipsism (anekajIva dRRiShTi sRRiShTi vAda). This was later done by syncretist vedAntins
like appaya dIxita with explanation that a single ontological Ignorance can operate in a particular
mode (avasthAGYAna) in each soul; only that particular mode subsides after the Liberation of the
respective soul. Others souls remain in bondage due to their respective modal Ignorance.
147 Later vedAntins delegated the resolution of such mutual dependencies to the inexplicable mAyA.
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e) Soul is the locus of Ignorance while Self is the content of Ignorance.
f) The Ignorance is manifold with as many folds as there are jIva-s. Its
prime component (primal Ignorance) dissolves and projects
nAmarUpa-s.
g) Generally, trivRRitkaraNa is the preferred theory of production (by
vAchaspati & amalAnanda)
h) The 'discrimination' [viveka] is foremost in the four-fold means.
i) The omniscience of brahman is derived from the essential nature of

brahman.
j) The nature of jIva and Ishvara is explained by the 'delimitation theory'
[avachCheda-vAda]; it is the distinguishing theory of the bhAmati
School.
3.6 vivaraNa Tradition [िववरण संपदाय]: The vivaraNa view stems from
pa.ncha-pAdikA [PP], a commentary written by sha.nkara's disciple
padmapAda on BSBh on first four sUtra-s and a commentary on
148
padmapAda's work written by prakAshAtman called pa.nchapAdikA-
vivaraNa. The name 'vivaraNa' (literal meaning: elucidation) was taken
from the later work.
3.6.1 pa. nchapAdikA: PP's position on superimposition is based on

creative interpretation of sha.nkara's adhyAsa-bhAShya. PP contextually
interprets the word mithyA as (a) 'denial' [apanhava] as in case of mithyA
iti bhavitam uktam; and (b) as 'indeterminable' [anirvachanIya] as in case
of mithyAGYAnanimitta. In the first case (a) superimposition is taken as
logical impossibility rather than as indeterminable but natural
phenomenon. In the second case (b), this impossibility is 'apparently'
made possible by way of coupling the Real and the Unreal caused by
Ignorance or Nescience. Here Ignorance is interpreted as an ontological
(causal) entity rather than as an epistemological one. PP does so by
suitably interpreting the word mithyAGYAnanimitta. It takes mithyA-
148 A commentator whose vivaraNa summarized the dominant Advaita thought of his times.
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aGYAna [indeterminable Ignorance] and not mithyA-GYAna [false

149
knowledge] as the cause [nimitta] of super-imposition. It suggests that
all empirical transactions [vyavahAra] has Ignorance as their material
cause. Ignorance is not mere 'lack of knowledge' [a-GYAna] but it is the
causal power [avidyA shakti], is insentient [jaDAtmikA] and is opposed to
Knowledge. It is neither real nor unreal; it is inexpressible or undefinable.
According to padmapAda, this position is accepted as a postulate
[arthApatti] because objective world, though not real, is experienced as a
matter of fact. This interpretation of Ignorance causing the
'superimposition' and hence being the root cause of 'phenomenal world'
150
[saMsAra] has been now well established in Advaita tradition.
In his comments on adhyAsa bhAShya, padmapAda discusses cognition-

perception along with nature of consciousness. He divides the 'I-cognition
or ego' [asmat-pratyaya] in 'this-part' [idamaMsha] which can be
objectified and 'not-this-part' [unidamaMsha] which cannot be objectified.
These two parts are intermingled and this seeming intermingling,
according to padmapAda, is what is meant by superposition. In this
superposition the not-this-part is pure Awareness and this-part is called
(for the sake of convenience) mind. The mind is able to manifest this
Awareness like a mirror is able to manifest the reflection. The reflection is
available for ego's empirical dealings and to that extent (and only
figuratively) is spoken of as object of 'I-ness' [ aham-pratyaya]. Just as a
mirror is revealed by light and also reveals light, the “I” or “this-part” is
revealed (animated) by Awareness and also manifest Awareness as a
reflection. This reflection identifies only Self [brahman] and nothing else
and to that extent it is identical with brahman. The reflection is not an
illusion like a silver seen in nacre or a snake seen as rope from a distance;
it is not sublated till the relative I-cognition exists (that is till the physical
apparatus supports this reflection) and even after the apparatus perishes
149 In Sanskrit sandhivigraha, the combining vowel A can be split as “A+a”.
150 The primal nature of Ignorance as a 'creative' power is a matter of some serious arguments in
recent years. See for example satcidAnandendra (1989), Comans (2000).
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the original pure Awareness, unlimited and untainted, remains as ever as a

substratum.
In perception, according to PP, the Awareness and the mind in a blended

(composite) form undergoes certain changes. The changes are essentially
effected in mind and oriented towards the object being cognized in such a
way as to: (1) establish connection between cognizer (Awareness-mind
complex) and the object; (2) condition the cognizer for perception, and (3)
envelop the object by cognitive mind to perceive it. Since the object itself
is the 'apparent transformation' [vivarta] of Awareness which is the
substratum of mind too, there is certain immediacy to the process of
perception. Here the mind is not necessarily confined to the physical body
but apparently goes out to envelop the object to perceive it.
The arguments in PP about the causal nature of Ignorance and its implicit
capacity to conceal and project the objective world is further elaborated by
prakAshAtman in his vivaraNa. He consolidates and in some sense expands
the position of padmapAda by synthesizing some points of earlier
151
commentators.
3.6.2 pa. nchapAdikA vivaraNa: prakAshAtman refers TU 2.7.1 and

CU 6.2.3 where brahman is mentioned as the material and intelligent cause
of the universe and goes on to point out the difficulties in regarding
nirupAdhika brahman as the transformative material cause or the
intelligent cause. brahman can be the material cause only if It undergoes
modification into the form of the world, leaving its earlier form. But we
have in KT (BU 4.4.20), “ The AtmA (brahman) is birthless, all pervasive
and immutable”. Immutability and modification cannot be the nature of
the same entity. It follows that nirupAdhika brahman cannot be the
151 Such as of IShTa siddhi of vimuktAtman and brahma siddhi of maNDana mishra. For example, in
addition to its contribution to the theory of 'indefinable illusion' [anirvachanIya khyAti] and its
postulation of indeterminate Ignorance as the material cause of the Universe, IShTa siddhi offered
the metaphor of “Self (consciousness) as the wall on which the illusory appearance of the
Universe is painted”. This metaphor of “wallfresco” established itself in Advaita tradition and was
adapted in the popular text like PD (ch 6.19). Also, see ref 7.3(10) for influence of brahmasiddhi
and IShTasiddhi on postsha.nkara Advaita traditions.
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material cause of the universe. As regards, brahman being the intelligent

cause, only an entity with an intellect which can visualize and design the
universe can be the intelligent cause. But this process is not possible in the
case of brahman which shAstra says is of the nature of consciousness
devoid of instruments of visualization and action. Therefore nirupAdhika
brahman cannot be the intelligent cause of the universe, either. Therefore ,
prakAshAtman says that shruti and smRRiti texts introduce the principle of
mAyA. He cites, inter alia, SU 4.10 (ref 7.1(4)), “Know that prakRRiti is
mAyA and the wielder of mAyA is the great Lord” and says that brahman,
the pure consciousness, associated with mAyA, should be regarded as the
material cause of the universe.
The pure consciousness is reflected in Ignorance and thus, souls are

formed. As the prototype of the reflection [pratibiMba], pure consciousness
acquires an adventitious status as its original [biMba] This is called Ishvara.
mAyA functions at the behest of Ishvara. Ishvara, as biMba chaitanyam, is
omniscient. Thus Ishvara and mAyA taken together, is the material and
intelligent cause of the universe. mAyA is the 'transformative material
cause' [pariNAmI upAdAna kAraNa], but brahman as existence, being the
sub-stratum of mAyA, is said to be the 'figurative (apparent) material
cause' [vivarta upAdAna kAraNa]. mAyA is Ishvara’s mind; thus pure
consciousness associated with mAyA gets the relative status of the
omniscient Ishvara with the knowledge and desire required for creation.
While the material of the world is manifestation of mAyA, Ishvara visualizes
and designs the universe and guides mAyA. The appearance of the cosmos
upon brahman is mithyA. prakAshAtman defines mithyA as “the state of
being the 'counter positive' [pratiyogin] of the absence of an entity at all
times - in past, at present, and in future in a sub-stratum where it is
perceived”.
The avidyA [mAyA] is one - “Know mAyA to be prakRRiti (the material

cause of the universe) and the Lord [mAyI] to be its controller” (SU 4.10),
where the word mAyA is used in singular. The avidyA is a single entity, but
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the reflection of consciousness in Ignorance results in plurality of souls.

The main feature of soul is the intellect; since the intellects projected by
Ignorance are many, souls with intellects carrying the apparent reflection
of consciousness are many [anekajIva vAda]. Further, if Ignorance is said to
be one, it has to meet the objection that when any one soul overcomes the
AvaraNa shakti of Ignorance by gaining the knowledge, “I am brahman”,
and gets Liberation, Ignorance is destroyed altogether and all other souls
will get liberated, simultaneously, without any effort on their part. In
siddhAnta-lesha-sa.ngraha, appaya dIxita explains that mAyA is an
inexplicable [anirvachanIya] entity. A single inexplicable entity can have
inexplicable parts. It is one inexplicable part of Ignorance alone that gets
removed by one soul attaining Knowledge. This position is not much
different than bhAmati's manifold Ignorances. In both Schools, there is a
separation of ontological component of Ignorance (root Ignorance) and
epistemological component of Ignorance (auxiliary Ignorance). This
convergence of positions is seen in 16th century commentaries.
152
The singularity of mAyA otherwise, can lead to ekajIva vAda wherein
there is only 'one soul' [ekajIva] at the relative level there being only one
Ignorance to serve as the ekajIva medium of reflection of brahma-
chaitanyam. All other souls and their perceptions are 'dream like tertiary
reality' [pratibhAsa] and their existence is confined to the time when the
ekajIva has the vRRiti and perception thereof. This view is generally allied
with dRRiShTi-sRRiShTi vAda (see 2.3) when relative reality is limited to
the perception of the ekajIva.
According to prakAshAtman, the pratibiMba chaitanyam is identical with
152 sarvaGYAtman, in his 'sa.nxepa shArIraka' [SS] maintained that the whole phenomenal world is
created by the Ignorance of one soul. To the pupil's question as to how can there be a distinction
between 'bound' souls and 'liberated' souls, SS answers that Veda purpose is not to expound this
distinction but to expound the identity Atman = brahman. Further, he says that one should not
contradict the hypothesis simply because it contradicts the experience. According to him,
experience of duality does not contradict ekajIva hypothesis, since this experience itself is
contradicted by the realization that “all is Self” (see 7.3(10): pages 941, 943, 938). This view
(ekajIva vAda) was also expounded by GYAnottama bhattAraka (ref 7.3(5): page 82n) and later by
prakAshAnanda and kAshmIraka sadAnanda (ref 7.3(17): page 118, 121).
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brahma-chaitanyam. If that were not so, the mahAvAkya-s revealing

identity of jIvAtmA and paramAtmA like “Thou art That”, will become
meaningless. Though that is a fact, owing to the veiling power of mAyA
souls mistake the consciousness to be different from brahma-chaitanyam
and, consequently regard themselves as limited individuals and undergo
saMsAra.
The vivaraNa contends that reflection is identical with the original. It

argues that the process of seeing the reflection and seeing its original is
essentially the same for any observer except for the presence of reflecting
medium. The empirical differences pointed out by the opponent (such as
presence of the reflected face inside the mirror, reflection facing the
original, and the difference between the original and the reflection) are
said to be superimposed due to the reflecting medium. That is to say, 'the
appearance of the one face being an original and the other being a
reflection' (biMbatva and pratibiMbatva) is a 'false notion' [adhyAsa]. Thus,
when a person thinks that he is seeing a reflection of his face in the mirror,
what he is actually perceiving is the face on his neck. The perception of the
face as being inside the mirror is an optical illusion. In the same way,
chaitanya pratibiMbatva and chaitanya biMbatva are superimposed on
brahma-chaitanyam, due to Ignorance. These two features are
indeterminable as they are caused by Ignorance. But brahman per se,
whether it appears as the consciousness of Ishvara or the consciousness of
souls, is real and the same. The superimposition of biMbatva leads to the
false notion [adhyAsa] of souls that they are limited individuals. The
adhyAsa which is caused by Ignorance is removed by the Knowledge of the
identity of the soul with brahman.
3.6.3 Ignorance – its content and locus: Like majority of Advaita

teachers, prakAshAtman holds that brahman is the content [viShaya] of
Ignorance. According to him, brahman is also the locus of Ignorance. Soul
cannot be said to be the locus of Ignorance. Soul is dormant in the 'causal
state' [kAraNa avasthA]. There is no soul to say “I do not know anything.”
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Only consciousness and Ignorance are there. It is true that soul recollects,
on waking, “I slept happily; I did not know anything” but he also says “I
was absent in suShupti”. What he recollects is the bliss of pure
consciousness and the ignorance of Ignorance. Soul’s intellect is a
reflecting medium. A reflecting medium appropriates the property of the
original as its own, just as the mirror appropriates the face.
Is Ignorance also the cause of the prAtibhAsika adhyAsa, like nacre-silver?

If so, the adhyAsa will be removed only by Knowledge of brahman.
Commentator prakAshAtman, as one of the alternatives, says that as
derivatives of the 'root Ignorance' [mUla avidyA], there are modal
ignorances [tUla avidyA-s] or [avasthA aGYAna-s]. While the content of
mUla avidyA is brahman, the content of a tUla avidyA is the consciousness
conditioned by an object. Thus, perception of silver on nacre is one of the
tUla avidyA concealing the consciousness conditioned by the nacre. When
this tUla avidyA is removed, perception of silver ceases.
3.6.4 vivaraNa main points: Following is the summary of the vivaraNa

position:
a) Ignorance manifests itself in various modes. In addition to triad of 'non-

apprehension', 'erroneous cognition', and 'doubt' there exists another
positive ignorance of indeterminate reality grade, beginningless, and of
the nature of causal power.
b) The positive mode of indeterminable Ignorance – a primal causal power

is postulated because brahman is acausal and world is experienced at
the relative level. This primal Ignorance projects the non-Self: starting
with the ego and then non-sentient cosmos.
c) Ignorance has Self [Atman] as the locus and it conceals the essential
nature of the Self.
d) Causal Ignorance remains in the deep sleep in the form of an

impression [saMskAra] of the ego and then projected again in the
waking state.
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e) The metaphor of 'reflection' is preferred over the delimitation doctrine

of bhAmati.
f) The vivaraNa does not distinguish between Ignorance and mAyA.
g) The pa.nchIkaraNa is the preferred theory (vidyAraNya, sdAnanda,

dharmarAja) of creation of matter and gross material objects.
h) The first knowledge yielded by revelation is indirect (mediate); the
immediate Knowledge emerges with the help of sustained meditation.
i) The vivaraNa acknowledges 'seed less samAdhi' [asaMprajnAt or

nirvikalpa samAdhi] for non-dual vision and thus concurs with bhAmati
view in this respect.
j) The vivaraNa accepts the doctrine of 'impressions of Ignorance' [ avidyA

saMskAra] continuing in the Liberated person, thus supporting bhAmati
153
view. The vivaraNa also supports IShTasiddhi's doctrine of remnant
Ignorance [avidyAlesha] in the Liberated person.
One post-1500 trend in Vedanta is to take a unified view of all these three
sub-Schools (viz vArtika, vivaraNa, and bhAmati – they are seen as
154
emphasizing and propounding different aspects of the same reality).
153 A treaties mainly on indeterminate Ignorance written by the commentator vimuktAtman. Like other
three well known siddhi books (brahmasiddhi by maNDana; naiShkarmyasiddhi by sureshvara,
and advaitasiddhi by madhusUdana) this Book too is quite influential amongst vedAntins.
154 Accordingly, vivaraNa emphasizes epistemology; bhAmati emphasizes ontology, while; vArtika
sticks to AbhAsa line originally propounded by sha.kara. In its more general syncretic form, major
Indic philosophies like sAnkhya, yoga, and nyAya are seen as dealing and emphasizing different
aspects of the same reality. These philosophies seek to be consistent in their chosen framework
but ultimately they lead to Advaita's universal monist view when the framework is expanded. The
general expression of such a view was found in the works of viGYAnabhixu as we shall see later.
Vivekanand was its modern proponent. He saw Advaita Vedanta as graduating through
intermediate stages of dualism and qualified nondualism to reach its most advanced stage of
absolute nondualism. According to him, (the oldest) UP first teach dualism by way meditation on
external deities etc; then proceed to teach the qualified (saguNa) brahman controlling the universe
from within; and finally teach the ultimate reality of inactive 'neti neti' (supraconceptual) brahman.
UP follow the principle of arundhatI nyAya (i.e. first show gross object and then with its reference
show the subtle object), and as such intermediate stages need not be rejected as untrue. (ref
collection of Vivekananda's writings published by RK Math – His speech at Lahore on 12.11.1897).
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4.0 Liberation
“The Knower (of brahman) becomes brahman” is the theme of Liberation.

Traditional view of Liberation (moxa) is associated with cessation of
Ignorance (avidyA nivRRitti): (1) avidyA nivRRitti is identical with brahman
(sha.nkara); (2) It is of reality grade of the fifth kind, the other four reality
grades viz “not real, not unreal, both real and unreal, neither real nor
unreal” being covered by indeterminable grade of Ignorance
(vimuktAtman); (3) It is a superimposed relation; it is indeterminable or
mithyA (madhusUdana); (4) It is the state of direct experience of
brahman; a mental state where aham-pratyaya ceases to be
(sarvaGYAtman, nRRisihMAshrama).
In reality, soul essentially is always brahman; Liberation is only figurative.

It has axiological as well as metaphysical aspects. The axiological aspects
are associated with law of karma which assigns merit [puNya] or demerit
[pApa] to each action according to its moral content. The “results of one's
actions” [karmaphala] need to be exhausted by experiencing them. This is
said to create 'binding' by which soul is entangled in the transmigratory
cycle. The axiology of Advaita looks down upon this binding even if it arises
due to merit. The cessation of transmigratory cycle through Liberation is
the 'ultimate aim' (moxa). However, karma is the essential part of one's
life and as such binding seems unavoidable. BG suggests a way out to
minimize binding – it says, one should perform 'karma without desire'
[niShkAma karma] as a part of one's duty so that karmaphala and its
155
binding is minimized.
At the metaphysical level Advaita combines metaphysics and axiology by

saying that Knower [jIvanmukta] is free from the 'binding of action' and
attains moxa after his previously accumulated karmaphala is exhausted.
Thereafter on his death he becomes videhamukta or Knowledge absolute.
155 See gUDhArtha dIpikA (Invocation) in which wishful [kAmya] karma and prohibited [niShiddha]

karma are to be avoided; however this in itself does not lead to Liberation. Refer NS (intro: 47101)
for exegesis.
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156
The concept of jIvanmukta is metaphysically problematic and at the
same time is crucial to Advaita from axiological point of view. One view is
that even GYAni (jIvan-mukta) is bound by the prArabdha (the 'karma-
phala in fruition), and thus experiences the same phenomenal world and
limitations of the body and mind as before his Self-realization. The
difference is that he retains only the minimum essential subjectivity to
retain his worldly existence, over and above which he does not have any
ego (doer-ship and consumer-ship). sha.nkara has discussed this issue in
CUBh 6.14.2, BGBh 4.37, BSBh 4.1.15 etc. where he supports the view that
GYAni is bound by the prArabdha. Few other texts (e.g. VC 453-464, and
AA 90-92, 98-99) which are attributed to him however, take the opposite
view and assert that GYAni is not bound by the prArabdha-karma.
4.1 Realization: Is Knowledge available to soul 'here and now' when it is

experiencing the relative level? How does a Seeker [sAdhaka] realize the
Knowledge to transcend to absolute level? What happens to him after
realization? sha.nkara is emphatic that Knowledge can be realized here
and now (BSBh 3.4.51). The Advaita tradition assumes that shruti gives
direct and immediate [aparoxa] knowledge and not the mediate or indirect
[paroxa] one, though the tradition is not monolithic. Two important
contributors to Advaita tradition, maNDana mishra and vAchaspati mishra
were of the opinion that UP do not give direct experience. sha.nkara
however, believed that those whose minds are acute, and for whom the
meaning of the words is not obstructed by ignorance, doubt, or mis-
understanding, are able to experience the meaning of tat tvam asi [Thou
157
art That] even when it is uttered once. He further believed that
156 The jIvanmukta retains his essential bodymind functions which can be attributed to Ignorance.
The jIvanmukti then becomes a moral concept rather than an epistemologicalontological unity
with brahman. Knowledge is realized only at the absolute level which is beyond all relative means
of body and mind. Thus, multiplicity is eliminated only when empirical cognition which is the basis
of duality is not operative. This can happen in states such as deep sleep, swoon, coma,
anesthetization, samAdhi or death. These states however, are differentiated from Liberation on
axiological grounds.
Sometimes the charge of antinomianism is leveled against jIvanmukta as he is not bound by any
action; however, his egolessness should dispel such a charge. He is the embodiment of morality.
157 BSBh 4.1.2. sha.nkara repeats this view in US 18.104.
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jIvanmukta cannot relapse into state of Ignorance except for momentary

158
confusion which might happen due to past impressions.
If the Knowledge is super sensuous and unaccessible to mind how can it be

Known? sha.nkara suggests that brahman is not accessible to senses and
mind because it is not immediate to the senses and to the mind; but UP
can make brahman direct and immediate like an experience triggered by
159
the sentence 'you are the tenth'. It is the experience of Self as
undifferentiated awareness. It is the very basis of experience.
According to sha.nkara, the Liberated person is able to see everything as

his limiting adjunct, implying that he sees himself as pure awareness
(BUBh 2.5.15). He Knows that Self is beyond phenomenal conditions and
160
sinless. He Knows that Self is the undifferentiated Seeing, without any
agent-ship, and has given up the idea of his being Knower of the
161
brahman. A Knower does not have self-referring cognition (US 14.29). A
Liberated person is in a space-like state by removing the ideas of “I” and
“mine” and becoming free from body (US 15.54). When a person negates
the cognition that body is the Self and remains as firm in it as his previous
cognition that body is the Self is Liberated (US 4.5). When the
identification with all 'other' things are gone the Self is Known (BUBh
4.4.20). There is nothing more to be done apart from remaining in the
162
Knowledge of the Self. The Liberated person (who is alive i.e.
jIvanmukta) suffers the same fate, the old age, sickness and all that, as
the bodies of other people (BUBh 1.4.7); except that he knows Self and
hence does not identify himself with the body-mind complex. He is
158 BUBh 1.4.10. This type of Liberation during the life time of sAdhaka is known as jIvanmukti while
the one after the 'permanent release from the body' (death) known as videhamuktI or
brahmanirvANa. Sustainability of Self once realized just as butter raised from the milk and thrown
into it does not get mixed with it again is vouched in US 17.61
159 US 18.1902: It tells the story of ten pilgrims. Each of them counted only nine men when they knew
that they were ten at the start of the journey. They could not find the tenth missing man. Ultimately
an amused bystander lined them up and after the count of nine told the counting man that he was
the tenth missing man. Immediately the man understood that he indeed was the tenth man.
160BUBh 4.4.6, BUBh 4.4.8, BSBh 4.1.15
161 At the absolute level, knowership does not exist. It is pure Knowledge without knowership.
162 MUBh 1.1.6, US 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.44
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Knowledge personified without any attachment to body or worldly affairs.

Possibly for this reason sha.nkara speaks of the Knower as bodiless
163
person. The Knower after the death becomes Knowledge. He
metaphorically merges with the brahman, but in reality nothing happens;
his body perishes while Self remains as it is, eternally without any change,
since it is nothing but brahman (BUBh 4.4.6).
4.2 Theory of karma: BU 1.6.1 underlines the importance of karma

[कमर ]: “This Universe is formed of three entities: name (nAma), form (rUpa),
and action (karma).” In Vedanta, it is customary to see the first
164
indication of the karma doctrine in BU 3.2.12-13 where sage
yAGYavalkya has a discussion about life after death with the learned
Brahmin ArthbhAga: “Having gone aside, they engaged in a consultation.
That which they spoke about was karma (action) and that which they
praised was karma, one indeed becomes good by good action, and bad by
165
bad action”. The doctrine can be described as “kArmika law of causation
or kArmika law of action and reaction” shaping the future of the soul. The
theme is taken again in BU 4.4.5 bringing in the element of 'desire' which
166
propels the course of individual action. PY 2.14 says that the experience
of pleasure and of pain are the results of merit and of demerit respectively.
163 BSBh 1.1.4, BUBh 4.4.7, CUBh 8.12.1
164 It is possible to trace the origin of the concept of rebirth in shatapatha brAhamaNa (Deussen 1899,
Tull 1989, Staal 2008) and trace the moral order that is implicit in the concept of karma to RRita
(Dixit 1964) and to iShTAputra (Keith 1925, Hiriyanna 1932) in RV. The concept of avatAra and
transmigration can be seen in RV 4.26.14. The metaphor of “Two birds” in RV 1.164.20 (which is
repeated in AV, MU and SU) is interpreted in a kArmika way: the first bird represents the individual
soul, while the second represents brahman or sAxin. The soul is essentially a 'reflection' of
brahman. The tree represents the body. The soul identifies itself with the body, reaps the 'fruits of
its actions' (karmaphala), and undergoes rebirth. The sAxin alone stands as an eternal witness,
Gananath Obeyesekere suggests to look for the origin of karma idea in ancient religions of
Gangetic tribals. (ref (1) “Karma and Rebirth in Classical Indian Traditions” (KRCIT) Ed. Wendy
Doniger O'Flaherty, 1980)'. Also refer “Imagining Karma” by Gananath Obeyesekere, 2002; Pub.
University of California Press)
165 This is interpreted to mean that man's karma in the previous birth(s) decides his tendencies and
dispositions in the subsequent birth(s). This is only one path of the close 'loop'. The 'return path' of
the loop in the form of compensation and retribution is described in the pa.nchAgni vidyA (BU
6.2.916 and CU 5.410).
166 Here, desire itself is identified with action, at least as the original and the most important
component (initiator) of action. This leads to the concept of 'desireless action' [niShkAma karma]
which minimizes the karma binding.
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167
Good karma attracts merit and bad karma attracts demerit.
At the relative level, Vedanta is emphatic about rebirth (BU 4.4.3): “ Just as
a leech goes to the end of a blade of grass, catches another support and
withdraws itself, so does this self set aside the present body – giving up
identification with it – and withdraws itself to take a new body”. In BG 4.5,
Krishna remembers his previous births though Arjuna does not. BG 2.22
clearly asserts the doctrine of rebirth (वासांिस जीणारिन यथा िवहाय... ).
The exit of the soul from the body is described in CU 8.4.1-3 and again in
8.6.1-2, 5-6. KU 2.3.16 follows the same line. BU 6.2.9-16 offers to explain
168
the 'wisdom of five fires' [pa.nchAgni vidyA] and soul's 'journey' after the
death. The same vidyA is propounded in CU 5.4-10. A more detailed and
fanciful description of soul's post death journey is given in Kau 1.2-7.
During the intervening period between a birth and rebirth Soul experiences
ideation of pain and pleasure corresponding to its merit and demerit of
previous birth(s). The 'womb for next birth' is decided by residual karma or
sa.nchita karma that the soul may carry to the next birth. The cycle of birth
and rebirth is stated in SU 1.6 by using allegory of a 'wheel of brahma'
(brahmachakra). This cyclic rebirth is illustrated in KU 1.1.6 by using simile
of 'corn': “Consider how it was with the forefathers; behold how it is with
the later (men); a mortal ripens like corn, and like corn is born again”.
Whatever may be the balance of his sa.nchita karma, Soul's final release
(videha-mukti or moxa) from the trans-migratory cycle of saMsAra is
possible only when it realizes the Self.
In BSBh 3.1.1-27, sha.nkara discusses transmigration. In BSBh 3.1.8, he

observes that the scriptures do not proclaim any competence for acquiring
fresh karma in heaven or hell or among lower creatures. This limits the
scope of action 'here and now' and confines it to the higher (evolved)
167 This simple idea is common to all Indic religions. For example, Buddhist canon (Samyutta Nikaya)
states: According to the seed that is sown | So is the fruit you reap therefrom | Doer of good will
gather good | Doer of evil, evil reaps | Down is the seed and thou shall taste | The fruit thereof ||
168 In this vidyA, world process including procreation is seen as an act of sacrifice. The world including
the sun, moon, and the earth with its seasons, manwoman etc are analogized to sacrificial fire.
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sentient forms, excluding insects etc.
The karma theory formulates various types of karma and their results
169 170
(karma-phala or karma-vipAka) viz: (1) nitya karma – 'prescribed'
karma which is performed regularly and which accumulates demerit if not
performed, (2) naimittika karma – 'prescribed' karma which is performed
'on occasion' and which accumulates merit if performed, (3) niShiddha
karma - prohibited karma which attracts kArmika penalty, (4) sanchit
karma – accumulated karma which has not started fruition, (5) prArabdha
karma – predestined karma which has started fruition, (6) kriyAmAna
karma: Day-to-day unprescribed actions arising out of individual free will
that accumulate merit or demerit depending on their nature, (7) AgAmI
karma – future karma which is the consequence of the present karma in
hand, (8) residual karma – part of sanchit karma which is set apart for the
soul to experience it in 'this world'.
This karma categories and their results are of much concern to School of
mImAMsA (School of exegesis) which sees the whole Veda as 'injunctions
and prohibitions' [vidhi-nishedha] and discussions [arthApatti] about the
performance (or non-perform) of the karma. On the contrary, Vedanta
downplays karma and advocates its renouncement for Liberation. Still,
there are clear indications that some of the kArmika concerns of oldest UP
171
like BU, CU, and AU are outgrowths of their respective brAhmaNa-s.
Which kArmika residues work themselves out sooner? Which ones

constitute the prArabdha karma for a given lifetime as opposed to others,
particularly, which are sa.nchita karma stored up for later fruition? This is
the Problem of Priorities. sha.nkara seems to think that in general the more
intense and proximate residues, whether sinful or meritorious, tend to
169 Many times the terms karma [Action] and karmaphala [result of Action] are used interchangeably.
170 The karma prescribed by shruti (Veda) and smRRiti for a certain stage of the life.
171 For example, meditation in CU 3.15 is meant for the longevity of a son, which is necessary for the
welfare of the father in 'afterlife'. A son who has long life can acquire vast vaidika knowledge and
perform duties prescribed therein for the benefit of himself and his forefathers. This very idea and
the implicit concept of “merit transfer” comes from brAhamaNa texts and differentiates vaidika
karma theory from that of Vedanta.
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mature first. But the general rule here is subject to many exceptions
because there are incompatibilities among several residues which have
equal claim but only one of which can mature at a time (Karl Potter in
KRCIT). Who keeps account of karma and prepares the balance-sheet of
puNya (merit) and pApa (demerit)? The 'book-keeping' in karma theory
will be quite complex if we decide to design a logically consistent model of
karma. This is the problem of complexity. The previous 'problem of priority'
172
is part of the complexity problem.
Vedanta (BSBh 3.2.38, 41) attributes the workability of karma to the

omniscience and omnipotence of Ishvara - karma by itself cannot bring
about the proper results at some future time; neither can super-sensuous,
173
non-intelligent qualities like adRRiShTa , by themselves mediate the
appropriate, justly deserved pleasure and pain. The fruits, according to
sha.nkara, then, must be administered through the action of a conscious
agent, namely, Ishvara.
In addition to addressing the issue of complexity and its physical-

metaphysical workability, the karma theory has to answer certain other
issues such as:
(1) Problem of Free Will: In a mechanistic 'action - reaction' type of

karma theory, there is no scope for free will. << answer: Apart from 'book-
keeping of merit and demerit', karma theory is not mechanistic. The
situation of the soul's birth and the karmaphala which the soul has to
experience in 'this life' are decided by its past karma; however, the soul
can modify its dispositions and exercise its will in the performance of
karma. Soul has to experience and exhaust its prArabdha, but its will which
172 In BG (4.17) kRishNa declares – karma's ways are hard to understand ( गहना कमरणो गित:). Complexity

problem is not unique to karma. Mathematical theories such as of 'chaos', 'dynamic systems' or
'quantum probability' attempt to tackle the complexity pertaining to the 'physical' actions.
173 Any unseen (unexplained) force that establishes link between cause and its effect is known as
adRRiShTa in vaisheShika School of kaNAda. In pUrvamImAMsA (School of anterior exegesis),
adRRiShTa becomes the metaphysical link between karma prescribed by the vaidika commands
and its results (phala or vipAka). There it is known as apUrva. Certain exegesis Schools dispensed
with God in preference to apUrva.
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decides its consequent action is based on both kArmika tendencies

(vAsanA, saMskAra) and non-kArmika dispositions. This later part has
probabilistic elements which could figuratively be attributed to mAyA. Even
if we discount this non-kArmika part of the soul, the kArmika tendencies
themselves have scope for modifications due to built in mechanism of
retribution and compensation. Though these kArmika modifications are
deterministic inasmuch as they take place in the broad framework decided
by the soul's kArmika past, they offer freedom to the soul to take its own
microlevel actions. Thus, kArmika universe appears to be deterministic at
174
the macro-level; but is 'free-willed' or probabilistic at the microlevel >>.
(2) Problem of Identity: If the Self is attributeless, how can it be

identified in the new body-mind complex? << answer: When the individual
soul leaves the previous body and attains another, it is helped by the chief
prANa, it is accompanied by the senses and the mind, and it has
ignorance, results of past actions, and the tendencies acquired in the
previous birth as its prop. (BSBh 3.1 (intro)). This prop is carried to its next
birth. Though the soul itself may not identify its old self of the previous
birth, it is identifiable to the kArmika law (to Ishvara or to the principle of
175
apUrva) which allocates sa.nchita karma to the transmigrating soul. >>;
(3) Problem of Memory: If the soul does not have any memory of
previous births then its present experience of karma is 'not justified'. This
problem can also be seen as an identity problem; since memory is the
basis of personal identity in the background of ever changing mental
states. << answer: Universal kArmika justice is different than the
contextual justice pertaining to an individual soul. Universal morality and
justice of karma theory, occasionally, may seem to overlook or go against
the limited contextual morality and justice >>;
(4) Problem of Verifiability: The previous birth of the soul is not
174 Analogy: Physical universe is deterministic at the macrolevel but is 'random' at the quantum level.
175 Karl Potter in KRCIT thinks that 'karma and rebirth' discourse in texts like yogasUtra of pata.njalii,
yogabhAshya of vyAsa, and tattvavaishAradI of vAchaspati along with sha.nkara's commentaries
on BS, (+ BU, CU) offer all elements that can be builtup into sustainable karma theory.
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verifiable. This problem is again a corollary to the 'Problem of Identity'. <<

answer: Soul, due to its 'primal Ignorance', forgets its 'notional' birth(s) of
the past and as also the fact that it is essentially birth-less. Establishing
soul's identity of the past births is not possible by scientific means; in that
sense karma theory is soterial and not scientific. >>;
(5) Problem of Infinite Regress: If the residual karma is acquired from

the previous birth, it will lead to the problem of infinite regress as regards
origin of the kArmika process << answer: The kArmika transmigratory cycle
is beginningless - without origin. The soul's Liberation does not occur in
space and time. >>;
(6) Problem of Sufferings: Ishvara is omnipotent and omniscient and

still there is evil and suffering in the world. This problem will also include
Problem of Purpose – What is the purpose of creation if there are sufferings
and evil tendencies? << answer: Looking from the relative-empirical level,
this world is an undefinable play of mAyA. At the Absolute level however,
the concepts of Ishvara, mAyA, karma-vipAka, evil, goodness, and rebirth
do not stand. At that level there is only brahman and nothing else. This
really is the answer to all other questions as well. >>
In Vedanta, it is not sufficient to reduce the merit-demerit balance to zero

– one is not Liberated by mere experiencing and exhausting the
karmaphala. Liberation is achieved only by Knowledge, by Self realization.
4.3 Path of Realization: Ignorance is said to be (the cause of)

superimposition - the fundamental error in our perception due to which
plurality of names and forms appears. sha.nkara does not seem to
advocate any super natural method by way of mystic experience or
samAdhi to realize the Knowledge. Hearing [shravaNa], contemplation
[manana], and 'sustained meditation' [nididhyAsa] is said to be the
176
traditional path of Self-realization (BU 2.4.5). Knowledge is like an
176 The postsha.nkara tradition added the 4th fold – that of absorption [samAdhi] to the 3fold path of
hearing, reflection, and meditation. This is reflected in the popular text like vedAntasAra (VS 181).
Absorption can be attended with selfconsciousness (savikalpa) or without it (nirvikalpa) (VS 193).
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insight - an understanding of the fact that brahman is nothing but the

inmost Self. It arises like a discovery – a direct experience of the luminous
Self from such texts as 'Thou art That' just as it did from '”Thou art the
tenth” (US 18.190-192).
At some places UP add another dimension by saying that the Self becomes
known of its own accord; It reveals Its true nature on Its own and not
through traditional means like discourse, hearing, or intellect (KU 1.2.23,
MU 3.2.3). In US, sha.nkara says that Knowledge alone is the cause of
immortality; there is nothing else to cooperate with (in producing
Liberation) (US 11.2). The Self does not depend on any thing else in order
to be acquired (US 17.6). When the mind is purified like a mirror,
177
Knowledge is revealed in it. Here sha.nkara advises to purify the mind by
178
yama-niyama of classical pata.njalii yoga (PY). He however, does not
The later is distinguished from deep sleep (VS 199) but not from death. The text further describes
8fold practice (of yoga) to realize savikalpa samAdhi as its 8th and final step before realizing
nirvikalpa samAdhi (VS 200209). In VC 353375, 407411, too samAdhi is both the final mean and
the end in the path of Selfrealization. The position that samAdhi is the final and indispensable
instrument of Selfrealization does not have uniform support in Vedanta tradition.
177 US 1.4 (prose), US 17.2224: In 17.22 sha.nkara's proposal for karma, be it nityakarma (ref. Gloss
of bodhanidhi) or niyama (ref. Gloss of rAmatIrtha), is an apparent contradiction on the backdrop
of his insistence on complete renunciation of karma in Ch1. sha.nkara however, allows only those
actions which are conducive to Knowledge, not as part of exegetical injunctions, but as (ethical)
means of chittashuddhi. He describes Knowledge as 'supreme purification' (US 16.71, 17.85).
Since Knowledge is not an action (BSBh 1.1.4), chittashuddhi too is not an activity. Here, chitta
shuddhi becomes a moral concept beyond karma 'bindings' whether achieved through yama
niyama or nityakarma. Knowledge by any means is good enough to scorch the karma. For another
explanation see “A Thousand Teachings” by Mayeda.
178 The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj which variously means yoking, harnessing,
achieving, connection etc. These meanings reflect in earliest occurrences of this word in RV. In BG
yoga means: evenness of mind (2.48), skill in action (2.50), steady concentration (6.3, 12, 19) etc.
In KU (3.4) and Mai (2.6) it means sense control; in SU it is 'connection' (with brahman) (2.5), and
path of realization (of Self) (2.11). In PY it means 'cessation of mental states' (1.2). Classical yoga
is assumed to be pata.njalii yoga [PY] as presented in yogasUtra which is the earliest extant text of
yoga (c.300BC200BC). (Its fourth chapter however, seems to be the later addition). yoga
practices are also advocated in UP such as in Mai, SU, KU and TU; but PY is distinguished by its
emphasis on ethical principles, particularly of 'noninjury' [ahiMsA]. Most of the ethical principles
and operational methods of yoga are shared by all major Indic Schools, including both orthodox
(e.g. sA.nkhya, Vedanta) and heterodox (bauddha and jain) Schools.
PY has one chapter each on 'aims, practices, powers, and liberation'. It has eight auxiliaries
(aShTA.nga): (1) abstentions [yama], (2) observances [niyama], (3) posture [Asana], (4) breath
control [prANAyAma], (5) abstraction [pratyAhAra], (6) concentration [dhAraNA], (7) meditation
[dhyAna], (8) absorption [samAdhi] (PY 2.29). The yamaniyama] form the ethical system;
remaining auxiliaries are operational methods directed towards mind control. yama denotes
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use the term samAdhi; he mentions samAdhAna [serenity] and ekAgryam

[one pointedness] and declares the latter to be the best of austerities.
The clear separation between KT and AT and absence of injunctions in KT

179
allow Advaita-Vedanta to select its own method of Self realization . This
has resulted in multiplicity of soterial methods including classical yoga,
bhAgavata bhakti, and niShkAma karma of BG. “Mind purification” [chitta-
shuddhi] and its indicative “four means" [ sAdhana chatuShTaya] are the
prerequisites for realization. sha.nkara opines that rites and rituals are
useful for chitta-shuddhi but thereafter lose their relevance. The basic
doctrine of Advaita is Self = brahman, where all ontological,
epistemological, and axiological concepts converge. At the absolute level
multiplicity is dissolved into unity and souls are freed from the bonds of
karma. At the relative level unity appears in the form of equanimity
(samatva) and freedom is achieved by 'self-less work' [niShkAma karma].
The concepts of 'mind-purification', 'equanimity', and 'selfless work' are
essentially moral concepts that go beyond the 'injunctions of Veda '
(karma-kANDa) and lead to the Liberation.
BG acknowledges 'loving devotion to God' [bhakti] as a soterial path along

side the 'path of Action' [karma yoga] and path of Knowledge [GYAna
180
yoga]. In BG, samatva is established in yogi. The word yoga with all its
semantics and ethics plays an important role in BG and in Vedanta. KU
commands of noninjury [ahiMsA], truth [satya], nonstealing [astEya], chastity [brahmacharya],

and detachment to possessions [aparigraha] (PY 2.30). These are sovereign undertakings
independent of castclassgender, time, place, and context (PY 2.31). The niyama is observance
of purity [shaucha], contentment [santosha], austerity [tapas], scriptural study [svAdhyAya], and
devotion to God [Ishvara praNidhAna] (2.32). PY advises to cultivate the virtues of friendliness,
compassion, happiness, and tolerance (1.33), and warns about ignorance, egoism, attachment,
aversion, and desire to cling to life (2.3).
In yAGYavalkya smRRiti [YS] there are ten yamas: continence [brahmacharya], compassion
[dayA], patience [xAnti], giving [dAna], truthfulness [satya], honesty [akalkatA], noninjury
[ahiMsA], nontheft [asteya], congeniality [mAdhurya], restraint [dama] (YS 3.312); and ten niyama
s: bathing [snAna], silence [mauna], fasting [upavAsa], devotional rite [ijya], study [svAdhyAya],
sexual restraint [upasthanigraha], obedience to teacher [gurushushruShA], purity [shoucha], non
anger [akrodha], attentiveness [apramAdatA] (YS 3.313).
179 sureshvara suggests that which ever method that brings Selfrealization is good enough, implying
that goal is more important than means in the context of 'Knowledge'. (BUBhV 1.4.402).
180 BG 2.48, 2.71, 5.7, 5.18, 6.2932, 7.19, 12.13, 13.2728, 18.20, 18.5354.
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(1.2.12) calls Self realization as adhyAtma-yoga, while 'yAGYavalkya

smRRiti' [YS] terms Self-knowledge through yoga as the highest of all
181
dharma-s The concept of Liberation in yoga is different than that of
Advaita. PY treats samAdhi as Liberation while Advaita treats it as
purification of mind; some Advaita traditions however, define samAdhi
182
itself as 'identification with brahman' and adapt accessories of yoga . In
general, post-sha.nkara Advaita-Vedanta traditions accept 'knowledge of
Truth' [tattva-GYAna], 'annihilation of mind' [manonAsha], and 'effacement
of the latent impressions of desires' [vAsanAxaya] as the means of jIvan-
mukti (ततवजानमनोनाशवासनाकयासततसाधनम्). These are to be practiced together
and not severally one at a time. (ref 7.2(8): JMV: Ch2, p.75-77).
As an example, a path of realization that includes classical yoga is

183
described in following steps:
a) Realization starts with 'selfless work' [niShkAma karma]. Selfless

184
service is the beginning of renunciation [sa.nnyAsa].
181 shAstra connotes dharma in various ways: In BU (1.4.14) dharma means truth (यो वै स धमरः सतयम् वै

तत्). In atharva Veda (ref 18.3.1) it means “old customary order” (धमर ं पुराणं अनुपालयिनत). BG seems to
use the word with the same meaning – that of traditional duties of varNAshrama. In MB (12.110.11)
Krishna defines dharma as 'the one that gives sustenance' (धारणाद धमर). Again in MB (13.115.1)
ahiMsA [nonviolence] is said to be the highest dharma (अिहंसा परमो धमरः). According to pUrva
mImAMsA (1.1.2) dharma is that good which is determinable only by the vaidika commands (चोदना
लकणोऽथोधमर:). The manusaMhitA (II.1) makes this definition less rigid by defining dharma as that
which is followed by the learned who are devoid of attachment and antipathy, and that to which the
heart assents (िवदिदः सेिवतः सिदिनरतयमदेशरािगिभः | हरदयेनाभयानु जातो यो धमरसत िनबोधत). Later smRRitis like
bRRihaspati, viShNu, devala and yAGYavalkya (e.g. YS 1.5.122) extend the notion of dharma to
include moral virtues of BG (daiva saMpat, sAtvika shraddhA) and of PY (yamaniyama). Still
further, it is made compatible with Vedanta: Selfknowledge through yoga अयं तु परमो धमो यदोगेन
आतमदशरन ं (ref YS 1.1.8) and through bhakti [devotion] (ref SB 1.1.2, 1.2.612). In RV, the concept of
RRita [ऋत] (ref 1.24.8 , 4.23.9, 10.133.6 etc) implies natural justice and harmony implicit in the
world order – the universal dharma of all beings. In RV 10.133.6, the sage requests the God: “Lead
us beyond all pain and grief along the path of holy Law” (ऋतसय न: पथा नयाऽित िवशािन दुिरता नभंतामनयकेषा
जयाका अिध) (RV 10.133.6). Two mature forms of this old RV concept later appeared in 'western'
philosophy as “God's Point of View” (Spinoza) and “Kingdom of Ends” (Kant) in 1718th century.
182 For example, refer 'aparoxAnubhuti' (AA) (ref. 7.2(7)). AA shlokas 102 to 136, 140, 142 and
tejobindu Up. mantras I:1551 contain an identical practice of Selfrealization. Also refer VS 200
215, and VC 353375, 407411 where samAdhi is both the means and the end.
183 Ref. “invocation introduction to gUdhArtha dIpikA” (BG with the annotations) of madhusUdana.
184 This word has a different connotation in dharmashAstra where it means one of the four 'stages of
life' [Ashramas] of a man as: (1) student [brahmachArI] (2) householder [gRRihastha] (3) forest
dweller [vanastha] (4) monk [sa.nnyAsin]. There are four groups of monks: kutichaka (one who
stays in uninhabited house), bahUdaka (one who wander from place to place), haMsa (a monk
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b) The niShkAma karma firms up 'discriminating ability' [viveka] of the

Seeker.
c) Application of discrimination firms up detachment [vairAgya] and six-

treasures [ShatsaMpatti]. Here the Seeker should be fully established
in renunciation.
d) 'Longing for Liberation' [mumuxutva] springs from the renunciation.

This then completes and consolidates the 'four means of Liberation'
[sAdhana chatuShTaya].
e) Seeker then 'goes to Guru for guidance' [dIxA]. Then follows hearing
and study [shravaNa] and contemplation [manana] of Vedanta and
uttara-mImAMsA.
f) Next step is the 'sustained meditation' [nididhyAsa]. The whole of yoga

scripture (such as PY and yogika UP) gets its purpose fulfilled at this
stage.
g) Seeker purifies his mind with the practice of yoga and develops
equanimity [samatva].
h) Equanimity leads to the 'Knowledge of reality' [tattva-GYAna]. This

happens when purified mind 'listens' and 'understands' the purport of
mahAvAkya-s like “tat tvam asi” [That Thou Art] and when Nescience
is eradicated on the rise of Knowledge.
i) The tattva-GYAna burns up the results of all actions that have not
started bearing fruits and that belong to past births [sa.nchita karma]
as well as to the present birth [AgAmIni karma].
j) The 'results of past actions that have caused the present birth and that
from whom all actions have fallen off like a swan who does not get wet and sticky even though
swimming in the water), paramhaMsa (a monk of the highest order, a Knower who regards all as
Atman and begs alms from all casts).
There are three opinions about these stages: (a) gautama dharmasUtra (3.1, 3.35) holds that there
is only one (main) stage, that of householder and other stages are auxiliary (secondary) stages.
(b) manu smRRiti (4.1, 5.1, 6.3337, 6.8183) holds that a man should pass through all these
stages sequentially w/o omitting any of them. (c) jAbAlopanishd (verse 4) says that immediately
after finishing the stage of the student or of a householder a man can become a wandering monk
(parivrAjaka).
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have started bearing fruits' [prArabdha karma] and the 'past

impressions' [vAsanA-s] however, remain. These are quelled or
eliminated by practicing the triad of concentration [dhAraNA],
meditation [dhyAna], and absorption [samAdhi] known as saMyama.
k) The commands of yama (non-injury, truth etc.) are conducive to

saMyama. However, samAdhi is quickly accomplished by 'devotional
service' [bhakti] in the name of Ishvara.
l) The practice of samAdhi leads to 'steady mind' [sthita-prajnA] and

removes the obstructive past impressions [vAsanA-s] completely.
m) The Knowledge of brahman [tattva-GYAna], steady mind [sthita-

prajnA], and 'dissipation of past impressions' [vAsanA-xaya] lead to
the 'state of Liberation while still alive' [jIvanmukti]. This state is also
known as 'renunciation of the wise' [vidvat-sa.nnyAsa].
n) The state of jIvanmukti is sustained by constant practice of samAdhi:

first by savikalpa samAdhi, a state when mind fluctuations are
eliminated but the multiplicity persists; and then by the nirvikalpa
samAdhi when the multiplicity is removed. Devotional absorption
serves the same purpose.
o) The Seeker who sees no multiplicity, has perfect equanimity, and

keeps himself absorbed in devotion is known as jIvanmukta,
sthitapraGYa, or paramabhakta. During this state the Seeker acquires
'supreme detachment' [parA-vairAgya] towards worldly phenomena.
Both in classical Advaita and yoga, the 'ability to discriminate' [viveka] is

needed. In Advaita it is part of sAdhana chatuShTaya; it discriminates
between the eternal and non-eternal. In PY it discriminates between the
pure and impure and between the good and evil (PY 2.5). This viveka
needs to be exercised continuously to attain moxa; it reveals itself in the
light of Knowledge when impurity is removed (PY 2.26, 2.28). In its general
form it becomes sadasatviveka (सदसितववेक) where sat (truth, awareness,
righteousness) and asat (falsehood, ignorance, wrongfulness) have
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ontological, epistemological and ethical purport. It ensures one's

movement towards moxa in a manner suggested by BG (6.5-6): “elevate
the self by the self” (उदरेदातमनातमानम्).
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5.0 Historical Overview
We can cursorily map the philosophical and social aspects of Advaita

within the broad historical framework: (1) civilization of Veda (before
c.500BC) to which scriptures are assigned, (2) classical civilization of
Indian empires (c.500BC-500) in which Vedanta evolved in sUtra-s, (3)
early middle ages of regional Indian kingdoms (c.500-1000) in which
Advaita was established and flourished, and (4) middle to late middle ages
of Turko-Mongol-Islamic conquests and Mughal empire (c.1000-1700) in
which Advaita defended itself against the competing Schools.
5.1 History of RRigveda [ऋगवेद]:
It is possible to trace the Vedanta principles in RRigveda [RV ] (see 1.1).

185
The study of RV, which is the oldest amongst the Veda and arguably the
oldest scripture known to mankind, can give valuable insight into vaidika
culture, the pinnacle of which is the Vedanta philosophy.
The major RV branch (recension) that has survived is shAkala. Another one
reportedly surviving is bAShkala, almost identical to shAkala. The shAkala
recension has 1017 regular hymns, and an appendix of 11 vAlakhilya
hymns which are now customarily included in the Book-8 (as 8.49–8.59),
for a total of 1028 hymns comprising of 10552 mantra-s, distributed into
ten Books (maNDala-s). The bAShkala recension includes 8 of these
vAlakhilya hymns among its regular hymns, making a total of 1025 regular
hymns for this shAkhA. In addition, the bAShkala recension has its own
appendix of 98 hymns, known as khilAni.
185 It is generally agreed that RV predates other Veda: (a) SV came into being for chanting and
singing Rk mantras in a particular way (sAmans), (b) liturgical traditions of complex codification
(brAhamaNas) were 'formulated' posterior to RV mantras which were invocations and eulogy of
Gods, (c) many sections of the brAhmaNas comment on or give explanations of passages or
whole hymns in the RV. For example, the aitareya brA 7.13.33 narrates the shunaHshepa story
briefly alluded to in RV 1.24.1213 and 5.2.7, and the shatapatha brA 11.5.1, comments on the
pururavas and UrvaSi love story of RV 10.95. Such exegesis is applicable only when the texts are
canonized, (d) RV shares large number of mantras with YV (581), SV (1800), and AV (1260). The
Veda amongst themselves, may have contemporaneous and layered sections and their
chronology is difficult to fix. The relative chronology of mantra (saMhitA), brAhamaNa, AraNyaka,
and sUtra in that order for a given Veda is accepted, while the RV mantra is said to be the oldest.
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186
Most of the hymns are to be sung to various deities as manifestations of
the One Divinity. RV and AV mention 33 main deities. These are classified
as 11-celestial deities (dyaus, ashvin twins, pUshANa, viShNu, six Aditya-
s viz sUrya, savitA or bhaga, mitra, Aryaman, daxa, aMsha); 11-
atmospheric deities (indra, varuNa, rudra, maruta, Ushas, vAyu, parjanya,
vivasvat, yama, prajApati, aditi); and 11-terrestrial deities (agni, soma,
bRRihaspati, apAM napAt, mAtArishvan, tvaShtrA, and goddesses
187
pRRithvI, ApaH, sarasvatI, iDA, bhAratI). The heroic and kingly god –
indra, the god of fire - agni, and the god of sky - varuNa are addressed
more frequently than the later day more popular viShNu and rudra (shiva).
shiva is not the name of any God in RV; it is an adjective meaning
propitious, auspicious, or favorable. In RV it is mostly applied to rudra to
placate him, he being the most fearful God for the Aryans. Over the period
shiva became synonymous with rudra. Sometimes, to the classification of
celestial, atmospheric, and terrestrial deities few additional classes such
as abstract deities, secondary deities, demon deities, and ancestral spirits
are added. It is customary to view the multiplicity of deities as a kind of
nature worship which subsequently evolved to absolute monism or
panentheism through intermediate stages of polytheism, henotheism (or
kathenotheism), monotheism, and pantheism. Whatever view one may
adapt, the ultimate Reality of RV is only One - “ ekam sat” (एकम् सत्) or “tad
ekam” (तद् एकम्).
186 RV deities to whom one or more hymns are dedicated, are: indra (289 hymns), agni (218), soma
(123), vishvadevas (70), ashvin twin (56), varuNa (46), maruts (38), mitra (28), Ushas (21), vAyu
(12), savitRRi (11), RRibhUs (11), pushANa (10), Apris (9), pRRithvi (7), bRRihaspati (6), sUrya
(6), dyau (6), Apa (6), Adityas (6), viShNu (6), brahmaNaspati (6), rudra (5), dadhikrAs (4),
sarasvatI (3), yama (3), parjanya (3), vAch (2), vAstoshpati (2), vishvakarman (2), manyu (2),
kapi.njala (2), manas (1), daxiNA (1), GYAnam (1), puruSha (1). Some of the deities with no
dedicated hymn are: aditi, bhaga, vasukra, atri, apAMnapAt, xetrapati, ghRRita, nirrti, asamati,
Urvashi, pUruravas, vena, araNyAni, mayabheda, tArxyaariShTanemi, tvaShtru, saraNyU etc.
Abrahamic Gods Yehweh and El are there too! This semitic link could be through Mitanni (of Syria)
(see http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/akhena.pdf and http:// arxiv.org/abs/physics/0301078) (Kak 2003)
187 Ref “Vibrating Universe” by Panda 1999. Many 3way classifications of vaidika deities exist. The 3
way (11*3) idea is in RV 1.139.11: “Ye Gods, who are eleven in the sky, who are eleven on earth,
and who in your glory are eleven dwellers in the (atmospheric) water, do ye welcome this our
offering”. The number 11*3=33 of principle deities is also mentioned in RV 1.34.11 and RV 8.30.2.
In RV 3.9.9 and RV 10.2.6, deities are stated to be many more than 33; there they number 3339.
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Bk-1 is one of the largest Books along with Bk-10. It can be seen as a
collection of family booklets. Bk-2 to Bk-7 are family books; they are said
to be the oldest ones. Bk-3 (3.62.10) has important gAyatrI mantra. Book-
9 is a collection of hymns related to soma pavamAna (Purified Soma – a
sacred drink to be consumed during the rituals) ascribed to sages
belonging to the 10 principal families. The sequential numbering of Bk-8,
188
9, and 10 can be seen to represent their chronological order.
Bk-10 has hymns related to cosmogony and other miscellaneous topics

not covered in other Books. It contains the nadistuti sUkta (10.75) which is
in praise of rivers and is important for our understanding of the geography
189
of the vaidika civilization. It has puruSha sUkta [पुरष सूक] (10.90) which
mentions 4-fold classification (varNa system) and is considered to be
important for the social development of later Hinduism. It also contains the
nAsadIya sUkta [नासदीय सूक] (10.129), probably the most celebrated hymn,
which deals with the Creation. The marriage hymn (10.85) and the death
190
hymns (10.10-18) are important in the performance of the domestic
188 The numbering of other Books does not go with their chronological order. Books are numbered
according to increasing order of their size (no. of verses) with the exception of Bk1 which,
because of its chronological spread anterior to some of the family Books, is numbered one. There
is however, a discrepancy between Bk3 and 4 which is explained in aitareya brA (6.18). The
hymns 21, 30, 34, 36, 38, 39 (68 verses) in Bk3 were compiled by vishvAmitras later to
compensate for certain of their other hymns appropriated by vAmadevas.
189 RV 10.75.5 lists: (1) ga.ngA, (2) yamunA, (3) sarasvatI, (4) shutudri [Satlej], (5) paruShNi [Ravi],
(6) asiknI [Chenab], (7) marudvRRidhA [Maruvardvan], (8) vitastA [Jhelum], (9) ArjikIyA [Tawi or
Haro], (10) suShomA [Sohan] in that order from east to northwest fixing sarasvatI to river
Ghaggar. RV 3.33.1 identified shutudrI [Satalej] and vipAsha [Beas] together; while 10.75.6 lists
sindhu and its western rivers. RV 10.75 takes an integrated view, at least from the rivers' point of
view, of GY doab and SaptaSindhu region. This suggests that this sUkta and possibly Bk10
itself, could have been composed post1900BC, in the periods of late or final SSC, when
deurbanization of SSC and its integration with GY doab and other Indic regions started taking
place (ibid). This tallies with the archaeological evidence of cremation practices alluded to in the
same Bk10 and recent marine excavation of Bet Dwaraka which carbon dates the site to late or
final SSC. Bk10 and last days of Dwaraka are said to be contemporaneous to MB war within a
span of century or so. (see Map1&2).
190 RV does not support the later day custom and glorification of burning the widow on the pyre of the
dead husband: RV 10.18.7 says, “The women here, still happy wives, not widowed, shall come and
bring rich oil and precious ointment; and tearless, blooming, rich adorned, may they first approach
the restingplace of the departed.” (Kaigi's translation: Rig Veda p.77). The words “may they first
approach the place” is the translation of 'Arohantu yonim agre'. This phrase was altered later times
to 'Arohantu yonim agne.aH' (let them enter the place of fire), and by this terrible falsification the
widowburning was justified. The exact opposite was the fact. Among the early Aryans the widow
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[gRRihya] rituals. The language of Bk-10 is quite different than that of

others Books. It must have been composed with a significant time-gap
after the compilation of other Books.
Associated with RV are anukramaNi-s (indexes) and parishiShTha-s

(appendixes). The former gives valuable information about composers,
deities, and meters of each hymn. The hymns are altogether attributed to
407 Sages, of which 21 are women Sages. Ten principal families emerge
after the genealogical tracing which include traditional seven primary
families viz a.ngirasa, bhRRigu, vishvAmitra, vAsiShTha, agastya,
kashyapa, atri; two secondary families viz kaNva (of a.ngirasa),
gRRitsamada (of bhRRigu); and the one bharata family. Bk-6 and Bk-4 are
exclusively assigned to a.ngirasa family; of them bhAradvAja-s have
exclusive authorship of Bk-6, and vAmadeva-s have exclusive authorship
of Bk-4 except its hymns 43-44. A special hymn ( Apri sUkta) is associated
with each of the ten families.
The Book-wise and family-wise distribution of RV hymns (and verses) is

as follows (Table-4):
might marry again. The very next verse of the same hymn calls on the widow to rise from beside
the bier or pyre and take the hand of her new husband, 'doubtless', says Prof. Macdonnell
(Sanskrit Literature p.126) 'a brother of the deceased, in accordance with the ancient marriage
custom of which a trace remained among the Hebrews. His translation of the next verse (RV
10.18.8) is: “ Rise up, come to the world of life, O woman; Thou liest here by one whose soul has
left him. Come: Thou hast now entered upon wifehood. Of this thy lord who takes thy hand and
woos thee”. During a much later period (c.6501200) the custom got established gradually. The
garuDa purANa glorified the widow burning by calling the burnt woman as satI (honorific title of a
goddess) and the support was inserted in the smRRiti (viShNu 25.13): 'If the woman's husband
dies, let her lead the life of chastity or mount his pyre'. (ref 'Rig Veda and the Vedic Religion' by A.
C. Clayton 1913).
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n Family AprI- Book Book Book Book Book Book Book Book Book Book
Name sUkta 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 a.ngirasa 1.142 96 58 3 75 25 30 58
(1047) (589) (19) (765) (460) (217) (485)
अंिगरस
2 kaNva 1.13 27 55 8 1
(321) (933) (50) (9)
कणव
3 vasiShTha 7.2 9 1 102 1 26
(91) (15) (832) (6) (276)
विसष
4 vishvAmitra 3.4 18 60 2 5 12
(207) (588) (19) (44) (91)
िवशवािमत
5 atri 5.5 79 7 2 8
(655) (88) (16) (112)
अित
6 bhRRigu 10.110 4 4 14 24
(31) (46) (136) (255)
भृगु
7 kashyapa 9.5 1 6 36 3
(1) (74) (300) (24)
कशयप
8 gRRitsamada 2.3 39
(398)
गृतसमद
9 agastya 1.188 27 1 1 2 4
(239) (4) (21) (12) (40)
अगसतय
10 bharata 10.70 13 2 4
(100) (27) (42)
भरत
11 Joined by 2 or 2 1 2 4 6 7
more families (29) (15) (9) (76) (196) (49)
12 Unknown 1 8 44
(18) (104) (371)
13 Total 191 43 62 58 87 75 104 103 114 191
(2006) (429) (617) (589) (727) (765) (841) (1716) (1108) (1754)
5.1.1 RV Communities: In ancient Indic history, there were six tribal

groupings viz (1) pUru, (2) yadu, (3) turvasha, (4) druhyu, (5) anu, as
mentioned together in RV 1.108.8; and (6) tRRixi (with pUru) as mentioned
in RV 6.46.8. They inhabited the regions of ga.ngA-yamunA [G-Y], and
sindhu-sarasvatI [S-S]. The tRRixi belonged to the 'solar race' of IxvAku
while others belonged to 'lunar race' of aiLa. Amongst them, pUru-s,
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particularly the bharata-s, had a central role; RV in a way, is the Book of

191
the bharata family of pUru tribe. Amongst bharata kings, divodAsa
(prominent in Bk-6) and sudAsa (prominent in Bk-3&7) together, are
192
referred to in all books except Bk-10. Though tRRixi-s are rarely
mentioned in RV, they helped pUru-s in adversity and had a unique place
of their own. In RV, the term Arya is synonymous with 'honorable men'. It is
generally reserved for pUru-s, particularly for bharata-s, as they are the
people of the Book. It had no racial connotation; it being only an honorific
title. From paurANika references, yadu-turvasha inhabited part of Western
and Central India, while pUru-IxvAku, and anu-druhyu occupied Northern
Indic regions. Within them IxvAku inhabited eastern part, while pUru
occupied central and anu-druhyu occupied north-western areas.
In some RV hymns, mainly related to dAsarAGYa, vArShAgirA, and

hariyUpIya battles which were fought on S-S soil in early and middle RV
period, we come across several Iranian, west Asian, and central Asian (and
even Greek) ethnonyms such as (1) pRRithu or pArthava (RV 7.83.1):
Parthians; (2) parshu (RV 7.83.1): Persians; (3) paktha (RV 7.18.7):
Pakhtoons; (4) bhalAna (RV 7.18.7): Baluchis; (5) shiva (RV 7.18.7): Khivas;
(6) vishANin (RV 7.18.7): Pishachas (Dards); (7) simyu (RV 7.18.5):
sharmatians (Avesta = Sairimas) (Illyrians, Albanians); (8) alina (RV
7.18.7): Alans (Hellenes, Greeks); (9) bhRRigu (RV 7.18.6): Thraco-
Phrygians (Armenian). They also include the ad-stratum proto-Iranian
names kavasha (RV 7.18.12), kavi chAyamAna (RV 7.18.8), vishtAspa (RV
191 This clan is known in the name of king bharata (RV 6.14.4) in which devavAta was the dominant
dynasty of following kings: devavAta, sRRi.njaya, vadhRRiyashva, divodAsa, pratardana, pijavana,
devashravas, sudAsa, sahadeva, somaka. Other Veda saMhitAs identify few more pUru kings like
bhImasena of kAshI (KYV, kAThaka saMhitA, 7.1.8), parIxitaI (AV, 20.127.710), pratIpa (AV,
20.129.2), vichitravIrya (KYV, kAThaka, 10.6), dhRRitarAshTra (KYV, kAThaka, 10.6), whose
names are attested by purANas.
192 RV identifies kings mandhAtA, purukutsa, trasadasyu, and trAsadasyava with mandhAtRRi clan of
tRRixis. In RV this clan appears to be closely related to pUrus. In fact later three kings are some
times considered as pUru kings. IxvAku tribe to which tRRixis belonged, is eulogized in purANas,
particularly in epic rAmAyaNa. RV 10.93.14 mentions rAma; but he is rAma jAmadagnya and not
dAsharathI. RV's synchronism with MB seems to be through shantanu (RV 10.98) who was
bhIShma's father. There are several attempts to reconcile the genealogies of kings and priests in
vaidika and paurANika texts to arrive at Indic chronology.
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1.100) etc. From RV and paurANika references; and after searching ad-
193
stratum words for druhyu in other IE languages, one can arguably guess
the structure of anu-druhu groupings as follows (Ref: Talgeri 2000, 2008):
● anu: ethonyms of Iranian, Thraco-Phrygian, Hellenic.

● druhyu: ethonyms of Baltic and Slavonic, Italic and Celtic, Germanic.
These ethnonyms do not talk about homelands and chronology of

movements of ethnic communities; however, they suggest that in RV
times, Indic regions, particularly S-S region had mixed and diverse ethnic
194
composition.
5.1.2 RVC and SSC: To trace the RV antiquity we will have to explore the
relationship between “RRigveda civilization” [RVC ] of the RV Books, “sapta
195
sindhava civilization” [SSC] of the archaeological finds, and historical
196
post-800BC “Hindu -vaidika-Culture” [HVC]. We may consider the
stages of SSC to explore its connection with RVC and HVC:
(1) Formative stage e.g. Mehrgarh-4,5 (c.4000BC-3500BC);

(2) Early stage e.g. Kalibangan-1 (c.3500BC-2800BC);
(3) Period of transition e.g. Dholavira-3 (c.2800-2600BC);
(4) Mature era e.g. Harappa-3, Kalibangan-2 (c.2600BC-1900BC);
(5) Late stage e.g. Cemetery H, Harappa-4 (c.1900BC-1500BC);
(6) Final Stage e.g., Harappa-5, Dholavira-4 (c.1500BC-1300BC).
Spatial-temporal and cultural relationship between RVC and SSC can be

explored within these time frames. (See Map-1).
RVC and SSC have a large spatial overlap between them as evidenced
from archaeological finds and geographical references within RV. The core
193 IndoEuropean [IE] languages which have syntactic and semantic similarities.
194 This ethnic diversity in RVC (+SSC) is reflected in todays caste composition in India. For example,
“Aryan Tribes in RRigveda” by B. S. Dahia (1992) relates over 80 Jat clans (Goths or Gotras) to
RV. This relation may be part of folklore; but its underlying hypothesis cannot be rejected outright.
195 It is an ancient civilization which is known to us only through archaeological finds which are spread
over large part of present day Pakistan and adjacent and extended areas in India. (see Map1).
196 The term Hindu is related to 'Sindhu' of SSC(+RVC). It first appeared in Vedidad, Fargard1 of
Avesta which mentions 16ancient lands created by Ahur Mazda and countercreations of Angra
Mainyu (Angiras Manu). There the 15th land is Hapta Hindu (Sapta Sindhu) (S=H).
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area of both of them is the region of sarasvatI-sindhu or sapta-sindhava

[S-S]. RV identifies sarasvatI between shatudrI [Satalej] and yamunA (RV
10.75.5) with tributaries dRRishadvatI (Chautang) and Apaya (RV 3.23.4).
This positional description uniquely identifies today's desiccated Ghaggar-
Hakra-Nara river system. Ghaggar's large basin, 8-10 km wide at places,
and numerous SSC sites found across its banks match the description of
197
'mighty' sarasvatI of RV . Multidisciplinary data suggest that sarasvatI
was in 'full flow' in the days of formative and early SSC and dried to its
198
present form towards the end of mature SSC. This suggests that RVC of
'old books' might be anterior to or overlap the period of mature SSC and
prima facie establishes a compositae of SSC+RVC=HVC.
199
According to one possible scenario, the natural and catastrophic events
197 In RV, sarasvatI is the: 'best mother, best river, best Goddess...' (RV 2.41.16), swollen by many

rivers...(RV 6.52.6), chief and purest flowing from the mountains to the ocean... (RV 7.95.2),
endless, swift, roaring, most dear, nourishing the Aryan tribes across...(6.61.813). Its references in
RV far outnumber those of any other river. Overall, there is no doubt that sarasvatI is the main RV
river and though there is its namesake in Afghanistan; sarasvatI is uniquely identified by RV
10.75.5 and RV 3.23.4. (see Map2).
198 The survey of sarasvatI (GhaggarHakraNara river system) was undertaken by many individuals
C. F. Oldham and R. D. Oldham (1872) to J R Sharma (2006). CAZRI mapped the defunct course
of the river through LANDSAT satellite imagery, aerial photos and field studies (1997, 98). ISRO
and RRSSC analyzed satellite images of IRS1C and RADAR imagery from ERS1/2, and mapped
the entire course of sarasvatI from Kailash Mansarovar to Gujarat (1999, 2006). (see Map2).
Raikes (1968), Allchins (1997), and Rao (1991) think c.1900BC is the date by which sarasvatI dried
almost completely. It lost tributaries to the sindhu in the west and to yamunA in the east in previous
years. G. Possehl (1998, 2002) thinks it could have flowed full way to ocean before c.3200BC
latest, probably before c.3800BC. Francfort (1992) using the imagery of French satellite SPOT and
other data, estimates 'full flow' to be in c.3800BC3600BC while shrIdhar, Merth et al (1999) infer it
to be c.3700BC. Kalyanaraman, Goel (1999) think that sarasvatI's flow was continuous (from
origins to ocean) before 3000BC. The reasons for desiccation were many: tectonic changes,
earthquakes, environmental changes, and river migration.
199 These include desiccation, floods, aridity, and earthquakes. Multiple layers of archaeological
excavations at MohenjoDaro suggests that rising of the groundwater levels could be one of the
reasons for its decline the original excavated foundations itself is now about 24ft below the
groundwater level. The LANDSAT imagery shows that the Indus [sindhu] river has a wide flood
plain on either side of its course up to a width of 100120 km in the east and southeast. To have
such a wide flood plain on only one side shows that the Indus river has migrated towards the
northwest in the northern parts and towards the west in the central and southern parts.
(Ramasamy, Bakliwal, Verma, 1991).
Geologists have pointed out tectonic changes which might have thrown up a kind of dam in the
lower Indus valley, thus inundating a large part of the plains. This would explain the existence of
thick layers of silt in the upper strata of MohenjoDaro which are now about 39ft above the level of
the river. (ref 7.3(19): Kulke and Rothermand).
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during c.2000BC-1700BC forced a population shift from basins of

sarasvatI-sindhu to more hospitable regions - to west (of sindhu), to east
(G-Y doab), and to south (narmadA and godAvarI basins). This shift
resulted in 'deurbanization' which meant gradual disappearance of Indus
script, discontinuation of standard seals, and breaking of long distance
trade in the core S-S regions. It brought forth local strata and sacrificial
theology. It also established the social-familial framework of varNa (class)
and Ashrama (life stage). The varNa system was a four fold social
classification of brAhamaNa (teacher-priest), xatriya (administrator-
warrior), vaishya (professional-trader), and shUdra (servant-laborer). Its
first reference appears in the late RV hymn 10.90. Ashrama prescribed life-
stages and concomitant ritualistic duties for an individual and his family.
The varNa system was superimposed on stratification of jAti, which was
more of a nature of clan rather than caste, based on profession and family
traditions. RV mentions administrative units such as sabhA, samiti, and
vidatha which evolved into later day janapada, an autonomous geopolitical
entity. These localized patterns appeared from the farthest S-S region
(gAndhAra) in the north-west to farthest of G-Y plain ( kIkaTa, magadha)
in the East. By 1300BC, the spread of HVC had possibly crossed vindhya
200
range in the South and flanged into western and eastern coastal areas
including the ga.ngA-brahmaputra delta, in a checkered way. Its northern
Palaeobotanical research in Rajasthan suggests epochal variation in rainfall in the SS region,
which was at peak about 2500BC and went down significantly after 1900BC till 1500BC. During
1500BC1000BC it improved slightly and again went down to its lowest in c.400BC. It improved
there after, but never reached peak levels of 2500BC epoch (ref 7.3 (19)).
In general, the sites outside the sindhu flood plain and sarasvatI basin; such as Mehrgarh
Nausharo, Harappa [cemetery H culture], and Dholavira had better continuity, particularly through
late SSC. The sites like Kalibangan were abandoned by c.1900BC; the reason clearly seems to be
the desiccation of sarasvatI.
200 Some members of agastya family which composed RV hymns are said to have migrated to the
South. The pointers to this hypothesis are available in paurANika and Tamil religious literature.
The legends ascribe agastya existence in disparate regions like Maharashtra, (Nasik), Karnataka
(badAmi), Tamilnadu (Pothiyil) and even in Indonesia, Siam, and Cambodia. References to non
Indic regions are clearly originated in Common Era; even other references do not seem to have
preBuddha antiquity. The reference in aitareya brA (7.18) when vishvAmitra exiled his fifty sons to
stay with Andhra, puNDra, shabara, pulinda, matibA tribes south of vindhya however, suggests a
prehistoric interaction of so called Aryans and nonAryans in the southern regions. This exile is
related to the shunashyepa story alluded to in RV 1.24.1213 & RV 5.2.7.
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limit covered Kashmir and janapada-s in the Himalayan subranges. There

was no significant urbanization till this time indicating a localized self-
governance. Urban centers started appearing again, almost a millennium
after the period of mature SSC by which time HVC had penetrated into the
peninsular Indic regions and coastal areas.
The deurbanization in the late SSC can be viewed as the cultural synthesis
of S-S, G-Y, and parts of middle and peninsular Indic regions which had
201
common cultural substrata. The resultant civilization was indigenous
because it was mainly caused by gradual internal dislocation which in turn
was caused by 'natural causes' and not by intrusive influx of migrants from
outside the S-S/G-Y regions. It was indigenous also because it evolved
over a long period of time (1900BC-1300BC) by natural fusion - a kind of
cultural osmosis. This civilization was a continuum inasmuch as it retained
and transmitted non-urbanized cultural strands of SSC+RVC into the post
202
1300BC HVC, as evidenced from the archaeological finds. The identity
(SSC+RVC )=HVC can be interpreted to mean that HVC included substrata
of popular Hindu customs and traditions of SSC and of vaidika sacrificial
theology of RVC. Both substrata were intermeshed and many of their
layers, particularly those of popular Hinduism were common to S-S, G-Y,
201 Ref: Gupta and Lal 1984; Shaffer 1984 and with Lichtenstein 1999; Rao 1991; Allchins 1997;
Kenoyer 1998; Klostermaier 2002; Possehl 2002/3; McIntosh 2001 et al. This view is also
supported by anthropologists like Hemphill et al (1991), and Kennedy (1995) who see no break in
biological continuity in NW India from 4500BC to around 800BC. Skeletal remains do not support
any invasion or inward migration. Add to it the increasing evidence from Genetics which declares
that no substantial flow of genes occurred from Europe or the northwestern adjacent areas into
India before 600 BCE. (Oppenheimer 2003, Sahoo et al 2006).
202 For example, (1) firealtars; (2) terracotta lingacumyoni (phallic worship); (3) yogika Asanas; (4)
greeting with folded hands (namaste); (5) potspictures at Lothal depicting pa.nchata.ntralike
stories e.g. of 'cunning fox' or of 'wise crow'; (6) use of vermilion in the partition line of the hair; (7)
protoShiva (pashupati) in meditating stance; (8) worship of banyan tree; (9) mother Goddess
(shakti); (10) the Harappan art includes motifs that could very well represent the goddess imagery
(Goddess riding on a tiger) of the purANas; (11) use of swastika; (12) styling of ornaments; (13)
conformance of standard weights of later day arthashAstra to those excavated in Lothal; (14)
'Tandur' for cooking; (15) grid pattern of plowed fields; (16) similarity of SSC fortification with later
day Kausambi fortification; (17) cremation of the dead and burying the ashes in burial urns
(cemetery H culture); (18) The marine excavation at beta dvArakA, a township which was
submerged in sea water according MB, shows late SSC artifacts and structures etc. – all these
examples indicate unmistakable cultural proximity between SSC and later day HVC. (Ref Shaffer,
Kenoyer, Lal, Dani, Sergent, Ghosa and most of the Archaeologists and Indologists).
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and peninsular Indic regions in a localized manner. vaidika priests were

instrumental in spreading the sacrificial theology of HVC in which they had
both ideological commitment and material stakes; vaidika ritualism was
traditional means of their livelihood. HVC had prototypes of important post
800BC cultural traits: (1) brAhmaNa (vaidika), shramaNa (jain, bauddha,
and yogika), and lokAyata (materialist) traditions; (2) dravida and Munda
subcultures; (3) stratification based on cast (jAti), and class (varNa). This
203
HVC continuum had a Greek historical reference.
The model of indigenous HVC is disputed mainly by philologists-linguists.

They argue that Indo-European languages [IE] including Sanskrit, Latin,
Greek etc have many common features and are spread over disparate
regions of Eurasia. IE must have evolved from some common Proto-Indo-
European [PIE] language which had 'original homeland' [Urheimat]. PIE
spread outside Urheimat, in other regions, as super-stratum on the
respective anterior local language by: (1) Invasion and force, or (2)
migration and elite domination, or (3) acculturation through continuous
contacts or (4) combination of all these. The first natural choice of
Urheimat was the S-S region where the ancient IE text (RV) was composed
in archaic Sanskrit. This was rejected for following reasons:
1. Aryan Migration Theory [ AMT] : It was assumed that Indo-Aryans

were 'outsiders'; their entry in the S-S regions was posterior to, and
may be the cause of destruction and decline of SSC. <<This hypotheses
in its original form is historically known as Aryan Invasion Theory (AIT)
while its later variants are known as AMT; all these have been contested
204
and countered by many Indologists and archaeologists>>.
203 Two of the earliest historical references are provided by Greek historians: (1) Pliny in Naturalis
Historia, 6.5960, and (2) Arrian in Indica, 9.9; both alluding to antiquity of c.6776BC, for
gubernatorial chain of 154 or 153 number of (major) kings coming up to the times of Chandragupta
Maurya (c.314BC) or of Alexander the Great (c.325BC). (Ref Kak, ICPR, 2000). For a conservative
'20 yrs per king', antiquity goes to 3500BC.
204 Refer: (1) Online book 'Update on the Aryan Invasion Debate' by Elst (1999); (2) 'Quest for the
Origins of vaidika Culture: The IndoAryan Migration Debate' Ed. Bryant, Pub. OUP (2004); (3)
'The IndoAryan Controversy' Ed. Bryant and Patton, Pub. Routledge (2005).
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2. Dravidian or Munda Substratum exists in S-S. <<This has been

countered by Thieme, Das, Hock and others by observing that, almost
all the so called substrate words have no Dravidian origins; the
remaining cases are suggestive of ad-stratum and not substratum>>.
3. The Linguistic Center of Gravity: The language family's most likely

point of origin is in the area of its greatest diversity; S-S/G-Y is not
such an area. << This argument has been set aside by Dhar and others
by saying that 'linguistic center of gravity principle' is culture specific;
the point of origin is the area of 'least linguistic change' and not of
'greatest diversity' for 'conservative' languages and their cultures.
vaidika Sanskrit was a conservative language that was specifically used
for oral transmission of sacred texts >>.
4. Law of Palatals and the discovery of the laryngeals in Hittite, disprove

the claim of Sanskrit being PIE. << Against this, Kazanas (2004) argues
that Sanskrit need not be PIE, but it is the oldest and the closest
language to PIE. It might had innovated (or lost) some features due to
palatalization or otherwise but, it still retained most of its archaic IE
features. This suggests that Indo-Aryans were sedentary and remained
in the Urheimat while other groups left. Burrow (1974) says - "vaidika
Sanskrit is a language which in most respects is more archaic and less
altered from original IE than any other member of the family". Elst
(1996, 1999) does not think that the laws of palatals and laryngeals
warrants exclusion of Indic Urheimat. According to him, it is perfectly
possible that a Kentum language which we now label as PIE was spoken
in India, that some of its speakers emigrated and developed Kentum
languages like Germanic and Tokharic, and that subsequently the PIE
language in its Indic homeland developed and satemized into Sanskrit.
Similarly, as the first emigrant dialect, Hittite could have taken from
India some linguistic features (genus commune, laryngeals) which were
about to disappear in the dialects emigrating only later or staying
behind >>.
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5. Language Continuity: There is no archaeological record that attests

the use of vaidika Sanskrit or any other IE in SSC. << Against this, it is
pointed out that RV was preserved through oral tradition. Bulk of RV was
composed in S-S regions before 1900BC assuming desiccation of
sarasvatI to have taken place by that time. Further, SSC could be
multilingual, Sanskrit being one of its languages, mainly of priests. The
vaidika Sanskrit in that sense was an elite language for sacral duties
and not for use in 'trade and services' so as to leave archaeological
205
trace >> .
According to mainstream linguistics, Sanskrit is a derivative IE language of

the Indo-Aryan group [IA] with IE superstratum and with some local
substrate. As a corollary of this thesis, Sanskrit was linked to migration of
Aryans into Indic regions who supposedly brought along with them an IE
dialect, a forerunner to RV Sanskrit. This disqualified the Indic Urheimat.
Various other regions have been identified as possible Urheimat

candidates, first spanning most of Europe, and then Asia: (1) Anatolia in
Western Asia, (2) Caucasus between Black and Caspian Seas, (3) Kurgan
in the steppes of South Russia, (4) Bactria-Sogdiana in south central Asia.
The last region is quite close to S-S region and the choice of Urheimat may
be coming full circle to the S-S.
The vast Indic (Sanskrit) literature has no memory of any homeland

outside S-S/G-Y regions. Though there must have been occasional inward
trickle of migrants, there is no record of any influx of migrants during
4500BC-800BC; on the contrary there are pointers to the possible
206
outwards movements during the same period :
Pointer-1 : Based on genealogy of kings and priests mentioned in RV,

'relative chronology' of RV books is found to be: (1) Early: Bk [6, 3, 7, 1];
205 Indus script (?) is not yet deciphered. The antiquity of RV and indigenousness of Aryans within
SSCHVC continuum should be settled by the script's relationship with vaidika Sanskrit or Pali. In
its absence, these issues will depend more heavily on disciplines other than linguistics.
206 'A History of Rigveda' (2000) and 'Rigveda and Avesta' (2008) by Shrikant Talageri, Pub. Aditya
Prakashan.
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(2) Middle: Bk [4, 2, 1]; (3a,b) Late: Bk [(5, 8, 1), (9)]; (4) Final: Bk [10].
If this chronology is mapped on various geographical references in RV, a
movement of Aryans away from G-Y doab to the west (sindhu and
beyond) is discerned. This indicates an out of S-S movement rather than
the inward flux of population into S-S/G-Y regions of RVC. It also
indicates G-Y region to be the ancient homeland of the RV
207
community , though the core area of RVC was the S-S region.
Pointer-2 : purANa-s allude to migration of druhyu-s in early (proto

vaidika) period out of S-S. The druhyu-s were resident in Punjab, but
tried to expand into interior Indic regions. Other tribes battled and
contained them in the north-western part of the Punjab. The druhyu
king a.ngAra was killed. Their settlements in Punjab came to be known
as gAndhAra after the name of one of a.ngAra's successors. After a time,
being over-populated, druhyu-s crossed the northern contours of S-S
regions and founded many principalities in the alien territories of the
north. Thus, according to purANa-s (vAyu 99.11-12, brahmANDa
3.74.11-12, matsya 48.9, viShNu 4.17.5, bhAgavata 9.23.15-16),
prachetas' descendants spread out into alien (mlechCha) countries to
the north (beyond Kashmir) and founded kingdoms there.
Pointer-3 : The second historical outward migration recorded is that of

the anu-s and the residual druhyu-s, which took place after the
dAsharAGYa battle in the early RVC. This is “the battle of 10-kings” (RV
7.18-19, 33, 83) between the bharata king sudAsa and a confederacy of
ten tribes of anu-druhyu group in whose names we can recognize the IE
208
ethnonyms. The hymns show that in this period all the major IE
groups were settled in the Punjab, including all those found, in later
207 'Your ancient home, your auspicious friendship, O Heroes, your wealth is on (banks of) jahnAvI'

(RV 3.58.6).
208 These ten tribes with reference to RV are: (1) pRRithu or pArthava (RV 7.83.1): Parthians; (2)
parshu (RV 7.83.1): Persians; (3) paktha (RV 7.18.7): Pakhtoons; (4) bhalAna (RV 7.18.7): Baluchis;
(5) shiva (RV 7.18.7): Khivas; (6) vishANin (RV 7.18.7): Pishachas (Dards); (7) madra (not identified
in RV): Mede (Madai); (8) shimyu (RV 7.18.5): sharmatians (Avesta = Sairimas) (Illyrians,
Albanians); (9) alina (RV 7.18.7): Alans (Hellenes, Greeks); (10) bhRgu (RV 7.18.6): Thraco
Phrygians (Armenian).
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times, in the geographically furthest areas from the Punjab: the

Phrygians (later in Turkey), the Alans (later in the northern Caucasus),
and the Khivas (later in Chorasmia), not to mention the major peoples of
latter day Afghanistan (Pakhtoons) and Iran (Persians, Parthians,
Medes). The hymns clearly record that this battle saw the defeat of the
anu-s, the conquest of their territories by sudAsa (RV 7.18.13), and the
commencement of their migration westwards. These post-dAsharAGYa
migrations included the ancestors of Iranian, Thraco-Phrygian
(Armenian), Illyrian (Albanian), and Hellenic (Greek), which are
mentioned in the dAsharAGYa battle hymns.
From the point of view of Indic Urheimat Theory [IUT]: Seven ancestral
branches of IEs, not mentioned in the dAsharAGYa hymns, viz Hittite,
Tocharian, Italic, Celtic, Germanic, Baltic, and Slavonic migrated
northwards from gAndhAra into Central Asia during the pre-RV times.
Five of these IEs later migrated westwards into Europe, while the other
two, Hittite and Tocharian, remained behind in parts of Central Asia.
Hittites, at a much later date, migrated into Anatolia. These two
branches, which remained behind in Central Asia, possibly retained
209
contact with the Indo-Aryans further south. It is quite possible that
these contacts were revived through new migrants from S-S regions
post-2000BC in the late SSC.
Pointer-4 : The vArShAgirA battle (RV 1.100) took place in gAndhAra in

the middle RV period between paurava-s led by RRijrAshva against
proto-Iranians lead by vishtAspa and supported by paurava-s like arNa
and chitraratha (RV 4.30.18). After the battle, Iranians were pushed out
of gAndhAra. This battle has been attested in the middle and late parts
209 The Boghaz Kuei inscription, dating back to c.1400BC, refers to Indra, Mitra, Nasatya and Varuna
as witnesses to a treaty between the Mitanni king Mativaja and the Hittite king Suppiluliuma. A text
on the training of horses by a Mitannian named Kikkuli uses Sanskrit terms like ekavartana, tri
vartana etc. This text, though in Hittite, has a few loanwords from Luwian and Hurrian languages.
Probably, whenever Kikkuli found it difficult to put across the Mitanni concepts in the Hittite
language, he switched to his own language (Hurrian) and switched back to Hittite.
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210
of RV and by the early parts of Avesta , and indicates an outward
movement of Indo-Aryans into Persia and central Asia.
Pointer-5 : There is no internal reference in RV that indicates

211
desiccation of river sarasvatI and the population shift caused thereof.
Archaeological findings however, show this shift during the late SSC
period, particularly in settlements located on banks of sarasvatI (across
Ghaggar as well as Hakra sections) and sindhu and its tributaries. The
shift was due to natural causes or calamities. It affected large areas and
involved population movements to east (G-Y region) and to the north-
west beyond sindhu, This must be the epoch making shift of its times
that significantly altered the demographic setup of S-S/G-Y regions and
reverberated in the far remote regions across western and central Asia.
The comparative study of RV and Avesta gives some more clues to the
early population movements. The ancient lands of Fargard-1 of Vendidad
212
have been identified by scholars without unanimity. Scholars like Gnoli
210 The Avesta contains five groups of texts: (1) Yasna: Sacred liturgy including Gathas or Hymns of
Zarathushtra, and Hom Yasht; (2) Khordah Avesta (The Book of Common Prayer) including Yasht
(Hymns to Sacred Beings), and other prayers, litanies, and ceremonial blessings; (3) Vendidad:
Mainly purity laws, myths, and some medical texts; (4) Visperad: Extensions to the liturgy chants
of rituals; and (5) Fragments.
Gathas and some Yashts form the oldest portions. Gathic dialect of the Gathas and of some part
of Yasna is older than the Pahlavi dialect of the later Zend Avesta. (Ref wwwavestaorg).
211 There are attempts to interpret RV 1.133 to project a ruined or deserted city. The word armaka
variously means 'narrow' or 'of narrow width' or 'rubbish', or 'heap of rubbish or ruin'. In RV 1.133.3,
Indra is requested to cast off the unfriendly demons and shefiends to deep, 'narrow' pit (Griffith
1896) w/o any allusion to ruins of a deserted city. Even if we assume that the hymn allegorically
alludes to the ruins of a deserted city; it may only mean that RV was redacted in late SSC.
The Bk10, which is the final and latest book of RV is rather subdued in its praise of sarasvatI in
comparison to its praise of sindhu. This is in contrast with the trend of most the other RV books
and may point to the possible shift of settlements to sindhu or GY basin. Even here, one needs to
be cautious while drawing such an inference because RV 10.64.9 calls upon sarasvatI (and
sharayu and sindhu) as “great” and “nourishing”. Later, SV brAhamaNa texts such as tANDya or
pa.nchaviMsha (25.10.16), jaiminIya (2.297), jaiminIya Up. (4.26.12), and SYV shatapatha (1.4.1.10
15, metaphorical) mention sarasvatI's desiccation.
One reference indicating population shift is in the much later baudhAyana shrauta sUtra (BSS
18.44:397.9): “ayu migrated eastwards. His (people) are the kurupA.nchAlas and kAshIvidehas.
This is the Ayava (migration). amAvasu migrated westwards. His (people) are the gAndhArI,
parashu (Persian?) and Aratta. This is the amAvasu (migration)”. This is a symmetrical movement
from some place between gAndhAra and kuruxetra to the west as well as to the east. This could
be an allusion to the population shift in late SSC.
212 Gnoli (Ref Zoroster's Time and Homeland, 1980) lists: (2) Sogdiana, (3) Margiana, (4) Bactria, (5)
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are of the opinion that none of the land is to the west of Iran; all of them
are in the present day South Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and
Punjab (S-S region); the last being the easternmost boundary of the
Iranian ancient home-lands. If one reads the pointers 1-5 in conjunction
the Fargard list of homelands, then the movement from S-S to Iran via
gAndhAra looks more probable than the singular eastward movement from
Iran to S-S during the times horizons of Vedidad and RV. This conclusion
remains even if few of the lands (such as East Mesopotamia which is
sometimes associated with Land-16 of the Fargard list) are shown to be
west of Iran.
Ahurs (Asurs) and Daeva (Devas) had interchanged roles in Avesta and RV.
They had the background of pUru and proto-Iranian (anu-druhyu) conflict
in RV which later might have manifested as mythical conflict between Ahur
Mazda and Angra Mainyu of deavas in Avesta. In RV times this relationship
is not of uniform rivalry. For example, in hariyUpIya battle (RV 6.27.5), the
pUru king sRRi.njaya and anu (pArthava) king abhyAvartin chAyamAna (RV
6.27.8) had united against their then common adversary (turvasha) from
south of Vindhyas, suggesting friendly relations between anu-s (proto-
Iranians) and pUru-s before dAsarAGYa war. In vArShAgirA battle too it was
not a uniform rivalry between pUru-s and proto-Iranian tribes. After the
comparative study of RV and Avesta, one fact clearly emerges - Avestians
had a shared past with vaidika people in S-S, confirming S-S region as
one of their homelands, perhaps the most ancient one.
Some Indologists, based on the speculative 'out of S-S movements',

suggest S-S region to be the PIE Urheimat and to be the cradle of most of
the Eurasian civilizations. Some others feel that concepts like Urheimat
and PIE should not be applied to civilizational issues in a dogmatic manner.
According to them, linguistic principles are not necessarily or adequately
Nisaya (between Margiana and Bactria), (6) Areia, (7) Kabul, (8) Gazni, (9) Xnanta, (10) Archosia,
(11) Drangiana, (12) Rai (a territory between Zamindavar and Qal'atiGilzay) , (13) Lugar Valley,
(14) Buner, (15) Sapta Sindhu, (16) Rahna (between Kabul and Kurram); the first land Airyan
Vaejah is said to be mythical.
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applicable to communication of ideas and their spread which form the

basis of civilization. Civilizations are formed and spread by 'stimulus
diffusion' – not by specific techniques or institutions but by the adaptation
of stimuli of underling ideas and principles suited to their respective
cultural ecology and temperament. A language can help this spread but it
cannot be the benchmark for deciding the origins or chronology of such
stimuli. According to some historians, civilizations in Nile and S-S region
got underway from stimulus diffusion from Mesopotamia while some
believe that Minoan-Mycenaean civilization of pre-historic Greece is
autochthonous (Ref. Stavrianos, 1983) implying that stimulus can be
'external' or can originate autochthonously.
If RV was composed in the final stage of SSC, then SSC+RVC language

continuity may or may not hold; however, if the bulk of RV was composed
during or before the stage of mature SSC, then SSC+RVC cultural
continuum includes the language continuity. According to some
Indologists, this continuum is more credible than the scenario in which
newly migrant nomadic Aryans settle across the banks of desiccated
213
sarasvatI c.1400BC , extol its grandeur, and establish vast vaidika
literature and culture in just over half a millennium's time in whole of
Northern India and Pakistan without exhibiting any memory of the original
homeland. This vaidika literature included lagadha's jyotiSha (c.1200)
which must be the result of astronomical data accumulated over many
centuries; and liturgical brAhamaNa texts which were the result of
214
codification efforts of centuries culminating in shulba geometry . Many
Indologists hold that evolution of HVC was an osmotic process of cultural
213 According to M. Witzel: Since RV does not know large cities like those of SSC but only of ruins
(armaka, Falk 1981) and of pur (Rao 1976) it must be later than c.1900. A good date would be that
of Mitanni document (c.1400) of northern Iraq and Syria, which has IA loan words of slightly older
IA forms than those found in the RV. ( IndoAryan Controversy Ed. Bryant and Patton 2005).
214 In his paper on the origin of mathematics, in Archive for History of Exact Sciences. Vol. 18, 301
342, Seidenberg (1978) concluded: "OldBabylonia (c.1700 BC) got the theorem of Pythagoras
from India or that both OldBabylonia and India got it from a third source. Now the Sanskrit
scholars do not give me a date so far back as 1700 B.C. Therefore I postulate a preOld
Babylonian (i.e., pre1700 B.C.) source of the kind of geometric rituals we see preserved in the
shulvasutras, or at least for the mathematics involved in them."
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synthesis which occurred over a long period of time spanning over late and
final phases of SSC.
5.1.3 RV Culture: Some Indologists such as K. D. Sethana (Amal Kiran)

and Kazanas who oppose AIT/AMT within the time frame of 4500BC-800BC
argue that RVC was pastoral-agricultural in nature and hence anterior to
mature SSC and contemporaneous with formative and early stages of SSC.
In support of their argument, they point out the absence of following things
in RVC: (1) brick [IShTakA]; (2) fixed altars or hearths (made of bricks); (3)
urbanization – bricked buildings, sewerage system, granary, public bath,
iconography, language script etc; (4) cultivation of cotton [karpAsa]; (5)
Silver metal (rajat); and (6) rice (vRRihi). They acknowledge that the
absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, however, the absence of
so many crucial things in RV, according to them, is indicative of RVC's
pastoral and semi-nomadic nature.
RV 4.57 (hymns of xetrapati or Lord of the Field), reference in RV 8.91.5 of

urvarA or 'fertile field', and scattered references to farming tools and
tackles such as khanitra (shovel), lA.ngala (plough), sRRiNi (sickle) etc.
give RVC a 'pastoral-agricultural-rural' [PAR] base. That this PAR culture
was capable of evolving towards firm semi-urbanized settlements is clear
from the references to weaving with loom, shuttle, warp, and woof; and
metal-work with some kind of smithy. Proponents as well opponents of
AMT, are in general agreement with PAR nature of RVC for their own
reasons. On the basis of stratification however, urbanization of mature SSC
and rural tradition of RVC could exist together as two aspects of the same
civilization.
RV is not a systematic treaties of theosophy and has multiple layers. These

layers gave rise to four distinct streams:
● Nature worship of popular Hinduism: Perhaps, this is the earliest

trend of RVC that has continuity till the present day. This trend
manifested not only as worship of gods representing 'natural elements'
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but as worship of nature itself – river, mountains, trees – and then of

215
animals - cows, monkeys and many others.
● Righteous tradition of varuNa and RRita: varuNa is the God of sky

and the upholder of the 'order, both physical as well as moral' ( RRita).
mitra, the friend, is usually associated with varuNa and both rule the
day and the night, the heaven and the earth, guard the good and punish
the perverse. varuNa has the moral character higher than that of any
other deity. While many of the hymns of other deities are replete with
demands for long life, wealth, and power; the worshiper of varuNa seeks
from him systemic order, purity, freedom from evil, and forgiveness.
The hymns to varuNa, as far as they refer RRita [ऋत]- the principle of
harmony, order and righteousness; show an ethical perception. This
ethical righteousness was later captured by gItA, and bauddha canon,
though in later case it showed no explicit connection with RV. The moral
order of RRita culminated in 'law of karma' though its more developed
form leading moxa had aupaniShad roots through the period of
brAhmaNa-s.
● Ritualistic tradition of brAhamaNa-s: The origin of this tradition is

shrouded in the antiquity of RV and SSC. In this tradition, the worshiper
expects attention from his deity. “dehi me; dadAmi te” [give thou to
me; I give to thee] seems to be one of the dominant underlying themes.
The God receives strength from the offerings of the worshiper, and he
obliges in return. “All rivers swell thy ocean; so, God our prayers
increase thy might” (RV 8.87.8). But in return God is expected to fulfill
the aspirations of the worshiper. The worshiper reminds the God: “Son
of Strength, agni, if thou wert the mortal, bright as mitra, I worshiped
with our gifts! And (if) I were the Immortal God, I would not give thee up
to calumny, or misery, O Bounteous One. My worshiper should feel no
215 This trend is seen in pre2000 SSC. This can be attributed to the tribalprimitive origins of proto
Hinduism that has elements of mysticism and animismpantheism resulting in natureworship and
beneficent gratitude towards animals. This last trait was captured by postvaidika Hinduism and
was cherished by its 20th century proponents like Gandhi for whom cowprotection was the most
important outward manifestation of Hinduism.
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hunger or distress, nor should he live in sin.” (RV 8.19.25-26). This spirit
of 'give and take' between the god and the man later turned into the
'spiritual contract' to be honored by the god if the sacrifice is rightly
performed. In post RV period the ceremony of yaGYa (offerings through
sacrificial fire) was made part of householders' daily routine.
● aupaniShad philosophy of monism: The late hymns, particularly

those in Book-10 and Book-1, show clear monistic speculations.
Considering the list of teachers mentioned in BU, this tradition seems to
have originated some time during late or final stages of SSC (1700BC-
1300BC), contemporaneous with of Book-10 of the RV. The seeds of
mAyAvAda of Advaita Vedanta and spanda-sphUrti-vAda of Kashmir
Shaivism are discernible in RV 10.129-130, though their manifestation
in compiled form occurred quite late in the four oldest UP, viz BU, CU,
AU, TU and still later in the writings of sha.nkara, vasugupta and their
followers.
5.1.4 The time frame of RVC: Indologists have interpreted astronomical

and genealogical clues in vaidika and paurANika texts to trace the foot-
216
prints of RV. This evidence seems to be uncertain but indicative. The
archaeological evidence indirectly supports RVC historicity of old family
216 sage atri observed near total solar eclipse 3 days before autumnal equinox (RV 5.40.59 and
kauShItakI brA 24.4). Sengupta (1947) dates this event as 3928BC while Balakrishna (2005) gives
many dates with his preference to 4647BC; (2) shatapatha brA 2.1.2.23 declares that kRRittikA
(Pleiades) do not swerve from the east; Dixit (1889), Kak (1994), Achar (1999) give date of
2950BC3000BC for this observation.
RV's antiquity is sometimes linked to MB by (a) synchronizing the latest portions of RV book10 to
the times of shantanu (and his brother devApi) of MB, and (b) going into the past from the times of
king yudhisThira through genealogy of kings and priests. There are two traditional MB war dates:
(1) According to varAhamihira's bRRihatsaMhitA13.3 (c.500), which quotes much earlier
vRRiddha garga; it is 2449BC. (2) According to Aihole inscription of pulakeshin II (c.634), and
based on Aryabhata's calculation (c.500); it is 3137BC. There are other recent (2003) proposals:
Iyengar proposes 1478BC; Balakrishna proposes six dates including 3129BC and 1397BC; and
Achar suggests 3067BC; each of them interprets the astronomical data differently.
The paurANika premises of “1500 yrs (viShNu), 1050 yrs (vAyu), 1015 yrs (matsya), and 1115 yrs
or 1150 yrs (SB) of span between the birth of MB king parIxit and accession of Magadha king
mahApadma nanda” leads to MB war date c.1500BC1400BC. This period is pushed back by about
15002000 yrs to account for the anterior genealogy of paurANika and RV kings and events.
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217
books to be anterior to or convergent with mature SSC . Internal RV
references and geological research of sarasvatI give further credence to
pre-2000BC antiquity of RVC.
The comparative study of RVC and Mesopotamian civilization suggests

some synchronism between these two ancient civilizations. As an example,
it is argued that the religion of the RV reflects Mesopotamian religion of the
3rd millennium BC. Even specific epithets and literary allusions can be
found to apply to certain deities that are comparable in the respective
traditions. RV is seen to end at the time of the first period of doubt in
Mesopotamia around 1500BC, which coincides with the end of late SSC.
This is also the time of the development of monotheism in the Ancient
Near East, and this development can be seen in RV. In general, it is argued
that it is not conceivable that there should be a lapse of roughly 1500, or
1800 years between two comparable religions with comparable
developments in areas which had trade with one another. We can date the
early Indic tradition (RVC) on the basis of comparable points in ancient
Mesopotamia. By this, the RV (or its time-horizon) would date back to the
beginning of the third millennium BC, with some of the earliest hymns
perhaps dating back to (or looking back into) the end of the fourth
218
millennium BC”.
217 (1) Firealtars; (2) Firetemple at MohenjoDaro; (3) Round bottomed perforated pots were found at
Harappan site. shatapatha brA. mentions a 9holes vessel (navavitRRiNNa kuMbha) (5.5.4.27), a
100holes vessel (shatavitRRiNNa kuMbha) (5.5.4.27), and a similar one (shatatRRiNNA kuMbhI)
(12.7.2.13). SYV 19.87 also mentions 100holes pitcher. Such vessels were used for ritual
sprinkling; (4) Libation vessels made of the conch shell turbine pyrum have been found at
MohenjoDaro. One of these has vermilion filled incised lines. Such conch vessels were used in
the vaidika ritual and for administering sacred water or medicine to patients; (5) Seal with
inscription of two headed animal that was found in Mohenjodaro excavation finds parallel in two
headed cattle (dvAyA) of AV (ref AV 5.19.7); (6) While the burial of the dead seems common in
earlier phases of SSC, in later phases, particularly, in the late SSC (cemetery H period), the dead
were also cremated and their ashes were buried in burial urns. The 'urn burial' and 'grave
skeletons' were nearly contemporaneous. The allusion to this transition is found in RV (10.15.14),
where both cremated (agnidagdha) and uncremated (anAgnidagdha) forefathers are invoked.
Historicity of the aforementioned portions of SYV, KYV, and AV converges into the mature SSC or
late SSC. The 'urnburial' practice suggests that RV Bk10 was composed or redacted by end of
the mature phase of SSC (c.1900BC) or in the final stage of SSC (c.1500BC1400BC) while
canonizing the then existing practices.
218 Ref. Levitt, Stephan H. 2003: The dating of the Indian tradition. Anthropos 98(2):341359.
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Finally, the spread of Indic (vaidika) culture in the first millennium AD in

Southeast Asia may provide a clue to its spread in the second millennium
BC in West Asia. A good example of the former case is Sanskrit inscription
c.400 in Borneo. From this and several other inscriptions it is known that an
Indonesian clan was founded by a son (Ashvavarman) of a chieftain
(Kundunga w/o slightest trace of Sanskrit) independently of the Brahmins,
who on their arrival consecrated the ruler (Mulavarman) of the third
generation. The inscription says that Mulavarman celebrated great
sacrifices by giving valuable presents to the Brahmins; and that 'they
(Brahmins) had come here' – most likely from India. This was a typical
case when an indigenous chieftain invited Brahmins to legitimize his rule
and sought covenanted kingship by offering sacrifices. In such cases the
invited Brahmins were isolated from the local people and kept in touch
only with their patrons. It is quite possible that Mitanni and Hittite kings
might had sought similar legitimation from Brahmins (or proto-Brahmins)
who had earlier left the S-S region during c.1900BC-1700BC. The Boghaz
Kuei inscription invoking vaidika Gods could be a relic of this prehistoric
cultural transmission that might have happened for a limited period and
for a limited purpose. In fact, according to modern Hurrian scholarship,
Hurrians venerated the same Syrian-Mesopotamian gods and followed the
same religious practices as did the other contemporary peoples in that
219
region. Similarly, in Hurrian language, barring kings' names and few
220
other terms, IA names and words are nonexistent. The IA names in the
inscription as well as few IA loan words in the old Hurrian language of the
Mitanni realm must be the localized form of the corresponding Sanskrit
words; their presence merely attests the transmission of the cultural-
political idea of 'divine sanction through vaidika sacrifices' at some point of
time in the past. The transmission of idea need not be necessarily from S-
S/G-Y region to West Asia; it could be in reverse direction or from a third
219 Curiously, the IA names are associated with only kings and not with queens of the dynasty.
220 Ref. (1) "La religion des Hourrites: etat actuel de nos connaissances" by MarieClaude Tremouille,
and (2) "Imperial Mittani: An Attempt at Historical Reconstruction" by Cord Kuhne, in Studies on
the Civilization and Culture of Nuzi and the Hurrian, vol. 10.
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place; however, its earliest literal and idealogical manifestation is the RVC
in the S-S/G-Y region.
221
5.1.5 RV Autochthony: All this argumentation however, does not
mean that RV authors were indigenous in the absolute anthropogenic
sense. There are ample indications to believe that RVC was a container of
societies, tribes and clans having pastoral, semi-nomadic as well as
agricultural and semi-urbanite strata. RV autochthony means that the
geography, peoples, events, and ideas which RV talked about were closely
related and affiliated to S-S/G-Y region. RV composers eulogized and
worshiped the S-S rivers across which they had settled. RV itself was
composed by many families over many generations as a part of their oral
tradition. This suggests that RV authors were domiciled in S-S region for a
long time and had a sedentary culture. Integration of RVC (vaidika) and
SSC (prototype Hindu) substrata, and its spread in S-S/G-Y and adjacent
Indic regions happened not by force but by cultural osmosis aided by
natural events. This should make the autochthony issue superfluous.
RV composers being domiciled in S-S region is secondary to their

internalizing the principle “ekam sat viprA bahudhA vadanti...” [to “The
One”, the sages give many names]. This is the concluding principle of RV.
At some other place in RV, it is known as “tad ekam (That One)”. Vedanta
adapts and expresses it as “tat tvamasi (Thou Art That)” or aham
brahmAsmi (I am brahman). This principle is not dependent on the
antiquity or autochthony of RV. Its purport is universal and timeless. Those
who internalize it are all autocthonous in the spirit of 'universal brother-
hood' (vasudhaiva kuTuMbakam). The test of internalization ekam sat..., is
to include principled atheism and agnosticism in its fold. It is the principle
of harmony – coexistence with minimum friction and maximum bliss.
221 Frits Staal has reconstructed a possible scenario of early nomadic movements in the period of
2000BC1400BC over a large part of Asia in relation to timeframe and autochthony of RV.
However, (1) excavation of large number of SSC sites in GhaggarHakra river basin which dried by
1900BC1700BC; and (2) RV's internal structure pointing a westward movement from GY to SS,
remain unexplained. (Discovering the Veda: Pub. Penguin Books, 2008).
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(http://pubweb.cc.utokai.ac.jp/indus/english/map.html) (access 01.07. 2010)
Map1: Sapta Sindhava Civilization (before 1900BC)
(1) Formative stage e.g. Mehrgarh4,5 (c.4000BC3500BC);
(2) Early stage e.g. Kalibangan1 (c.3500BC2800BC);
(3) Period of transition e.g. Dholavira3 (c.28002600BC);
(4) Mature era e.g. Harappa3, Kalibangan2 (c.2600BC1900BC)
ssp/04,10
(http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/indus.html) (access 14.09.2008)
Map2: RV river system and sarasvatI's location (before 1900BC)
RV 10.75.5 lists (from East to West): 1. Ganga; 2. Yamuna; 3. Sarasvati; 4. Sutudri (Satalej);
5. Parushni (Ravi); 6. Asikni (Chenab); 7. Marudvrdha; 8. Vitasta (Jhelum); 9. Arijikiya (Haro);
10. Susoma (Sohan). RV 10.75.6 identifies Sindhu and the river system west of it. The RV
river system identifies RV geography with SS/GY region, and identifies sarasvatI with
today's desiccated GhaggarHakraNara river system.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigvedic_rivers#Geography_of_the_Rigveda (access 01.07.2010)
Map3: Geography of RV10 and Late SSC (1900BC1400BC)
Late stage of SSC, e.g. Cemetery H, Harappa4 (c.1900BC1500BC);
Final Stage of SSC, e.g., Harappa5, Dholavira4 (c.1500BC1300BC).
Synchronization Pointers:
● RV10 alludes to Cemetary H practices (c.1900BC1500BC)
● Sarasvati flow drastically reduced; Kalibangan abandoned c.1900BC
● Hymn RV10.98 (Devapi) synchronizes RV10 with early MB era.
● Submerging of Bet Dwaraka of MB in c.1500BC1400BC
● Marine excavation suggests Dwaraka to be late SSC settlement.
● Puranic references place MB era somewhere in c.1900BC1400BC
● BU teachers' list philosophically and temporally connects with RV10
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(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_India) (access 14.09.2008)
Map4: Epic India (c.1400BC800BC)
(Saraswai river had already dried in desert at Vinashana)
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222
5.2 Vedanta History:
Though it is possible to trace origin of Vedanta doctrine in the saMhitA part

of Veda (before 1000BC), it is customary to view Vedanta tradition to
emanate from the UP. If we fix the anterior boundary of this tradition to
c.800BC, close to which the oldest UP are assigned; we can divide the
subsequent chronology as follows:
1. Period of Scriptures (c.800BC-300BC)

2. Period of Collation (c.300BC-200)
3. Period of Recovery (c.200-700)
4. Period of Establishment (c.700-1000)
5. Period of Dialectic (c.1000-1400)
6. Period of Syncretism (c.1500-1700 and thereafter)
5.2.1 Period of Scriptures (c.800BC-300BC): This is the period of

prasthAnatraya works. MU 3.2.6 refers for the first time the term Vedanta
to signal the end of vaidika period some time around 500BC. MU
demarcates clear boundary between vaidika ritualism and Vedanta. Some
of the aupaniShad sages such as yAGYavalkya, uddAlaka, aitareya,
shANDilya, jAbAla, bhAradvAja, pippalAda; and kings such as kaikeya,
jaivali, ajAtashatru, janaka could be anterior to it having acquired mythical
status at that time. Considering the list of teachers in BU (2.6, 4.6, 6.5);
223
the central aupaniShad doctrine must have been known to the sages
much before the BU compilation.
224
This is also said to be the sUtra period (a.k.a. kalpa period) . In the
222 Vedanta (= veda+anta) is taken here in a more general sense: (1) last part of Veda, (2) conclusion
of Veda, (3) literal end of Veda (rather, of its liturgical tradition or action part), (4) limit of Veda (=
knowledge) suggesting knowledge of the transcendental (brahman). (see Table2)
223 Central doctrine of KA is identified in the oldest UP. For example, sha.nkara in BSBh 3.2.27
quotes: CU 6.8.7, BU 1.4.10, BU 3.4.1, BU 3.7.3; and in US prose 1.6 he quotes: CU 3.14.1, CU
6.2.1, CU 7.24.1, CU 7.25.2, AU 1.1.1 to show Atman = brahman. Also, reading of TU 2.1.1, AU 3.1.2,
and BU 3.8.89 alongside, leads to Atman (Consciousness) = brahman (acosmic Substratum).
224 kalpa is one of the six disciplines of vedA.nga. Sacrificial practice gave rise to a large number of
systematic sUtras known as kalpasUtras for the several classes of priests. They are of two
kinds: (a) the shrautasUtras, which are based on the shruti, and teach performance of the great
sacrifices, requiring three or five sacrificial fires; and (b) the smArtasUtras, or rules based on the
smRRiti or tradition. The latter class again includes: (1) the gRRihyasUtras, or domestic rules,
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domain of “auxiliary vaidika studies” [Vedanga ], following important texts

came up:
1. vedA.nga jyotiSha (on astronomy) by lagadha (c.1200BC)
2. kalpasUtra-s (on rituals) by baudhAyana, vAdhUlA, ApastaMba (KYV)

AshvalAyana, sha.nkhAyana (RV ), kAtyAyana (SYV) etc. (c.800BC-
500BC)
3. nirukta (on etymology) by yAska (c.700BC);
4. padapATha-s are attributed to shAkalya (before 500BC) in whose

name one of the RV recensions is known; and prAtisAkhya-s are
attributed to shaunaka (c.500BC) in whose name one of the AV
recensions is known;
5. aShTAdhyAyI (on Sanskrit Grammar) by pANini (c.500BC)
6. ChAndasa-sUtra (on vaidika meter) by pi.ngala (c.300BC)
Astronomical and calendrical studies of jyotiSha; shulba geometry and

mensuration of kalpasUtra-s; root-morphemes of nirukta; fidelity
phonetics of prAtisAkhya-s; morphology based on 'finite state machines'
of aShTAdhyAyI; combinatorics including binomial theorem and binary
number system of ChAndasa are some of the high points of Vedanga.
The earliest draft of arthashAstra (on Political Management) by kautilya

came up by end of this period (c.300BC). kauTilya acknowledges four
sciences - philosophy, theology, economics, and jurisprudence. He
however, places sA.nkhya, yoga, lokAyata in philosophy while assigns
mImAMsA and Vedanta to theology. This text provided the administrative
framework for many a future kingdoms.
treating the rites of passage, such as marriage, birth, name giving etc, connected with simple

offerings into the domestic fire; and (2) the dharmasUtras, which treat customs and social duties,
and have formed the chief sources of the later lawbooks.
The shrautasUtras of the YV include a set of socalled shulbasUtras, i.e. rules of the cord for
geometrical construction of altars. The shatapatha brAhmaNa and the taittirIya saMhitA are also
aware of these rules including Pythagoras theorem. For this reason it is argued that either "Old
Babylonia got these rules from India or both got them from a third source, predating 1700BC" (Ref
Seidenberg 1978, 1983).
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As most of the pramANa UP were compiled before 500BC, formulation of

BS aphorisms might have started during c.500BC-300BC after compilation
of KU, MU, PU, and SU. Some of the initial contributors among kArShNAjini,
kAshakRRiShNa, Atreya, bAdari, auDulomi, Ashmarathya, jaimini, and
bAdarAyaNa which have been named in BS itself could belong to this
period.
Interestingly, in BU and CU, some of the important doctrines are taught by

kings (belonging to warriors class) to brAhamaNa-s (priestly or teaching
class). For example, king ajAtashatru of kAshI instructs gArgya bAlAki
about identification of Atman with brahman (BU 2.1); king ashvapati
kaikeya instructs the brAhmaNa seekers about Atman vaishvAnara (CU
5.11-14); king pravAhaNa jaivali instructs two brAhamaNa-s about
AkAsha as the ultimate substratum of all things (CU 1.8-9), and again
instructs uddAlaka AruNI about doctrine of soul's transmigration (CU 5.3-
10 and BU 5.2). It is possible that the doctrine of indestructibility and
transmigration of soul was cultivated (if not originated) and transmitted
more actively and exclusively within the warrior class of that time. This
doctrine was probably more attractive to the warrior-kingly class who
faced prospects of untimely death during the wars and mutinies. The
anterior period was after all a period of warfares when small kingdoms
(janapada-s) fought with each other to become bigger kingdoms
(mahAjanapada-s). Existence of some 17 or 18 mahAjanapada-s by
225
c.700BC-600BC is recorded in epic and bauddha literature.
225 During c.1300BC500BC, at least 18 'major kingdoms' (mahAjanapadas) with their capitals or
urban centers emerged in SS, GY, and in other regions of river systems where HVC had been
established: (1) gAndhAra (taxashiilA), (2) kAaMboja (rAjavAsa), (3) madra (shAkala), (4) trigarta
(prasthala), (5) kuru (hastinApura, Indraprastha, kuruxetra), (6) shUrasena (mathurA), (7)
pA.nchAla (kAmpilya, ahiChatra, kAnyakubja), (8) vatsa (kausaMbi, prayAga), (9) koshala
(shravastI, sAketa), (10) kAshI (vArANashI), (11) malla (kushinara, pava), (12) vRRijavideha
(vaishAlii, mithilA), (13) magadhakIkaTa (rAjagRha, pAtaliputra, gayA), (14) a.nga (chaMpA
mAlinI), (15) chedI (shuktivatI, vishvapurI), (16) kunti (bhojapurI), (17) avantimAlava (ujjayinI), (18)
va.nga (pauNDra, navadvipa). mahajanapadas (1, 2, 3, 4) were in the region of sindhu tributaries,
while others were in the region of GY. Amongst the later, (15, 16, 17) were southwest of yamunA,
between yamunA and narmadA in central India. bauddha literature identifies one more kingdom
called Ashmaka, south of vindhyas on banks of godAvarI. (see Map4)
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In the initial phase of this period, sacrificial and ritualistic religion was
dominant. Advent of UP (before 500BC), and then Buddhism and Jainism
226
(c.500BC-300BC) may be viewed on the background of the sacrificial
dogma. The framework of these new developments is described as follows
227
by Frits Staal:
The conviction that sacrifice was the basis of the entire universe, including
even the Gods, shows that it was itself the basis of the entire vaidika
civilization and the main inspiration of the vast vaidika literature. But as
soon as the reality, which was accessible to it, was discovered and the
sacrificial act had lost its creative efficacy, the central place accorded to
the sacrifice led to over-emphasis and codification, which became
increasingly rigid. This led to several new developments which are clearly
inter-connected:
1. The ritual acts were maintained, but interpreted symbolically (as for
instance in the AraNyaka-s and in the opening sections of BU, where
the horse-sacrifice (ashvamedha) is interpreted allegorically);
2. The ritual acts were ‘interiorized’ or spiritualized (leading to another

act of equal importance: meditation, and hence to the GYAna or
vidyA);
228
3. The ritual acts were regarded as ineffective in the spiritual realm
(leading to one of the main theses of Advaita: the inferiority of karma);
and
4. The ritual acts were abolished altogether (leading to the rejection of

the authority of the Veda and thus to avaidika and nAstika doctrines, of
which the most important ones are the bauddha and jaina doctrines).
Only mImAMsA maintained the vaidika tradition of sacrifices and karma,
226 These so called heterodox undercurrents were discernible at the time of oldest UP (c.800BC) or
even earlier but they were consolidated by Buddha, Mahavira and their followers.
227 Ref: “Advaita and Neoplatonism” by Dr. J. F. Staal, University of Madras, 1961
228 This view was effectively promulgated by MU 1.2.610 and later lead to the separation of GYAna
and karma.
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though even here further developments took place. The second and third
developments lead to the heart of Advaita.”
The last development, particularly the Buddhism [bauddha mata] was

equally important for Advaita from doctrinaire as well as axiological point
of view.
( A) Siddhartha Gautama [िसदाथर गौतम] or Gautam Buddha [गौतम बुद]

229
(c.563BC-483BC) : Buddha is probably the most influential historical
figure in the spiritual and philosophical milieu of the Indic regions. He was
borne as prince Siddhartha in a Gotama family of Shakya clan on the
boundary of today's India and Nepal. He left his kingly abode at the age of
twenty-nine in search of panacea for sufferings of the human kind and
after six years of intense austerities and experiencing their futility he
found his 'middle path'– neither of severe austerities nor of bodily
pleasures – but a middle one of eight 'appropriate' (samyak) auxiliaries:
230
(1) Knowledge (dRRiShTi) of four basic truths (Aryasatya); (2)
undertaking (sa.nkalpa) of - noble intentions, and aspirations without
detachment to worldly pleasures; (3) speech (vAchA) sans falsity, bad-
mouthing, and prattling; (4) action (karma) with restraint and without
causing violence; (5) vocation (AjIvikA) which does not lead directly or
231
indirectly to violence and disharmony, (6) practise (vyAyAma) of
positive and virtuous thinking; (7) awareness (smRRiti) of the sufferings of
others, of keeping in mind the transience of material world, and of the fact
that world objects are without any permanent unchanging essence; and
(8) absorption (nirvANa) [िनवारण] which is the result of mental discipline and
of adherence to the previous seven auxiliaries – the state of supreme
peace and mental balance.
229 These dates are being revised to 490BC410BC (?). Early bauddha literature is in Pali, a language
closely related to Sanskrit and having roots in vernacular prAkRRit. The canonical texts are said to
be compiled more than a century after Buddha's death. The Tripitaka (three baskets) of Pali canon
are: (1) 'sutta' related to doctrines, (2) 'vinaya' related to the disciplines of monks, (3) 'abhidhamma'
of scholastic treaties.
230 One of the Aryasatya 'recursively' includes these eight auxiliaries.
231 Buddha advised against the trading of weapons, butchery etc.
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This middle path is included in last of the four basic truths – (1) there are
sufferings in the world, (2) Ignorance is the basic cause of these
sufferings, (3) this Ignorance needs to be removed to alleviate the
sufferings, and (4) Ignorance can be removed by the 'noble eight-fold
path' (Arya-aShTA.nga-mArga) which is the Buddha's 'middle path'. He
preached these noble truths (Arya-satya) throughout his life after he
became 'enlightened' (Buddha).
Sometimes Buddha's aShTA.nga-mArga is summarized into three-fold

path which recommends imbuing of following principles: (a) prajnA or
awareness that all world objects are transient, sorrowful, interdependent
and (hence) without any 'essence'. Man's ego is the root cause of his
sufferings; (b) shiila or character that inculcates prANAtipAta-virati (avoid
killing), adattAdAna-virati (avoid stealing, robbing), kAmamithyAcAra-
virati (avoid unlawful sex), mRRiShAvAda-virati (avoid falsity), surA-
maireya-pramAdasthAna-virati (avoid liquor or any other intoxicants that
loosen the control over mind); and (c) samAdhi (absorption) which is the
final stage of supreme peace which is attained by dhyAna (concentration
of mind by detaching it from world objects). This stage is consolidated by
practicing maitrI (friendship towards all beings), karuNA (compassion),
muditA (sharing the happiness of others), and upexA (a certain
indifference towards worldly affairs; a balance of mind).
Buddha's teachings were mainly ethical and positivist; he was not

interested in engaging himself in speculative metaphysics. This is the
reason he kept quiet on following questions which are called avyAkRRita:
(1) The Universe as a whole is permanent, (2) The Universe as whole is
impermanent, (3) The Universe is finite, (4) The Universe is infinite, (5)
Soul (jIva) and sharIra (body) are one and the same, (6) Soul and body are
different from each other, (7) Tathagat (Buddha) exists after death, (8)
Tathagat does not exist after death, (9) Tathagat exists and does not exist
after death, (10) Tathtagat does not “exist and not exist” after death.
In spite of Buddha's reluctance to dwell on metaphysical topics he had to

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deal with meta-physical and axiological issues such as causality, karma,

and birth-rebirth cycle etc. while discussing the causes of sufferings. His
dvAdasha nidAna [DN] (twelve-fold doctrine) enlist a chain of twelve
causes leading to human sufferings: (1) avidyA (Ignorance) → (2)
saMskAra (mind-modifications) → (3) viGYAna (consciousness or ego) →
(4) nAmarUpa (basic personality of body-mind complex) → (5)
ShaDAyatana (five sense organs plus connected mind component) → (6)
sparsha (connection of sense organs with their objects) → (7) vedanA
(pain and pleasure) → (8) tRRishNA (longing for pain and pleasure) → (9)
upAdAna (binding or excess of tRRishNA) → (10) bhava (actions leading to
repetition of causes 6-10 → (11) jAti (birth and rebirth) → (12) jarA-
maraNa (old age - death) as the natural consequence of birth.
It is customary to divide this chain in three births – first two nodes, avidyA
and saMskAra are assigned to previous birth, while node 3-10 ( viGYAna to
bhava) are assigned to the present birth, and last two nodes (jAti and
jarA-maraNa are assigned to next birth. The transmigratory cycle of birth-
death-rebirth arising due to impurities (Asava-s) and Ignorance (avidyA)
is a cyclic continuum; it is known as bhavachakra.
DN may look contrived, but bauddha tradition interprets it as the origin of

pratItya-samutpAda [Dependent Origination], the most basic principle
accepted by all bauddha Schools. In addition, bauddha tradition traces the
origins of following commonly accepted principles to the Buddha's
discourses on Aryasatya: (1) sarvam xaNikam or sarvamanityam
(everything is momentary or impermanent), (2) sarvam dukkham
(everything is sufferance), (3) sarvamanAtman (every-thing is
essenceless), (4) sarvam svalaxaNama (everything is unique), (5)
nirvANam shAntam (the ultimate state is peacefulness).
Buddhism as well as aupaniShad thinking had rejected efficacy of vaidika

rituals in their respective domains. Buddhism took a strong ethical view
while UP ethics were shrouded underneath metaphysical and soterial
concerns. The aupaniShad traditions compensated for their lack of
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emphasize on ethics by adopting classical yoga in their soterial methods.

Both aupaniShad and bauddha streams however, were operating in the
same cultural milieu and were using similar terminology. The concepts of
avidyA in KU and avijjA in DN are analogous. The bauddha bhava-chakra
a.k.a. dharma-chakra is analogous to brahma-chakra of SU. Karma
(kamma) and rebirth are common to both. The attainment of nirvANa by
removing Ignorance is quite similar to aupaniShad concept of realizing
moxa through Knowledge of Self. Peace of nirvANa is not much different
than bliss of moxa. Except for few soterial and metaphysical nuances these
analogous concepts were similar in nature. It is quite possible that yoga,
meditation, renunciation, karma, and rebirth were common concepts
shared by both bauddha, jaina and vaidika traditions long before Buddha's
232
time .
Over the preiod, early Buddhism, represented by Abhidharma-Thervada

[अिभधमर -थेरवाद] and sarvAstivAda [सवारिसतवाद] (sometimes, together known as
233
hInayAna [हीनयान] or small vehicle) was followed by mahAyAna (great
vehicle) [महायान] which later encompassed vajrayAna [वजयान] or Tantric path.
It is customary to say that each of these three paths dominated for 500 yrs
each in the total 1500 yrs of Buddism's prominence in Indic regions.
Thervada spread over comparitively smaller region including Shri Lanka,
Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand while mahAyAna, and along with it
vajrayAna spread over a greater region including India, China, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Tibet, Bhutan.
232 The concepts of meditation, yoga, karma, rebirth, and Liberation existed much before Buddha as a
common Indic heritage. They may be traced to SSC inasmuch as the meditation and yoga
traditions were present in SSC, as can be inferred from archaeological finds. It is possible that
these concepts were also present in other Indic regions, notably in GY doab. The karma, rebirth,
and Liberation do not find explicit mention in RV and the brahmaNas, but are introduced in UP.
According to some Indologists, UP are the meeting point of ancient Hindu and vaidika cultures in
respect of these axiological traditions. AV had already given place to certain other popular and
ubiquitous local traditions such as charmsmagic and medicinal practices.
233 This term is frowned upon by some Buddhists; they point out that it was coined only because
mahAyAna came into being, suggesting that the so called hInayAna is the orthodox canon.
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( B) pratItya- samutpAda [पतीतय समुतपाद] (Dependent Origination):
This principle's first occurrence is traced to kaccAyanagotta sutta:
“Everything-exists' - this, kachchAyana, is one extreme. Everything

` does
not exist' - this, kachchAyana, is the second extreme. kachchAyana,
without approaching either extreme, the tathAgata teaches you a doctrine
by the middle. Dependent upon ignorance arise dispositions. . . << this
then is followed by the application of pratItya-samutpAda of the twelve
links – dvAdashanidAna >>”
The Pali canon gives the general formula of pratItya samutpAda [PS]:
● When this is, that is. (ImasmiM sati, idaM hoti)

● From the arising of this comes the arising of that. (Imass’ uppAdA,
idaM uppajjati)
● When this isn't, that isn't. (ImasmiM asati, idaM na hoti)
● From the cessation of this comes the cessation of that. (Imassa
nirodhA, idhaM nirujjhati)
By interpreting PS in the context of DN, reality is seen as a complex web of

conditioned cause-effect relationship. It involves future as well as past and
present times and (hence) close loops and cyclic continuum. Effect is
neither contained in the cause nor generated due to the power of cause,
but just happens when certain conditions are met. PS has three aspects –
causal interdependence where everything is dependent on everything
else, holistic (syncronic) interdependence governed by whole-part
relationship, and conceptual imputation where the effect is cognized and
conceptualized within the substrative framework of consciousness and
spacetime. PS in the form of DN is seen as life cycle of saMsAra or
prapa.ncha (bhavachakra).
PS within the framework of DN is seen as one of the earliest statements of

process philosophy. Since everything is interdependent, nothing has the
permanent essence leading to the hypothesis of anAtmA. This means that
the world objects are only “aggregates of elements” [skandha-s of
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dharma-s] without any static identity. PS views 'individual personality'

234
[pudgala] as a group [sa.nghAta] of five skandha-s viz rUpa (material
form), vedanA (feeling of pain or pleasure), sa.nGYA (perception),
saMskAra (conative disposition), and viGYAna (consciousness). All five
skandha-s of pudgala are interdependent and pudgala as a whole is
dependent on its parts or invidual skandha-s making the pudgala selfless
235
or essenceless. PS is also closely related to the hypothesis of
impermanence. All dharma-s being interdependent are impermanent
because otherwise (that is, if they are constant or statically eternal) they
will be independent in themselves. Each phenomenon is thus 'continuum
of causally connected web of events and conditions' (process) which is
essenceless or empty. The reality of world objects is then 'as it is'
(svalaxaNam). It is the reality which is devoid of relative perceptual
properties. It is an ever changing continua or aggregate of processes.
Bauddha tradition is generally careful to differentiate svalaXaNa from the
unchanging substratum or essence. It is simply a unique processual (and
236
hence impermanent) aggregate. Momentariness and emptiness are the
characteristics of all processes making them the inherent aspects of PS
reality. Humans are 'confused' (Ignorant) about this impermanence; they
see permanence rather than impermance, self rather than selflessness,
which is the cause of their sufferings. This confusion (Ignorance) can be
removed by aShTA.nga mArga to attain nirvANa (supreme state). PS thus
leads to pa.ncha-siddhAnta (five doctrines) of Buddhism:
234 A complex of aggregates. This word as a bodymind complex or as a combination or hierarchy of
aggregates is used in sA.nkhya philosophy (sA.nkhyakArikA 17).
235 If pudgala is selfless, then what remains constant or continuous between death and subsequent
rebirth? Who bears the fruits of karma? Who attains nirvANa? To answer such questions
Buddhists (pudgalavAdins) use the notion of a fictitious person (self) in the name of pudgala
which is neither the same nor different than the pa.nchaskandhas. It is a praGYapti a multivalent
term that many Buddhist schools deployed in a variety of ways. Literally praGYapti means “leading
to knowledge.” It can mean a teaching device, a designation, an instruction, a heuristic, a name or
label for a complex of conditions, and so on. (It is as good as accepting the notional Atman – for
Buddhism, this is a linguistic as well as ontologicalsoterial problem).
236 However, in some traditions (e.g. of tathatA School of ashvaghoSha, c.80), svalaxaNam ot tathatA
assumes an absolutist proportion and converge on KA. (See appendixA of this section).
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● सवर किणकं : sarvam xaNikam (everything is transient)

● सवर द ु:खं : sarvam dukkham (everything is sufference)
● सवर मनातमा : sarvamanAtmA (everything is essenceless)
● सवर सवलकणं : sarvam svalaxaNam (everything is 'as it is')
● िनवारणं शानतं : nirvANam shAntam (Liberation is peace)
All bauddha Schools believe in Aryasatya, dvAdasha nidAna,

237
pratItyasamutpAda, pa.ncha-skandha, and pa.ncha-siddhAnta. Their
ethical concerns were shared by yoga and jain traditions in the form of
pa.ncha-yama (five rules) and pa.ncha-vrata (five vows) respectively.
5.2.2 Period of Collation (c.300BC-200): Major part of BS was

consolidated in this period. The compilers such as jaimini, and bAdarAyaNa
may belong to its first half. Some scholars believe that BS work was
compiled by more than one seers and was contributed by many scholars
over number of centuries (ref Nakamura, Mayeda 1983). The first known
commentary (vRRiti) on BS by upavarsha which is not extant but is
referred by later vedAntin-s appeared by end of this period (c.150).
Mai and MAU could have been compiled in the first and later half of the
period respectively along with few other UP like mahA, pai.ngala, and
vajrasUchi. (see 1.1) The influence of bauddha philosophies which
themselves were influenced by aupaniShad thinking and were part of
general philosophical ferment that was going on at that time, is discernible
in these UP, though BS appears to be free from such influence.
Unlike Buddhism which produced many texts in this period, not much of
Vedanta is available by way of written texts. One reason could be the
secrecy and exclusiveness associated with UP. They were taught and
transmitted in closed circles. Abstruseness of BS may be part of this
secrecy. Another reason could be the ascendancy of Buddhism. It had
238
better state patronage and hence resources. Buddhism itself was
237 The pa.nchaskandha based concept of pudgala; and svalaxaNa doctrine of pa.nchasiddhAnta

attract diverse metaphysicalepistemological interpretations.
238 The ancient Indian empires and states like those of: Great Ashoka (c.268BC233BC), Indo Greek
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probably seen as a natural successor to aupaniShad reforms and ideas. Its

positivism was attractive against the backdrop of vaidika dogma of
excessive ritualism. Vedanta's textual activity in this period was seemingly
confined to redaction-compilation of late UP and BS which had started in
the period of scriptures. In spite of its apparent insularity and dogma,
Vedanta tradition was remarkably open in absorbing new ideas and
methods as can be seen by the later developments. Further, though
Buddhism was dominant in urban centers and academia, vaidika culture
had penetrated into ordinary house-holds in urban as well rural areas. MU
and BG had created ground for subordinating the rites and simplifying the
religion. The pessimistic-agnostic undertones of Buddhist philosophy and
its rationality devoid of mysticism and devotion were bound to make it less
popular over a period of time. Recovery of vaidika domination was thus a
matter of time though it had to wait till the arrival of gauDapAda and
sha.nkara for almost half a millennium; and when it happened it was not
uniformly and absolutely vaidika in nature.
In addition to Vedanta sUtra's, authoritative Hindu law-books (dharma-

shAstra), foremost amongst them the Book of Manu (manu-smRRiti), were
compiled in this period which were subsequently edited in Gupta period
and probably even thereafter.
kings including Menander a.k.a. Milinda (c.200BC50BC); and Shaka, Kushana rulers including
emperor Kanishka (c.50BC150) were patrons of Buddhism. Even the Brahmin Shunga dynasty of
Magadha (c.150BC50BC) sponsored construction of stupas and renovated bauddha monasteries.
Similarly almost all regional kingdoms outside Gangetic belt such as: Chedis (c.100BC200) to
which powerful Jain king Kharavela belonged, on Eastern coast in todays Orissa; and
Shatavahans (c.150BC300) in Central and South India with their capital in Pratisthan (Paithana) in
todays Maharashtra, provided patronage to Buddhism. There are records of Shatavahanas and
their successors Ixvakus, who were culturally Hindus, making donations to bauddha monasteries.
In deep south there were Hindu Kings such as Chola and Pandya (in todays Tamil Nadu), and
Cheras (in todays Kerala) who were friendly with Buddhism.
Historically, Ashoka remains the greatest patron as well as promoter of Buddhism; he sent
missionaries to Western Asia, Greece, Central Asia, Shri Lanka, and Burma. After demise of
Maurya empire, foreign dynasties fought with each other for the supremacy of Northern India.
Most of them found Buddhism to be more accessible than the orthodox Hinduism (sanAtana
dharma) and gave it a royal patronage. However, the idea of kingship was there; and over the
period they sought further legitimacy by identifying themselves with popular cults of Hinduism such
as vaiShNavabhAgavata and shaiva.
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( A) tathatA [तथता]: Buddhism in this period was one of the two main
streams in the Indic regions. The other main current, that of aupaniShad
thinking was busy systematizing itself in the form of BS. Both these
239
streams seem to converge in the following discourse of tathatA School:
There is only One Mind that includes in itself all states of the phenomenal
and transcendental worlds. This Mind has two aspects. One is the aspect of
the Absolute (tathatA: Suchness, Thatness), and the other is the aspect of
phenomena (saMsAra; birth and death - transmigration). Each of these
two aspects embraces all states of existence because they are mutually
co-extensive. The Mind in terms of the Absolute is the one World of Reality
(dharmadhatu) and the essence of all phases of existence in their totality.
That which is called "the essential nature of the Mind" is unborn and is
240
imperishable. It is only through illusions that all things come to be
differentiated. If one is freed from illusions, then to him there will be no
appearances (laxaNa-s) of objects. All things from the beginning
transcend all forms of verbalization, description, and conceptualization and
are, in the final analysis, undifferentiated, free from alteration, and
indestructible. They are only of the One Mind; hence the name Suchness
(or Thatness). All explanations by words are provisional and without
validity, for they are merely used in accordance with illusions and are
incapable of denoting Suchness. The term Suchness likewise has no
attributes which can be verbally specified. The term Suchness is, so to
speak, the limit of verbalization wherein a word is used to put an end to
words. But the essence of Suchness itself cannot be put to an end, for all
239 This School is seen as the forerunner of KA. It expounds aupaniShad metaphysics and Buddhist
terminology and ideas. The discourse is based on English Translation by Yoshito S. Hakeda of
“mahAyAna shraddhotpAda shAstra”, Pub. by Columbia University Press, 1967, and of “awakening
of faith” by Daisetz T. Suzuki of shraddhotpAdashAstra as referred by S. N. Dasgupta (ref. 7.3(5):
vol1). Both translations are from Chinese versions. The original Sanskrit text is not extant. It is
attributed to Buddhist Brahmin ashvaghoSha (c.80150?), who wrote buddhacharitakAvya
acclaimed for its poetical excellence, and mahAla.nkArashAstra, both in classical Sanskrit. The
vajrasUchi Up. too is attributed to him. Today's Historians are however, more sure about
ashvaghoSha's profile as a scholar and poet than as a tathatA protagonist. (ref. “Literary History of
Sanskrit Buddhism” by G. K. Nariman, Pub. Taraporevala & Sons (1920).
240 Dasgupta interprets smRRiti as vAsanA – incipient and unconscious memory of past experience
including previous births rather than as illusion (Hakeda) or confused subjectivity (Suzuki).
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things in their Absolute aspect are real; nor is there anything which needs
to be pointed out as real, for all things are equally in the state of Suchness.
<< Upto this point there is no difference between Suchness and the
Absolute (neti neti brahman) of KA. The author, then mentions two aspects
of Suchness. >>
Suchness has two aspects if predicated in words. One is that it is truly

empty (shUnya), for this aspect, in the final sense, reveal what is real. The
other is that it is truly nonempty (a-shUnya), for its essence itself is
241
endowed with undefiled and excellent qualities.
The Mind as phenomena (saMsAra) is grounded on the tathAgatagarbha.

What is called the 'Storehouse Consciousness' [Alaya viGYAna or chitta]
has two aspects which embrace all states of existence and create all states
of existence: They are: (a) the aspect of enlightenment, and (b) the aspect
of non-enlightenment. << The author, after defining these aspects,
clarifies their meta-physical interrelationship. The similarity of
enlightenment with jIvanmukti and its inherent ontological ambiguity is
unmistakable >>:
<< The author continues..>> Two relationships exist between the

enlightened and non-enlightened states. They are: "identity" and "non-
identity".
Identity: Just as pieces of various kinds of pottery are of the same nature
in that they are made of clay, so the various magic-like manifestations
(mAyA) of both enlightenment (anAshrava: non-defilement) and non-
enlightenment (avidyA: Ignorance) are aspects of the same essence,
Suchness. For this reason, it is said in a sUtra that "all sentient beings
intrinsically abide in eternity and are entered into nirvANa. The state of
enlightenment is not something that is to be acquired by practice or to be
created. In the end, it is unobtainable [for it is given from the beginning]."
Also it has no corporeal aspect that can be perceived as such. Any
241 Here, the shUnya is analogous to nirguNa brahman, and the ashUnya to saguNa brahman.
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corporeal aspects [such as the marks of the Buddha] that are visible are
magic like products of Suchness manifested in accordance with the
mentality of men in defilement. It is not, however, that these corporeal
242
aspects which result from the supra-rational functions of wisdom are of
the nature of non-emptiness [i.e., substantial]; for wisdom has no aspects
243
that can be perceived.
Non- identity: Just as various pieces of pottery differ from each other, so
differences exist between the state of enlightenment and that of non-
enlightenment, and between the magic like manifestations of Suchness
manifested in accordance with the mentality of men in defilement, and
those of men of ignorance who are defiled (i.e., blinded) as to the essential
nature of Suchness.
<< What is the relationship between Suchness and Ignorance? The author
strives to answer this query through the novel concept of permeation: >>
Permeation of Ignorance: It may be said that, on the ground of

244
Suchness [i.e., the original enlightenment], Ignorance [i.e., non-
enlightenment] appears. Ignorance, the primary cause of the defiled state,
permeates into Suchness and results in deluded mind. Thenceforth
deluded thoughts further permeate into ignorance and predicate
erroneously conceived objects of the senses and the mind. These
erroneously conceived sense-objects, the coordinating causes in bringing
about the defiled state, permeate into the deluded mind and cause the
deluded mind to attach itself to its thoughts, to create various evil karma,
and to undergo all kinds of physical and mental suffering.
Permeation of Suchness: It may be said that there is the principle of
242 Enlightened person own capabilities and qualities beyond rationality. The manifestation of his
numberless excellent qualities is incessant; accommodating himself to the capacity of other men
he responds spontaneously, reveals himself in manifold ways, and benefits them.
243 Being Buddhist, the protagonist needs to conform to the terminology of 'emptiness' (shUnyatA);
however, here he is propounding absolutism rather than emptiness.
244 It is not clear if this term is used by the translator or is in the original text. In any case it is clear that
the text is differentiating between Suchness (analogous to videhamukti) and enlightenment
(analogous to jIvanmukti).
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Suchness, that can permeate into ignorance and causes the deluded mind
to loathe the suffering of saMsAra and to aspire for nirvANa. Because this
mind, though still deluded, is now possessed with loathing and aspiration,
it permeates into Suchness in that it induces Suchness to manifest itself.
Thus a man comes to believe in his essential nature, to know that what
exists is the erroneous activity of the mind and that the world of objects in
front of him is nonexistent, and to practice teachings to free himself from
the erroneously conceived world of objects. Through the force of this
permeation of Suchness over a long period of time, his ignorance ceases.
Because of the cessation of ignorance, there will be no more rising of the
deluded activities of mind. Because of the non-rising of the deluded
activities of mind, the world of objects as previously conceived ceases to
be; because of the cessation of both the primary cause (ignorance) and
the coordinating causes (objects), the marks of the defiled mind will all be
nullified. This is called "gaining nirvANa and acting spontaneously".
If all sentient beings are endowed with Suchness and are equally
permeated by it, why is it that there are infinite varieties of believers and
nonbelievers? Though Suchness is originally one, yet there are
immeasurable and infinite shades of Ignorance. From the very beginning
Ignorance is, because of its nature, characterized by diversity, and its
degree of intensity is not uniform. Defilements, more numerous than the
sands of the Ganges, come into being because of the differences in
intensity of ignorance, and exist in manifold ways; defilements, such as
245
the belief in the existence of Atman and the indulgence in passion,
develop because of ignorance and exist in different ways. All these
defilements are brought about by ignorance, in an infinitely diversified
manner in time.
Nature of Suchness: The essence of Suchness does not change. It was

not brought into existence in the beginning nor will it cease to be at the
245 The author does not equate Suchness with Atman to conform to the bauddha dogma of anAtmA.
This is the slender thread by which tathatA School connects itself metaphysically with Buddhism.
Its terminology and axiology however, remains Buddhist.
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end of time; it is eternal through and through. From the beginning,

246
Suchness in its nature is fully provided with all excellent qualities ;
namely, it is endowed with the light of great wisdom, the qualities of
illuminating the entire universe, of true cognition and mind pure in its self-
247
nature; of eternity, bliss, Self , and purity; of refreshing coolness,
immutability, and freedom. It is endowed with these excellent qualities
which outnumber the sands of the Ganges, which are not independent of,
disjointed from, or different from the essence of Suchness, and which are
supra-rational attributes of Buddhahood. Since it is endowed completely
with all these, and is not lacking anything, it is called the tathAgatagarbha
[तथागतगभर ] when latent and also the dharmakAya of tathAgata.
Influences of Permeation of Suchness: The Buddha-s or tathAgata-s,

248
while in the stages of Bodhisattvahood , exercised great compassion,
249
practiced pAramitA-s , and accepted and transformed sentient beings.
They took great vows, desiring to liberate all sentient beings through
countless aeons until the end of future time, for they regarded all sentient
beings as they regarded themselves. And yet, they never regarded them
as separate sentient beings. Why? Because they truly knew that all
sentient beings and they themselves were identical in Suchness and that
250
there could be no distinction between them. Because they possessed
such great wisdom which could be applied to expedient means in quest of
enlightenment, they extinguished their Ignorance and perceived the
original dharmakAya. Spontaneously performing incomprehensible
activities, exercising manifold influences, they pervade everywhere in their
246 Here, the author is talking about ashUnyatathatA, analogous to saguNa brahman.
247 It is not known to me what is the 'original' word used for Self. Here, the author is talking about
ashUnya Suchness analogous to saguNa brahman, and appears to be a theist like a later day
vaishNava Vedantin. In the same discourse; he later clarifies that Suchness in its tathAgarbha
aspect is nonindividuated.
248 bodhisattva is one who aspires and strives for enlightenment (analogous to mumuxu or sAdhaka).
249 It is a mahAyAna term meaning 'perfections' such as: 1. dAna (generosity), 2. siila (morality), 3.
nekkhamma (renunciation), 4. pannA (insight), 5. vIriya (energy), 6. khAnti (forbearance), 7.
sachcha (honesty), 8. mettA (friendship), 9. adhitthAna (resolution), (10) upexa (equanimity).
250 Here Atman = brahman of KA is applicable to sentient beings. Considering that Suchness is also
the ground of all states of existence, Atman = brahman identity is indirectly propounded here in
bauddha terminology.
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identity with Suchness. Nevertheless, they reveal no marks of their

influences that can be traced as such. Why? Because the Buddha-
tathAgata-s are no other than the dharmakAya itself, and the embodiment
of wisdom. They belong to the realm of the absolute truth, which
transcends the world where the relative truth operates. They are free from
any conventional activities. And yet, because of the fact that sentient
beings receive benefit through seeing or hearing about them, their
influences (i.e., of Suchness) can be spoken of in relative terms.
From saMsAra to nirvANa: Examining the 'five components' (pa.ncha-

skandha), we find that they may be reduced to matter (object) and mind
(subject). The objects of the five senses and of the mind are in the final
analysis beyond what they are thought to be. And the mind itself is devoid
of any form or mark and is, therefore, unobtainable as such, no matter
where one may seek it. Just as a man, because he has lost his way,
mistakes the east for the west, though the actual directions have not
changed place, so people, because of their ignorance, assume Mind
(Suchness) to be what they think it to be, though Mind in fact is unaffected
even if it is falsely predicated. If a man is able to observe and understand
that Mind is beyond what it is thought to be, then he will be able to
conform to and enter the realm of Suchness.
The Biased Views Held by Ordinary Men: There are five kinds of
biased views held by ordinary men which may be discussed:
Hearing that the dharmakAya of the tathAgata is, in the final analysis,
quiescent, like empty space, ordinary men think that the nature of the
tathAgata is, indeed, the same as empty space. How is this to be
corrected? The way to correct is to understand clearly that "empty space"
is a delusive concept, the substance of which is nonexistent and unreal. It
is merely predicated in relation to its correlative corporeal objects. If it is
taken as a being termed non-being, a negative being, then it should be
discarded, because it causes the mind to remain in saMsAra. In fact there
are no external corporeal objects, because all objects are originally of the
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mind. And as long as there are no corporeal objects at all, "empty space"
cannot be maintained. All objects are of the mind alone; but when illusions
arise, objects appear. When the mind is free from its deluded activities,
then all imagined objects vanish. What is real, the one and true Mind,
pervades everywhere. This is the final meaning of the tathAgata's great
and comprehensive wisdom. The dharmakAya is, indeed, unlike "empty
space".
251
Hearing that it is explained in the sUtra that all things in the world, in the
final analysis, are empty in their substance, and that nirvANa, the principle
of Suchness is also absolutely empty from the beginning and devoid of any
properties, they, not knowing that the purpose of the sUtra is to uproot
their adherence, think that the essential nature of Suchness or nirvANa is
simply empty. How is this to be corrected? The way to correct this error is
to make clear that Suchness or the dharmakAya is not empty, but is
endowed with numerous excellent qualities.
Hearing that it is explained in the sUtra that there is no increase or

decrease in the tathAgatagarbha and that it is provided in its essence with
all excellent qualities, they, not being able to understand this, think that in
the tathAgatagarbha there is plurality of mind and matter. How is this to
be corrected? They should be instructed that the statement in the sUtra
that "there is no increase or decrease in the tathAgatagarbha" is made
only in accordance with the absolute aspect of Suchness, and the
statement that "it is provided with all excellent qualities" is made in
accordance with the pluralistic outlook held by the defiled minds in
252
saMsAra.
Hearing that it is explained in the sUtra that all defiled states of saMsAra in
the world exist on the ground of the tathAgatagarbha and that they are
therefore not independent of Suchness, they think that the
251 This sUtra could be nonextant shraddhotpAda itself or one or more of tathAgatagarbha sUtra.
252 This binary viewpoint could be the forerunner of saMvRRiti and nirvRRiti satya of mAdhyamaka,
and vyAvahArika and pAramArthika sattA of KA.
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tathAgatagarbha literally contains in itself all the defiled states of saMsAra

in the world. How is this to be corrected? To correct this error it should be
understood that the tathAgatagarbha, from the beginning, contains only
pure excellent qualities which, outnumbering the sands of the Ganges, are
not independent of, severed from, or different from Suchness; that the
soiled states of defilement which, outnumbering the sands of the Ganges,
are not independent of, severed from, or different from Suchness; that the
soiled states of defilement which, outnumbering the sands of the Ganges,
merely exist in illusion; are, from the beginning, nonexistent; and from the
beginningless beginning have never been united with the
tathAgatagarbha. It has never happened that the tathAgatagarbha
contained deluded states in its essence and that it induced itself to realize
Suchness in order to extinguish forever its deluded states.
Hearing that it is explained in the sUtra that on the ground of the

tathAgatagarbha there is saMsAra as well as the attainment of nirvANa,
they, without understanding this, think that there is a beginning for
sentient beings. Since they suppose a beginning, they suppose also that
the nirvANa attained by the tathAgata has an end and that he will in turn
become a sentient being. How is this to be corrected? The way to correct
this error is to explain that the tathAgatagarbha has no beginning, and
that therefore ignorance has no beginning. If anyone asserts that sentient
beings came into existence outside this triple world, he holds the view
given in the scriptures of the heretics. Again, the tathAgatagarbha does
not have end; and the nirvANa attained by the Buddha-s, being one with
it, likewise has no end.
The Biased Views Held by the Hinayanists: Because of their inferior

capacity, the tathAgata preached to the Hinayanists only the doctrine of
the nonexistence of Atman and did not preach his doctrines in their
entirety; as a result, the Hinayanists have come to believe that the five
components, the constituents of saMsArika existence, are real; being
terrified at the thought of being subject to birth and death, they
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erroneously attach themselves to nirvANa. How is this to be corrected? The

way to correct this error is to make clear that the five components are
unborn in their essential nature and, therefore, are imperishable - that
what is made of the five components is, from the beginning, in nirvANa.
Finally, in order to be completely free from erroneous attachments, one
should know that both the defiled and the pure states are relative and
have no particular marks of their own-being that can be discussed. Thus,
all things from the beginning are neither matter nor mind, neither wisdom
nor consciousness, neither being nor non-being; they are ultimately
253
inexplicable. And yet they are still spoken of. It should be understood
that the tathAgata-s, applying their expedient means, make use of
conventional speech in a provisional manner in order to guide people, so
that they can be free from their deluded thoughts and can return to
Suchness; for if anyone thinks of anything as real and absolute in its own
right, he causes his mind to be trapped in saMsAra and consequently he
cannot enter the state filled with true insight [i.e., enlightenment].
On Five Practices: There are five practices which enable a man to

perfect his faith. They are the practices of (1) charity, (2) observance of
precepts, (3) patience, (4) zeal, and (5) cessation of illusions and clear
observation.
How should a man practice charity? If he sees anyone coming to him

begging, he should give him the wealth and other things in his possession
insofar as he is able; thus, while freeing himself from greed and avarice,
he causes the beggar to be joyful. Or, if he sees one who is in hardship, in
fear, or in grave danger, he should, according to his ability and
understanding, explain it by the use of expedient means. In doing so,
however, he should not expect any fame, or material gain, but he should
think only of benefiting himself and others alike and of extending the merit
that he gains from the charity toward the attainment of enlightenment.
How should he practice the observance of precepts? He is not to kill, to
253 This inexplicableness of tathatA is shared by mAdhyamaka as well as by KA.
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steal, to commit adultery, to be double-tongued, to slander, to lie, or to

utter exaggerated speech. He is to free himself from greed, jealousy,
cheating, deceit, flattery, crookedness, anger, hatred, and perverse views.
If he happens to be a monk or nun who has renounced family life, he
should also, in order to cut off and suppress defilements, keep himself
away from the hustle and bustle of the world and, always residing in
solitude, should learn to be content with the least desire and should
practice vigorous ascetic disciplines. He should be frightened and filled
with awe by any slight fault and should feel shame and repent. He should
not take lightly any of the tathAgata's precepts.
How should he practice patience? He should be patient with the vexatious

acts of others and should not harbor thoughts of vengeance, and he should
also be patient in matters of gain or loss, honor or dishonor, praise or
blame, suffering or joy, etc.
How should he practice zeal? He should not be sluggish in doing good, he

should be firm in his resolution, and he should purge himself of cowardice.
He should remember that from the far distant past he has been tormented
in vain by all of the great sufferings of body and mind. Because of this he
should diligently practice meritorious acts, benefiting himself and others,
and liberate himself quickly from suffering. Even if a man practices faith,
due to his evil karma derived from the grave sins of previous lives, he may
be troubled by the 'evil Tempter' (Mara) and his demons, or entangled in
all sorts of worldly affairs, or afflicted by the suffering of disease. There are
a great many hindrances of this kind. He should, therefore, be courageous
and zealous, and at the six four-hour intervals of the day and night should
pay homage to the Buddhas, repent with sincere heart, beseech the
Buddhas for their guidance, rejoice in the happiness of others, and direct
all the merits to the attainment of enlightenment.
How should he practice cessation and clear observation? What is called

"cessation" means to put a stop to all characteristics (laxaNa) of the world
of sense objects and of the mind, because it means to follow the samatA
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(tranquility) method of meditation. What is called "clear observation"

means to perceive distinctly the characteristics of the causally conditioned
phenomena (saMsAra), because it means to follow the vipashyanA
(discerning) method of meditation. How should he follow these? He should
step by step practice these two aspects and not separate one from the
other, for only then will both be perfected. << The tathatA discourse
selected for this Note ends here >>.
Compared to other bauddha Schools tathatA School tallies quite well with
aupaniShad metaphysics and shA.nkara Vedanta. In India, it was eclipsed
by other Mahayana Schools like mAdhyamaka and yogAchAra, which were
more faithful to pa.ncha-siddhAnta. Its influence in the Buddhist circles
outside India however, remained and even grew. The ratnagotravibhAga
254
text [RGV] which expounded absolutist Mahayana Buddhism may be
attributed to this School.
( B) mAdhyamaka [माधयमक]: As the name suggests, mAdhyamaka is the

philosophy of 'middle path' (madhyama pratipAda) – of Becoming rather
than of Being or non-Being. Madhyama is the position between any
opposing extremes. This philosophy is said to be the apex of Buddhism
both in terms of its adherence to pa.ncha-siddhAnta and its depth and
255
prestige among many bauddha Schools which came into being during
the period 300BC-200. It is customary to hold nAgArjuna (c.100-200) as
its founder and the most important protagonist, although its founding
principles were already established in the Buddhist annals. The three
aspects of PS-interdependence viz conditioned causality, whole-part
254 RGV is a Sanskrit text of which Chinese and Tibetan translations were available beforehand. It has
been researched by Jikido Taraski (ref Serie Orientale Roma, vol XXXIII, 1966) and others.
Though RGV is normally attributed to chittamAtra (yogAchAra) School; it propounds
tathAgatagarbha theory which is quite similar to tathatA. Its Tibetan title – Uttaratantra is
suggestive of the claim that the RGV's teaching is the completion of shUnyatA teaching; it
complements the mAdhyamaka and yogachara. Buddhism is said to have reached its final
absolutist position in RGV.
255 There were realist Schools like vaibhAShika and sautrAntika whose followers were known as
sarvAstivAdins. These two Schools are part of what is known as 'small vehicle' (hInayAna). Other
important Schools include viGYAnavAda (a.k.a. yogAchAra), mAdhyamaka, and tathatA that
belong to the 'big way' (mahAyAna).
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relationship, and conceptual imputation were known to lead to emptiness

[shUnyatA]. nagArjuna provided dialectical arguments to reaffirm this
knowledge in the form of hypothesis.
nAgArjuna’s principal treatise, mUlamAdhyamakakArikA [MMK]

(Fundamental Discourse of the Middle Way), attracted many
commentators: buddhapAlita (third century), bhAvavaviveka (fifth
century), chandrakIrti (sixth century), and Tsongkhapa (fourteenth century
in Tibet). MMK is the earliest extant philosophical treatises which attempts
to give a scholastic exposition of the theory of 'emptiness' and 'non-
substantiality'. In bauddha tradition Nagarjuna is associated with the
praGYa-pAramitA-sUtra-s [= perfection of wisdom scriptures], the
mahAyana scriptures in which hypotheses of emptiness and non-
substantiality are extensively discussed. MMK and its commentaries are
the fundamental literature of mAdhyamaka; as such the term MMK in this
note denotes the summarized mAdhyamaka view.
MMK propounds that to exist dependently is, importantly, to be empty of

essence. In MMK, this emptiness of essence is the final mode of existence
of any phenomenon, its ultimate truth. For to have an essence is to exist
independently, to have one’s identity and to exist not in virtue of extrinsic
relations, but simply in virtue of intrinsic properties. Because all
phenomena are interdependent, all are empty in this sense. Just as the
conventional truth about phenomena is made up by their
interdependence, their ultimate truth is their emptiness. In one place (MMK
5: 4a,b), as a general example of this interdependence nAgArjuna argues
that the spatial properties (and, by analogy, all properties) of an object
cannot be essential. It would be absurd to suppose that the spatial location
of an object could exist without the object itself - or, conversely, that there
could be an object without location. Hence, location and object are
interdependent.
It follows immediately that the emptiness of all phenomena that MMK

defends is not nonexistence: to be empty of essence is not to be empty of
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existence. Instead, to exist is to be empty. The emptiness of any

phenomenon is dependent on the existence of that phenomenon. That is to
say, Emptiness is itself dependent, and hence empty. This doctrine of (1)
having a processual (empty) identity, and (2) absolute emptiness
(shUnyatA) – the ultimate truth, is MMK's unique bi-polar view. The two
truths are different from one another in that the ultimate is the object of
enlightened knowledge and is liberating, while the conventional is
apprehended by ordinary people through mundane cognitive processes.
Nonetheless, they are in a deeper sense identical. To be empty of essence
is simply to exist only conventionally. The conditions of conventional
existence are interdependence and impermanence, which entail
essencelessness. MMK hence strives to develop a middle path between a
realism that takes real phenomena to be ultimately existent in virtue of
being actual, and a nihilism that takes all phenomena to be nonexistent in
virtue of being empty. Instead, MMK argues that reality and emptiness are
coextensive, and that the only nominally coherent mode of existence is
256
conventional existence.
Central to MMK’s view is the doctrine of the two realities - 'conventional

reality' [saMvRRiti satya or vyavahAra] and 'ultimate reality' [nirvRRiti
satya or paramArtha]. It is tempting to identify conventional reality with
the phenomenal realm, and ultimate reality with the noumenal. The
emptiness of emptiness however, means that ultimate reality is just as
empty as conventional reality, and in a way, the two seemingly distinct
257
realities are therefore 'essentially (!)' the same. This non-dualism
[advaya, Advaita] is taught in mahAyAna literature; for example:
‘‘To say this is conventional and this is ultimate is dualistic. To realize that
there is no difference between the conventional and the ultimate is to
256 This and the previous two paras are based on “Buddhist Philosophy – Essential Readings: Ch2”,
OUP 2009.
257 Essence and sameness are anathema to any process philosophies and hence to bauddha
doctrines as well. In everyday language however, we have to use these terms and accept the fact
that identity and difference are coextensive They can be defined only in circular way in terms of
each other leading to the consequent paradoxes.
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258
enter the Dharma-door of non-duality,’’ (vimalakIrtI-sUtra) or, ‘‘Form is
empty; emptiness is form; form is not different from emptiness; emptiness
259
is not different from form’’ (prajnA-pAramitA-hradaya) .
MMK makes apparently contradictory statements such as: (1) space (and
by implication other four tanmAtra-s) are neither an entity nor a non-
entity (MMK 5:7); (2) objects are neither existent nor non-existent (MMK
5:8); (3) effect and cause are neither similar nor dissimilar (MMK 6:6) etc.
These apparent contradictions are resolved if we reject the “law of
excluded middle”. MMK however, also makes 'assertions' that face the
charge of contradiction from which it is difficult to wriggle out. For
example, MMK's central theme (ultimate truth) is 'everything is empty'
which itself becomes empty and devoid of final truth. This is a linguistic as
well ontological paradox. That nAgArjuna is aware of this paradox is clear
from MMK 22:11 where he says that 'emptiness' or 'non-emptiness' should
not be taken as a positive assertion, but only as a 'nominal' truth – that is
to say, the statement 'ultimately' can neither be true nor be false. Here,
nAgArjuna knowingly loses the thrust of his main proposition. MMK's other
ontological thesis – that of 'emptiness of emptiness' meets similar fate.
Emptiness itself becomes a 'nominal' concept and not the 'ultimate'
ontological truth. Thus, nAgArjuna's argument is both vindicated and
nominalized. He is vindicated at the saMvRti level but cannot 'close' the
argument at the paramArtha level. This is where the 'open' (absolutist)
position is forced onto mAdhyamaka. This is not the failure of nAgArjuna.
He explores the boundaries of conventional reality and boldly faces the
paradoxes in his attempt to reach the ultimate truth. This difficulty is faced
260
by all non-dualist Schools including KA.
258 This is a mahAyAnasUtra which expounds the mahAyAna as opposed to hInayAna teachings. It is
a polemical text; it portrays Buddhist Arahant saints as having incorrect understanding of the
Buddhist teachings. The sUtra claims to focus on the explication of the meaning of nonduality.
259 A wellknown mahAyAna sUtra that is popular among mahayana followers for its brevity and depth.
260 For example, KA deploys the concept of mAyA to explain the diversity of manifest world. There is a
magic element in mAyA to resolve the contradictory demands made on its ontological status.
Alternatively, mAyA is interpreted as 'multivalued logic' (as against 'binary logic') or as a 'fuzzy
logic' (as against 'crisp logic'). Here Advaita and mAdhyamaka have similar positions of vyavahAra.
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The absolute pole of MMK's bipolar truth – shUnyatA without any essence
or attributes, makes mAdhyamaka position convergent with aupaniShad
position of 'neti neti' brahman. Both shUnya and 'brahman' are absolutist
concepts and cannot be differentiated from each other – for differentiation
needs attribution which is not possible for Absolutes. This paradox of
equivalence between mAdhyamaka and Advaita is inherent in the logical-
linguistic concepts of identity and difference. Identity (essence, constancy,
independence) and difference (process, motion, dependence) can be
defined only in terms of each other. One can only emphasize one aspect
over the other without being able to break the circularity. Advaita
emphasizes identity (Atman=brahman) and call everything else as tuccha
(lower order) while mAdhyamaka emphasizes process (pratItya-
samutpAda) and call identity as empty. Both agree that jagat or saMsAra is
mithyA (indeterminate). So both are equivalent and still different; they
start from orthogonal positions and lead to the same destination.
After nAgArjuna, mAdhyamaka split into two sub-Schools. The prAsa.ngika

sub-School dialectically reduces to absurdity the opponent's position, but
faces the same charge of nominalizing the ultimate truth as earlier faced
by nAgArjuna. The svAtantrika sub-School founded by logician
bhAvaviveka applies formal syllogism to counter opponents' arguments,
but faces the charge of absolutism.
5.2.3 Period of Recovery (c.200-700): BS finalization was the starting

phase of this period. In BS, the identity Atman = brahman is open to
261
various interpretations.
Up to the times of sha.nkara; many commentaries on prasthAnatraya

along with few independent treaties were written by teachers such as:
upavarsha, bodhAyana, ta.nka (brahmAnandin), dravida, bhartRRi-
prapa.ncha, shabarasvAmin, bhartRRimitra, shrIvatsA.nka, sundara-
261 This lead to the formation of at least half a dozen Vedanta Schools during (c.10001500). Some

Schools, such as bhedAbheda (identity cum difference) and illusionist Vedanta seem to be present
during this period.
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pANDya, brahmadatta, bhartRRihari, gauDapAda, govinda, and maNDana.

Amongst these teachers upavarsha is said to have written the earliest
commentary sArIraka-mImAMsA-vRRiti on BS, on which sundarapANDya
wrote a vArtika. Another teacher brahmAnandin wrote ChAndogya-vAkya
which was commented by dravida. The vAkyapAdIya [VKY] of bhartRRihari,
though not directly related to prasthAnatraya, expounds concepts very
similar to those of sha.nkara's line of Advaita through his philosophy of
language. Most of these works are not available today, their references
however, are available in the extant literature.
Most of the positions established by sha.nkara later, were discussed during

this period not only by gauDapAda, but also by other teachers. For
example:
1. brahman is the ground of the Universe (by upavarsha);

2. Atman is (mediately) known by perception as it is the (mediate) object
of I-notion (by upavarsha);
3. Means of acquiring-validating knowledge (by upavarsha);
4. Absolute Knowledge requires additional means (methods) such as

superposition-negation (by sundarapANDya);
5. Relative knowledge is a process, while absolute Knowledge is a relation

between the processes of superimposition and sublation (by
sundarapANDya);
6. Creation is inexplicable (by brahmAnandin);
7. All worldly objects are unreal; they are mere appearances (by
brahmAnandin);
8. Negation is an affirmation of positive reality and process of negation
establishes Self-realization (by dravida);
9. Ignorance is the cause of finiteness and plurality of jIva-s (by

bhartRRiprapa.ncha)
10. Doctrine of mAyA (by brahmadatta).
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Among the extant works of this period following texts are important for
their historical and philosophical perspective: (1) MK/GK of gauDapAda,
262
(2) Some important purANa-s such as viShNu, vAyu, kUrma, nAradIya,
and nArAyaNa which deals with issues of philosophical purport mainly
while discussing 'creation and dissolution'. Though sha.nkara did not quote
from them, vedAntin-s like rAmAnuja, madhva, and vallabha quoted them
in support of their view of their Vedanta philosophy. (3) vAkyapAdIya [VKY]
263
of bhartRRihari, a linguistic work of considerable importance, (4)
yogavAsiShTha [YOV], a paurANika text that advanced a radical idealist
monism.
Among all these works, Advaita tradition accords pioneering and

authoritative status only to GK. It can be seen as a Vedanta discourse that
shares the terminology and ideas of Buddhism. At least one Indian scholar
(V. S. Bhattacharya) has suggested that GK could be a collaborative effort
between Buddhist yogAchAra (viGYAnavAda) and gauDa School of Vedanta
in the then newly established Nalanda university near Bodhagaya (c.400-
500). The cultural ecosystem to carry out this project was in place for a
considerable time. Classical yoga had shared ethical values of Buddhism
264
long ago , MU had deprecated sacrifices by holding them utterly
inadequate for the lofty goal of moxa, and BG had deprecated mindless
265
ritualism of desire-ridden people. The golden age of Gupta empire had
262 The core purANas must be much earlier. AV 11.7.24 mentions purANas along with the three

other Veda. shatapatha brAhmaNa (11.5.6.8) and (13.4.3.13) refer to them. (ref Kak, ICPR 2000,
pp. 124)
263 Also known as trikANDI having three books within. It is a 5th century treaties about the nature of
language and its relation with Universe. The first book (brahmakANDa) deals with 'word' (shabda)
which is proclaimed to be brahman as well as the principle means to attain it. The second book
deals with semantics of the sentence, while the third book deals with philosophical issues including
ontology of substance (padArtha) and strives to show that different doctrines elucidate different
aspects of one and the same entity and tries to unite them all in his languagebased philosophy. In
this text bhartRRihari quotes from unnamed Agamika texts suggesting that this particular line of
linguistic Advaita had earlier tradition parallel to aupanishad Advaita and bauddha Advaya Schools.
(Ref (1) Online Indopedia; (2) Excerpts on advaitin.net blog prepared by Ananda Wood); (3) K.
Raghavan Pillai, The Vakyapadiya, Critical Text of Cantos I and II , MLBD, 1971)
264 Megasthenes, the emissary of Syrian King Seleucus Nicator to India (c.300BC) had observed that
austerities similar to yamaniyama were taught and respected in the Indian society and non
violence was highly valued.
265 During c.300500 Gupta dynasty (ChandraguptaI, Samudragupta, ChandraguptaII, Kumargupta,
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created the right environs to undertake the philosophical synthesis of

Vedanta and Buddhism. Though gauDapAda took a major step towards
such a synthesis, YOV made a parallel attempt to achieve the same
through allegorical and nested stories while yogAchAra was leading to the
same destination via different route.
Other than common cultural ecosystem there is metaphysical equivalence

between mahAyAna bauddha Schools and aupaniShad non-dualism.
Buddhism's tathatA, mAdhyamika, and yogAchAra Schools which teach the
principles of shUnyatA and tathAgatagarbha are considered by many to be
monistic Schools. Takasaki, the leading scholar of tathAgatagarbha line
says:
“When Buddhism developed itself into mahAyAna Buddhism, it could not

but take the appearance of Monism as a result of Absolutization of the
Buddha, and approach the Upanishadic thinking. For explaining the
possibility of anyone's acquiring the Buddhahood, the Monistic philosophy
was used as the background. In this last point lies the significance of the
tathAgatagarbha theory of this text (ratna-gotravibhAga). This theory is in
one sense an inevitable result of the development of mahAyAna Monism in
its religious expression.”
Similarly Obermiller, like his teacher Stcherbatsky considers:
“On the foundation of the prajnA-pAramitA he (asa.nga) has composed

the abhisamaya-alaMkAra, giving up his extreme yogAchAra views and
drawing near to the monistic conception of the mAdhyamika-s...Finally in
the uttarata.ntra he may be considered to have attained the highest point
of development in adopting a theory of purest, extreme monism... It
Skandagupta, and Budhagupta) controlled large part of Indian subcontinent with the support of
friendly Wakatakas in the central India, matching the empires of Ashoka, Kanishka, and later day
Mughals in size at their respective heights. Apart from its military spread, the Gupta empire was
prosperous and well managed. The compilation of ageold epics like mahAbhArata and
rAmAyaNa, and of purANas in the form as they exist today, were carried out during this period.
Classical Sanskrit literature flourished with the stimulus of royal patronage. Famous poet Kalidas is
said to be in the court of ChandraguptaII. There was considerable progress in astronomy and
mathematics. Outstanding mathematician Aryabhata stayed sometime in kusumpura (near
Pataliputra) during last decades of Gupta empire.
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demonstrates the teaching of the Absolute as the unique undifferentiated

principle, being the negation of the separate reality of the elements in
their plurality, in accordance with the prajnA-pAramitA and
tathAgatagarbha sUtra-s.”
( A) yogAchAra [योगाचार]: It is a non-dualist bauddha School which

analyzes mind and consciousness as the basis of its 'meditative (yogika)
practices' (and hence the name). It is based on sandhinirmochana sUtra
(c.100-200) and la.nkAvatAra sUtra (c.100-400). It is also known as
viGYAnavAda (doctrine of Consciousness).
The yogAchAra School is said to be founded by maitreya (c.270-350) and

evolved in four sub-Schools: (1) chittamAtra: of asa.nga (c.300-370); (2)
viGYaptimAtra: of vasubandhu (c.310-380), sthiramati (c.500),
dharmapAla (d.561); (3) sautrAntika-yogAchAra: of dignAga (c.480-540),
dharmakIrti (c.600-665); and (4) yogAchAra of buddha-bhUmi-upadesha
(c.650).
The chittamAtra sub-School conceives "storehouse consciousness" or

266
Alaya-viGYAna as the source of all our ideation. It conceives 'one only'
(non-dual) Mind which is the same as the Dharma Body (dharmakAya) of
the Buddha Himself. This absolute Consciousness sometimes was even
called "Great Self" or "Pure Self" (mahAtman; shuddhAtman). This
267
tendency which lead to the concept of tathAgatagarbha is seen in such
266 AlayaviGYAna is one of the central concepts of yogAchAra. Early Buddhism taught about
existence of sixfold consciousness five types of sensory perception and of mind (manoviGYan).
The yogAchAra adds two more klistamanoviGYana, or manas, that is the egocentre of an
empirical personality, and AlayaviGYAna which is the source of empirical awareness. Alaya
viGYAna is above subjectobject duality but it is momentary and nonsubstantial. Every sentient
being has its "own" AlayaviGYAna and hence, in classical yogAchAra there exist many Alayas. It
is a receptacle and container of the socalled "seeds" (bIja), or elementary units of past
experiences. These bIjas project themselves as an illusionary world of subjectsobjects dualism.
All other seven types of awareness are but transformation (pariNAma) of AlayaviGYAna. In the
course of its yogika practice a yogAcArin must empty AlayaviGYAna of its contents and put an end
to the tendency of its external projections; thereby changing it into nondual (advaya) wisdom
(GYAna) of Enlightened mind.
267 tathAgatagarbha (tathAgata: Thus Coming One one of the titles of Buddha; garbha: i) embryo,
fetus; ii) womb, matrix) one of the most important terms of mahAyAna. It is: i) embryo, or sprout
of the Buddhanature in every living being, its "precious nature" (ratna gotra); ii) the name for the
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works as ratnagotravibhAga (uttara-tantra) [RGV] and sUtralankAra-

shAstra attributed to maitreya-asa.nga School by Tibetan tradition. RGV
explains the statement “All sentient beings possess the tathAgatagarbha.”
in a 3-fold manner:
● The dharmakAya of the Buddha penetrates everywhere;

● The tathAgata, being tathatA, is the undifferentiated whole;
● There exists the tathAgatagotra in all living beings
The kAyA, tathatA, and gotra of tathAgata are termed as three svabhAva-
s; RGV interprets tathAgatagarbha in terms of these svabhAva-s not as an
empty entity but as a non-differentiable absolute entity.
Earlier theorization of tathAgatagarbha had found its most eloquent

expression in the famous work "shraddhotpAda shAstra" attributed to
ashvaghoSha. In asa.nga's other known works ("yogAchAra bhUmi
shAstra", "mahAyAna saMgraha shAstra" etc.) asa.nga's position is not
much different than that of his half-brother vasubandhu.
The viGYaptimAtra sub-School of yogAchAra presented by vasubandhu

tries to avoid ontological arguments and keeps himself exclusively in the
frame of phenomenology. vasubabdhu discusses the concept of "alaya
viGYAna" and teaches about three levels of reality (trisvabhAva). He tells
nothing about Absolute, or the 'One Only Mind' keeping away from
discussion about the essence, or nature of consciousness examining only
its phenomena (laxaNa). Nevertheless, vasubabdhu's disciples sthiramati
and dharmapAla transcended the limitations of the pure empiricism and
proclaimed non existence of the world outside consciousness (this position
was accepted by the Chinese Yogacharins Xuan zang and Kuaiji).
The sautrAntika-yogAchAra of dignAga (c.480-540) and dharmakIrti (c.7th
absolute reality of the One Mind (ekachitta) of Buddha identical to Buddha's Dharmabody
(dharmakAya) and Suchness (tathatA).
As the One Mind tathAgatagarbha is a substratum of every being (every dharma), that is,
dharmatA, or dharma (nature). It is endowed with innumerable good qualities such as eternity
(nityatva), bliss (sukha), essence or Self (Atman) and purity (shubha). In the doctrine of
tathAgatagarbha, alayaviGYAna can be understood as defiled garbha. (ref. Kheper.net, a. 9/2009)
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century) was called by this name because its followers together with the
sautrantika-s held that sensations contained an element of the 'real'
knowledge. Their epistemology suggests that only the fleeting sense data
of episodic perceptions are real, without any implication of underlying self.
The self is, for these thinkers, is a kind of 'notional whole' or abstraction
which has no substantial reality. But this position did not prevent some
later representatives of this sub-School (praGYAkaragupta, ratnakIrti) to
be proponents of the extreme solipsist illusionism. Sometimes this School
is treated more as a branch of sautrAntika than of yogAchAra.
268
buddhabhUmi yogAchAra is based on buddhabhUmi-upadesha [BUP]
(c.649), a compendium compiled in East Asian Japanese canon on
buddhabhUmi-sUtra. It is better seen as a synopsis and scholastic
269
exposition of important facets of yogAchAra rather than a School. Like
other traditions it conceives eight types of consciousness: (1-5) sensory
perceptions, (6) cognition and thinking (manoviGYAna), (7) ego (manas),
and (8) warehouse consciousness (Alaya-viGYAna). The last one is also
known as “all-seeds consciousness” (sarva-bIjaka-viGYAna), “karmic
maturation consciousness” (vipAka-viGYAna), and “foundational
consciousness” (mUla-viGYAna), because it holds the contaminated and
uncontaminated seeds, bringing them to karmic maturity and fruition. The
aspirant of enlightenment, during the purification of mind, has to
transform these eight consciousness into four cognitions (GYAna-s):
Starting with the eighth, (1) the warehouse consciousness becomes the
“great mirror cognition” (mahA-darshana-GYAna); (2) manas becomes
“equalization cognition” (samatA-GYAna); (3) mental-consciousness
becomes “attentive cognition” (pratyavexanA-GYAna); and (4) the five
sensory consciousnesses become “accomplishing activity cognition”
(kRRityAnusthAna-GYAna).
While the warehouse consciousness superimposes habitual tendencies into
268 “Buddhist Philosophy – Essential Reading” (Ed. William Edelglass & Jay L. Garfield; OUP 2009).
269 Such as perception of the enlightened person is discussed here more extensively than other texts.
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perception, the “great mirror cognition” contains the images of all things,
equally, without attachment. While manas views the world in terms of
“me” and “others,” valuing “myself” above “them,” “equalization
cognition” sees all as the same. Mental-consciousness is easily distracted,
but “attentive cognition” remains effortlessly focused. The “accomplishing
activity cognitions” perceive things just as they are. When all
contaminations and obstructions have been removed from the
consciousnesses and when the uncontaminated seeds reach fruition, the
“four cognitions” replace the eight-consciousnesses; that is the
enlightened perception.
BUP is important for following reasons:
1. It discusses pramANa-samuchchaya, and AlaMbana-parIxA of diga.nga

and gives us insight as to how perception was conceived prior to c.600
in Indic traditions.
2. It offers theory of 'enlightened perception' not offered by any other text

prior to BUP in specific details.
3. BUP tells us that all yogAchAra traditions offer a kind of

'correspondence theory'.
4. BUP argues that consciousness can make both itself and other objects
known; that is, consciousness can be a cognitive object for itself.
5. It presents a unique theory partitioning consciousness into four

components: (1) a content or image part (nimitta-bhAga); (2) a seeing
part (darshana-bhAga); (3) a self-reflective part (svasaMvitti-bhAga);
and (4) a being aware that one is aware of oneself part ( svasaMveda-
saMveda-bhAga). (The fourth part disappeared from the later
traditions).
6. BUP probably is the earliest text that argues for sAkAra (imagistic)
cognition during the state of enlightenment.
After arguing that consciousness can know itself, BUP turns to the four
components theory and attempts to show how consciousness can know
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itself without incurring an infinite regress. This particular theoretical aspect

might have given stimulus to mind-control techniques which became
prominent in vajrayAna traditions in the last phase of Buddhism in Indic
regions, and some of which were also part of yoga traditions later adopted
by Vedanta.
shAntaraxita (c.700-800) attempted to synthesize the yogAchAra and

mAdhyamaka positions by holding yogAchAra's autonomous view and
approached shUnyatA by prAsa.ngika method.
In general, yogAchAra offered a rich framework of perceptional theories. In

comparison, contemporaneous vaidika Schools lagged behind; they were
preoccupied with the textual exegesis and made important contribution to
the linguistic theories. It took couple of centuries before elements of
perceptional theories appeared in sha.nkara's US (8th century) and in
padmapAda's PP (early 9th century) bringing with them the novel concept
of 'Witness-Consciousness (sAxi-chetA).
We then get two streams of absolutist traditions by the times of

gauDapAda. Vedanta took the route of prasthAnatraya while Buddhism
flowed through mAdhyamaka, yogAchAra, and tathatA. By the times of
270
sha.nkara both the streams converged to the same limit-positions.
271
( B) yoga- vAsiShTha says that only GYAna-karma-samuchchaya
270 For example in US 17.74, sha.nkara says – The Truthful man who has renounced everything unreal
does not get bound again when he Knows that he is always the eternal Self devoid (shUnya) of
everything like a sky (अहमेव सदातमज: शूनयसतवनयैयरथामबरम् | इतयेव ं सतयसंधतवादसदाता न बधयते || (US 17.74). This
position looks similar to that of mAdhyamaka, but in KA; shUnya (शूनय) or emptiness is not the
essential characteristics of Self. Self is what remains as substratum after everything conceivable is
negated. The tathatAtathAgatagarbha theory of yogAchaAra however, holds position similar to KA.
271 YOV has six chapters (prakaraNas): vairAgya (dispassion), mumuxuvyavahAra (behavior of the
Seeker), utpatti (origin), sthiti (preservation), upashama (quiescence), nirvANa (absorption). YOV
philosophy does not come in a systematic manner but needs to be constructed from allegorical
stories. Ultimate Entity is acosmic, neti neti type – a pure cessation shAnta), indescribable and
unmanifested (anAkhyam, anabhivyaktam), and pure extinction (nirvANamAtra). The universe as
such never existed in the past, nor exists now, nor will exist hereafter; so there is no production
and destruction in real sense (ajAta vAda) (YOV 3.10.29, 3.11.13, 3.61.31). Yet there is a world
appearance and its explanation is called for. In the Ultimate Entity there is the first ripple (spanda)
'by pure chance' (kAkatAliiya yogena), like a selfreflecting thought of undefined objectivity. This
gives rise to chit (consciousness) in which every thing else is reflected. From chit arises first
objectivity of space (AkAsha), time (kAla), and seed (bIja) of ego (ahaMtA) and mindenergy
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(Knowledge and Action together) can lead to the supreme goal of

liberation (YOV 1.1.7). There is no power greater than right action. One
should take resource to self-effort, 'grinding one's teeth'. One can and one
should overcome fate [daiva] by present efforts. In fact, YOV calls fate as
fictitious; the fate is nothing more than the results of one's past efforts.
The (so called adverse) fate can be overcome by 'properly guided self-
efforts' (paurush) (YOV 2.4-5). Austerity or penance is the self-inflicted
pain - of what value is the charity performed with wealth earned by
deceiving others - asks YOV. Religious observances (made with pride),
add to one's vanity (YOV 3.5.6).
YOV describes seven states of aGYAna: (1) seed-state of wakefulness

[bIja-jAgRRit], (2) wakefulness [jAgRRit], (3) great wakefulness
[mahAjAgRRit], (4) wakeful dream [jAgRRit svapna], (5) dream [svapna],
(6) dream wakefulness [svapna jAgRRit], and (7) 'deep sleep'
[sushuptakam] (YOV 3.117.12). It also describes seven states in increasing
order of GYAna: (1) 'spiritual longing' [shubhechChA], (2) enquiry
[vichAraNA], (3) subtle thinking [tanu-mAnasA], (4) 'established in the
path of truth' [sattvApattiSh], (5) 'freedom from bondage' [saMsaktin-
anAmikA], (6) 'cessation of objectivity' [padArthAbhAvanI], (7)
transcendental state [turya]. (YOV 3.118.50, 3.118.6). The last stage is the
state of one who is Liberated while living here. Beyond this is the state of
one who has transcended even the body (turIyAtIta). It is neti neti –
beyond comprehension of empirical mind (YOV 3.119.21). Later, YOV (6.
(1).126) maps these seven states and the beyond (turIyAtIta) onto seven
yoga states where the 6th state (turya) is 'liberation while one is alive' and
the 7th state is that of the 'disembodied liberated being'. In YOV, turIya
(chitta, manas, chaitanya). The appearance of world objects is explained as such: accumulation of
mindenergy is called ghana which is the statical aspect of the dynamical energy (spanda) and its
consequent action (karma). This ghanaspandakarma triad leads the formation of tanmAtras in a
'recursively sequential' manner which in turn leads to the 5subtle elements (tanmAtras). All these
basic elements continued to act upon one another – as experiencer and experience – and the
entire creation comes into being like ripples on the surface of the ocean by accident (kAkatAliiya
nyAya) without any inherent motive and has no reality (YOV 3.1213). (Ref (1) The Supreme Yoga
by Sw. Shankarananda, Pub MLBD, 2003; (2) A History of Indian PhilosophyCh 12/Vol 2, 1922).
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state is a kind of 'deep sleep in wakefulness' (YOV 5.70.26). It is the

'cessation of all root desires' (vAsanA xaya), the dawning of 'right
knowledge' (tattva-GYAna), and the 'destruction of manas' [manonAsha].
A later text jIvana-mukti-viveka ascribed to vidyAraNya (c.1350) adapts
this view with a comment that appearance of passions and attachment
cannot affect (the state of) jIvanmukta, just as the bit of a snake whose
fangs have been drawn cannot do any harm.
YOV discusses prANa and its control extensively. In it, prANa or vAyu (main
prANa with its auxiliaries - apAna, vyAna, udAna, samAna) is that entity
which vibrates; it is a kind of energy. It is through its power that there is a
movement of the eyes, the operation of the tactual senses, breathing
through the nose, digestion of food, and power of speech. In a way,
prANa-s are responsible for all the body functions including empirical
cognition. YOV thinks that by controlling mind the prANa-s can be
controlled and vise-versa. In fact prANa is nothing but the movement of
mind (chitta). Operationally, prANa stands for exhalation (rechaka) and
apAna for inhalation (pUraka); the gap between the two is called
kuMbhaka. If we suspend the rechaka and pUraka (that is breathing),
kuMbhaka can have unbroken continuity with the help of 'stilled' mind. This
'stilled' mind is nothing but samAdhi and is usually seen as a very
advanced stage in Self realization. In popular imagination, the breathing
can be suspended indefinitely in certain kind of samAdhi. Further, control
of prANa is supposed to give a better longevity in terms of life-span. It is
significant that a venerable old crow who was enjoying an exceptionally
long life gives the discourse on prANa to the sage vAsiShTha.
In the metaphysics of mainstream Advaita, objects have indeterminate

existence independent of perception, a kind of sRRiShTi-dRRiShTi vAda.
Most of the times YOV grants only perceptual existence to world objects, a
kind of dRRiShTi-sRRiShTi vAda, though occasionally it says that the world
is mithyA - neither real nor unreal, which is the standard Advaita position.
At the absolute level however, both accepts ajAta vAda. YOV metaphysics
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has parallels in: (1) contemporaneous GK propounding illusionistic

Vedanta, (2) earlier bauddha text lankAvatAra propounding viGYAna vAda,
(3) later Vedanta text siddhAnta-muktAvalii propounding dRRiShTi-
sRRiShTi vAda, and (4) shAnkar Advaita, particularly that of US.
YOV shares the terminology of spanda with Trika (Kashmir Shaivism) and
its variation 'Sphurti' appears later in Jnadeva's Amrutanubhava.
What GK and VKY did at the scholarly level; YOV did it at the popular
272
(paurANika) level – that is Vedantization of certain Buddhist ideas whose
roots can be traced to UP and Veda. Buddhism's further assimilation into
Hinduism happened in centuries that followed. The popular bhakti
movement which originated in South (c.500-600) and was lead by 63
Shaiva saints (Nayanars) and 12 Vaishnava saints (Alwars) hastened this
assimilation. Famous amongst these saints was Appar (c.600-700). He is
said to have defeated many Buddhists and Jains in the learned discussions.
273
Harsha's golden age came to end by c.650 and with it came the
inevitable decline of Buddhism in India. Harsha was the last major king
who offered royal patronage to Buddhism, though Pala dynasty in east
continued with their patronage till c.1050.
( C) Other Advaita Literature: Several scriptures are popular within

Advaita tradition; their antiquity or authorship is not known though. Most
of these scriptures were probably compiled-composed during c.200-1000,
and might had been redacted even thereafter in a form in which we see
them today.
Among these scriptures there are UP. A number of UP listed in ' muktikA
Up.' may belong to this period. Ref 7.3(2b) gives a translation of all the 108
listed UP, while ref 7.3 (2a) gives a subset of so called 30-minor UP
272 In case of YOV, 'Brahmanization' rather than 'Vedantization' may be a more appropriate term
because YOV's affinity for karma is not shared by Vedanta.
273 Harsha, the King of Kanauj (c.606647) established his empire almost as large as that of Gupta.
The Sanskrit literature flourished in his times too. His biography was written by famous Sanskrit
poet Bana. His ambitions in south however, were thwarted by PulkeshinII of Chalukya dynasty of
Badami in Karnataka.
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including 14-Vedanta UP viz : muktikA (SYV), sarvasAra (KYV), nirAlaMba

(SYV), maitreya (SV), kaivalya (KYV), amRRitabindu (KYV), Atmabodha
(RV ), skanda (KYV), pai.ngala (SYV), adhyAtma (SYV), subAla (SYV),
tejobindu (KYV), brahma (KYV), and vajrasUchi (SV). sha.nkara does not
refer these UP in his commentaries; they were either not canonized by his
times or were not referred by him because the principal canonized UP were
more than adequate for his purpose.
There are few dozen gItA-s which are known to Advaita and other
Agamika traditions. Some of these gItA-s appear as passages or chapters
of purANa-s. For example, bhramara, gopikA, shruti gItA-s appear in SB;
brahma, sUta, gurU gItA-s appear in ska.nda purANa; vyAsa, Ishvara gItA-
s appear in kUrma purANa; yama gItA appears in agni, nRRisiMha, viShNu
purANa-s. Similarly, YOV contains brahma gItA; adhyAtma rAmAyaNa
contains rAma gItA; gaNesha purANa contains gaNesha gItA etc. As
purANa-s were generally composed prior to sha.nkara, these works may
predate him unless they are later day additions. Other than BG, there are
274
four gItA-s which are quite popular among vedAntin-s: (1) aShTAavakra
gItA, (2) avadhUta gItA, (3) uttara gItA, and (4) RRibhu gItA.
There is a vast Agamika-tAntrika literature belonging to vaiShNava,

shaiva, shAkta, and bauddha traditions and their respective tantra cults.
The pa.ncharAtra Agama is the foundation of most of the vaiShNava sects;
monist shaiva-shAkta tradition is typically represented by Trika Agama
such as mAlinivijaya, svachChanda, vigYAna-bhairava, mRRigendra etc;
274 (1) aShTAvakra saMhitA: Tr. Sw. Nityaswarupananda, 1969, introduction by Satkari Mookharjee,

1940; Publ. by Advaita Ashrama Kolakata. It has 20 chapters and about 300 verses. This work is
said to be quite popular in the Advaita tradition among monks of high order; (2) avadhUta gItA: Tr.
Hari Prasad Shastri (London: Shanti Sadan, 1968). This Advaita work is popular in avadhUta
(asceticmystic) sect of which nAtha saMpradAya is one form. In the traditional view, the
dattAtreya, the first avadhUta, was the guru of sage pata.njalii. There are supporting UP like
tUriyAtIta (SYV) and avadhUta (KYV) of Muktika List; (3) uttara gItA: English Tr. and Notes by B. K.
Laheri, F.T.S. Publ. by Theosophical Publishing House, Madras. It is the discourse subsequent to
BG. gauDapAda is said to have written a commentary on uttaragItA. Interestingly, there is also an
aNugItA, the essential purport of original BG as retold by krishNa to arjuna in MB; (4) RRibhu
gItA: Tr. in English by Dr. H. Ramamoorthy and Master Nome, Publ. by Society of Abidance in
Truth, 1994. This is the translation of sixth chapter of the Sanskrit work shivarahasya. There is also
a short work Publ. by Ramanashrama, 1995.
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and bauddha-tantra tradition is represented by vajrAyana texts. The

shAkta and tantra traditions are closely related to each other; the former is
concerned with both transcendent and immanent aspects of energy
(shakti) while the later concentrates on immanent energy and its material
manifestation. The shAkta-tantra is typically represented by tripura
275 276
rahasya or tripurs tantra. According to Gopinath Kaviraj; the tantra
(shAkta) philosophy is not yet properly systematized, though its literature
is quite old. These shaiva-shAkta-tantra philosophies, in whatever form
they exist, are essentially monistic in nature and hence are equivalent to
Advaita system. They are summarized in appendix (A), (B), (C) of the next
section.
( D) HVC Outside India: The advent of HVC [Hindu-vaidika culture]

outside India in this period is evident from various inscriptions found in
South East Asia. The earliest such Sanskrit inscription has been recorded in
Eastern Borneo (Indonesia) around 400AD. From these inscriptions and the
records in Chinese and Buddhist annals it appears that this spread was
achieved peacefully, without any military conquest, and hence is a unique
phenomenon of historical importance. The modus-operandi of this spread
is explained by (a) trade contacts, and (b) theory of legitimization.
The trade contacts acted as facilitators, providing a transmission belt for

cultural influences. Early Indonesian inscriptions show that there was a
considerable development of agriculture, craftsmanship, regional trade
and social differentiation before the transmission of the Indic culture.
However, indigenous tribal organization needed a kind of legitimization
275 The work was written by one sumedha of the harita family; hence it is also known as haritAyana. It
is said to consist of three sections mahAtmya (Eulogy), GYAna (Wisdom), charyA (Conduct); the
last one is lost. The Eulogy contains the prelude and later treats mostly the manifestations of the
Supreme Being as durgA, kAlii, laxmii, lalitA, kumArii, sundarii etc. and their exploits which are
also found in some other purANas and tantras. Ref. (1) Tripura Rahasya, Trans. Sw.
Ramanananda Saraswathi. (Shri Ramanasramam, 2006); (2) 'astrojyoti.com/tripurarahasya'; (3)
bahvRRicha (RV), tripura (RV), and tripuratApini (AV) of muktikA list.
276 Dr. Gopinath Kaviraj (18871976) was a Sanskrit scholar and philosopher. Kaviraj was the
posthumous son of Vaikunthnath, a Bengali scholar of philosophy. He was born in Village
Dhamrai, in the district of Dacca, now the capital of Bangladesh. His family name was Bagchi and
Kaviraj was an honorific attached to him.
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and expertise of centralized administration for its growth in terms of

territorial power and stature. From the earliest inscriptions of Eastern
Borneo and other places it is clear that the Brahmins from India went there
for performing vaidika coronation of the kings, stayed there and
participated in the administration. Over the period the successful Kings
who had acquired the bounty of 'tributes' (tax) from the conquered rulers
might have been involved in the temple construction activity which was
observed during 800-1300AD. The early phase of this spread must be
essentially similar to that which later took place in South and Central India
in first millennium AD, and much earlier in Western Asia, in the second
277
millennium BC. In the later case, however; there is no record of
constructions of temples or monuments (Ref 7.3(19)).
5.2.4 Period of Establishment (c.700-1000): This is the period of

Advaita's eminence and growth initiated by sha.nkara's epoch making
278
commentaries (c.700-750) . sha.nkara commented on BS, BG, and 10-UP
and established link with the old tradition. At the same time he rejected or
reoriented some of the traditional positions:
1. 'Identity-cum-difference' [bhedAbheda] between soul and brahman;
2. Liberation through performance of obligatory duties avoiding wishful

and prohibited actions [aikabhAvika];
3. Liberation through the 'combination of Knowledge and Action'

[GYAna-karma samuchchaya];
277 Though it is agreed that some South East Asian rulers, at a certain stage of their establishment,
initiated and participated in the growth of vaidika cult; the direct contribution of missionary
Brahmins in few cases is not ruled out. In the Chinese annals it is recorded that 'on divine
inspiration' certain Brahmin called Kaundinya arrived at P'anp'an, the people of the Funan
appeared to him; the whole kingdom rose up with joy, went before him and chose him as a king!
Kaundinya had obviously stayed for sometime in P'anp'an at the Isthumus of Siam, then under
the control of Funan, and he was later invited by the notables of the court of Funan to ascend the
throne at the time of political unrest. (ref 7.3(19): Ch3: India's Impact in SE Asia).
278 This date was suggested by Nakamura (1950) and is more or less accepted by such scholars as
Renou, Ingalls, Mayeda, Potter, and Hacker. Earlier, Bhandarkar (1882) had proposed c.680 as
birth date of sha.nkara. However, both these dates are not universally accepted. An alternative and
more widely known date (788820) was suggested by K. B. Pathak (1882) which was held valid by
Max Muller and Macdonell. K. K. Raja (1960) places sha.nkara's work by close of 8th century.
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4. Injunction to meditate for Knowledge [dhyAna-niyoga];

5. Knowledge through repeated affirmation [prasa.nkhyAna].
Contemporaneous to sha.nkara, maNDana mishra propounded and

systematized doctrines of Advaita. He accepted the theory of sphoTa and
tried to reconcile shabdAdvaita advocated by bhartRRihari and others with
mainstream brahmAdvaita. He held that Ignorance, which obscures the
true nature of brahman, has for its support (Ashraya) the individual souls.
This standpoint was later adopted by vAchaspati who tried to harmonize
maNDana's views with those of sha.nkara. maNDana held that both rites
and meditation are necessary for Liberation and that real Liberation is
possible only after death of the body. Ironically, these positions were
rejected by sureshvara with whom maNDana is traditionally identified.
sha.nkara distinguished GYAna-mArga from karma-mArga. The former is

to be followed for moxa (Liberation) while the later is to be followed for
dharma (duties), kAma (desires), and artha (means). He subordinated the
rites and rituals and put them in their place. According to him, sacrificial
rites may be useful means for attaining heavenly pleasures but the same
are impediment in the path of moxa which is the highest goal of a man.
The material interest of the priests in sacrificial rituals was acknowledged

279
right in the oldest of UP. There was however, a socially equitable side to
these rituals such as dAna (charity), dayA (compassion) (BU 5.2.1-3), and
yaGYa-shiShTha (distribution of sacrificial remnant to the partakers) (BG
3.13). sha.nkara's solution of subordinating karma to GYAna (Knowledge)
was a via media which did not disrupt the social order and at the same
time discouraged the excessive ritualism of karmakANDa without
challenging its authority in the worldly affairs.
sha.nkara reinvented the terminology of AbhAsa (semblance of brahma-

chaitanya), adhyAsa (super-imposition), and avyAkRRita nAmarUpa
(unevolved-unseparated name and forms). He established the concept of
279 BU 3.9.21: On what does the sacrifice rest? on daxiNA (remuneration of the priests).
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Ignorance which was not directly propounded in GK. He equated Ignorance

with superimposition. In BSBh, he used both mAyA and avidyA to propound
illusionist Advaita. His absolutist interpretation of Atman = brahman and
separation of GYAna from karma had profound implications for Vedanta
tradition.
There are many non-commentarial Advaita texts; large number of them

are ascribed to sha.nkara (or sha.nkarAchArya). Some of the ascriptions
could relate to one or more heads of the Vedanta monasteries like
shRRi.ngerI as they are sometimes referred to by the honorific title of
280
sha.nkarAchArya. Amongst such works advaitAnubhUti, aparoxAnubhUti,
AtmaGYAnopadesha, Atmabodha, AtmAnAtmaviveka, bAlabodha, daxiNA-
mUrti stotra (its commentary mAnasollAsa is attributed to sureshvara),
dashashlokI, shatashlokI, yatipa.nchaka, pa.nchIkaraNa (its commentary is
attributed to sureshvara), mAyApa.nchaka, mAyAvivaraNa, paramArtha-
sAra, sarvasiddhAntasa.ngraha, saundaryalaharI, tattvabodha, vAkya-
sudhA [dRRik-dRRishya-viveka], laghuvAkyavRRitti, vivekachUDAmaNi
etc. are respected in Vedanta tradition.
The issue of “locus of Ignorance” gave rise to bhAmati and vivaraNa

traditions. Ignorance became an all-in-one concept capable of assuming
both ontological and epistemological purport due to its indeterminate
reality grade. It subsumed the role of avyAkRRita nAmarUpa which was
propounded by sha.nkara as the indeterminate material cause of the
universe. Ignorance was split into primary component (mUlAvidyA), as the
material cause of the universe and secondary components (tUlAvidyA) as
its individuated emergent derivative. The mUlAvidyA was also referred to
as prakRRiti-mUlaprakRRiti, mAyA-AdimAyA-mUlamAyA, shakti-Adishakti
etc. sha.nkara's teachings were furthered by two of his direct disciples -
280 sha.nkara's followerscommentators, in their colophons, called him as bhagavat, bhagavatpAda, or
bhagavatpUjyapAda as the author of BSBh. This fact, and the content and style of BSBh can be
used as a yardstick to identify sha.nkara's other works. Thus, sha.nkara is identified by his
authorship of BSBh.
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281 282 283
sureshvara and padmapAda, and later by vimuktAtman, vAchaspati,
284
prakAshAtman, and sarvaGYAtman all of whom defended and expounded
Advaita and in the process reoriented the concepts of avidyA and mAyA.
By c.1000 all the distinct features of post-sha.nkara Advaita that we see

today were established.
( A) Kashmir Shaivism: In this period an alternative Indic monism called

285
Kashmir Shavism a.k.a. pratyabhiGYA [पतयिभजा] or Trika [ितक] System, was
established in Kashmir. Most of the shaiva-shAkta traditions have
Agamika-tAntrika base and Trika is no exception to it. Further, it can claim
inheritance to similar ancient cults that might have existed in Indus
(Sindhu) valley regions of which Kashmir was a part. Along side Advaita
Vedanta, Trika offers a broader and synchretic representation of Indic
theosophies by combining shaiva, shAkta, and tantra traditions.
Trika is a triad (3-way division) of literature ( shAstra) into (1) Agama, (2)
281 sureshvara refutes the mImAMsA doctrine that Knowledge can be realized by mere performance
of nitya karma and by avoidance of kAmya and niShiddha karma (aikabhAvika vAda). sureshvara
is seen by many as the proponent of the most authentic line of sha.nkara. He however, differs from
sha.nkara's preferred view, that sa.nnyAsa is enjoined by shruti and that only brAhmaNas can
take sa.nnyAsa (BUBh 1.4.15, 3.5.1). sureshvara says: sa.nnyAsa is open to all dvijas (BUBh (vol
1) 1.4.1642) and though sa.nnyAsa is an aid to Knowledge; it is not enjoined by shruti (BUBhV
(vol1) 2.4.67). BGBh and BSBh leave scope for plurality of opinions.
282 He was the first known vedAntin who explicitly propounded Ignorance as a causal power. He
presented the theory of perception which had its basis in sha.nkara's US and which was later
expounded by prakAshAtman in PPV and still later by dharmarAjAdhvarIndra in VP.
283 He wrote IS which is known for subjectobject analysis and its theory of cognitive error (khyAti). It
holds the view that Consciousness [saMvid] is selfrevealing and that It is both the locus and
object of Ignorance. IS considers Ignorance to be indeterminate and equates it with mAyA. IS
acknowledges four grades of reality while discussing 'cessation of Ignorance' [avidyAnivRRitti]
and formulates avidyAnivRRitti to be of fifth kind. Later in the last chapter however, IS admits
avidyAnivRRitti to be as indeterminable as Ignorance itself.
284 He wrote sa.nxepa sharIraka [SS], which along with US and NS forms basic triad of non
commentarial work of Advaita. He differentiates between the adhiShThAna (Self as the final
substratum and the locus of Ignorance) and AdhAra (auxiliary support and object of super
imposition) in the empirical cognitive process. SS uses exegetical method of jahadajahallaxaNA to
interpret tattvamasi by using threefold transfer (lAxaNika vRRitti).
285 Ref (1) Kashmiri Shaivism, Pub by Kashmir Newsnetwork, 2002; (2) “The Yoga of Kashmir
Shaivism” by Sw. Shankarananda, Pub. MLBD, 2003; (3a) shiva sUtras; (3b) pratyabhiGYA
Rdayam, (3c) spandakArikA: all the three translated and commented by Jaideva Singh 197986.
The original Sanskrit Texts are available in 'Kashmir Series of Texts and Studies' [KSTS] which
was published (191119471960) by the Research Department of Kashmir State.
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286 287
spanda, and (3) pratyabhiGYA. The Agama literature correspond to: (a)
tantra traditions called kula and krama (c.300 or earlier), and (b) later
shaiva traditions of spanda and pratyabhiGYA. The later two traditions are
based on shiva-sUtra-s, the most important part of Trika Agama-s which
are said to be revealed to vasugupta (c.800). The older tantra Agama-s
are mAlini, vijaya, svacchanda, and viGYAna-bhairava on which meditation
methods of Trika are based.
A kula means a family or a spiritual group. The kula tradition is known to

aim for Self-realization through pa.nchamakAra (five m's) – madya (wine),
mA.ns (meat), mIna (fish), mudrA (parched grain), and maithuna (sexual
288
union) . It sought spiritual experience through kuNDalini yoga. The word
krama means stages and gradation; this School believed that Self-
realization comes in stages. They spoke of 12 Kalis (goddesses) that
governed each moment of our experience and the shaktichakra, the
289
concentric layers of pulsating energies (shakti-s) .
286 In addition to AgamaspandapratyabhiGYA there are other triads such as: (1) patipashupAsha,
(2) para (acosmic)apara (cosmic)parApara (composite acosmiccosmic), (3) shivashaktiaNu,
(4) shivashaktijIva, (5) shivajIvasAdhana, (6) shAMbhavopAyashAktOpAyaANavOpAya.
287 The Agamas are sectarian theological treatises and practical manuals of divine worship. The
Agamas include the tantras (techniques), mantras (revealed words) and yantras (conception of
respiratory system). These are treatises explaining the external worship of God, in idols, temples
etc. All the Agamas are concerned with (i) GYAna or Knowledge, (ii) yoga or concentration, (iii)
kriyA or esoteric ritual and (iv) charyA or exoteric worship. They also give details about
metaphysics and cosmology, liberation, devotion, meditation, philosophy of mantras, mystic
diagrams, charms and spells, templebuilding, imagemaking, domestic observances, social rules,
public festivals, etc. The Agamas do not derive their authority from the Veda and in that sense are
said to be sectarian, though they could be universal in purport. Agamas are not antagonistic to
Veda and are considered as vaidika in spirit and character. That is the reason why they are
regarded as authoritative for the particular sect.
The Agamas are broadly divided into three sectors: the vaiShNava, the shaiva and the shAkta
representing three main sects of Hinduism. The vaiShNava Agamas or pa.ncharAtra Agamas
glorify God as viShNu. The shaiva Agamas glorify God as shiva and have given rise to an
important school of philosophy known as shaivasiddhAnta, which prevails in South India. The
shAkta Agamas glorify God as the Mother of the Universe, under the names of Devi. (Ref www
edition (1999) of “All About Hinduism” by Sw. Shivananda).
288 BU 6.4.3, CU 5.8.1 etc. sublimate sexual union within a sacrificial metaphor . Vedanta tradition
preferred asexual nityakarma and yamaniyama for chittashuddhi, in the path of Selfrealization.
289 These shaktis from inner to outer layers are: (1) vAmeshvarI: Creator of the universe, (2)
khecharI: subject or puruSha, (3) gocharI: mind power, (4) dikcharI: perception, (5) bhUcharI:
governing externals.
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The basic idea underlying the spanda-shAstra, founded by bhatta kallata

(c.850) is that shiva's spanda (pulsating energy) out of its own nature
manifests on the back-ground of its own pure self, into the whole universe
comprising the thirty-six tattva-s (elements or categories of reality) from
the earth up to parama shiva. According to this doctrine, the world is a
play of pulsating energy or vibration and is not an illusion or the result of
error in perception (avidyA) as the vedAntin supposes. The spanda is that
vibrant power of consciousness which infuses life into the physical senses.
The pratyabhiGYA School commenced by somAnanda (c.900) and

formulated by utpaladeva (c.950) in his pratyabhiGYA kArikA, is a
philosophical system of the shaiva theology. The ta.ntraloka (12-books)
written by abhinavagupta (c.1000), includes the content of all the three
branches of Trika (Agama, spanda, pratyabhiGYA). It is composed in verse,
and forms a kind of encyclopedia of the Trika. abhinava also wrote on other
Agamika sources such as (1) ta.ntrasAra, (2) mAlinivijaya tantra, (3)
viGYAnabhairava tantra, (4) svachChanda tantra, (5) pratyabhiGYA-
vimarshinI, (6) pratyabhiGYAvivRRiti-vimarshinI; and synthesized all four
traditions (kula, krama, spanda, and pratyabhiGYA) into an integrated
pratyabhiGYA School. His disciple xemarAja (c.1050) wrote the important
texts viz spanda nirNaya, pratyabhiGYAhradayam, and shivasUtra
vimarshinI. According to Dr. Kaw and Pt. Madhusudana Kaul, pratyabhiGYA
is the philosophy proper of Trika, while other two shAastra-s (Agama and
spanda) are more of a theology. pratyabhiGYA system was succinctly
outlined in sarvadarshana sa.ngraha (c.1350).
Trika includes following doctrines: (1) five activities of shiva: creation,

preservation, destruction, concealing, revealing; (2) three categories: pati
(God), pashu (soul), pAsha (bond); (3) three bonds: karma (action), mAyA
(limitation), ANava (material); (4) five-fold powers: chitshakti (Self-
awareness), Anandashakti (Bliss, independence), IchChAshakti (sovereign
will), GYAnashakti (omniscience) and kriyAshakti (omnipotence); (5)
thirty-six elements (tattva-s): the twenty-five elements of sA.nkhya-
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Vedanta, six 'reducing powers' of (and including) mAyA, and five absolute
290
(infinite) powers of parama-shiva; (6) the need for the satguru and
initiation; (7) the power of mantra; (8) four pAda-s (sections): charyA
(routines), kriyA (methods), yoga (mind control), GYAna (knowledge); (9)
“jIva = shiva” is the main identity of Trika.
In Trika, paramashiva or parAsaMvit - the ultimate Reality, is the

changeless principle of all changing experience. The paramashiva abounds
in bliss and consciousness and is endowed with sovereignty of will,
omniscience and omnipotence. He is both immanent [vishvamaya] and
transcendent [vishvottIrNa]. Time, cause and space do not limit him. The
creative power of the Lord is two-fold, comprising 'prakAsha' and
'vimarsha', viz. power of manifestation and power of perception or
concretization, functioning respectively as Universal Consciousness
(Psychical Power) and Universal Energy (Physical Power or Objective
Reality), technically called 'shiva' and 'shakti' respectively. The former,
i.e.Universal Consciousness assumes three forms: Power of Remembrance
[smRRiti-shakti], Power of Knowledge [GYAna-shakti] and Power of
Differentiation [Apohana-shakti]. The latter. i.e. Universal Energy functions
290 Trika holds that there is only one substance in the universe; each of the 36 tattvas (elements) is

nothing but the one Consciousness vibrating at particular frequencies and behaving in specific
ways. Trika lists five transcendental (acosmic, apara), six quasitranscendental (cosmicacosmic,
paraapara), and twentyfive physical (cosmic, para) elements in this list. Transcendental and
quasitranscendental elements are listed along with physical elements because Trika considers all
of them to be the manifestation of 'parama shiva' (analog: brahman of KA). The five transcendental
elements are: (1) shiva (chit shakti, Sentience, Intelligence), (2) shakti (Ananda shakti, Bliss,
Peace), (3) sadAshiva (ichChA shakti, Sovereignty, Supremacy, Independence), (4) Ishvara
(GYAna shakti, omniscience), (5) shuddhavidyA (kriyA shakti, omnipotence). The six quasi
transcendental elements are mAyA which is a separating and limiting (reducing) entity with her five
'reducing powers' (ka.nchukas) viz. kalA, vidyA, rAga, kAla, niyati. They reduce shivashakti to
saMsArI jIva (a bonded soul or subject) and prakRRiti (the objective world): kalA reduces
omnipotence to limited ability, vidyA reduces omniscience to limited knowledge, rAga reduces
sovereignty to desire (bondage), kAla reduces the eternity to time, and niyati reduces
omnipresence to space and causality. These quasitranscendental elements (mAyA and her
ka.nchukas) are numbered (611) in the list.
Other 25 physical elements are the same as conceived by sA.nkhyaVedanta. So, two principal
elements – puruSha and prakRRiti; three elements of antaHkaraNa (cognition, intellect, ego); five
GYAnendriyas (hearing, touch, seeing, tasting, smelling); five karmendriyas (speaking, grasping,
locomotion, excretion, procreation); five tanmAtras (sound, touch, form, taste, smell); and five
mahAbhUtas (ether, air, fire, water, earth) are respectively numbered (1236).
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as Power of Action (kriyA- shakti) of the Lord. This is governed by three

universal laws of Nature - the law of Division (bhedAbheda), the law of
Perception (mana-tat-phala meya), and the law of Causation (kAraNa-
kArya). The Transcendental Lord (vishvottIrNa) thus concretizes or
materializes Himself into this created world (becomes vishvamaya, the
cosmos) by evolving thirty-six 'tattva-s' or primary realities from the One
Objective Reality, the primordial natural force principle or Prima Materia of
all things.
The whole creation of the 'bonded soul' [pashu] and the World is thus
explained as the manifestation of shiva [pati] through His dynamic aspect
called shakti, and its impulse called spanda. He performs through his
shakti the five actions of creation, preservation, destruction, revealing and
concealing'. pashu (a living thing) being the fragment of the inter-related
whole is no other than shiva [pati] Himself, but is in a state of limitation
and self-forgetfulness due to bondage [pAsha]. Recognition
[pratyabhiGYA] of the state of divinity [shiva-hood] by breaking this
bondage [pAsha] leads to Liberation [moxa]. The pashu has taken on three
impurities [mala-s] which are responsible for obscuring the divine within
him. Trika sees them as related to three limiting ka.nchuka-s (kalA, vidyA,
291
rAga). The limitations imposed by them (i.e. of karma, knowledge,
desire) can be lessened or eliminated by three methods: of right action
(ANavopAya), of contemplation (shAktopAya), and of Self realization
(shAMbhavopAya). These methods act respectively on the physical body
(sthUla sharIra), the subtle body (sUxma sharIra), and the causal body
(kAraNa sharIra). They are roughly analogous to niShkAma karma,
shravaNa-manana-nididhyAsa, and dhyAna-dhAraNA-samAdhi of yoga-
Vedanta. When these three impurities get dissolved, the spiritual aspirant
realizes the divine within.
Trika texts and meditation methods are available to all aspirants
291 The limitations imposed by kAla (time) and niyati (inevitability of space, time, and causality) are not
treated as impurities due to their near transcendental nature. These notional limitations are
permanently removed only when the liberated soul is disembodied (videhamukta).
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irrespective of class, gender, caste or race. Trika's eclectic approach is best

illustrated by following meditation approaches recommended by viGYAna-
bhairava text towards Self-realization (dhAraNA 73, 74, 75, 51):
dhAraNA 73: Having observed a desire that has sprung up, the
aspirant should put an end to it immediately. It will be absorbed in
that very place in which it arose. (yoga approach).
dhAraNA 74: When desire or knowledge (or activity) has not arisen in
me, then what am I in that condition? In verity, I am (in that
condition) that Reality Itself (i.e. Consciousness-bliss). (Therefore the
aspirant should always contemplate 'I am Consciousness-bliss').
Thus, he will be absorbed in that Reality and will become identified
with it. (Vedanta approach).
dhAraNA 75: When a desire appears, the aspirant should, with the
mind withdrawn from all objects (of desire, knowledge, action etc.) fix
the mind on it (desire, knowledge, action etc.) as the very Self, then
he will have the realization of the essential Reality. (tantra approach).
dhAraNA 51: Wherever the mind finds satisfaction, let it be

concentrated on that. In every such case the true nature of the
highest bliss will shine forth. (Trika approach of anupAya).
This last anupAya approach is further elaborated by abhinavgupta, the

author of ta.ntraloka:
“There is no need here for spiritual progress or of contemplation, neither of

discourses nor discussion, neither of meditation nor of concentration, nor
recitation of mantra, no practicing anything. What is then, tell me, the
supreme Reality which is absolutely certain? Listen: neither reject nor
accept (anything), share joyfully in everything, being as you are”.
Trika's revival in the late 20th century has received attention from both
scholars and aspirants alike due its eclectic approach and its intellectually
satisfying pratyabhiGYA philosophy.
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( B) Trika and Vedanta: The comparison between the metaphysics of

Advaita-Vedanta and Trika can be summarized as follows:
(1) In Vedanta, sat (brahman, Being) is Knowledge and Infinity. In Trika,

sat (parAsaMvit or parama-shiva) is Knowledge, Action and Infinity. Thus,
in addition to chit (Knowledge), and anantatva-Ananda (Bliss); Trika is
endowed with infinite power for action – sovereignty (of will), omniscience
292
(of knowledge), and omnipotence (of energy);
(2) Since sat in Trika is endowed with both jnAtRRitva (knower-ship) and
kartRRitva (doer-ship); It is also responsible for the accrual of merit and
demerit, or vice and virtue, arising due to Its activity. In Vedanta, brahman
is free from all these liabilities.
(3) In Vedanta, mAyA's reality and belongingness to brahman is

indeterminate; while in Trika, mAyA is the real aspect of paramashiva
which 'reduces' infinite shiva to finite one (jIva) on Its own volition. mayA
and other ka.nchuka-s map infinite transcendentals into the finite world;
hence they may be seen as semi-transcendentals or acosmic-cosmic
principles.
(4) In Vedanta, mAyA projects as well as conceals the Reality (of brahman)
from the jIva (soul). Reality is Realized by the soul (Self Realization) after
chitta-shuddhi (mind -purification) which happens by 'chance' (Divine
Grace). In Trika, all these functions are in the domain of shiva-shakti. Thus,
a) origination-emanation (utpatti-sRRiShTi), b) maintenance or
sustenance (sthiti), c) withdrawal (saMhAra), d) concealment of Reality
(vilaya), and e) grace (anugraha) are all functions of chit-shakti.
(5) The universe in Vedanta, is mithyA (undefinable). Manifestation is only

nAmarUpa which is not real; in Trika it is real – It is shivarUpa or the divine
manifestation. Universe is an AbhAsa; it is an external projections of the
292 The vimarsha (Will, potency) aspect of brahman is indicated in CU 6.2.13: सदैव सौमय इदमगर
आसीदेकमेवािदतीयम्... तदैकत बहुसयाम परजयेत इित “At first there was only 'sat', one only w/o a second... He
gazed and bethought to Himself, 'may I be many, may I procreate!”. But instead of developing it on
Trika line, Vedanta relegated it to the lower order (Jaideva Singh on pratyabhiGYAhradayam, 1982).
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ideation of parAsaMvit, like a reflection in a mirror. Though the mirror-

images appear to be separate from each other and from the mirror; they
are not different from the mirror. Similarly, the manifold world of objects is
the variegated complex of images which are not different from parAsaMvit.
Here the images, mirror, and the viewer (free-will), everything is within
parama-shiva w/o any external agency or materials (which any way do
not exist). Like a yogin; He creates image of external reality within himself
according to his own will. Here the similarity with later day ekajIva-
dRRiShTi-sRRiShTi-vAda, the origins of which however, are in the earliest
UP, can be noticed.
(6) In Trika, shiva or self-illumination (prakAsha) is the static (changeless)

aspect while shakti (vimarsha or spanda) is the kinetic (changing) aspect
of sat or parama-shiva. According to abhinavagupta, Vibration (spanda) is
a somewhat (ki.nchit) of a movement. Here immovable appears 'as if
293
moving'. The immovable appears as if it has variety of manifestation.
The spanda (movement in Consciousness) has no distinction of space and
294
time (deshakAla-avisheShinI). Nothing really appears or disappears;
only the spandashakti of paramashiva, which though free of succession,
appears differently as if arising and subsiding. This vibration or pulsation of
shakti creates (utpatti or unmeSha), maintains (sthiti), and dissolves
(pralaya or nimeSha) the Universe. Although, parama-shiva is changeless
and motionless (nistara.nga), He tends towards manifestation through
spanda. The spanda simultaneously operates every where, and so is the
295
cosmic multiplicity. Whatever manifests in the cosmos is a direct product
of the vibration of the shakti. In Vedanta, the vibration aspect is mentioned
though not elaborated as in Trika. GK holds that world appearance is due to
the vibration of prANa (ref GK 1.6) or chitta (GK 4.72) or viGYAna (GK
4.51). shabda-brahman (Mai 6.22) which is a synonym for prakRRiti or
mAyA implies the concept of vibration as the origin of the world. In BU 3.7.1
293 IshvarapratyabhiGYAvimarshinI by abhinavagupta 1.5.14
294 IshvarapratyabhiGYAkArikA [IPK] of utpala, 1.5.14
295 Spanda pradIpikA by utpala vaiShNava, p. 84
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brahman is conceptualized as sUtrAtman where the Universe is the

vibration of the single string (sUtra) the Self of which is brahman. BS
traces the manifestation (vyakta) of the unmanifest (avyakta or mAyA) to
the origination of prANa (BS 1.1.23) and its subsequent vibrations
296
(kaMpana) (BS 1.1.39).
(7) It is possible to demonstrate equivalence of Vedanta and Trika. In

Vedanta, acosmic (nirguNa) brahman is the substratum of cosmic
(saguNa) brahman. In Trika, cosmic (saguNa) and acosmic (nirguNa) are
the two aspects of the same paramshiva making It a panenthestic
principle. In Vedanta, mAyA takes the role of shakti as well as of
ka.nchuka-s with an indeterminate relationship with brahman; in Trika
shakti is firmly identified with shiva and delegates the role of delimiting
(reducing) agency to mAyA. The Vedanta can be interpreted in
panentheistic terms; on the other hand AbhAsa vAda of Trika has an
illusory aspect; spanda occurs in platonic space and not in real space-
297
time.
All in all, the metaphysical difference between Vedanta and Trika is

reconcilable, both being 'absolutely' monistic philosophies. However, they
differ in their meditation methods. Here, Vedanta deploys classical yoga or
smArta karma, while Trika falls back on tantra Agama-s. Trika is much
more open and colorful due to its tantra base, while Vedanta is sedate and
canonical.
298
( C) Tripura tantra [ितपुर तंत] : In shAkta tantra, the shakti is variously
named as tripurA, sundarI, lalitA, shodaShI, shrI vidyA, kAmeshvarI, kAli,
durgA etc. Tripura is one line of shAkta tantra which has extensive
literature. It is called Tripura, because it has three operative modes viz.
296 Ref “The Vibrating Universe” by N. C. Panda, Pub. MLBD 1999.
297 Dr. K. C. Pandey ('abhinavagupta': Publ. Choukhanba Series, 1935), points out the similarities
between the verses of daxiNAmUrti [DM] and those of utpala's pratyabhiGYAkArikA. He also points
out that the concept of ultimate Reality and important terms used in DM and in saundaryalaharI,
the two famous stotras (eulogies) attributed to sha.nkara, are the same as those in the
praryabhiGYA.
298 Ref www.shivashakti.com/philtan.htm; article by Gopinath Kaviraj, access 20.10.2009.
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brahma (Creation), vaishNavI (Sustenance) and raudri (Withdrawl). The

extant book is in the form of a discourse delivered by haritAyana to
nArada. The discourse claims to be the reproduction of the teachings of
dattAtreya to parashurAma, based on personal realization and reason.
The appearance of world-objects is known as bAhyAvabhAsa, because

such appearance implies the manifestation of what may be described as
empty space which is (apparently) other than the Self. The world is thus a
partial appearance of Self which subsumes all the world-objects. Since
chaitanya is all-embracing and can have nothing outside it - for if there
were any such thing it would not shine out and would therefore be non-
existent - what is popularly called the 'external' is indeed only a reflection
on chaitanya as on a mirror. When the universe comes into being it does so
as only an image within the unique Self. The universe as such is varied but
underlying it is the pure and simple unity of chaitanya revealing itself to
the eye of diligent search (anusandhAna). The manifestation of the
universe, due to the Free Will (svAtantrya) of the Absolute, is thus a
process of AbhAsa, - and for the initiation of this process nothing beyond
the play of the Will is needed. The material and efficient causes, supposed
to be necessary for every product, are held unnecessary.
The peculiar metaphysical position of the tantra consists in this theory of

AbhAsa. It counter-posits itself against the vivartavAda of Vedanta. The
world is not originally a false appearance due to Error. It is real in the same
way as an image is real, but it has no existence apart from the medium in
which it is manifested. Its existence is only the existence of the medium.
According to Vedanta, the world appears as such due to Ignorance and in
the last analysis it is resolved into mAya which is not identical with
Brahman and is material; but to a tAnrika the world is real and is
expression of the chit shakti or Free Will of the Lord and is really spiritual in
essence like the Lord Himself. In the last resort it turns back into the chit
shakti which is never withdrawn, for the Will (svAta.ntrya) remains, even
after the world has disappeared. The Vedanta system has to fall back on
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the doctrine of vivarta, because it denies in a sense svAta.ntrya to Pure

chaitanya. The first stadium of creation is thus an AbhAsa. The second
stage which represents the subsequent condition shows how the chit
shakti, already appearing (AbhAsamAna) in the Pure chaitanya, further
progresses; mAya emerges on the scene now and the vivarta is the logical
outcome. The third stage marks how mAya becomes productive. This is the
pariNAma or Evolution which gets on till the bhUta-s spring into
manifestation. The fourth stage which represents creation out of the
bhuta-s is known as AraMbha or physico-chemical process of genesis.
From the supreme stand-point of tantra, however, the entire Creation is an
AbhAsa.
The system teaches that the Supreme Reality is of the nature of Pure self-
luminous Intelligence, which is unaffected by the limitations of time, space
and causality. It has absolute freedom (pUrNa svAta.ntrya) inasmuch as its
Power or Will (sa.nkalpa) is unrestricted. This Power is really identical with
the essence of chaitanya and remains either involved in it or expresses
itself as its inalienable property. In the technical terms, it is known as
vimarsha or kRRipA, and is an eternal attribute of chaitanya. The freedom
referred to above implies that essentially the Consciousness is free from
vikalpa-s and is basically distinct from matter. The chaitanya is free, as it
does not depend on anything else for its own revelation of matter.
The Power exists in a two-fold condition. What is generally known as

creation or dissolution is in reality consequent on the manifestation of this
Power or on its abeyance. It always functions, but its function is sometimes
(e.g. during the creative period) expressed as the manifestation of the
Universe till now absorbed in and identified with the Essence of Reality and
at other times expressed as self-manifestation alone.
The Supreme Reality of the Agama-s would thus seem to differ in a sense
from the brahman of Vedanta. Though both are essentially of the nature of
Intelligence there is a fundamental distinction between the two. The
Absolute of the tantra is endowed with Power which is held to be identical
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with Itself and by virtue of which It is described as the Free Agent

(svatantra-kartA). Freedom to act forms the essence of chaitanya. In other
words, according to the tAntrika viewpoint, shiva and shakti are aspects of
one and the same Reality. But in the School of Advaita-Vedanta, brahman,
which as in this tantra is described as of the nature of Pure Consciousness,
is no better than an actionless Locus (adhikaraNa), on which the Power,
which is attached to It mysteriously and is neither identical with nor
distinct from It, plays. It is conceived as a passive background in relation to
the active power operating on It. The shakti, called mAyA in the Vedanta
School, is not thus of the nature of brahman but is of indeterminate
(anirvachanIya) material, though it is held to be, of course mysteriously,
subservient to it. But as conceived in the tantra, shakti or Pure Freedom is
absolutely non-material. The term chit shakti used to denote this power
implies its spiritual essence.
What in the tantra-s is known as vAhyAbhAsa or the manifestation of a

non-ego (anahaMbhAva) within the Pure Ego (shuddhAtma) but appearing
as external to it is the Radical Nescience (mUlAvidyA) of Vedanta. This
non-ego is the so called avyakta (Unmanifest) or jaDa shakti (Matter). But
the Freedom or the Spiritual Power (chit shakti) of the Lord, as described in
the tantra-s, is beyond the Nescience referred to above, and to this Power
299
the Advaita Vedanta seems to be a stranger according to Dr. Kaviraj.
In as much as the avidyA itself or the Material Power is a product of the

Spiritual Power which is the ultimate source of all existence; there is no
discrepancy in the statement, often found in tAntrika Literature, that this
Power has three distinct states of its existence:
(1) During the universal dissolution when the Self is free from all vikalpa-s
the shakti exists as pure chit shakti or chit prakRRiti; (2) When the
vikalpa-s are on the point of merging - when though there is no vikalpa as
299 In Vedanta, Ishvara wields this power of will and knowledge (omnipotence and omniscience).
sha.nkara refutes sA.nkhya because pradhAna or prkRRiti are insentient and incapable of
'Intelligent Design' (BSBh 2.2.16). However, on Absolute basis Ishvara is mithyA; Creation only
'appears' to be intelligently designed.
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such there is yet a tendency in the direction of vikalpa - the shakti is

called mAyA shakti or jaDa prakRRiti; (3) But when the vikalpa-s are fully
developed and materiality becomes dense the shakti appears as avidyA.
It has already been observed that the appearance of the universe follows
upon the self-expression of the Divine Power and the Cosmic End follows
from the withdrawal of the self-same Power. After the period of Cosmic
Night is over the Will of the Lord, in co-operation with the mature
adRRiShTa of jIva-s (karma-phala), manifests only partially, as it were,
the Essence of the Self, whereby the Self is revealed as 'limited'.
The appearance of limitation is thus the emergence of not-self, known as

avidyA or jaDa shakti, called also by the name of Void (shUnya), or
prakRRiti or Absolute Negation or Darkness (tamaH) or AkAsha. This is the
first stage in the order of creation and represents the first limitation
imposed on the Limitless. The erroneous belief, generated through the
Freedom of the Lord - the Self - that the Ego is partial ( ekadeshika) and
not full and universal (pUrNa) is responsible for the appearance of this
Something which being a portion of the Self is yet outside of it and free
from self-consciousness and is described as not-self or by any other name
as shown above. Thus the Supreme Reality splits itself spontaneously, as it
were, into two sections - one appearing as the subject and the other as
the object. The object as thus making its appearance is the Unmanifest
(avyakta) Nature from which the entire Creation emanates and which is
perceived by the subject as distinct from itself.
It has been observed that chaitanya is of the nature of self-luminous Light

(sphurataH prakAsha), which may shine on itself (svAtmA), in which case
it is known as ahaMtA, or I-ness may rest on the Non-ego (anAtmA) and
express itself as IdaMtA (This-ness). The essence of chaitanya consists in
the fact that the light (prakAsha) is always confined to itself. This universal
Ego or 'I' stands, behind all dualism. The Supreme Ego is universal, as
there is nothing to limit (parichCheda) or to differentiate (vyAvRRitti) it,
and the entire visible universe exists in identity with it. But this
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characteristic by its very nature is absent from Matter (jaDa), which is not
self-manifest. Just as light and heat co-exist in fire, in the same way
universal ahaMtA and Freedom or shakti co-exist in chaitanya. This
freedom is mAyA which though essentially identical with chaitanya
(chidekarUpa) brings out varieties of an infinite kind, but in bringing out
this variety it does not in the least swerve from the Essence. The
appearance of the Universe in Pure chaitanya is the action of avidyA,
which has three distinct stages:
Stage-1 : This is the germinal state (bIjAvasthA), when the material

power, which is still in its earliest phase of manifestation, is pure. Matter
does not assert itself at this stage and consequently there is no
differentiation in experience. In other words, it does not yet appear as
distinct from chaitanya, though potentially it exists. This stage is
represented by the five pure tattva-s (transcendental principles), viz.,
shiva, shakti, sadAshiva, shuddha vidyA and Ishvara.
● The avidyA, which has been described above as being the chaitanya in
its limited appearance as an object external to the subject is called
shiva. In pure chaitanya, owing to the play of Its own Will, an infinite
number of limited aspects (spAMsha) arises. These are mutually
distinct. From this point of view to every limited aspect of chit there is
a corresponding object external to it (bAhyAbhAsa), but to the
Unlimited chit or Pure Self (parAshiva) there is no externalities. The
universal (sAmAnya) common to all the pure and limited chit aspects
referred to above is called shiva tattva. This tattva is thus a sAmAnya
holding within it all the visheSha-s, but parAshiva or Pure Self is
transcendental and above both sAmAnya and visheSha. Hence shiva
tattva may be more properly described as Pure chaitanya in its
general but conditioned form, free from all vikalpa-s and is to be
distinguished from the Absolute proper.
● The appearance of shiva (parichChinna nirvikalpachit) as ahaM is

called shakti. Although this self-presentative character (ahaM-
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bhAsana) is in the essence of chit, so that there can be in fact no

differentiation between shiva and shakti as such, the chit is
nevertheless known as shiva insofar as it is free from all differentiators
(visheSha-s), and as shakti by virtue of its characteristic self-
awareness (ahaMbhAsana).
● When the self-presentation (ahaMbhAsana) is no longer confined to

the Self but is extended to the not-self or 'object external to the Self'
(mahAshUnya), it is known as sadAshiva. This state marks the
identification of Self with the not-self in the form "ahameva idaM" and
indicates predominance of spirit over matter.
● But when matter prevails and the consciousness assumes the form
"idaM ahaM" the state is technically called Ishvara.
● The term shuddha vidyA is reserved for the state which represents an
equality in the presentation of the subjective and objective elements
in consciousness.
Stage-2 : This stage in the evolution of avidyA, described as

a.nkurAvasthA, represents a further development of difference or
materiality, when the subtle products of matter and spirit make their
appearance. In this mixed condition both spirit and matter are equally
predominant and the seven mixed (mishra) tattva-s, viz, mAyA, kalA,
vidyA, rAga, kAla, niyati, and puruSha reveal themselves.
● The confirmation of difference due to the Free Will of the Supreme,

which characterizes the second stage, has the effect of reversing the
normal relation between spirit and matter. Thus while in the first stage
described above Spirit or chit shakti dominates matter or jada shakti
which exists in a rudimentary state, merged in spirit or Self, the
second stage shows the preponderance of matter over spirit.
Consciousness loses its supremacy and becomes a quality inherent in
the material subject. All this is due to the emergence and
development of bheda-sa.nkalpa in chaitanya. This material subject -
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which is matter prevailing over spirit and related to it as a substance

to its quality - is called mAya.
● The five aspects of Maya are the five so-called ka.nchuka-s which are
the five eternal shakti-s of parAshiva in a limited form. The obscuring
power of mAya acts is a veil as it were upon the Omnipotence,
Omniscience, Self-contentment, Eternity and Freedom of the Supreme
Self and thus acting is known as kalA, vidyA, rAga, kAla and niyati
respectively.
● The Pure Self as obscured by mAyA and its fivefold activities appears
as puruSha with its limitations of action, knowledge, contentment,
eternity and freedom.
Stage-3 : This is the grossest stage in the evolution of avidyA, which is

represented by the dense products of the mixed tattva-s, where matter is
overwhelmingly strong. This stands for the group of the twenty four
tattva-s, from the Primary prakRRiti down to pRRithvi, constituting the
material order. These elements are more or less common to sA.nkhya,
Vedanta, and pratyabhiGYA systems (ibid); their interpretation in the
scheme of their evolution may differ, particularly in respect of mind
elements.
● prakRRiti, with which the lower creation begins, is indeed the

assemblage (samaShTi) of the vAsanA-s of all persons with various
and beginningless karman: it may be fitly described as the body of the
karman saMskAra-s of the jIva-s, considered as inhering in chit shakti
or Self. This karma vAsanA or prakRRiti is threefold according as the
experience which is the moral outcome of this vAsanA is pleasant or
painful or of the nature of a comatose condition in which neither
pleasure nor pain is felt.
● The vAsanA-s exist in a twofold condition, as avyakta when they lie

unmanifest in dreamless sleep or as chitta when they manifest
themselves in dreams and wakeful states. In the dreamless state there
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can be no experience of pleasure and pain, because the mature

karman-s having been worked off through experience the others
which are not yet ripe are not ready for fruition. It is a fact that
karman-s, when they are matured by time, cause the GYAna shakti of
the Conscious Self to move outwards and have contact with the
objective world. In a state of sleep such movement is naturally absent.
But the process of time during which the sleep continues acts on the
karman-s and matures some of them, so that the GYAna shakti is
allowed to come in touch with the external objects or with their
semblances and sleep is over. The shakti as thus qualified by the body
of karma-vAsanA-s leading to contact with the objects and
consequent enjoyment (bhoga) is known as chitta.
● The chitta differs according to the difference of puruSha but it is one

with prakRRiti in dreamless sleep. Thus the chitta may be viewed as
puruSha or as prakRRiti according as the conscious (chitti) or
unconscious (avyakta) element prevails in it. It is not therefore a
distinct category, but falls either under puruSha or under prakRRiti.
The equivalence between shaiva and shAkta-tantra philosophies can be

easily established. They emphasize different aspects of the same principle.
In a way, both of them philosophically represent the shaiva-shAkta
compositae.
300
( D) The Advaita- Vedanta Monasteries: It is traditionally believed
300 This can be viewed as consolidation of Hinduism on the background of the great Islamic conquests
of Byzantines (c.636), Iraq (c.637), Persia (c.651), Spain (c.711), and Sindh (c.715) the last one in
the ancient heartland of vaidika civilization. Arabs captured not only Sindh but also a part of
Punjab, and by c.725 had extended their sway to Kathiawar, Gujarat, and part of southern
Rajasthan. They were defeated and pushed back by Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas from Western
India; by Gurjar Pratihars from Northern India, and by Lalitaditya of Kashmir in Punjab. This wave
of invasion then receded from Sindh, but such waves were to come again stronger after c.1000
under TurkoMongols to sweep India and to profoundly change its political and social map. During
that period, the investment made in this spiritual infrastructure stood in good stead. For example,
the Vijayanagar empire rose against the invasion and resisted Islamic influence in South India. It
drew its inspiration and sustenance from the readily available cultural and ideological base with the
active support of shRRi.ngerI monastery. Similar base was available to GangaGajapatis in Orissa
(purI) in the East. (N.B. Excepting this footnote; appendix (D) is based on Internet resources).
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that sha.nkara founded four monasteries (maTha-s) in India at: (1)

shRRi.ngerI in South (shRRi.ngerI maTha), (2) purI in East (govardhana
maTha), (3) dvArakA in West (shAradA maTha), (4) badarInAtha in North
(jyotirmaTha or joshi maTha). These four maTha-s are known in the
tradition as the AmnAya maThas. sha.nkara is said to have assigned one of
the four Veda to each of these maTha-s: RV to purI, YV to shRRingerI, SV
to dvArakA, and AV to badarI.
Along with maTha-s sha.nkara is also credited with organizing dashanAmI

saMpradAya of vedAntin sa.nnyAsI-s. The dashanAmI order is so called
because of the ten (dasha) name (nAma) suffixes which these sa.nnyAsI-s
adopt. These names are – (1) bhAratI, (2) sarasvatI, (3) sAgara, (4) tIrtha,
(5) purI, (6) Ashrama, (7) giri, (8) parvata, (9) araNya and (10) vana.
These names are supposed to be distributed and affiliated among the four
maTha-s: purI, bhAratI and sarasvatI with shRRi.ngerI maTha; tIrtha and
Ashrama with shAradA maTha; sAgara, parvata and giri with jyotirmaTha,
and vana and araNya with govardhana maTha; though in practice no rigid
monastery based titles are followed.
Many notable post-sha.nkara authors, including sureshvara, GYAnaghana,

GYAnottama, Anandagiri, bhAratI tIrtha, vidyAraNya and others, can be
found among the heads of these maTha-s. However, in general,
dashanAmI affiliation to maTha-s is nominal at best. These sa.nnyAsI-s do
not have to be ordained at one of the maTha-s. They are supposed to be
peripatetic (parivrAjaka - monks who constantly keep traveling), with no
fixed home, except for the period of chAturmAsya in the rainy season,
when they stay put at one place. The heads of the maTha-s are also
supposed to travel around the country for the better part of the year.
In later period (probably, post c.1200) in northern India, the dashanAmI-s

are organized into number of akhADA-s: jUnA, nira.njanI, mahAnirvANI,
aTala, AvAhan, Ananda and agni. Except for the agni akhADA which is is
for brahmachArI initiates, the membership of all other akhADA-s is made
up of dashanAmI monks. These akhADA-s have leaders known as mahA-
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301
maNDaleshvara-s, who are usually elected during a kuMbha melA . The
kuMbha mela also offers an opportunity for akhADA-s to initiate large
numbers of new sa.nnyAsI-s. Though dashanAmI-s may have only a
nominal affiliation with their maTha-s, most maintain a closer relationship
with their akhADA-s. All dashanAmI monks belong to the tradition of
302
ekadaNDI sa.nnyAsa. They carry a staff consisting of a single wooden
stick, symbolizing the essential identity of brahman and Atman.
The major following of the teachers of the Advaita tradition has been
mostly among the smArta-s, who integrate the domestic vaidika rituals
with devotional aspects of Hinduism. The smArta-s offer traditional
worship to shiva [िशव], viShNu [िवषणु], shakti [शिक], gaNeSa [गणेश] and sUrya
[सूयर], as aspects of saguNa brahman. Sometimes skanda [सकनद] is added,
particularly in the south India, as the sixth important deity.
303
( E) bhakti Movement of this period in South, which was lead by
Nayanars and Alwars, and which was out side the pale of brAhmaNa
orthodoxy, was no less important in retaining the so called lower substrata
of Hinduism within its fold. The early bhakti mystics rejected ritual
sacrifices in which lower classes could not afford to participate. They also
rejected or played down cast system. The writings of famous saints Appar,
Sambandar, and Manikavasagar (c.600-900) were compiled as 'Holy
Scriptures' (Tirumurai) and are called Tamil Veda. The 12th Book Periya
301 The purNa kuMbha melA (gathering) is held every 12yrs at one of the four places in rotational

manner: (1) Prayag (Allahabad) at the GY confluence, (2) Haridwar on Ganga, (3) Ujjaina on river
Kshipra, (4) Nashik on river Godavari; while, the ardha kuMbha melA is celebrated every 6yrs at
Haridwar and Prayag. After every 12 purNakuMbha (144yrs) mahAkuMbha is held at Prayag.
The story goes: In the 12years fight of gods and demons over the pitcher ( kuMbha) of elixir, Lord
viShNu flew away with the pitcher when the drops of elixir fell at aforementioned places.
302 There is also tridaNDI sa.nnyAsa which is more popular among vaiShNavas. In it, as the name
suggests, the renunciate carries three staff as a symbol of his 3fold devotion to the Lord through
body, mind, and speech.
303 SU and BG are the oldest nonsectarian bhakti scriptures; however, it is the Vedanta School of
vishiShThAdvaita of rAmAnuja (10561137), which gave the systemic philosophical base to the
vaiShNava bhakti movement for the first time. It is based on Veda, BG, BS, pa.ncharAtra Agama,
vishNupurANa, and Tamil writings of Alwars. Ramanuja's shrI bhAShya (on BS), gItAbhAShya,
(on BG), and vedAntasaMgraha (resume on Vedanta) are the de facto foundation of vishiShTha
advaita. Ramanuja and his followers vigorously contested KA doctrines through polemics in which
they were joined by later vaiShNava Schools which added SB (shrImad bhAgavata) to their canon.
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Puranam was added later (c.1100-1150) by the poet Shekkilar at the

behest of Chola king Kulottunga-1.
Temple Cities like Chidambaram (Nataraj - shiva), Madurai (Minakshi –

shakti), Tirupati (Venkateshwara - viShNu), Shrirangam (Ranganatha -
viShNu) in the South; Pandharpur (Vithu - viShNu), Kolhapur (Ambabai -
shakti) in the West, and Puri (Jagannath – viShNu) in the East emerged in
this period. Their respective cults and their Vedantization by relating them
to shiva, viShNu, and shakti and through them to cosmic (monotheistic)
deity and its creative power (Adi shakti or Adi mAyA) are interesting case
studies. The Sanskrit literature associated with respective deity, most of it
in the form of eulogies – mahAtmya-s and stuti-s, was an important
instrument of Vedantization; while, the concept of 'pilgrimage' [yAtrA] that
link local, regional, and national level 'holy places' [tIrtha] was a vital part
of bhakti tradition.
Temple Cities Outside India: Magnificent temple cities as Agkor

(Kambodia c.889-1300), Borobudur (Java c.800-850), and Pagan (Burma
c.1044-1287) came up even out side Indic regions. They could not reach
the same level of Sanskritization and Vedantization as they could in India,
still they symbolized the spread of vaidika and Buddhist-Jain culture out
side India, particularly in Southeast Asia.
304
( F) The Advent of Sufism : The origin and initial development of this
304 The word Sufi is said to be derivative of the word suf (wool); and Sufi were so called because of
their coarse garments which were seen as the decorum and badge of piety. In general, Ṣufis have
looked upon themselves as Muslims who take seriously God's call to perceive his presence in the
world and the self. They generally stress inwardness over outwardness, contemplation over action,
spiritual development over legalism, and cultivation of the soul over social interaction.
Theologically, Ṣufis speak of God's mercy, gentleness, and beauty more than of the wrath,
severity, and majesty that play defining roles in both 'jurisprudence' [fiqh] and 'apologetic theology'
[kalam]. Sufism has been associated with specific institutions and individuals as well as with an
enormously rich literature, not least poetry.
As a Qur'anic name for the phenomenon that often came to be called Sufism, some authors have
chosen the term 'ihsan', “doing what is beautiful,” a quality about which the Qur'an says a good
deal, particularly that God loves those who possess it. In the famous ḥadith of Gabriel, the
Prophet describes 'ihsan' as the innermost dimension of Islam, after islam (“submission” or correct
activity) and 'iman' (“faith” or correct understanding). Ihsan is a deepened understanding and
perception that, in the words of this hadith, allows you “to worship God as if you see him.” This
means that Ṣufis strive to be aware of God's presence in both the world and themselves and to act
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phenomenon took shape out side Indian subcontinent, but it has many
parallels in the Vedanta tradition. It played an important role in the Indian
subcontinent, particularly post-1000AD. The evolution of the Sufi
theosophy can be summarized thus:
Since the earliest times sufis had absolute faith in God [tawakkul] like any
other faithful Muslim. Rabe’ah al- Adawiyah (d.801), a woman from Basra,
first formulated the Sufi ideal of unconditional devotion to God, without
hope for paradise and without fear of hell. This trend of 'divine love' and
the 'absolute trust in God' became two main themes of Sufism in the
decades after Rabe’ah Basri. Direct communion with the 'divine reality'
[haqiqat] has been an aspiration of every Sufi. This necessitated the
evolution of a meditation methodology [murqaba] or spiritual itinerary
[tariqah] designed to help the Sufi reach his goal. The Egyptian Sufi Abul
Fayz Zun Nun (d.859) is believed to have been the first to map out the Sufi
itinerary consisting of 'stages or stations' [maqamat] and states [ahwal].
The ahwal are said to be gifts from God while the maqamat are acquired.
Because of their fleeting nature, the ahwal, though gift from God, are no
guarantee for the attainment of the Sufi goal. Maqamat are of greater
value and the seeker is required to traverse them in a progressive order
fulfilling the obligations of one station before proceeding to the next.
Before setting out on the long and arduous 'spiritual journey' [ Suluk] the
Sufi traveler, called salik, (also, murid, talib, or khadim denoting disciple,
student, or servitor) is required to place himself under the care of a
spiritual guide [Shaykh, Pir, or Murshid].
appropriately. Historically, Islam became manifest through the shari'ah and jurisprudence, whereas
iman became institutionalized through 'kalam' and other forms of doctrinal teachings. In the same
way, ihsan revealed its presence mainly through Sufi teachings and practices.
N.B. In general, the information about Sufism is this Note is based on following sources unless
stated otherwise: (1) Oxford Islamic Studies Online; access 6.9.2009: Sufism. By: William C.
Chittick, John O. Voll, Kazuo Ohtsuka, J. E. A. Johansen, Mohammad Talib; Source: The Oxford
Encyclopedia of the Islamic World; (2) “Sufism in the Indian Subcontinent” by Sayyid Athar Abbas
Rizvi (c.19211994), from wwwsunnirazviorgsufismindiasubcontinent, access: 9.9.2009,
Source: “History of Sufism volume I&II” by S. A. Rizvi; (3) IGNOU course material Unit15 (Sufism)
and Unit 30 (Socioreligious Sufi Movement).
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Observation of all religious prescriptions was the first constituent of this

schedule, followed the by 'Remembrance of God' [zikr]. Regarded by the
Sufis as the nuclear tool of their methodology, zikr began as simple
recitation of the Qur'an. By the turn of the eighth century AD, however,
zikr had developed into an elaborate congregational ritual consisting of
diverse religious formulas and litanies. A simpler formula was the
invocation of the word Allah. The Qur'an and the Prophet also ordained zikr
for the faithful. According to Sufis, The Prophet equated zikr with the polish
of the heart. Sufi sees zikr as the cleanser of the heart and the primary
medium of reaching God.
A popular form of zikr, which exercised a powerful influence on Sufis of all

hues from the ninth century onwards, is 'sama'’. Literally meaning
‘audition’ or 'listening’, 'sama' was a kind of concert characterized by the
playing of musical instruments and chanting of poems. The verve and vigor
of the singers often matched the passion of the listener. Rending of clothes
and ecstatic dancing was a common phenomenon. The 'sama' is the only
Sufi practice of significance for which no Quranic sanction is available.
Notwithstanding the claim of many Sufis that the 'sama' was a source of
'spiritual ecstasy' [wajid], and that it was a divine inspiration which ignited
the spark of celestial love in the heart of the participant and lead man to
God, the theologians condemned 'sama' as a gross violation of the
305
Shari'a.
305 Shari'a is a Muslim or Islamic law both civil and criminal justice as well as regulating individual
conduct. The custombased body of law based on the Qur'an and the religion of Islam. Because,
by definition, Muslim states are theocracies, religious texts are law, the latter distinguished by
Islam and Muslims in their application, as Shari'a or Shari'a law.
There are four main schools of Shari'a law: (1) Hanbali: This is the most conservative school of
Shari'a. It is used in Saudi Arabia and some states in Northern Nigeria. (2) Hanifi: This is the most
liberal school, and is relatively open to modern ideas. (3) Maliki: This is based on the practices of
the people of Medina during Muhammad's lifetime. (4) Shafi'i: This is a conservative school that
emphasizes on the opinions of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Shari'a always remained in force as an ideal and a final court of appeal, and by its unity and
comprehensiveness it formed the main unifying force in Islamic culture. Its very lack of flexibility
contributed to this result by preventing divergences and disintegration into purely local systems. It
permeated almost every side of social life and every branch of Islamic literature, and it is no
exaggeration to see in it, in the words of one of the most penetrating of modern students of the
subject, ‘the epitome of the true Islamic spirit, the most decisive expression of Islamic thought, the
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Rabi'a al-Basri (c.739-801) was the first female saint of the Sufi tradition.
She is known in the world of Islam for her unbounded and unselfish love for
God. Love of God for the sake of God not for fear of hell or desire for
paradise was her motto.
Egyptian Sufi - Abul Faiz Sauban, better known as Zun Nun al-Misri
(d.859) gave Rabia’s concept of pure love for God the power of doctrine.
He identified the love for God with the mystical Knowledge of God. This
knowledge (of God) according to him was the true knowledge, which he
called 'gnosis' [ma'arifat]. Ma'arifat is the knowledge of the attributes of
Divine Unity which belongs to saints of God, those who behold God in such
way that He reveals unto them what He reveals not unto any one else in
the world. No amount of trial and travail, Zun Nun taught, was sufficient for
the attainment of ma'arifat, which dawns by the grace of God alone. He
believed that in its truest sense, gnosis was God's providential
communication of the spiritual light to the seekers inmost heart. The
receiver of such knowledge then subsists through God. He sees through
the eyes of God. He walks only for the sake of God, and he speaks nothing
but the word of God. This knowledge is then the ultimate goal of the Sufi
when s/he is alive.
Sufism of the 9th and 10th centuries, had outstanding figures such as Abu
Yazid al-Bastami (d.874), Junayd al-Baghdadi (d.910), and others, later
became known retrospectively as the central organizers of the Sufi
movement. The two regions: One of Baghdad (capital of the 'Abbasid
caliphate) and the another of northeastern Iran (or Khurasan) were the
two most active centers of Sufism out side India.
Abu Yazid bin Ibrahim or Bayazid Bastami, a native of Bastam in Iran, went
a step ahead of Zun Nun. He said - Divine Love requires not only the
attainment of the knowledge of God but proper utilization of this
knowledge as an instrument for the achievement of unity with God.
essential kernel of Islam’. (from: wwwansweringislamcom. Source: Mohammedanism, An

Historical Survey H.A.R. Gibb, Oxford University Press, [1950] (p. 7284)).
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Bayazid stated that unification with God depended only on the purification
of the heart. The best mode of the purification of the heart is expulsion of
every thing from the heart other than God. This leads to the annihilation of
the individual self into God. This was the doctrine of Fana, first propounded
by Bayazid. It was destined to have a profound influence on the future Sufi
generations.
306
Husain bin Mansur al-Hallaj (d.922) took the next step which proved
fetal for him. His mystic statement Ana'l Haqq [I am the Truth] was taken
as his claim to Divinity. Accused of heresy, Mansur was thrown into prison.
After a prolonged trial, he was executed with great cruelty. The highly
publicized trial of Mansur on the charge of heresy not only widened the
gulf between Sufism and the exoteric civil authority but also caused to
Sufism much of its hard earned prestige and popularity. Mansur's ideas
provided the basis for the development of the doctrines of 'insan-i-kamil'
(the perfect Man) and Wahdat al-wujud (Unity of Being). The next step in
this direction however, had to wait for couple of centuries.
Similarities between Sufi practices developed by 12th century AD and

contemporaneous Hindu traditions are noticeable: (1) murqaba and
meditation practices of haTha-yoga and classical yoga; (2) tariqah and
Vedanta saMpradAya; (3) zikr and japa; (4) 'sama' and bhajana-kIrtana;
(5) Shaykh or Pir and Guru; (6) “requirement of purified mind for
communion with haqiqat” and “chitta-shuddhi for Self realization”; (7)
ma'arifat and brahma-GYAna; (8) fana and moxa, or samAdhi etc.
There were cultural exchanges among Sufism, bhakti traditions, and

ascetic sects like Natha Pantha and Hatha Yogis after Sufism entered in
Indic regions after c.1100. Before that, Sufism and bahkti-yoga traditions
seem to have evolved independent of each other.
306 A native of Wasit in Iran and a wool carder by profession, Mansur was a widely traveled man. He
is known to have visited India where he supposedly acquainted himself with HinduBuddhist
thought.
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307
5.2.5 Period of Dialectic (c.1000-1400): shrIharSha (KKK),
308 309
Ananadabodha (NM), chitsukha (TP) , and AnanadagirI (a.k.a.
310
AnandaGYAna) (TS and TL) wrote dialectical-polemical texts.
In c.1250-1350, there was significant contribution to the theory of

perception by writers such as anubhUtisvarUpAchArya (prakaTArtha
vivaraNa), AnandaGYAna (tarka sa.ngraha), and rAmAdvaya (Vedanta
311
kaumudI) .
In this period bhAmati and vivaraNa sub-Schools were consolidated.

During c.1200-1300, (Vedanta-kalpataru) [VK] of amalAnanda was the
earliest important commentary on bhAmati followed by bhAmati-tilaka of
allAla sUri. VK was later commented by appaya dIxit in his parimala. During
c.1300-1400, akhaNDAnanda, AnandapUrNa, and vidyAraNya wrote texts
307 In khaNDanakhaNDakhAdya [KKK] shrI harSha seeks to establish the reality of selfluminous

Consciousness by refuting all arguments of naiyyAyikas and vaisheShikas which support the
reality of pramANas (means) and prameyas (objects) of pramA (valid knowledge). He tries to
prove that all empirical experiences are but relative truths without any ultimate reality in them. He
rejects the law of excluded middle to prove that every thing other than Consciousness is
metaphysically indeterminate. This method of refutation that destroys the very basis of opponent's
arguments is akin to the one employed by mAdhyamaka philosophers. In addition to KKK, shrI
harSha wrote the court epic naiShadhacharita, well known to the Pundits of Sanskrit literature.
By 11th century, logical formalism called mahAvidyA was formulated within Advaita circles. It finds
reference in KKK as well as in the writings of chitsukha, amalAnanda, AnandaGYAna etc. Later
nyAya School reorganized itself by 1314th century as navanyAya and came up with their own
elaborate mechanism through ga.ngesha, raghunAtha shiromaNi etc (ref 7.3(5): v2, p.118125)
308 Anandabodha, another dialectician of that time was more in line with IS. In his nyAya makaranda,
[NM] he used dialectics to both refute the opponents' arguments and support Advaita concepts. As
had become customary by that time; he discusses various 'cognitional error theories' (khyAti) of
rival Schools and supports anirvachanIya khyAti (inexplicable error theory).
309 In tattvapradIpikA [TP], shrIharSha's successor chitsukha adapted shrIharSha's method of
refutation and supplemented it with his own interpretation of Vedanta concepts such as self
revelation (svaprakAsha), Self as Consciousness (AtmanaH saMvidrUpatva), nature of Nescience
(avidyA), nature of falsity (mithyatva) etc.
310 AnandagirI refuted the vaisheShika doctrines in tarkasa.ngraha [TS] and others in tarkaloka [TL].
311 VedantakaumudI suggests that: (1) there is an infinite number of aGYAnaveils; as soon as there
is vRRitiobject contact, the veil is removed and the object is illuminated; the next moment there is
again an aGYAnaveil and the veil is removed by the repeat process. Thus there is quick
succession of veils and their removals. Due to rapidity of succession, it is not possible to notice the
breaks in the cognitive illumination and the perception continues smoothly; (2) pramA is defined as
'cognition which corresponds to the true nature (yathArtha anubhava)' rather than uncontradicted
cognition; (3) In 'perception from the 'objective' point of view' (viShayagatapratyaxatva) the object
is distinct from the 'subjective consciousness' (antaHkaraNaavachChinna chaitanya). VP differs
from kaumudI in respect of these three points (ref 7.2(2), 7.3(5)).
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expounding the vivaraNa line. vidyAraNya wrote vivaraNa prameya

sa.ngraha and the popular pa.nchadashI where he adapted AbhAsa line.
With regards to points like release (mukti), efficacy of karma, and capacity
of shabda; vivaraNa accepted sureshvara line.
sAyaNa (c.1315-1387), the younger brother of vidyAraNya, and a teacher

as well as advisor of Vijayanagar empire of South India , wrote his seminal
312
work vedArtha prakAsha, a commentary on RV; which is considered by
many to be the most authoritative traditional scholarship on RV. This work
was translated and commented by Max Muller (w.1849-1865).
This was also the period when Vedanta tradition was fragmented into
313
multiple Schools . The Vedanta dialectic was not only directed against the
312 Shri Aurobindo however, deprecates sAyaNa's tendency to obliterate all nuances and distinctions
between words and to give them their vaguest general significance.
Among the more curious and astonishing details about this commentary is the fact that, sAyaNa
seems to have stated a nearaccurate figure of the speed of light: "O Sun! You see all, create
brightness and travel very fast. You brighten the whole sky." (RV 1:50:4). On it sAyaNa comments:
“Thus it is remembered: (O Sun,) bow to you, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha”
(tathA cha smaryate, yojanAnAm sahasre dve dve shate dve cha yojane ekena nimiShArdhena
kramamaNa | namo.astu ta iti). With some calculations (and taking Sun = light), this figure,
converts to c.299,000 km/s, very close to the established value of speed of light! (Kak, IJHC, vol
33, 1998, pp.3236).
313 Over all there are six major Vedanta subSchools each offering a distinct interpretation of Atman =
brahman; they are: (1) kevalaadvaita [KA] (classical nondualism) of sha.nkara (c.700750), (2)
vishiShThAdvaita (qualified nondualism) of rAmAnuja (c.10561137), (3) dvaitAdvaita (dualism
cumnondualism) of niMbArka (c.1062 1162), (4) dvaita (dualism) of madhva (c.11901278), and
(5) shuddhAdvaita (pure nondualism) of vallabha (c.14811533). (6) achintya bhedAbheda of shrI
chaitanya (c.14851533). Amongst them KA is considered to be nonsectarian. It has acquired
such a dominant status that the term Vedanta is considered almost synonymous with KA of
sha.nkara. Vedanta Schools other than KA can be called as vaiShNava or bhAgavata Schools
which are monotheist in nature; and give prominence to bhakti. All vaiShNava sects accept the
authority of viShNu purANa, bhAgavata purANa, and MB.
Counterpoising vaiShNava sects there are six major sects of shaivas: (1) pAshupata is the oldest
shaiva sect, whose origins are speculated to be in SSC, scriptures: pAshupata sUtra ascribed to
lakuliisha (c.200BC), pan.chArthabhAShya of kauNDiNya (c.500); (2) shaiva siddhAnta (~ bhedA
bheda), is the oldest shaiva School, scriptures: nandikeshvara kAshIkA of nandinAtha (250BC),
'teachings of 28 shaiva Agamas' in Tamil (Tirumantiram) by Tirumular (c.50), shivaGYAna bodha
by meykaNDadeva in Sanskrit (c.1200); (3) vIrashaiva (~vishiShThAdvaita), was founded by
Basavanna (c.1150), BS commentary by shrIpati paNDita (c.1450); (4) pratybhiGYA or Trika
shaivism (~ realistic monism), scriptures: shivasUtra by vasugupta (c.800), spanda kArikA by
kallata (c.850), shivadRRiShti by somAnanda (c.900), pratyabhiGYA shAstra by utpaladeva
(c.950), later elucidations by abhinavagupta (c.1000); (5) shiva Advaita (~viSishThAdvaita,
shuddhAdvaita), BS commentary by shrIkaNTha (c.1122), and subcommentary by appaya dIxita;
(6) siddha siddhAnta (~bhedAbheda), scriptures: siddha siddhAnta paddhati by gorakhanAtha
(c.950). He and his teacher matsyendranAtha are said to be in the linage of pAshupata nAthas in
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non-Vedanta Schools such as nyAya and mImAMsA, but also against the
competing sister Vedanta Schools. The qualified non-dualism's polemical
work shatadUShaNi by ve.nkata-nAtha was written in 14th century. Much
of the dialectic of Advaita in the subsequent period was engaged in
countering the arguments of this work as well as of such works as
nyAyAmRRita of vyAsatIrtha, tara.ngini of rAmachArya (both dvaita
Schools), and para-paxa-giri-vajra of mAdhava mukunda (dvaitAdvaita).
Sometimes these arguments and counter-arguments become
overstretched, tedious, and at times even acrimonious. However,
occasionally this polemical process discusses issues and arrives at
interesting philosophical positions, such as advocacy of metaphysical
indeterminism (mithyatva), denial of the law of excluded middle
(sadasadvilaxaNa), definition of falsity (mithyatva), definition of self-
luminosity of Consciousness (svayaMprakAsha), interpretation of
cognizability (saMvid), conceptualization of ground-consciousness
(jagadadhyAsa-adhiShThAnatvam) and Witness-Consciousness (sAxi-
chaitanya) etc.
A counterbalancing trend in the name of 'bhakti' was consolidated by end

of this period. The purANa-s like shrImad bhAgavatam [SB] gave strength
to this consolidation. The roots of bhakti movement of this period
(bhAgavata dharma) are traced in the ancient texts of RRigveda,
shatapatha brAhmaNa, taittirIya AraNyaka, mahAbhArata, and
bhagavadgItA representing tradition of devotion to viShNu, vAsudeva, hari,
314
nArAyaNa and kRRiShNa. SB in that sense is a representation of the
the name of AdinAtha. They (siddhas) practice haThayoga – an extreme ascetic cult.
Shaivism's philosophical underpinnings are based on respective Agamas, shiva mahApurANa
its vAyavIya saMhitA, and SU. Its sects are theist in the names of shiva, rudra, maheshvara,
pashupati etc. and exhibit various categories of nondualism. Sects (2), (3), (5) are mainly seen in
South India while the rest are mainly seen in North India. In comparison to vaiShNava Schools,
shaiva Schools have few BS commentators and still fewer BG commentators.
314 The word bhagavat is used in RV (1.164.40, 7.61.4, 10.60.12) and AV (2.10.2, 5.31.11) as blissful
and happy. In MB, bhAgavata seems to denote religious sect which identified viShNu, hari and
kRRiShNa with nArAyaNa or vAsudeva as their supreme God. The name of viShNu, as a God
appears in RV many times and gradually grows in stature. shatapatha brAhmaNa (14.3.4)
identifies puruSha (supreme being) as nArAyaNa. taittirIya AraNyaka (10.1.6) identifies nArAyaNa
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315
ancient devotional faiths known variously as ekAntin dharma, sAtvata,
316
and pa.ncharAtra. The protagonist of dvaita (madhva), shuddhAdvaita
(vallabha) and achintya bhedAbheda (jIva gosvAmI) were all indebted to
SB and wrote their respective commentaries on it. Though the common
theme of SB is theistic and devotional; SB can be interpreted in absolutist
317
manner of Advaita.
How did Vedanta tradition proceed on the backdrop of political and social
318
situation at that time? This was the period of Turkish-Islamic conquest
which was marked by desecration of temples, subjugation of Non-Muslims,
and ravaging of monasteries and universities. These tumultuous
happenings may not have any direct impact on the output of Vedanta texts
written in this period barring 15th century when not many texts came up.
with vAsudeva and viShNu. In MB, vAsudeva is identified with kRRiShNa (6.6566), with
nArAyaNa, and implicitly with viShNu and kRRiShNa (MB 12.341.41, BG 10.21). BG identifies
vAsudeva as supreme being (7.19), as viShNu (10.21), and as hari (kRRiShNa) (11.9). (ref 7.3(5)).
The earliest (c.500BC) social reference of vAsudeva in the extant literature is aShTAdhyAyI
(4.3.98) of pANini where the word vAsudevaka is explained as devotee (bhakta) of vAsudeva. In
regions like Maharashtra, bhAgavata sect attracted both vaiShNava and shaiva devotees.
315 MB 12.348 associates BG with ekAnta dharma. This faith is also known as ekAyana, or 'Path of
One' (Ishvara saMhitA 1.18). It is described as being itself a Veda (shrIprashna saMhitA 2.3839).
CU 7.1.2 refers to the study of ekAyana which significantly suggests the study of ethics.
316 pa.ncharAtra doctrine is associated with purush sUkta of RV. shatapatha brAhmaNa (13.6.1) says,
nArAyaNa became supreme being by performing pa.ncharAtra sacrifice. The tradition associates
bhAgavata and sAtvata with pa.ncharAtra (ref padma tantra 4.2.88). Curiously, pa.ncharAtrins do
not have uniform approval of smRRitis and purANas. This could be because the they initiated
and admitted women and shUdras into their fold. In BS (2.2.4245), sha.nkara refutes only those
aspects of pa.ncharAtra (bhAgavata) which according to him do not conform to Vedanta. Others
like rAmAnuja accepts pa.ncharAtra (ref 7.3(5)).
317 In SB 11.13 it is held that the ultimate reality is One, and all differences are mere names and forms.
Whatever is perceived or conceived is but the one reality, brahman. There is nothing else but Self;
everything else is illusory or false, a manifestation of mAyA. Even in the first adoration verse
(SB1.1.1) and later in SB 6.4.2932, it is said that brahman is the only underlying reality and
'creation' through guNas is false.
318 Mahmud Ghazani's devastating 21 raids on Sourashtra and Somanath Temple (c.10001027);
Muhammad Ghur's capture of northern and part of central India with the help of his slave
lieutenant Qutubuddin Aibak (c.11711193); Muhammad Khilaji's capture of Bihar and Bengal
(c.12001206); and Iltutmish being declared as Sultan of Delhi by Abbasid kaliph of Bagadad after
he subdued the Rajput resistance (c.12101236), was part of Muslim ascendancy. After
Muhammad Khilaji, there continued incessant struggle for the Delhi throne. After short lived rules
of Razziyat (Iltutmish's daughter), Balban (Iltutmish's slave), and Jalaluddin Khilaji (of Turkish
clan); came Alauddin Khilaji who spread his ruthless control on a large part of India (c.12961316).
After his death Tughluq dynasty ruled up to c.1398, the year in which Timur descended on India
and savaged Delhi, plundering properties and exterminating the whole Hindu population therein.
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The wave of invasions had not fully reached the interiors of peninsular
India where the base of Vedanta had shifted. The Hindu kingdom of
Ganga-Gajapati dynasties (c.1112-1568) in eastern coast of Orissa and
the Vijayanagar empire (c.1346-1565) in South India stood their ground
319
and even flourished.
Certain trends and events of this period stand out on the back ground
of Muslim ascendancy in India. Interaction between 'spiritual-mystical side
of Islam' (Sufism) and Hinduism is explored in appendix (A) and (B). Other
events can be seen as outcome of the social processes that were
influenced by the changing political situation. On the other hand, at least
some of the trends could be following their own internal dynamics.
1. Vedanta tradition was fragmented in various Schools which competed

with each other for occupying the prime space. The type of dialectics
earlier used by mAdhyamaka was adapted by Advaita dialecticians
against their opponents.
2. After the brief period (c.1000-1100) of creative and systematizing

work by abhinavagupta, and xemarAja, spiritual tradition of Kashmir
Shaivism was almost eradicated from Kashmir when Islamic conquerors
overran Kashmir. Its pratyabhiGYA philosophy however, influenced
regional philosophy like that of Jnanadeva and was listed by sAyaNa-
mAdhava as one of the sixteen important systems till 14th century.
Trika was revived by Sw. Laxmanjoo (1907-1991) and Sw. Muktananda
(1908-1982) in the 20th century.
3. Reformist sects such as of vIrashaiva-s who denounced caste system,

and Warkaris who sought to unify various castes by means of bhakti,
were established. These sects operated within Vedanta frame work as
much as they follow prasthAnatraya or preach some kind of monism
319 The head of shRRingerI maTha, vidyAraNya (mAdhava) blessed the formation of Vijayanagar
empire (c.13461565). He promoted Advaita as the unified ideology of Hinduism and projected
monasteries founded by sha.nkara as guardians of Hindu faith. vidyAraNya and his brother
sAyaNa reputed for his commentary on RV revived and reformed HVC in South India after the
impact of Islamic invasion.
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within yoga or shaiva-shAkta-vaiShNava traditions. For example,

vIrashaiva have shrIkara-bhAShya (on BS) of shrIpati paNDita, while
Warkaris have Jnaneshwari, a commentary on BG in the local language
(Marathi), which expresses concern for universal well-being similar to
320
that of Buddhism.
4. Indic IA languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, and

Marathi took a firm regional identity of their own (c.1000-1300). In
Marathi, for example Viveka-Sindhu by Mukundaraja (c.1128-1200),
Jnaneshwari by Santa Jnanadev (c.1275-1296), and Gatha (collections
of spiritual poems) of Santa Namadev (c.1270-1350) are the
prominent earliest treaties which shaped Marathi spiritual-cultural
321
tradition. These works had Advaita as their base.
5. In large part of Indian subcontinent Buddhism could not survive as a

practicing religion due to desertion by its royal patronage, destruction
of its monasteries, and deaths of monks in the hands of invaders.
Buddhism was assumed to be a nihilist creed antithetical to Islam – a
possible apology for its travails in spite of being non-intrusive and
320 Jnaneswari's (c.1290) valedictory verses (Pasayadana) expresses sentiments similar to Buddhist
'metta': “ सबबे सत सुखी होनतु सबबे होनतु च खेिमनो, सबबे भदरािण पससंतु मा िकंची पापमागमा, मा िकंची दुकखमागमा, मा िकंची
सोकमागमा" (Ref Buddhist Pali canon). A similar shAnti mantra is in vaidika tradition: “सवेऽतर सुिखनः संतु
सवे संतु िनरामयः, सवे भदरािण पशयनतु, मा किशत् दुकखमापुयात्". The Pasayadana is in Marathi and its wording is
quite different; but it essentially expresses the same desire for universal welfare with a poetic
flourish. The Jnaneshwari was written in the heydays of Yadava dynasty of Devagiri (present
Daulatabada) before Allauddin Khilaji invaded the local Yadava Kingdom (c.1296). Jnanadeva
a.k.a. Jnaneshwar, author of Jnaneshwari, mentions the name of Shri Ramachandra, that is King
Ramadevarava of Yadava dynasty as a just ruler who supported all arts and sciences.
Jnanadeva wrote another short work in Marathi of pure philosophy, namely Amrutanubhava.
According to some scholars, his Advaita rendering is closer to Trika than to sha.nkara's Advaita. It
can be termed as chidvilAsavAda or sphUrtivAda paralleling spandavAda of Trika. (Ref. The
Philosophy of Jnanadeva by B. P. Bahirat, Pub. MLBD, 1961).
321 Jnanadev and Namdev are said to be the founders of bhAgavata dharma in Maharastra and part
of Karnataka. The spiritual lineage of this cult is traced to two sources: The Nath cult (shaiva), and
Warkari or bhakti cult of Pandharpur (vaiShNava). The foundation of later cult is attributed to
puNDalika who was the first highpriest of the God of Pandharpur some time in 8th9th century.
Ekanathi Bhagavata (a commentary on the 11th canto of SB) by Ekanath (c.15331599) and Gatha
– a collection of spiritual poems called abha.nga of Tukaram (c.15981650) are other important
works of the bhgAgavata sect which have adherents from all sections of the society. Samarth
Ramdas (c.16081681) too taught bhAgavata bhakti, however; his practical approach and activist
Brahminism differentiated him from his predecessors.
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peaceful. Hinduism had absorbed Buddhist ethical values and Vedanta

assimilated its philosophical content. In India it lived within Hinduism
and remained an important philosophical discipline of historical
importance. Out side India, in South East Asia in the same period, it not
only survived but had a localized growth in Shri Lanka, Tibet, Burma
etc. where it had taken roots since the days of Ashoka. The South
Indian kingdoms, particularly that of Chola and Eastern kingdoms like
that of Palas, through their trade contacts and expeditions, had created
Indic cultural ecosystem in South-East Asia. Indian merchants guilds
operating across countries added to this cultural transmission. The
kingdoms of Shrivijaya (Sumatra), of Angkor (Cambodia), and of Pagan
(Burma) had already been introduced to Buddhism before the advent
of Islam in that part of Asia. Buddhist monks were responsible for the
establishment of Buddhism in southeast Asia. After destruction of
Nalanda, many of them came in search of home-land to Burma
(Pagan) and to Buddhist centers in Tibet.
6. Immediately after this period, by end of 15th century intensely

devotional sects of vallabha, and chaitanya came up and became
popular. Their protagonists wrote commentaries on BS and gave them
a Vedanta base. Radha, the female devotee of Krishna became the
universal principle of bhakti. She communicates her love to Krishna,
the 'cosmic consciousness', and begets his grace. Mirabai (c.1498-
1547), a Rajput Princess is a typical case of the bhakta who was
ravaged by the happenings of those times - her husband, father, and
father-in-law all were killed while battling the invaders. She declared
her love for Krishna even after her marriage and wrote beautiful songs
and sung them across the country. Sometimes this bhakti, no doubt,
had sexual undertones and poet like jayadeva did bring them out in his
famous composition gIta-govinda (c.1200). Krishna-bhakti cults
originated mostly in Orissa, Bengal, Rajasthan, and Gujarat and then
spread outside. In post-1500 period, Bengal and Orissa saw the spread
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of bhakti tradition mainly through chaitanya (gauDIya vaiShNava) cult

while in Gujarat and Rajasthan it was mainly due to vallabha
(puShTimArga) sect.
( A) Sufism in India played an instrumental role in spreading Islam in

the Indian subcontinent. The establishment of Turkish-Islamic rule in
Northern India in 12th-13th century stimulated large-scale migration of
Sufis from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Central Asia to the Subcontinent and
played a crucial role in its social and political developments.
Sufis tended to integrate beliefs and practices from the cultures on which
Islam had been transplanted. This made Sufism more appealing to
indigenous people converting to Islam, particularly to the lower castes
which were neglected by the upper classes. Sufis were effectively Muslim
missionaries, presenting to new peoples the moderate side of Islam
compared to the oppressive regimes of the Islamic rulers. They also tended
to act as defenders of the lower classes against corrupt rulers. Over the
period, many Sufis acquainted themselves with different religious systems
and philosophies of the region, and sometimes even involved themselves
in the political administration. Though generally Sufis adapted local
practices, there always remained a section of them which was deeply
rooted in the Qur'an, Hadith, and the teachings of the righteous caliphs
and those of Ali ibn Abu Talib's.
322
Shi'ite Muslim beliefs had a lot of influence on Sufism, but mostly in the
322 Shi'a / Shi'ites: Ali is the central figure at the origin of the Shi'a / Sunni split which occurred in the
decades immediately following the death of the Prophet in 632AD. Sunnis regard Ali as the fourth
and last of the "rightly guided caliphs" (successors to Muhammad as leader of the Muslims)
following on from Abu Bakr (r.632634), Umar (r.634644) and Uthman (r.644656). Shi'as feel that
'Ali should have been the first caliph. After the Muhammad, Shi'a accepts only the authority of 'Ali
(fourth Calipha) and his descendants from Prophet's daughter Fatima. Further, Shi'a repudiates
the validity of the traditions (Hadith) collected by those who opposed 'Ali, proclaiming the validity
only of traditions derived from 'Ali and his supporters. Whereas the Sunni believes that Muslims
are to be governed by consensus [ijma] amongst ulama for an elected 'head of state' [khalifa]; the
Shi'a believe that the leader of Islam (Imam) must be a sayyid, a descendant of the Prophet. Shi'a,
believe in first six Imams starting with 'Ali. The Imami Shi'ites (mainly in Persia and with followings
in India, Iraq, and Syria) posited a succession of six more Imams, totaling twelve infallible Imams
as incarnations of the 'Divine Light' [Nur] who were representatives of Islamic esotericism. The last
one disappeared in 873 and his return is still awaited; he is Mahdi, the Guided, who is concealed
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early days when Shi'a was more a school of thought than a distinct branch
with its own ideology. One important idea which was transmitted from the
Shi'a to Sufism is that of the Mahdi, a messianic figure which will come to
save Muslims from corrupt worldly rulers. For the Shi'a, the Mahdi is the
Twelfth Imam, who is currently hidden. For the Sufi, however, the Mahdi
won't necessarily be a descendant of 'Ali, but will instead be a divinely
guided leader who will appear at the End of Time to restore justice and
truth over the forces of the infidels. Although this has never been a formal
doctrine in Sunni Islam, it gained a foothold in the imaginations of many
Muslims, thanks to the Sufis. (ref About.com: Sufi Islam; access 4.10.2009)
Sufi orders represent one of the most important forms of personal piety
and social organization in the Islamic world. In most areas, an order is
called a tariqah (pl. turuq), which is the Arabic word for “path” or “way.”
The term tariqah is used for both the social organization and the special
devotional exercises that are the basis of the order's ritual and structure.
By 12th century AD, these orders emerged as major social organizations in
the Islamic community and took variety of forms throughout the Islamic
world. They were characterized by central prescribed rituals, which
involved regular meetings for recitations of prayers, poems, and selections
from the Qur'an. These meetings were usually described as acts of
“remembering God” [dhikr or zikr]. In addition, daily devotional exercises
for the followers were also set, as were other activities of special
meditation, asceticism, and devotion. The founder of the tariqah was the
spiritual guide for all followers in the order, who would swear a special
oath of obedience to him as their Shaykh or teacher. As orders continued,
the record of the transmission of the ritual would be preserved in a formal
chain of spiritual descent, called a silsilah, which stated that the person
took the order from a Shaykh who took it from another Shaykh and so on in
a line extending back to the founder, and then usually beyond the founder
to the Prophet Muhammad. As orders became firmly established,
now, but is to reveal himself at the Last Day. (Ref “Islam & Sufism” by Timothy Conway, 1991).
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leadership would pass from one Shaykh to the next, sometimes within a
family line and sometimes on the basis of spiritual seniority/mastery
within the tariqah. Each of these orders rallied around a few of its
prominent adherents who carved out their own 'spiritual territories'
[walayats] and established an elaborate network of hospices [khanqahs],
'spiritual heads' [khalifas], and 'disciples or servitors' [khadims] in the
Subcontinent.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, some major figures emerged as the
organizers of orders that were to become the largest in the Islamic world.
The most frequently noted of these early orders is the Qadiriyah, organized
around the teachings of 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (d.1166) of Baghdad; it
grew rapidly and became the most widespread of the orders. Two other
major orders originating in this era are the Suhrawardiyah, based on the
teachings and organization of Abu al-Najib al-Suhrawardi (d.1168) and his
nephew, Shihab al-Din al-Suhrawardi (d.1234); and the Rifa'iyah,
representing the tariqah of 'Ahmad al-Rifa'i (d.1182). By 13th century,
increasing numbers of tariqahs were being organized in the traditions of
great teachers. Among the most important of these are the Shadhiliyah
(established by Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili, d.1258) in Egypt and North
Africa, and the Chishtiyah (Mu'in al-Din Chishti, d.1142) in Central and
South Asia. Within these broad traditions over the centuries, later teachers
would arise and create their own particular variants, but these would
continue to identify with the main tradition.
Four Sufi orders - the Chishtis, the Suhrawardis, the Qadiris, and the
Naqshbandis - came to India at different times. They were prominent in
the Indian subcontinent, although they differed in their attitudes towards
the rulers and the politics of their time. Almost all saints of the Chishti
order refrained from visiting the kings of the Mongols. Khwajah Qutb al-Din
Bakhtiyar (d.1235) was offered the post of Shaykh al-Islam in the court of
Sultan Shams al-Din Iltutmish (r.1211–1236) in Delhi, but he refused to
accept it. Similarly Shaykh Nizamuddin Auliya (d.1325) declined the offer
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of a grant [idrar] and 'government service' [shughl] made by Sultan Ala al-
Din Khalji (r.1296-1316). Shaykh Farid al-Din Ganj-i Shakar (1175-1265)
warned his disciples against consorting with kings and princes. The policy
of maintaining deference and distance from the world of monarchy was not
always easy to follow. Admittedly, there were other levels where a
constant exchange of symbol and material took place between the
khanqah and the imperial court. Notwithstanding the Chishti order's
aversion to the state, the Mughal emperors from Akbar (1556-1605) to the
end of the dynasty in 1857 were devoted to the Chishti khanqahs at
various levels of affiliation.
In sharp contrast to the Chishti attitude towards the state, the saints of the
Suhrawardi order did not mind maintaining an association with the rulers.
The Suhrawardi silsilah was a major order of the Sultanate period. Its
founder in lndia was Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya (1182-1262). He made
Multan and Sind the centres of his activity. One af the oldest khanqahs in
India was established by him at Multan. Iltutmish was the Sultan of Delhi at
that time, but Multan was under the control of his rival Qubacha. Zakariya
critical of Qubacha's administration and openly sided with Iltumish in his
conflict against the Multan ruler's overthrow. Bahauddin Zakariya received
from lltutmish the title of Sbaikh-ul Islam (Leader of Islam) and
endowment. Contrary to the Chishti order of his time, he followed a worldly
policy and built up a large fortune. He accepted State patronage and
maintained links with the ruling class. One important saint of this order,
Shaykh Rukn al-Din (d.1334) of Multan, was revered by all monarchs of
the Delhi sultanate, from Sultan Alauddin Khalji to Sultan Muhammad ibn
Tughlaq (1325–1351). People filled the saint's palanquin with petitions on
his way to the sultan's court in the belief that by establishing personal
contact with the rulers they could bring about a change in their outlook.
Another Suhrawardi Shaikh Jalaluddin Tabrizi, after his initial stay in Delhi,
went to Bengal and made many disciples. He is said to have played an
important role in the process of Islamization in Bengal. During the
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Sultanate period, Punjab, Sind and Bengal became three important centres
of the Suhrawardi activity. Scholars are generally of the opinion that the
Suhrawardi Sufis converted Hindus to Islam and in this task they were
helped by their affluence and connections with the ruling class. In this
connection, a sharp contrast is drawn between their attitude and that of
the Chishti Sufis whose teachings did not aim at conversion.
( B) Sufi Theosophy: Sufi mystical experience is introverted, devotional,

as well as extroverted. Sufi introverted experience is based on Quran's
proclamation of the nearness and intimacy of God to man (Sura ii.186,
1.16; vi.60 etc.), which could imply God’s immanence and experience of
ittihad (oneness). Sufi's devotional experience may well indicate the need
of the human mind to conceive the Divine in terms familiar to man, so that
he can establish a personal relation with Him. Sufi extroverted mystic
experience is supported by a rare passage of Quran which tells us,
“Wherever ye turn, there is the face of Allah”. (Surah ii, Verse 115). For the
Sufi mystic this becomes a self-evident truth, verified by his innermost
experience.
It was left for Ibne Arabi to develop a monistic world view of a unique
combination of the testimony of mystical experience and certain texts of
the Quran. But before that Hamid al- Ghazali (1058-1111) through his
greatest work, “Ihya al-ulum al-din” (The Revival of the Religious
Sciences”), established moderate Sufism against the growing theosophical
trends, which tended to compare God and the world and thus shaped the
thought of millions of Muslims. This work provided a probing commentary
on the ritual and social duties of the Muslims, the inner vices of the human
beings and their remedies. It also incorporated a theory of knowledge and
of mystical virtues. According to Ghazali the acquisition of these virtues
depends as much on the elimination of the inner vices as on the grace of
God. The acquisition is thus a process through which the true nature of
God is realized and man attains the ultimate goal. Hamid al-Ghazali's
younger brother, Ahmad al-Ghazali, wrote one of the subtlest treatises
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(Sawanih; “Occurrences” [stray thoughts]) on mystical love, a subject that

then became the main subject of Persian poetry.
Wahadat- al- wujud: This doctrine is expressed in various derivative

323
forms. Though popular amongst Sufis; it was never acceptable to ulama
and orthodox Sufis. The four forms of Wahadat-al-wujud are usually
stated as follows:
● Al- Hulool: God, Almighty, dwells in His creation.

● Al- It' tihaad: God, Almighty, and the creation are One.
● Wahdatul- Wujood: Both the Creation and the Creator are One.
● Hama u' st: All is He.
Muhiuddin Ibn Arabi, a.k.a. 'Shaykh-i Akbar' [The Greater Saint] (1165-
324
1240) is said to be the greatest intellectual Sufi philosopher of all time.
Ibn Arabi’s controversial concept, philosophical more than theological ,
namely the doctrine of wahdat al-wujud, was destined to have a profound
influence upon Sufis all over the world. Wahdat al-wujud, or Unity of
Being, envisaged the identity of the Being [zat] and attributes [sifat] of
God. According to Ibn Arabi, Being is one. Everything else is His
manifestation. The universe is nothing but the manifestation of God’s
attributes. The universe in other words is a mode of God, apart from God it
has no existence. The universe is no illusion, it is real because it is the
self-revelation of God. Ibn Arabi claimed that God’s attributes are also
manifested in man. God created man in His own Image. God and man, Haq
and khalq, are therefore identical. “Man is the microcosm khalq in which all
attributes are united and in him the Absolute becomes conscious of Itself
323 In a general sense, the term ulama is used to describe the body of Muslim clergy or the class of
Muslim legal scholars who have completed several years of training and study of Islamic sciences.
They are best known as the arbiters of shari'a law. The utilization and significance of their
expertise is contextual and vary from tradition to tradition. Properly: 'ulama;' plural of 'alim,' one
possessed of 'ilm' (i.e. religious knowledge). (source: wwwansweringislamco, access: 9/2009).
324 Ibn Arabi was a native of Murcia (Spain). He was educated in Seville where a vision is said to have
brought about a metamorphosis in his way of life and thought obliging him to set out in quest of the
truth. After a brief sojourn in Tunis, he traveled to the East from where he never returned home. He
performed the pilgrimage to Makka twice and wrote some of his major works during his stay there.
He lived in several cities of Iraq and Asia Minor before settling in Damascus in c.1228 where he
died in 1240.
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in all Its aspects.” The doctrine, in a nutshell, affirms that God alone exists,
and other than God, nothing exists (there is nothing but God, nothing in
existence other than He).
The wahdat al-wujud doctrine can be viewed as a natural outcome of

monotheism and man's longing for the unity with the God beloved. The
experience of ittihad can be explained either existentially-experientially or
ontologically; that is, either as a reliable report of what the Sufi felt in his
unison state, or as implying the ontological oneness of the soul and God.
Whatever language the Sufi chooses to speak, so long as he is true to his
inner experience, the purport of all his utterances may he summed up as:
(a) God’s presence within the soul, (b) a certain affinity between the soul
and God (variously experienced and expressed) and (c) God’s being the
very Essence or ground of man’s being. There is a close relation between
one’s being and the Cause or Ground of one’s being, that without which
we would become naught. This inevitably leads to aupaniShad and
Agamika paths explored by Vedanta, shaiva and vaiShNava traditions. The
doctrine of wahdat al-wujud as aspirational unity, if not ontological
identity, then becomes the ultimate converging ground which a sufi, a
yogi, or a bhakta strive to reach. The Sufism in India and bhakti-yoga
traditions of Hinduism share striking similarities. When we study devotional
Sufism, we find this similarity of approach and emotional tone between
Sufi and Yogi - Bhakti mysticism. The same inner logic of mystical
experience seems to be at work here, leading the mystic from the rational
affirmation of the otherness and transcendence of God to the experience
325
of final unity in the state of Fana.
Ulama continued to show the disapproval of the Sufis despite various

attempts made by al-Ghazzali to effect a reconciliation between the two.
The attitude of mutual distrust between the two continued during the
Sultanate period, though orthodox Sufi orders such as the Suhrawardi, the
325 Ref 'The shared beauties of Sufi & yogi vision' by Rehman Muhaiyaddeen from wwwbmirsorg,

access 14.10.2009.
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Qadiri, etc. accepted the line of ulama. The ulama were particularly hostile
to the early Chishti and their practices. They pronounced against the
Chishti practice of 'sama' and objected to the Chishti quest for religious
synthesis. However, Chishti Sufis such as Shaykh Nasiruddin (Chiragh-i
Delhi) and Gesudaraz themselves gave an orthodox orientation to the
Chishti order possibly to mitigate the hostility of the ulama. It appears that
Chishtis then began to involve themselves in court politics and accept
state endowments. Particularly, after Timur's invasion, Chishti-s dispersed
to stable kingdoms of Deccan. Bahamani kings gave them land grants to
secure their political loyalties. For example, Muhammad Banda Nawaz
(1321-1422) received village grants from Bahamani sultan Feroz Shah
(r.1397-1422).
326
5.2.6 Period of Syncretism (c.1500-1700 & thereafter):
327 328 329
sadAnanda yogindra, nRRisihMAshrama, madhusUdana, appaya
326 The syncretism of AdvaitaVedanta tradition of this period found parallels in sociopolitical
reconciliation of emperor Akbar (15561605). Akbar was the third in line of the Mughal dynasty,
which was founded by Babur, a TurkoMongol from central Asia, who defeated the then Sultan of
Delhi, an Afghan, Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat (c.1526). The others in this line were Humayun (153040,
1555 56), Salim (Jahangir) (160528), Khurram (Shah Jahan) (162858), and Aurangzeb (Alamgir)
(16581707). In between (154045), Afghan emperor Sher Shah Suri who is famous for his
revenue administration, ruled from Delhi. Akbar laid the solid foundation of Mughal empire as large
as ancient Indic empires of Mauryas and Guptas. He followed the policy of religious tolerance and
prudent alliances. His ideal of just ruler, had parallels in the Muslim concept of Mahdi as well as in
the Hindu legend of King Rama. He tried to create a new religion 'Belief in God' (DiniIllahi) by
synthesizing all religious ideas that appealed to him. He wanted to become its supreme arbitrator
to prevent sectarian strife. This idea was similar to the Hindu idea of ideal king which is both
immanence and transcendence of the divine spirit. Akbar's ideas and his eclectic style died with
him. Coincidently, the greatest syncretistic scholars of Advaita, viz nRRisiMAshrama, appaya
dIxita and madhusUdana sarasvatI wrote their respective texts during the times of Akbar.
327 sadAnanda yogindra wrote the popular text vedAntasAra. He is also said to have written
bhAvaprakAshikA (on BG), tAtparyaprakAsha (on BS), and vedAntasiddhAntasArasa.ngraha.
328 nRRisimhAshrama was an influential teacherscholar of vivaraNa School. In addition to polemical
bhedadhikkAra, he wrote advaitadIpikA, tattvaviveka, tattvabodhinI on SS, and bhAvaprakAshikA
on PPV. He and his disciples are credited with many texts addressing epistemological concerns of
Advaita. One of nRRisimhaAshrama's disciples was dharmarAja adhvarIndra, who wrote VP. It
was commented by his son rAmakRRiShNa in shikhAmaNi. Both these works consolidate Vedanta
theory of perception which however, differs from kaumudI of rAmAdvaya in some aspects.
329 madhusUdana wrote his “advaita siddhi”, a polemical work which is highly regarded within the
scholastic Advaita tradition. His commentary on gItA (gUdhArtha dIpikA), and other works like
vedAntakalpalatikA dealing with axiological issues, sArasa.ngraha on SS, and siddhAntabindu on
sha.nkarAchArya's dashashlokI discussing cognitiveepistemological issues are well known to
Advaita scholarship. He was both a kRRishNabhakta and a polymath of Advaita, nyAya, and
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330 331
dIxit, dharmarAjAdhvarIndra and sadAnada kAshmIraka wrote
syncretic texts. The trend seems to be to record diverse views as 'various
aspects of the same reality'. Each aspect is like 'looking at the reality from
a different standpoint'. The reconciliation of conflicting views was
attempted wherever possible. The concept of modal Ignorance which
brought vivaraNa and bhAmati closer, is an example of such syncretism.
In the later half of 16th century, appaya dIxit wrote his sub-commentary
on bhAmati viz parimala on amalAnanda's kalpataru. In c.1650-1700, three
commentaries related to bhAmati came up viz RjuprakAshikA of
akhaNDAnanda, bhAvadIpikA of kRshNAnanda, and Abhoga of
laxminRRisiMha indicating the growing popularity of bhAmati tradition
during this period.
viGYAna- bhixu: One 16th century BS commentator viGYAna-bhixu

represents the typical syncretic trend of his period which views all Astika
(vaidika) philosophies as description of the many aspects of the same
Reality, ultimately leading to the ultimate reality of brahman of Advaita
Vedanta. Like vAchaspati, he was said to be expert on all Astika (vaidika)
darshana-s: sA.nkhya-yoga, nyAya-vaisheShika, and mImAMsA-vedAnta.
His extant works include yoga-sArasa.ngraha, sAnkhyasAra, sA.nkhya-
pravachana-bhAShya, viGYAnAmRRita bhAShya (on BS), upadesharatna-
mAlA (on Vedanta), and commentaries on UP and Ishvara-gItA (first 11-
chapters of the 2nd part of kUrma-purANa). Following are salient features
of his philosophy:
(1) brahman cannot be the Bliss and still experiencer of the Bliss. When it
is said that Self is of the nature of Bliss (Ananda) it means it is
mImAMsA schools.
330 In this period, a number of south Indian householders, surnamed dIxita, rose to prominence. Chief
among them was appaya dIxita, the reputed polymath scholar who wrote his compendium work
siddhAntaleshasa.ngraha on kevalaadvaita. He wrote many other works on Vedanta,
shivAdvaita, mImAMsA, vyAkaraNa, and devotional poetry. According to him there is no
fundamental differences between the vivaraNa and bhAmati Schools; the difference is related only
to technique and emphasis, one on epistemology and the other on ontology.
331 kAshmIraka sadAnanda, in advaitabrahmasiddhi, supported both reflection theory and
delimitation theory and advocated ekajIvadRRiShTisRRiShTi as final Vedanta theory.
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negation of sorrow.
(2) bhixu admits hierarchical gradation of realities; one is more stable and
hence more real than the other; a fact articulated but not generalized
in earlier Vedanta.
(3) The yogi can ward off the the necessity of experiencing the
prArabdha-karma by entering into seedless absorption (asaMpraGYAta
samAdhi).
(4) kAla [time] is brought into picture in association with puruSha and
prakRRiti. It is the dynamic aspect of God and is manifested when
puruSha and prakRRiti are connected to produce the movement of the
prakRRiti. At the time of dissolution kAla does not exist because at that
event there is no connection between puruSha and prakRRiti. In Mai
kAla is conceptualized as akAla [timeless]. The timeless time is the
primordial time which is only the pure energy unmeasured and
unmeasurable because it has not produced the movement with which
the time and itself can be measured.
(5) bhixu advocates loving devotion as the way to Self realization. He

refers SB and proposes that true bhakti is emotional; it should bring
tears to the eyes and melt one's heart. According to him, through the
emotions of bhakti the devotee can merge himself in the God, like a
river merges into sea.
(6) bhixu does not see any purpose in the Gods activity. He also does not
see creation as the 'playful act of the God' (liilA – लीला).
(7) bhixu thinks that since BS does not give any account of empirical
knowledge process, Vedanta should accept sA.nkhya theory of
experiential knowledge.
(8) bhixu takes the position that sA.nkhya-yoga (and even nyAya-
vaisheShika, and pa.ncha-rAtra) are complementary to Advaita-
Vedanta. If there is any seeming antagonism; it needs to be reconciled.
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He bases his system not only on UP, and BS, but also on purANa-s and
smRRiti-s. The result is that he teaches a kind of theistic bhedAbheda
vAda which was earlier propounded by bhartRRi-prapa.ncha,
bhAskara, niMbArka, and others. This reconciles diverse views - duality
as well as non-duality of Self and brahman, personal God as well as
impersonal supreme Being, reality of the manifest universe as well as
that of brahman, distinctness of individual souls and at the same time
their being common essence of the manifestation, immanence of
brahman and at the same time It being stainless, advocacy of path of
Knowledge as well as that of intense emotional devotion etc.
Each of periods (5.2.1) to (5.2.6) is denoted by a dominant trend or

proceedings in relation to Vedanta which distinguish that period. The
dogmatic, dialectical, and syncretic trends are present in all periods,
though the dialectic is more visible in post-BS era. BG itself is a text which
syncretizes Vedanta, sA.nkhya, and yoga and blends Knowledge, Action,
and Devotion in the path of Self realization. In sha.nkara's work all the
three traits are visible. He uses dialectics while refuting the opponents'
arguments, subordinates the reason to the dogma of shruti, and
syncretizes the diversity of aupaniShad opinions by using the concepts of
mAyA and 'reality levels' etc. Similarly, madhusUdana uses dialectics to
refute vyAsatIrtha's arguments and at the same time supports many of the
conflicting theories separately and independently implying that any of
them can be used to explain the Reality. In the same spirit, kAshmIraka
sadAnanda approaches individual theory dialectically but upholds
syncretism when he says that the difference between 'theory of reflection'
and 'theory of limitation' does not bother vedAntin-s.
The philosophical syncretism of Vedanta of this period was confined to

theories within kevala-advaita. The feud between followers of vishiShTha-
advaita and dvaita on one end and kevala-advaita on the other, continued
for a long time and entered into 20th century. The scholarship of Advaita
too entered and continued in 20th century by scholars such as
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vAsudevendra, nArAyaNa sarasvatI (early 18th century), rAma (rAya) kavi

(late 19th century), anantakRRiShNa shAstrI and sachchidAnandendra
332
sarasvatI (20th century).
Important Developments of this period: (1) Devotional sects of vallabha

(puShTimArga) and of chaitanya (bhaktiyoga) completed the progression
of theist Vedanta Schools. (2) The devotional bhakti tradition saw another
great work in the form of “rAma charita mAnasa” (रामचिरतमानस), composed
by Goswami Tulasidas in local dialects of Hindi – mainly in Awadhi,
333
interspersed with Bhojapuri, Braja etc. (3) First sign of a kind of
synthesis of Vedanta and Sufism, at the start of this period, appeared in
the poems of Kabir (c.1440-1518); (4) Sufi literature of this period
represents the syncretic phase of various Sufi orders; (5) Sikhism was
founded by Guru Nanak (c.1469-1539) and culminated in Panth Khalsa of
334
Guru Gobind Singh (c.1666-1708) ; (6) Advent of Maratha kingdom
332 sachchidAnandendra argued that the only authoritative method of interpreting UP is adhyAropa
apavAda and that the postsha.nkara commentators with the exception of sureshvara, deviated
from it and in the process distorted the concept of Ignorance. His stand resulted in the critical
examination of Advaita principles and added to the overall scholarship of Advaita, to which
sachchidAnandendra himself made significant contribution. The trend of 'one only method'
however, is not in the eclectic spirit of AdvaitaVedanta. Knowledge has no injunctions; sureshvara
suggests that any method, exegetical or otherwise, that helps to usher Knowledge is good
enough. The broad indicators of such a method are 'selfless work [niShkAma karma], 4fold
means [sAdhana chatuShTaya], and equanimity [samatva]'.
333 This poetic classic, though not directly related to Vedanta, held sway over large part of India,
particularly in Hindi belt. Its modern admirers included Gandhi according to him, as a spiritual
experience Tulasi Ramayan (the popular name of RamaCharitManas) is almost unrivaled.
Nothing elates me so much as the music of “Gita” or “Tulasi Ramayana”; he once said.
334 The Guru tradition of Sikhism is: (1) Nanak Dev: The founder of Sikhism and the composer of
Japji Sahib, (2) Angad Dev: Lande Mahajani script was modified into Gurumukhi in his times, (3)
Amardass: Divided the territory of his followers into 22 segments with a spiritual administrator for
each segment. Gurudom became hereditary from his time onward, (4) Ramdass: A temple
(Harimandir) near Lahor was built in his times which was later called as Harminder Saheb or
Darbar Saheb Gurudwara and became the seat of spiritual authority of the Guru. The township
was later known as Amritsar by the name of the lake (Amrit Sarovar) dug by his devotees for
taking bath before the spiritual offerings, (5) Arjan Dev: He declared collection of 1/10th of
individual's income from 22segments towards the Sikh treasury making Sikhism a theocratic
state. Guru Grantha Sahib was compiled (c.1604) during his times. He was tortured and killed by
Mughal Emperor Jahangir (c.1605). He instructed his followers to take arms, (6) Har Gobind: Akal
Takhta (God's Throne) was constructed, (7) Har Rai, (8) Har Kishen, and (9) Tegh Bahadur: He
fought for the Kashmiri and Punjabi Hindus. He was killed by Mughal Emperor Auranzeb (c.1675),
(10) Gobind Singh: He continued the struggle against the Mughals. Under him Sikhism was
radically transformed into militant Khalsa Panth, which was borne at a congregation held at
Anandpur (c.1699). After Guru Gobind, Granth Sahib (scripture of Sikhism) is considered as the
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under the leadership of Shivaji (c.1630-1680) which was supported by

sa.nnyAsI-vedAntin Samarth Ramdas; (7) The Naqshbandi order of Sufism,
which wielded significant political influence, became active in India in the
closing years of the sixteenth century; (8) Naga sect of martial
sa.nnyAsin-s was organized at the initiative of vedAntin madhusUdana
335
sarasvatI. This initiative is said to be at the behest of emperor Akbar;
and (9) For the first time, UP were translated into another language
(c.1656). A collection of 52 UP was translated from Sanskrit into Persian at
336
the instance of Mughal prince Dara Shikoh (c.1615-59).
337
( A) shuddhAdvaita: This School founded by vallabha (1473-1531),
along with its contemporary bhaktiyoga School of achintya bhedAbheda
(inconceivable dualism-non-dualism, popularly known as Gaudiya
Vaishnavism), completes the progression of theist Vedanta Schools that
next and permanent Guru.
335 This proceeding is recorded by Prof J. N. Farquhar: One of the notorious practices of the Muslim
priests 'as good Muslims', was to frequently 'attack and kill' the Hindus, lay and monastic,
especially at the pilgrim centers such as Benares. Those priests were protected by faulty law that
exempted them from any legal punishment. So, the hapless Hindus approached madhusUdana to
do something to stop this injustice. Since he was well known at the court of Emperor Akbar, he
met the emperor through Raja Birbal, and narrated to him religious atrocities at Benares, etc. As a
solution the Emperor suggested that madhusUdana should organize a militant band of sa.nnyAsin
s to defend themselves and other Hindus. At the same time he promulgated a law that thenceforth
the Hindu sa.nnyAsins too, like the Muslim priests, were outside the purview of legal action. Thus
was born at the hands of madhusUdana the much respected and feared nAgA sect of vedAntik
sa.nnyAsins. The recruits into it were from the warrior casts. They lived in monasteries called
AkhADAs (lit. gymnasiums), and were trained in the martial arts.
Ref 7.1(7) pp. 15 with cross ref 'The organization of Sannyasis of Vedanta', in the Journal of the
Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, July 1925, pp. 47986. Also, see 'A History of
Dasanami Naga Sanyasis' by Sir Jadunath Sarkar (Pub. Shri Panchayati Akhara, Mahairvani,
Daraganj, Allahabad).
336 Dara Shikoh, was the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan. He was a learned man and knew
Sanskrit and Vedanta. For him, the UP was the book to which Koran refers as “a book that is
hidden” [Kitab alMaknun] (SUra 56:78). He was executed by his brother Auranzeb during the war
of succession to the Delhi throne, after ulama declared him heretic. The collection of UP which he
got translated into Persian was called “The Greatest Secret” [SirriAkbar]. It was later translated
from Persian into Latin in 180102 under the name Oupnek'hat by Anquetil Duperron. This
collection was used by Schopenhauer to build his philosophical kernel. Dara Shikoh wrote an
independent book called Majma ulBahrain [The Mingling of Two Oceans] which discovered the
affinities between Vedanta and Sufism. He is said to have initiated the Persian translation of other
two Sanskrit spiritual texts viz gItA and yoga vAsiShTha. (References: (1) 7.3(1), Deussen); (2)
Mystical Dimension of Islam by Annemarie Schimmel; (3) Internet resources).
337 Based on article by G. H. Bhatt (ref 7.3(17))
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started with rAmAnuja's vishiShThAdvaita (qualified non-dualism). It

defines the term shuddha-advaita [शुदादैत] [SA] in two ways: (1) “It is the
non-dualism which is pure”; or (2) “It is the non-dualism of the pure”.
Both these definitions are suggestive of SA's attempts to erase the
distinction between the absolute and the relative which KA propounds in
the name of inexplicable mAyA.
338
SA accepts four-fold foundation - Veda, BG, BS, and SB in that order
with the assumption that each scripture explains the unexplained of the
previous work. Thus SB is described as the “ripe fruit of the wish-fulfilling
tree, namely the Veda which have their root in gAyatrI verse (RV 3.62.10).
Based on these scriptures vallabha strives to show that Advaita of UP is
unalloyed with mAyA, both cause (brahman) and effect (universe and
souls) are essentially pure and one. Amongst all other theist Vedanta
Schools, ontologically, SA qualifies for the term pure monism since it
assumes the universe to be material transformation of brahman and each
339
soul to be small part (aMsha) of brahman. Brahman is the highest entity
of the nature of sat (Existence), chit (Knowledge), Ananda (bliss), and
rasa (sentiment); the last one gives Him (brahman: God or Lord) the
'personal' (but not limited) character. He is omnipresent and eternal. He is
pUrNa (complete) and puruShottama (best of beings). He has created the
universe out of Himself for His liilA (sports), of which He is the kartA (doer)
as well as the bhoktA (enjoyer). He is thus both the efficient and material
cause of the universe which is naturally sustained by Him and absorbed in
Him at the end, in a cyclic manner. He is absolved of the charge of evil,
cruelty, inequality etc since He has created the world out of Himself as a
340
play in which He himself is Doer and Enjoyer. The negation of qualities in
338 vallabha wrote commentaries on jaiminIya sUtra [JS], BS, and SB and some other works, all of

which is available in fragmented form. His BS commentary is known as aNubhAShya; it is available
up to BS 3.2.33. His JS commentary pertains to JS 1.1.1 and 2.1, including his preamble of 42
verses. His SB commentary covers SB books 1, 2, 3, 4 (part), 11 (part); it is known as subodhini.
He wrote tatvArthadIpa (nibandha) which discusses BG, SB and aupaniShad philosophy.
339 Monism is generally classified as (1) substance monism, (2) category monism, (3) absolute
monism (one substance, one category). SA may be classified under 'substance monism'.
340 Here, God of SA becomes 'amoral' insofar as evil, sufferance etc are part of His sport. The same
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nirguNa-brahman mentioned in UP refers absence of material qualities in

Him. He possesses many divine qualities of which GYAna (Knowledge) and
kriyA (activity) are the prominent ones. Being sovereign, He does not
undergo any change though He transforms Himself into this world – a
341
doctrine known as avikRRita pariNAma (unchanged transformation). His
kriyA-shakti is described in pUrva (karma) kANDa while his GYAna-shakti
is described in uttara (GYAna) kANDa of Veda. Brahman at the immediately
lower level manifests as axara (immutable), kAla (time), karma (action),
and svabhAva (nature) and at still lower level appears as twenty-eight
material tattva-s (elements) derived from axara viz puruSha, prkRRiti,
sattva, rajas, tamas, mahat, ahaMkAra, manas, five sUxma-bhUta-s
(subtle elements), five mahAbhUta-s (gross elements), five karmendriya-
s, and five GYAnendriya-s. These later twenty-eight tattva-s represent
the causal or changeable domain of Lord. Their categorization reminds of
similar categorization in sA.nkhya, kevala Advaita, and Trika-Tantra
Schools. If we take 28 prAkRRitika (causal) elements, add another four
attributes of lower brahman (axara, kAla, karma, svabhAva) and four
natures of parabrahman (sat, chit, Ananda, rasa) we get 36 elements. It is
instructive to compare them with 36 elements of Trika since both the
Schools are panentheist where the 'supreme principle' is 'transformed' into
the world process by 'a kind of' pariNAmavAda, unique to the respective
School.
Souls are derived from 'axara' brahman like sparks from fire. In special
cases they emanate directly from the Lord Himself. The Ananda (bliss)
element in them is suppressed so that they are subject to bondage and
ignorance. As a aMsha (small elemental derivative) of brahman they are
not really 'created' nor do they die; it is only the body which is created and
destroyed while all bodily characteristics like birth, age, death etc are
charge of moral nominalism is applicable to Trika, but not to KA; its brahman is no kartA or bhoktA
341 Unlike vivartavAda; here the transformation is real. This makes SA panentheistic. Inasmuch as
SA's brahman remains unchanged after the creation; the metaphysical difference between vivarta
and avikRRita pariNama becomes more of terminology than anything else.
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predicated to the soul insofar as it is associated with the body. Soul is

atomic in size and experiences the world by pervading the body through
its quality of chaitanya or GYAna (intelligence, sentience). Souls are
classified as (1) pravAha: those who primarily engage themselves in
worldly activities, (2) maryAdA: those who follow the path of Veda, and (3)
puShTi: those who worship Lord out of pure love engendered only through
divine grace.
Universe is the real and essentially non-different effect of brahman. it is

the material form of brahman in which sat is manifest and other
characteristics like chit, Ananda, rasa are latent. The world (jagat) as
created by Lord as a sport is different than the one (saMsAra) experienced
individually by souls. This difference is due to Ignorance or Nescience
(avidyA) which is the root cause of souls ego and his consequent
experience of saMsAra. Nescience is the power of the Lord to which He
subject jIva-s (souls) as a part of his sport. Souls ignorance made of
ahaMtA (I-ness, egoism) and mamatA (My-ness or idea of possession)
has to be destroyed by Action, Knowledge, and Devotion which earns the
soul its Liberation.
SA accepts paths of vaidika karma, GYAna, and puShTi (by devotion and
divine grace) with clear preference for the puShTimArga over the first two
paths which together are known as maryAdAmArga. SA sees the best
example of pushTi in gopI-s, the cowherd women of vRRidAvana, who
loved kRRiShNa and were graced by Him. This divine love is called
sarvAtmabhAva – seeing everything in Lord (all-in-One) which is
distinguished from the sarvAtmabhAva of the GYAni who sees Lord in
everything (One-in-all). The former one, according to vallabha, is superior
and leads to the highest conception of moxa. In puShtimArga, Lord is said
to be full of rasa (love, heroism, fury, humor, wonder, terror, pathos, and
horror), in which shRRi.gAra (Love) is the most prominent rasa and is
cherished by SA. The love has two aspects viz saMyoga (union) and viyoga
(separation). In the saMyoga state of mind the devotees are supposed to
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enjoy the happiness of the union with the Lord while in the viyoga state
they are said to suffer the misery of separation and think of Him all the
time; so much so that they cannot think or long for anything else but the
union with kRRiShNa, the Lord, like lovelorn gopI-s wanted to be with Him.
This path of love through divine grace was open to all irrespective of class,
caste or gender while the vaidika maryAdamArga based on pUrvakANDa
(karmamArga) and uttarakANDa (GYAnamArga) was available only to the
males of the first three classes (dvija-s: brAhamaNa, xatriya, and
vaishya). In maryAdAmArga there was place for bhakti or devotion but it
was of the nature of intense longing for Knowledge or for the union with
God (Ishavara or saguNa brahman) without any element of shRRin.gAra
(love of the type that was bestowed by gopI-s on Lord kRRiShNa due to
His divine grace). The gopI-s are the model of the divine love in
puShTimArga. In SA axiology, the Lord is known as gopIjanavallabha (the
beloved of the gopI-s). One who follows this path aspires to be a gopI and
worship the Lord with the same loving devotion. puShTi-mArga believes
that all souls have a feminine principle in them which when stirred by the
divine grace can follow the path of devotional love. In such a path Lord is
the spiritual husband or a beloved (vallabha) of the soul.
SA is the last stop in the Indian non-dualist systemic tradition which

started with Advaita Vedanta. SA's conception of brahman full of rasa,
though had aupaniShad reference, received systematic attention for the
first time in Vedanta framework. The concept of axara brahman had a
shrauta as well as smArta reference, but it received a systemic treatment
in SA. Metaphysically and axiologically, SA can establish equivalence with
Trika more easily than with Advaita Vedanta, but culturally all the three
monist Schools differ from each other. SA distinguished itself more as the
axiological puShTimArga than as the metaphysical shuddhAdvaita. SA
sublimed the concept of love in the Vedanta framework. It gave an
axiological context to the popular folklore of kRRiShNa in relation with
gopI-s. Both puShTimArga and its eastern sibling gauDIya-vaiShNava sect
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brought emotions, playfulness and color in the austere Vedanta tradition in

342
the form of kRRiShNabhakti. The true devotee of puShTimArga however,
is said to be a renunciate and is devoid of the notion of ownership. His love
is supposed to be platonic and not illicit.
( B) Kabir (1440-1518) was a mystic composer and seer who represents,

in the popular belief, the synthesis of bhakti cult of Vedanta and Sufism.
His greatest work is named “bIjaka [seedling]”. This collection of poems
demonstrates Kabir's own universal view of spirituality. His vocabulary is
replete with ideas regarding brahman and Hindu ideas of karma and
reincarnation. He often advocated leaving aside the Qur'an and Veda and
to simply follow sahaja patha, or the Simple/Natural Way to the Oneness
of God. He believed in the vedAntika concept of Atman = brahman, but
unlike earlier orthodox vedAntin-s, he followed this philosophy to its
logical end by spurning the Hindu societal caste system and icon-worship.
The major part of Kabir's work as a 'bhagat' was collected by the fifth Sikh
Guru - Arjan Dev, that forms a part of the Sikh scripture.
343
( C) Sufi Literature: Sufi literature of the post-Timur period shows a
significant change in thought content. It is monistic in spirit. After the fall of
Muslim orthodoxy from power at the center of India for about a century
due to the invasion of Timur; Sufism became free from the control of the
Muslim orthodoxy and consorted with Hindu saints, who influenced them
to considerable extent. The Sufi adopted monism, bhakti and yoga
practices from the vaiShNava and shaiva sects. By that time, the
popularity of the vedAntika pantheism among the Sufis had reached its
zenith.
Eminent Sufi saints expressed their ideas generally in Persian poetry and
prose, but what made Sufism a household word and a mass movement in
342 vallabha is said to be of a South Indian (Telugu) descent; however, the spread of puShTimArga is
more in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh of India than in the South.
343 Based on “Sufism in the Indian Subcontinent” by Sayyid Athar Abbas Rizvi (c.19211994) (from
wwwsunnirazviorg/sufism/india/subcontinent; access: 9.9.2009; Source: History of Sufism vol
1&2 by S. A. Rizvi).
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the Indian subcontinent was the poetry in its regional languages. The
Chishtis, both the eminent leaders in cities and village Sufis, were pioneers
in the movement, writing mainly in Hindawi or Hindi; later, Sufis in other
parts of the country began to give vent to their emotions in touching Hindi
poetry. The Shatotoariyyah wrote both Hindi and Rajasthani poetry. The
Hindi mathnawi - Madhu-Malati, which Shah Manjhan Shatotoari
composed c.1545, reiterates in a most artistic and lyrical style the Sufi and
Hindu (Vedanta) theory of the self-manifestation of the Absolute.
The Kashmiri poetry of Shaykh Nur al-Din Rishi (1378-1439) saw the
cross-fertilization of Sufi beliefs with those expressed by Lal Ded or Lalla,
a Kashmiri Shaivite woman whose supreme Reality, identified as shiva,
was Eternal, All-Pervading and All-Transcending. Some of Shaykh Nur al-
Din's verses are almost identical to those written by Lalla, but those which
are attributed only to the Shaykh exhibit him as an ardent devotee of the
Absolute, trying to reach the Unknowable in the heart by lighting the lamp
of love. To him, the repetition of the Islamic profession of faith was
incomplete without a valid realization of the reality of the Self.
In Panjabi Sufi poetry, God is the Beloved and the Sufi, or the human soul,
the woman separated from her lover by illusion or mAyA. The Sufi soul at
times wails, then cries and yearns for union with the Beloved. The Sufi poet
in the Panjab generally refers to three stories of perfect love in his poetry.
They are the love tales of Hir Ranjha, Sassi Punnu, and Sohni Mahival,
these tales of perfect love which end tragically are popular with all
Panjabis. For a Sufi it acquires the spiritual meaning. Around c.1766, Warith
Shah, a famous Chishti Sufi re-versified the Hir-Ranza story in which Yogi
Bhilnath exercised his spiritual power in collaboration with five Pirs. In this
mathnwai he repeatedly portrays the unio mysitica. The greatest Sufi poet
of the Punjabi language however, is said to be Mir Bullhe Shah Qadiri-
Shatotoari (c.1680-1752), whose imageries are in strict adherence to the
shari'a.
In Bengal, the Housayn Shahi sultans (1494-1538) gave considerable

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encouragement to Bengali literature, but a real flourishing of Bengali Sufi

poetry took place mainly from the sixteenth century on in the Chittagong
region and at the Arakanese court. Some works translate the Natha Panthi
literature from Sanskrit into Bengali and try to reconcile them with Sufi
maqamat (stages) and teachings. Sayyid Sultan of Chittagong region
(c.1550-1648) wrote mystical poems Gnan(GYAna)Chautisa and
Gnan(GYAna)Pradipa and attempted to harmonize Hathayoga with Sufism.
As was the case in other regions of India, the 'sama' gatherings of Sindh
reverberated with Sufi music in the Sindhi language. The foremost Sufi
poet of Sind was Shah 'Abd al-Latif (c.1690-1752). The melodies of his
poetic works called Risalo (The Book) embodying the folk ballads of Sindh
are very emotive and stirring.
The 18th century also saw the crystallization of the poetic form of Urdu,
spoken both by Hindus and Muslims. Mirza Ghalib (c.1797-1869), though
not a conventional pious Muslim, wrote Urdu poetry with deep spiritual
sensitivity.
( D) Sikhism of Nanak took a break from Hindu traditions of rites, cast

system, and icon worship - Nanak was against fasts, penance,
pilgrimages, and renunciation of the world. Sikhism's spiritual base
344
however, is Vedanta in which sat (God, supreme Being) is to be realized
344 According to the Guru Granth Sahib [G], the supreme Being is: beginning less (G.1351), primordial
Being (G.129), complete or integral (G.705), eternally true (G.1, 119), without birth (G.1, 99),
transcendent as well as immanent (G.79, 102 etc), antarjAmi (G.13, 43, 454 etc.), nirvairu or sans
enmity (G.1, 99), fearless (G.1, 199, 464 etc.), supremely resplendent (G.13, 277 etc.), supreme
bliss (G.814), untainted or nira.njana (G.119, 597, 1353), and both sarguNa and nirguNa (G.128,
862). These are all indicators of brahman. Guru Nanak has sung the glory of Om (G.929930) as
the creator of the Vedas, etc. The “Ek Om” of G is conceptually very similar to the Om of UP.
Japji's God is akin to neti neti brahman (Ref Tr. By K. S. Duggal); Also, 'neta neta kathanti beda’
(Guru Arjuna, G.1359) points to neti neti brahman. These are all echoes of the UP.
The philosophical concepts in G, such as indestructibility of soul, the cycle of birthdeathrebirth,
maya, brahamgiani, importance of guru, importance of recitation and meditation of Hari or
Ramanama, realization of soham for the Liberation, jeevana mukti, the merger of the individual
soul with the supreme soul, the two categories viz the manamukha and the gurumukha, the
immanence of the Supreme being, and It being a bliss are all aupaniShad Concepts. The rejection
by the Sikh Gurus of the vaidika rituals and icon worship, and their insistence on inner realization
of God is not inconsistent with the teachings of Advaita.
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by Nam (God's praise), Dan (charity), Ashnan (purity), Seva (service to

humanity), and Simran (prayers). Some sects like Udasi founded by Guru
Nanak's son Shri Chand, and Nirmals founded at the behest of Guru
Gobind Singh share traditions of Hinduism and blend Vedanta with
Sikhism. Many Hindus revered Sikh Gurus who fought against Mughal
oppression and acted as their savior. The pacifist Sikhism of Nanak
increasingly became militant while defending itself and others, and in the
process emulated the political theocracy of Islam. Traditionally, Hindus
have viewed Sikhism as a reformed and militant sect of Hinduism, while
many Sikhs today consider their sect as a separate religion. The initial
phase of Sikhism is seen by many as an attempt to synthesize Hinduism
and Islam.
There was a synergy between advent of Sikhism in Punjab and the Maratha
rule in the western and central India. This synergy was not only confined to
345
the spiritual exchanges , but also extended indirectly over the
battlefields. After the decline of Mughal empire and during the regime of
Bajirao Balaji, Marathas consolidated their power in Deccan and expanded
northwards. The period between c.1740-1761 saw tussle between Afghans
and Marathas for the supremacy of northern India. Marathas under the
leadership of Raghunath Bajirao surged into Punjab and removed its
Muslim ruler in c.1756, and then marched triumphantly beyond Punjab to
reach Attock in Paktoonistan. But Maratha rule in Punjab was short lived; in
a decisive battle of 1761, Abdali defeated them. This third battle of Panipat
however, weakened both Afghans and Marathas, and the Sikhs stepped in
to fill this power vacuum in Punjab. They established their hold on part of it
through the efforts of Jassa Singh Ahaluwalia and others in spite of their
early loss in the battle of Wadda Ghalughara against Abdali in 1762.
345 Marathi Sant Namdev (c.12701350) from western Maharashtra had visited Punjab and spent his
last 20 years there preaching bhAgavata dharma. Some of his Hindi/Punjabi verses totaling 61,
have been included in Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh's last year (1708) was spent in Nanded
(Maharashtra) where he met his legendary disciple Madho Das a.k.a. Banda Bairagi and named
him as Gurubaksha. In Nanded, Guru was fatally wounded by two mercenaries sent by Wazir
Khan, Nawab of Sirhind.
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Meanwhile, Marathas recouped and their lieutenant Mahadji Shinde

occupied Delhi and installed the (powerless) Great Mughal there (c.1771)
which in turn appointed Mahadji as his general administrator (1785). After
the death of Mahadji (1795), there was nobody to bid for the supremacy in
northern India. Sikhs stepped in again to fill this vacuum, this time under
the great Ranjit Singh and his general Hari Singh Nalwa. They extended
the frontiers of the Sikh rule into Afghanistan right up to Kabul. Ranjit
Singh's was the only independent kingdom of his time in India, which
otherwise was under the control of British East India Company. Ranajit
Singh died in 1839. After two Anglo-Sikh wars (1845, 1849) East India
Company gained full control of the Sikh territory.
( E) Samarth Ramdas (c.1608-1681) was a vedAntin and a sa.nnyAsI

346
with a difference. His Dasbodh (Discourse of the Servant) bears
testimony to this difference. To understand the significance of his work, the
346 Dasbodh [DB] [दासबोध] (c.1654) is an Advaita Vedanta work with a good dose of practical teaching.
It is written in Marathi. It comprises of 7751 stanzas (ओवी) distributed in 20 'chapters' (दशक), each
consisting of 10 subchapters (समास). DB1.1 succinctly states the purpose and scope of the text. It
teaches absolute monism similar to that of GK. Interestingly though, DB (5.6.89) defines
tUryAvasthA (4th stage) as sarvasAxatva and rejects it because sAxatva has duality. When
sarvasAxatva is negated, what remains is pure Knowledge. Here DB follows the lead of YOV. DB
7.3 discusses 14types of brahman: (1) शबद (word representation), (2) ॐ: ओम् (letter representation),
(3) ख (space like), (4) सवर (ALL That is), (5) चैतनय (energy, animating principle, consciousness), (6)
सता (reality, existence), (7) साक (witness), (8) सगुण (with properties and attributes), (9) िनगुरण (w/o
properties and attributes), (10) वाचय (expressible), (11) अनुभव (immediate experience), (12) आननद
(bliss, peace), (13) तदाकार (unity), (14) अिनवाचय (inexpressible). DB rejects all these brahmans on
the criterion of constancy (शाशततव) delineating the 'neti neti' process. Interestingly, DB rejects
nirguNa brahman too saying that it is mere name, denoting an idea defined in terms of (absence
of) guNas. Reality is beyond ideas because ideas are fallible, being no more than our mental
states [vRRiti]. DB 9.1 gives 42 negative indicators of brahman to firm up the concept of neti neti.
DB outlines the path of Liberation [sAyujya mukti] through devotion and Knowledge. In dashaka4,
it describes 9fold 'devotion' [नविवधा भिकत] of SB 7.5.23: शरवणं कीतरन ं िवषणोः समरणं पादसेवनं | अचरन ं वनदनं दासयं
सखयं आतमिनवेदनं || (1) hearing, (2) narration of God's stories, (3) repeating the God's name, (4)
attending to Guru, (5) worshiping the God, (6) salutation to God, Guru, and saints, (7) devotional
service, (8) love and friendship to God and ALL, (9) Selfrealization. First eight are saguNa bhakti
leading to 'identification with God' [sarUpatA mukti] [सरपता मुिकत], while the last one is nirguNa
bhakti leading to sAyujya mukti [सायुजय मुिकत] or moxa. DB 6.103638 states ekajIvadRRiShTi
sRRiShTi vAda as a metaphor. DB 8.2.2 alludes to vivarta vAda while DB 8.3.1 alludes to ajAta
vAda. DB 8.3 explains the concepts of mUlapurUsh [Ishvara], mUlamAyA [mUlAvidyA], and
nirguNa brahman. DB 8.9 describes the indicators of the 'Selfrealized person' [siddha] [िसद]. DB
explains the significance of 'discrimination' (viveka) at many places, as to how vivekavairAgya
leads to Atmanivedana and sAyujyamukti. (Ref Sarth Shrimat Dasbodh by K. V. Belsare, 1991).
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political context of his times needs to be understood.
After the abrupt downfall of Vijayanagar empire (c.1565) and of the

Gajapatis of Orissa (c.1568), the Islamic political domination of India was
at its zenith. Aurangazeb's rein (c.1658-1707) extended it to its maximum
limit. In this period, the Maratha king Shivaji (c.1630-1680) challenged
Mughal domination and performed the vaidika coronation ceremony
(c.1674) in a manner befitting a Hindu king. Shivaji's kingdom was small in
size, barely some districts of western India, but its significance goes much
beyond its size. Shivaji consciously emphasized the religious aspect of his
kingdom and claimed to fight for the Hindus against the Muslim rule.
Aurangzeb exacerbated the religious confrontation by destroying sacred
Hindu temples and forcing the hated 'jizya' (poll tax) on Hindus - though
he sought the cooperation of Hindu chieftains. On the other hand, Shivaji
never discriminated amongst his subjects on the basis of religion and did
347
not mind allying with Deccan's Muslim sultanates to fight Mughals.
348
Ramdas, established temples and monasteries and actively supported
Shivaji's vision. In his Dasbodh, he not only propounds Advaita Vedanta,
but also advises the ordinary man how to conduct his vyavahAra (day to
day activities) of kAma (wants) and artha (means) within the framework of
dharma (duties) leading to moxa (Liberation).
As we shall see next, philosophical and religious syncretism was counter-

posited by politics of identities causing further antagonism, particularly
after c.1600, between Hindus and Muslims.
347 After Shivaji's death, Aurangzeb shifted his base to midsouth (Maharashtra) to subdue the
Marathas. He captured Shivaji's son Sambhaji and tortured him to death. Marathas however,
fought back relentlessly and after Aurangzeb's death came back strongly under the leadership of
their minister (peshwa) Balaji Vishwanath Bhat and his descendants, particularly the great Bajirao
Balaji (c.17011740) and his lieutenants like Shinde and Holkar who established Maratha
supremacy in Northern regions.
348 He was a devotee of Lord Ram and worshiped Ram's divinely strong servant Lord Hanuman as a
symbol of physical as well as moral strength. He advocated physical exercises in the daily regimen
of students as well as householders. Among the temples which he established are eleven principal
seats of Maruti (Hanuman) in Maharashtra.
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349
( F) Naqshbandi Tariqah and Sufi Thinkers: Naqshbandi order
played an important and decisive role in socio-political development of the
Indian subcontinent. Khwajah Baqi Billah was a well known Naqshbandi
saint who established the order in India in the closing years of the
sixteenth century. Steeped in the Naqshbandi principles of organization
and communication, he was able to disseminate the message to
commoner and Mughal noble with equal facility. In five years he managed
to build up a network of adherents to the Naqshbandi order whose social
base included diverse constituents: the ulama, the Sufis, the landowners
[maliks], and the officials [mansabdars].
Shaykh Ahmad of Sirhind a.k.a. Sirhindi in Punjab (b.1563), one of the

distinguished disciples of Khwajah Baqi Billah, reorganized the doctrinal
basis of the order. Like the preceding Naqshbandi saints of Central Asia, he
demanded from his disciples a strict adherence to the Qur'an and the
sunnah. He was critical of Akbar, the third Mughal emperor of India. He felt
that the attitude of Akbar "sullied the purity of Islam and the political social
and cultural life of Muslims". His viewpoint influenced the fourth Mughal
emperor, Jahangir, who promised to defend the law of Islam. However,
later enraged with Shaykh's too much interference in administration,
Jehangir imprisoned him in Gwalier but released him after one year. Under
the influence of Sirhindi whose belief that Islam is a complete way of life
stirred the Muslims to retrieve the medieval glory of the faith in this sub
continent.
The sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who received his religious and
spiritual training from the sons and grandsons of Shaykh Ahmad, had a
decisive influence of the Naqshbandi order in his religious views and
policies towards other religions. Shaykh's illustrious descendants include
Shah Wali Allah (d.1762), Shah 'Abd al-'Aziz (d.1824), and Sayyid Ahmad
Barelwi (d.1831). This part of its spiritual lineage brought the Naqshbandi
order into direct confrontation with the colonial authorities as it did in other
349 Ref “Sufism In India: Its origin, history and politics” by R. Upadhyay; © SAAG, 2004.
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parts of the world.
Shah Wali Ullah, a prominent Muslim thinker of 18th century who shaped
the destiny of Indian Muslims was also a Sufi of Naqshbandi order. He
invited Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler to invade India to stop what
he thought as subjugation of Muslims in the hands of Hindus. While
formulating the contours of his mystical ideology, he transformed the
Islamic mysticism to a theopolitical concept for supremacy of Islam and for
political power to the Sunnis. His doctrine for internal unity of Muslims
through complete adherence to pure Islam was only to fight against the
infidels and for reestablishment of assertive Islamic political power. His
ideology had no scope to accommodate any order of non-Islamic
mysticism, which he regarded unhealthy. He tried to comb out all the
foreign influences, such as neo-Platonism and Vedantism from Islamic
mysticism. Carving out a new path for Sufism he became an active Islamist
with a sole objective for resurgent Sunni political power in Delhi. (A History
of Sufism in India, Vol. II, by Rizvi, page 259). Wali Ullah synthesized the
three major Sufi orders namely Qadari, Chisti and Naqsh-bandi to unite
the Muslim society against the Hindus. Like Shaykh Ahmad Sirhind; he was
also against the presence of Hindu employees in the administration of
Muslim rulers.
Sayyid Ahmad Barelavi, a disciple of Abd al Aziz, (the son of Shah Wali
Ullah) continued the tradition of Wali Ullah by synthesizing the three major
Sufi orders" (The Sufi orders in Islam by Spencer Trimingham, Oxford,
1971, Page 129). He launched armed jehad against the non-Muslims but
was killed in the battle of Balkot against Sikh leader Ranjit Singh. Karamat
Ali, a disciple of Sayed Ahmad Barelavi further developed the ideology for
purifying Islam from the influences of Hindu customs and traditions. 'His
work largely paved the way for the establishment of the organization
which has more recently been developed under the name of Ahl-I-
350
Hadith' (People of Hadith). (“Indian Islam” by Murray Titus, 1979, p.186)
350 A reform movement in India in 19th century. It acknowledged only Hadith for interpreting Qur'an.
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( G) New- Vedanta: During the British rule (c.1818-1947), Vedanta

351
philosophy was adopted by many movements and their protagonists
aiming to reform and revive the religious and philosophical traditions of
India. Nationalist leader like Tilak and the spiritual leader like Vivekananda
adopted this oldest native philosophy by emphasizing action oriented
karmayoga of gItA. Here 'righteous conduct' and 'selfless service' was
equated with renunciation. This active outward looking realization rather
than passive inward looking contemplation was considered to be the true
message of Vedanta. Vivekananda (1863-1902) propounded this message
at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, USA (1894) and thereafter
in India. Here, individual self-interest transcended into increasingly bigger
spheres of personal, familial, communal, societal, and national welfare.
Ideologically, it could claim to expand its vision further, to be global in the
aupaniShad spirit of “vasudhaiva kuTuMbakam” (universal brotherhood),
and in the RRigvaidika spirit of “ekam sat viprA bahudhA vadanti” [of the
One Being, sages speak in diverse ways].
351 Such as (1) Brahmo Sabha (Samaj) (c.1828) of Ramamohan Roy (17721833) in Bengal; (2)
Prarthana Samaj (c.1867) founded and guided by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, Sir R. G. Bhandarkar,
Narayan Chandavarkar, Justice Ranade et al in Maharashtra; (3) Arya Samaj (c.1875) of
Dayananda Saraswati (182483) in Punjab.
Raja Rammohan Roy, the initiator of Brahmo Samaj, is said to be the pioneer of modern Indian
renaissance. By introducing Western ideas of liberal democracy and reaffirming his faith in Advaita
Vedanta, he gave a sense of direction to the course of India’s future social development. He was a
social reformer moved primarily by considerations of humanity. It was as a result of his persistent
campaign that the cruel custom of Sati was declared illegal in 1829 by Lord Bentinck. He also
advocated widow remarriage, and property rights for women. He studied the Upanishads and the
Sutras. He set up in 1817, the Hindu College, the first college of modern (post medieval) India in
collaboration with David Hare and Alexander Duff. He also setup Vedanta College offering courses
as a synthesis of Western and Indian learning.
Dayananda Saraswati was a reformer with difference. He unequivocally condemned idolworship,
animal sacrifices, ancestor worship, pilgrimages, priestcraft, offerings made in temples, the caste
system, untouchability, child marriages and discrimination against the women on the grounds that
all these lacked vaidika sanction. He discouraged dogma and symbolism and encouraged
skepticism in beliefs that run contrary to common sense and logic. Dayananda was the first to
proclaim “India for Indians”. One of his notable disciples was Shyamji Krishan Verma who founded
India House in London and guided other revolutionaries. His other disciples were Sw.
Shraddhanada, Lala Lajapatrai and many freedom fighters who got their inspiration from his
'Satyartha Prakash'. Though Dayananda gave the call “back to Veda”, he was not enthused by
Vedanta; he took it to be an escapist and other worldly outlook.
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352
This sublimation of self had a long Indic tradition. In its final stage
individual self identifies itself with the cosmic consciousness to realize the
Self [Atman] and to become selfless in the absolute sense of Advaita.
BG's karmayoga has a message - 'fight for the right' [dharma yuddha] as a
part of one's duty without favor or fervor. On the other hand, MB in which
BG is embedded, posits the principle “ahiMsA paramo dharmaH” [non-
violence is the highest religion] at several places. These apparently
contradictory principles of dharma yuddha [righteous war] and ahiMsA
353
[nonviolence] are made to stand side-by-side in BG and MB. The
karmayoga enshrining these principles gave impetus to the Indian freedom
movement in two ways. The concept of dharmayuddha as a nonviolent
struggle to establish righteousness was articulated by Gandhi as
satyAgraha [firm demand for the truth]. On the other hand, for
revolutionary freedom fighters, this espousal did not necessarily exclude
physical or material violence to the foes.
In karmayoga, righteousness (dharma) is extremely important. shAstra

tried to define the dharma time and again (see f. n. of section 4.2). In
modern times perhaps no other Indian politician took dharma as seriously
as Gandhi. However, he reserved the right to interpret the scriptures and
to understand the spirit behind the scriptural words in light of his own
conscience which, by his own admission, was framed by gItA and yama
354
traditions of yoga. . Yet, Gandhi was only following Hindu code in its true
355
spirit. His conscience or the 'inner voice' as he called it, was the
352 Concept of 'universal welfare' as the signature of enlightenment was probably articulated first time
in Indian tradition by Buddhist Pali canon. It might had been there earlier in yogika and vaiShNava
traditions, but its known articulation in PY and maho.apaniShad is posterior to Buddha
353 This internal conflict between the concepts of 'righteousness' and 'nonviolence' is discussed in MB
(shAntiparva). In general, MB and BG can be seen as moving towards universal moral order and
justice, though these concepts, particularly justice, are obscured in kArmika theology.
354 He proclaimed himself to be an orthodox [sanAtanI] Hindu. He believed in Hindu scriptures, yama
niyama, varNAshrama, Atmanbrahman unity, permanence of Atman, karmalaw, rebirth, and
moxa. Further, 'cow protection' for him was the most important outward manifestation of Hinduism.
He was comfortable with icon worship. His conscience was shaped by two of the yamas: ahiMsA
(nonviolence) and satya (truth). (Ref “Hindu Dharma” by Gandhi; Pub. Orient Paperbacks, 1978).
355 Gandhi said, "My belief in the Hindu scriptures does not require me to accept every word and
every verse as divinely inspired... I decline to be bound by any interpretation, however learned it
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expression of viveka, the foremost virtue in Vedanta'. For him it was a

deeply moral concept.
If we synthesize the 'proactive realization' of Vivekananda, and 'moral

conscience' of Gandhi with (classical) Advaita we get the essential
elements of the so called “New Vedanta” [NV], though these features were
present in one or the other Indic tradition:
1. prasthAnatraya (Upanishads, BG, and BS) are the source books of NV

metaphysics and ethics. They are open to ALL regardless of cast, class,
gender, or race. sha.nkara's commentaries have the foundational
status, but sAdhaka can follow any Agamika scripture insofar it teaches
the purport of Atman = brahman.
2. NV strives to firm up sadasad viveka of the 'aspirant' [sAdhaka]. It is the

faculty which discriminates what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' within the
guiding principles of Truth and Non-violence in yama (yoga) tradition.
This viveka helps the aspirant to consolidate other virtues of sAdhana-
chatuShTaya (4-means) of Vedanta.
3. Self realization process is both inward focused and outward looking:
hearing [shravaNa], pondering [manana], yearning [nididhyAsa] go
along with 'selfless service' [niShkAma karma]. It is an active spiritual
quest – not letting things happen, but causing them to happen without
appropriating their doer-ship.
4. NV expands the sphere of self interest from 'me and mine' to 'we and
ours' by transcending the notions of family, cast-community, class, and
society and finally encompassing all 'beings' to identify with cosmic
356
Self. It equates charity and compassion to the percept of service to
the Self within all beings. Equanimity is an advanced stage in this path
of Self realization.
may be, if it is repugnant to reason or moral sense". This rational expression is not much different
than the advice in the 6th century scriptural text yoga vAsiShTha (YOV 2.18.3): Though human in
origin, the exposition of the truth is to be accepted; otherwise even what is regarded as divine
revelation is to be rejected. Also, ref manusaMhitA 2.1 (हरदयेनाभयानु जातो यो धमरसत िनबोधत).
356 This is also the traditional Vedanta position (see VC 339).
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5. In its more liberal form; NV can borrow techniques from other traditions,
Indic or otherwise, without violating the yama commands; particularly
of truth and non-violence. In that sense NV will be culturally neutral
within the over all framework of austerity and equanimity. It shall be
open towards secular disciplines including science and arts insofar as
357
they help the Seeker in her path of Self-realization.
358
(H) New-Advaita and Science: The 'doctrine of Advaita ' can be
359
summed up in the language of science and metaphysics:
(1) Phenomenal Universe (PU) including Body+Mind+Intellect (BMI) of

360 361
'Intelligent Beings (IBs)' is inexplicable or indeterminate ;
362 363
(2) There exists an 'irreducible ' and 'immeasurable ' entity X, without
which IBs and PU do not exist.
The second statement does not come under the purview of science,
though both statements together provide two important scientific pointers:
(a) Indeterminacy of PU and (b) Irreducibility of X without which IB loses its
qualifying property of empirical awareness. Entity X then, is called
Consciousness or Awareness.
Indeterminacy of PU: The first pointer is acceptable to science inasmuch

as all current major scientific theories are valid only within invariant limit
positions beyond which (and due to which) the concept of PU becomes
357 Aurobindo (18721950) interpreted RV and UP afresh, taking clues from the science and meta
physics to develop what is some times known as Integrated Advaita (ref 'The Life Divine' 1939)
358 “बरह सतय जगिनमथया जीवो बरहैव नापरः” (see 0.0: Introduction). “ जीवो बरहैव नापरः” is the absolute identity of
'substratum of jIva' (Atman) and 'substratum of jagat' (brahman).
359 NV obviously cannot be a 'consistent and complete formalism that has been ruled out by Godel's
Theorems (1931). It can however, aspire to be as consistent as any other metaphysical theory.
360 IB: BMI which is capable of 'qualitative' experience. In Advaita, BMI itself is experienced in the
framework of subjectobject duality, and is a part of PU.
361 PU is subjectively experienced but no definitive ontological statement can be made about PU.
362 That which cannot be formulated using the laws of physics and in the language of mathematics.
363 That which cannot be measured or quantified (objectified). In Vedanta the term 'object' assumes a
different connotation in its subjectobject framework. That which can be subjectively experienced
is objective. That which cannot be objectified is then: (a) subjectively nonexperiential (non
phenomenal or noumenal); (b) directly and immediately experiential, in which, by assumption
there is no subject (Iness, ego). The later postulation ascribes fundamental status to 'direct
experience' (anubhava), moving closer to other panentheist Schools like pratyabhiGYA.
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indeterminate. For example, there is maximum finite speed in Special

Relativity, minimum non-zero action in Quantum Theory, minimum non-
zero entropy in Thermodynamics, and maximum finite force in General
Relativity. These fundamental limits result in minimum and maximum
bounds for all phenomenal observables in PU and lead to indeterminacy in
terms of space-time and energy-momentum. At the extremal scale,
phenomenal entities cannot be distinguished or separated from each other
and we cannot make any definitive statement about their existence.
Astrophysical 'Black Hole' singularity is a typical and popular example of
such indeterminacy. As a consequence, the concept of PU in its totality
becomes undefinable and inexplicable.
Indeterminacy of Experience: Not only we cannot make any definitive

statement about the PU beyond limit positions; even within observable
limits, it is not possible to make precise and definitive statements about
our phenomenal experience. We cannot measure and explain the
perceptual-phenomenal properties of objects except outlining the
processes behind their occurrence. We may identify brain or nervous
system as the basis of our experience; still, we cannot explain the
subjective quality of our experience (qualia) such as greenness of the
grass, pain of a pinch, fragrance of a flower, or sadness of separation from
our beloved.
Currently the most formidable problem for the cognitive scientist is the
Hard Problem of Awareness - How a qualitative experience whose
364
conceptual basis is Awareness can be explained in terms of its
neurological-material basis. If neural state N is the neural basis of the
sensation of red, why is N the basis of that experience rather than some
other experience or none at all? (Nagel 1974, Levine 1983, Block 1995,
Chalmers 1996, Searle 1998). The so called hard problem sees an
epistemic (explanatory) gap between neurological-conceptual domain and
364 In Advaita, Awareness is conceptualized as a substratum experience without any phenomenal
content. This is different than its normal usage in modern day philosophy where it is frequently
equated with an ability to experience or the experience itself.
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phenomenal-perceptual domain which is typically and subjectively

characterized by the qualia. Reductionists resist this gap and approach the
hard problem through conceptualization and modeling, while non-
reductionists acknowledge the irreducible nature of this gap and assign it a
kind of fundamental status. In such proposals, generally (1) empirical
awareness is a fundamental feature of the world, like space-time and
mass-energy, entailing that phenomenal properties themselves are
fundamental; or (2) empirical awareness in itself is not fundamental, but is
necessitated by some more primitive proto-phenomenal entity X which is
365
located at the fundamental level of physical reality. (Russell 1926, Feigl
1958/67, Maxwell 1929, Chalmers 1996, Griffin 1998, Strawson 2000,
Vellmans 2008). This proto-phenomenal entity X is labeled as Awareness.
WC, BMI, and Substantial Monism of UNF: In Advaita, knowledge

comes only as experience. This experience can be roughly divided into (a)
sensory perception; (b) experience of self; (c) memory; and (d)
abstraction (intellect). The later three categories are exclusively
associated with what we call as mind-intellect (MI) while the first one
(sensory perception) has both mind (internal) part and sense organs
(external interface) that collect sense data which, at least in human
beings, have five main perceptual properties. This entire experience is
available through the complex of BMI to the IB. In Vedanta, IB can be
conceptually mapped onto five-sheaths; the first two outer sheaths are
gross body and its processual functions (related to B part of BMI), the
interior two sheaths roughly correspond to Mind and Intellect (MI part of
BMI), and the fifth inner sheath corresponds to bliss which, for our
purpose; we will take as Witness-Consciousness (WC) as will be explained
later. This BMI as well as the whole PU is made of five basic and subtle
evolutes, each of which is evolved from, and having perceptual properties
366
of its predecessor, in addition to having perceptual property of its own.
365 “Consciousness and its Place in Nature” by David Chalmers [Published in (S. Stich and F.
Warfield, eds) “Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Mind” (Blackwell, 2003)].
366 In pa.nchIkaraNa; space (sound), air (sound, touch), fire (sound, touch, vision), water (sound,
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The original element, if it can be called as such, is unmanifested, from

which other perceptual elements evolve and devolve into. In the cosmic
evolution-devolution cycle this protomental entity – “unevolved,
unseparated name and forms” (UNF) is the origin of PU. The subtle
elements combine in various ways to form gross objects of PU including
367
BMI. Since everything evolves from UNF, it is the basic stuff of which the
PU is made of in the reductionist sense. UNF's relationship with X is
undefinable. On one hand, being unmanifested, UNF does not have any
property distinguishing it from X other than it being the basic cause (seed)
of the PU. The ontological status of UNF is indeterminate insofar it is not
manifested, making the PU indeterminate in the reductive sense.
Certain Schools of Vedanta term the causality or potency of UNF as 'Primal

Ignorance' (PI) or Maya, an entity of a 'positive kind' insofar as it notionally
projects itself into the plurality of phenomenal objects. Others see it as
basic cognitive error which they term as Ignorance and which for them is
nothing but lack of Knowledge wherein X is confused (superimposed) with
something else. The advocates of primal Ignorance often formulate
'auxiliary ignorance' (ai) which is an “error within an error” wherein an
Object O1 or its properties are confused with Object O2 or its properties
such as a “rope in semi-darkness is seen as a snake” or a “clear crystal is
seen as colored one” etc. When the primal Ignorance is removed the
auxiliary ignorance is automatically removed; but it is not the other way
368
round.
In the evolutionary cycle, protomentality of UNF is manifested in certain
touch, vision, taste), and earth (sound, touch, vision, taste, smell) are five subtle elements with
their respective perceptual qualities that originate from the unmanifest and form the gross objects
of PU. This theory does not come under the immediate purview of science due to its essential
perceptualunmeasurable nature; however its metaphysical purport should not be missed.
367 One may call all gross objects which evolve from UNF as psychophysical to bring out their dual
aspect that of 'protomentality' and of 'perceptual physicality'. One may also call such objects as
phenomenal whether they have perceivable (perceptual) properties or conceivable (measurable)
properties they remain phenomenal as such, to be cognized by subjective internal organ or mind.
Conventionally, the later measurable aspect is termed as objective reality.
368 As an alternative terminology, nonSelf at the cosmic level is termed as Maya and at the individual
level is termed as Ignorance; however, various subSchools use differing terminologies.
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369
organic-biological-cellular systems in the form of MI within the
framework of subject-object duality. In general, Advaita is careful to
distinguish between the B part and MI part of BMI apparatus; they are
arranged into distinct layers separated by the intermediate processual
370
layer. Interestingly, this keeps Advaita open to the possibility that bi-
directional interaction between MI and B parts takes place through a
processual interface, a position which is compatible with today's process
centric trends. Ontological unity of B and MI layers dissolves the
metaphysical problem of mind-body interaction which other wise has
troubled many post-Descartes meta-physicists due to their Cartesian
beliefs.
Since MI itself can be experienced in terms of phenomenal attributes such

as emotions, thinking etc, and in that sense can be objectified; the pure
subject is said to be devoid of phenomenal content and is known as
Witness-Consciousness (WC). It is the combination of (WC+MI) that
knows, feels, and wills. It is the WC which imparts quality (qualia) and
371
integrity (I-ness) to IB's experience; and bridges the epistemic gap, so
to say, between subjective experience and objective (quantifiable) reality.
Advaita uses the simile of light for X as well for WC. X is the source of light
common to all IBs while WC is like a light reflected in individual BMI; light
of X and of WC are not different, though its applicability in WC seems to be
limited to particular IB.
The notion of WC plays a unique role in Advaita's metaphysics. Although,
369 It is reasonable to assume that subtle elements inherit certain protomentality from UNF which
manifests as MI in the BMI complex. Even in 'external' insentient objects this protomentality can
be seen. For example, objects' motion in spacetime follows “least action principle” objects move
in a manner that minimizes change. This demands a kind of holistic intelligence on parts of
objects and its surroundings to chart out object's motion. Similarly, at the microphysical level
quantum particles show certain protomentality in their behavior. However, this mentality, in all
probability, is not sentient – it does not have qualia and intellect.
370 The prANamayakosha which is responsible for biomotor functions.
371 WC is equated with the “inmost core or the essential nature of IB (परतयगातमा)”. Empiricallyrationally
(and yet paradoxically) WC exists amidst Ignorance – like a Bliss in the deep sleep or Bliss of the
inmost core of pa.nchakosha (BMI+reflected Awareness), beyond which; It is the Self (Atman).
Cognitionperceptionqualia is an enigma to science, where WC can play a useful role.
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WC remains a 'passive observer', it has a peculiar type of effect on BMI.

WC's mere presence makes the BMI sentient and transform it into IB.
According to Advaita, WC is present all the times in IB, even in deep
372
sleep. It is the basis of IB's experience as the sentient (intelligent) being.
WC's manifestation is an 'illusion' or 'reflection' of X in MI depending on a
particular line of Advaita that one would follow. Advaita does not ascribe
doer-ship (causality) to X or to WC thereby ensuring a causal closure of
the material world for all practical purpose. It dissolves the mind-body
causality problem by bringing both the mutually interacting body and the
mind on the same ontological platform as we have seen earlier. However,
conscious actions - whether cognitive, affective, or conative are possible
only when BMI exists as a processual complex and is 'in touch' with X.
In Advaita's theory of direct perception, mind is like an insentient non-

metric topological space which goes out of senses, pervades the external
object which is being proximally perceived and acquires its phenomenal
qualities in reflected light of WC. The perceptuality of proximal objects
consists in their not being different from the perceiving mind illumined by
the 'subject' (WC). This non-difference causes the immediacy of the
experience which otherwise is missing from the inferential experience such
as contemplation or memory. This immediacy is possible due to one basic
stuff (UNF) of which the universe is composed has the potential to
manifest both physically and as conscious experience, basking in the light
of X.
This model tries to answer the question which modern mind-theorists are
grappling with: Given that the proximal neural causes and correlates of
experiences are inside the brain, how can one explain the fact that most of
372 Continuity of IB's total experience in the form of memory and ego is attributed to continued
presence of WC in all the living states, even in deep sleep. WC notionally experiences itself
inasmuch as it experiences Bliss of the deep sleep and at the same time experiences Ignorance
because it is unable to illumine the mind which has merged into its cause in UNF. The complex
of (WC+UNF) individuated in IB is the radical adjunct which is the origin of other two states
(waking and dream). (WC+UNF) transfers the experience of deep sleep as a reminiscence in the
wakeful state of IB, sustaining the essential processes of BMI during the deep sleep.
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our visual experience seems to take place outside the brain? We know that
preconscious brain processes, interacting with events in the external
world, produce consciously experienced events, which may be subjectively
located and extended in the phenomenal space beyond the brain, but we
don’t really know how this is done. Holograms provide an analogy.
A Hologram encodes a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional

surface. This image is perceived to be out in space, in front of its two-
dimensional surface provided that it is viewed from an appropriate
(frontal) position and it is illuminated by an appropriate (frontal) source of
light. Viewed from any other perspective the only information one can
detect about the object is in the complex interference patterns encoded on
the holographic plate. In analogous fashion, the information in the neural
“projection hologram” is displayed as a visual, three-dimensional object
out in space only when it is viewed from the appropriate, first-person
perspective of the perceiving subject. This happens only when the
necessary and sufficient conditions for consciousness are satisfied (when
there is ‘illumination by an appropriate source of light’). Viewed from any
other third-person perspective the information in IB's ‘hologram' appears
to be nothing more than neural representations in the brain (interference
373
patterns on the plate).
This analogy can be extended to 4-dimensional (4-d) universe of

spacetime and even to supra-dimensional models of contemporary
374
physics. In Holographic Conjecture (HC), the states of a Quantum Field
Theory (QFT) defined over a spacetime manifold of (N+1) dimensions are
projected (one-to-one mapped) onto the states of another QFT defined
over space-time manifold of 'N' dimensions. In hologram, the 2-d
projection of a 3-d object, when properly illumined by light, is accessible
373 “A new synthesis: reflexive monism” in “Understanding Consciousness”, Editor and Author Max
Vellmans, (Routledge 2009).
374 Spacetime continuum of 3spatial dimensions and 1time dimension is conceptualized in
Einstein's General Relativity (GR). There are however, other models in which spacetime (or
whatever one may decide to call it) have 1011 dimensions or even more of them. Some of these
dimensions are said to be curled up; they are so small that they cannot be detected!
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again in 3-d space. Similarly the 3-d projection of a 4-d world-reality is

accessible in 4-d space-time to an observer (IB) which has access to
fourth dimension of time in the light of supra-dimensional X. IB's body is in
the 3-d space while what we call as mind is the fourth dimensional, time-
like aspect of individual IB which becomes sentient only when IB's mind
375
'reflects' X. X is thus the basis of IB's experience of PU.
WC and CWC as Reducing Agents: In Advaita, relation between X on

one side, and IB and PU on the other side is existential rather than causal.
This relationship can be explored within the framework of science by
following the pointers available in Quantum Physics. T he quantum wave
function representing the physical reality evolves in two ways: Unitary
evolution [U] in superposed states, and nonlinear Reduction [R] which
reduces U to the non-superposed physical reality. Here, U is deterministic
ongoing process, while R is nondeterministic 'measurement' process. Since
the physical measuring apparatus including Observer's body has
propensity to be part of the U process, WC as the pure non-physical
subject ultimately reduces U and enables IB to experience the PU. This
reduction by WC however, cannot be attributed to normal causality of
physics where basic forces and their particle interactions form the basis of
causality. The concept of localized reduction can be 'notionally' extended
to cosmic reduction where cosmic WC (CWC) ensures that the PU is not an
entangled soup of particles and objects retain their separate identity by
initiating non-local (cosmic) reduction.
The rationale for postulating CWC can also be explained within the
framework of Vedanta's pan-psychic disposition. PU ultimately has to be
cognized in its entirety to comply with Vedanta's epistemic hypothesis -
375 In 4d universe, 3d space is the surface on which the supra dimensional reality is projected. In
Advaita the simile of “World being painted on a canvas or wall (fresco)” has often been used. Its
first reference in the extant Advatia literature comes in sha.nkara's US 15.2; then prominently in
vimuktAtman's IS 1.1, and vidyAraNya's PD (Ch6). There however, all pervading Consciousness
(X) is taken as the wall or canvas because in It exist all other things and on It is superimposed
everything. In the context of direct experience, 'perceptual projection' find analog in Advaita's
'objectivised mind pervasion' while 'holographic projection' find analog in Advaita's adhyAsa.
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“experience is existence”. Awareness that provides foundation to this

experience has to be eternal and limitless because cosmic experience
cannot brook limitations inasmuch as they contradict the totality of PU
which is also the totality of space-time-causality. Further, the experience
of PU has to be direct and correct (non-contradicted) because; mediate
knowledge and cognitive error are limitations of some kind which violate
the totality of PU. Such a Cosmic subject for whom the entire PU is an
object is CWC. The relation between CWC and PU is similar to that between
WC and BMI. WC with individual mind knows, feels, and wills in the
respective anthropocentric slice of the Cosmos, while CWC with cosmic
mind is hypothesized to be omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. PU's
manifest existence depends on CWC which is nothing but X reflected in
cosmic mind. Ultimately; PU, WC, and CWC are IB's notions which last till IB
reflects X. What remains permanent and unaltered is X, whose
manifestation in the form of PU is subjectively experienced by IB.
X- realization: Every moment when IB is directly perceiving something, it

376
is mediately experiencing X. When IB 'realizes' that its whole experience
377
is a manifestation of X; it becomes liberated; its ego is dissolved. This
liberation is paradigmatic and epistemic inasmuch as IB is physically
associated with BMI. IB's ontological Liberation happens when its link with
the BMI is finally snapped; when IB is said to be empirically dead.
Panentheism: Advaita doctrine can be interpreted in various alternative

ways resorting neither to illusionist non-dualism which is Advaita's
mainstream interpretation nor to qualified non-dualism which has been
adapted by other Vedanta sub-Schools. For example, Advaita can be
376 Using well known 'ropesnake' analogy; the nonperception of X (rope) may be called (1) 'mediate
perception', it being hidden behind appearance of something, or (2) 'immediate perception', it
being the result of 'first sense contact' with the 'object' – it is a matter of viewpoint.
377 Subjectivity persists till WC/X is reflected in IB to maintain the quality and integrity of experience.
According to at least one traditional text (VC 462463); Realization leads to 'total cessation' of
subjectobject duality by complete dissolution of ego. In such case, if the BMI is still capable of
qualitative experience, that experience itself assumes a fundamental status leading to 'qualified
nondualism'. Otherwise, it leads to the concept of “philosophicalzombie” – “functional IB without
qualia” (Nagel 1970, Kirk 74, Chalmers 96), which remains unobserved in the physical world.
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expressed as a substantial monism – Everything is (made of) X. This is

approached in more than one ways from the relative-rational position, viz.
(1) UNF and X are non-differentiable within themselves and from each
other; (2) PU is the manifestation of X; (3) X is the 'noumenal substratum'
of PU etc.
378
Advaita can be interpreted in a panenthestic manner where 'infinitude X'
379
subsumes 'infinitude PU' without any change in X. This shows
equivalence between Advaita and other panenthesist Indic Schools like
Trika and shuddhAdvaita.
Holistic Interdependence: Madhyamaka approach of 'dependent

origination' is quite acceptable to KA, insofar as all objects are individually
dependent on something else other than themselves. KA and Madhyamaka
however, part company when KA insists that it is the X due to which PU in
380
its totality is sustained, while Madhyamaka nominalizes X.
The Madhyamaka approach of 'holistic interdependence' is reflected in the

famous “Mach conjecture” which is sometimes stated as follows: Object's
inertia is the property of its matter as well distribution of matter in the rest
of PU. The argument leading to this hypothesis runs something like this: A
single body in an otherwise empty PU will experience no external force
since there is nothing external to the object. It would have indeterminate
motion since there is no concept of distance. This situation leads to the
conclusion that mass of an object which is the measure of its inertia would
381
reduce to zero in an otherwise empty PU. Thus, a 'single' body would
378 X transforms itself into PU without consuming itself. Both are aspects of the same reality – X is
both the transcendent and the immanent principle.
379 BU 5.1 can be taken as an example. We can use the concept of infinity as simile – 'infinitude X'
(cardinality of infinite superset X) is not affected by adding or subtracting 'infinitude PU' (cardinality
of the infinite proper subset of X). Though setsimile is generally not applicable to PU/X; universal
set U = {x | x = x} may represent both X and PU, if 'x' and the 'set membership' is interpreted
appropriately. Further, even if PU is finite as in CU 7.24.1; the same simile holds because infinitude
of X is not affected in any case. In both cases PU is limitless, whether infinite or otherwise. Along
with BU 5.1; RV 10.90, BU 5.14, MU 2.1.2, BG 8.2022, BG 9.46, BG 9.19, BG 15.1215 etc are
some of the other mantras that can be interpreted in panentheistic manner.
380 Processual approach akin to bhAvachakradharmachakra of Buddhism is clearly discernible in SU
1.46, though the difference between the two is evident in SU 6.1.
381 Since “force = mass x acceleration”, and acceleration here is indeterminate.
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have no 'independent' and materially 'objective' existence! Mach

conjecture is the articulation of this line of thinking which sees inertia of a
body as the result of its interaction with the rest of PU. Mass then is not
entirely an intrinsic property of a particle, but also owes its origin to the
matter distribution of PU; thus giving expression to the holistic nature of
PU. There are gravitational and cosmological models directly incorporating
382
Mach hypothesis. These models are not as popular as the so called
383
Einstein-Friedmann models among the scientist community; they
however, provide some important insights into the gray areas of
Friedmann's models. This Bauddha approach of holistic interdependence
works insofar as it is observable and verifiable in the empirical world. It
however, does not solve the hard problem of Consciousness and to that
extent yields the ultimate ground to X.
Science as Discrimination Process: Todays world of science is populated by

384
many theories and models. Reductionists hope to reduce them to a
single self-consistent theory that would encompass all the 'measurable'
reality. New-Vedanta (NV) shall be non-committal to any particular
scientific model. It shall be open towards all the models or theories insofar
as they are internally consistent and explain the empirical phenomenon
within the scientific framework. NV may use method of science – that is
382 One such Machian model by HoyleNarlikar (HN) goes along with the line of “action at a distance”
electromagnetic theory which was shown to be relativistically consistent by Schwarzschild,
Tetrode, Fokker (1930), and was made use of by WheelerFeynman in their radiation absorption
theory (1945). HN theory derives equations of Einstein's General Relativity [GR] as a special
case. It avoids singularities of Friedman models and apply processual dynamics to the 'creation'.
383 Models based on Friedmann's expanding universe solutions (192224) of Einsteins GR equations.
384 The “Standard Model” of 20th century is the most successful of them. By 1950, four basic forces
(Gravity, ElectroMagnetic (EM), Strong, and Weak) were conceived. General Relativity (GR) and
Quantum ElectroDynamics (QED) explained the first two forces respectively while later two
nuclear forces were not well formulated by that time. By 1975 the standard model was evolved to
explain all four forces: (1) Matter is made of 12 fundamental particles: 6 quarks + 6 leptons; (2) EM
and Weak forces are aspects of a single Electroweak force and Strong force is a residual color
force between quarks and gluons; (3) Forces are mediated by exchange of 12+1(?) particles: 8
gluons + 2 Ws + Z0 + photon + graviton. The present model however, is dominated by two rather
incompatible theories GR of the large, and Quantum Theory of the small. Efforts are on to
integrate them and formulate a new quantum theory of gravity which would offer only one force
and thus 'unify' physics. The aim is to find a single coherent theory which would explain everything
that can be 'measured' and 'recorded' and express it in the language of mathematics.
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cyclic “observation, postulation, experimentation, analysis, and

verification” as an open ended discrimination schema. Knowledge qua
knowledge will not accumulate karma-phala; hence the lower order (parA)
knowledge of any scientific discipline ultimately should lead, at least in
principle, to higher order (aparA) Knowledge due to the essential unity in
385
nature postulated by Vedanta itself. Pursuit of objective truth can be part
of the pursuit of ultimate truth if accompanied with equanimity and
386
austerity.
Godelian Indeterminacy: Phenomenal reality has three interconnected

aspects: material-mental-mathematical (m-m-m) or physical-psychical-
platonic (p-p-p). Can these aspects in their totality be 'described' by
science, in the language of mathematics or logic? For example, can there
be a logical 'theory of everything' (TOE)? The answer seems to be in the
negative for Turing computable logic to which the science is accustomed.
Kurt Godel in his “incompleteness Theorem” (1931) showed that no

387
'logical system' can prove all the true arithmetical propositions . Thus, for
a non-trivial formal system F (with a formal language, set of axioms, and
inference rules), it is possible to construct a so called Godel sentence G(F)
with following properties:
● G(F) is a sentence of F but cannot be proved within F

● If F is consistent, then G(F) is true.
385 Even science (Physics) provide enough indicators of unity by way of (1) equivalence of matter and
energy and (2) interrelationship of spacetime and energymomentum These are the aspects of
only One entity by whichever name we decide to call it. The modern metaphysics also give
speculative pointers towards the fundamental nature of Awareness in which the essential unity of
all phenomenal objects is held. As such study of these disciplines without any motive (other than
curiosity) should lead us to the path of Self realization if accompanied by traditional fourfold
means. tattvajiGYAsA or mumuxatva then becomes the most important virtue of '4fold means'.
386 NV will accept any method that will lead to 'mindpurification'. This may include Yogic Meditation,
Vaishnava Bhakti, ShaivaShakta Upaya, Bauddha Vipassana, Sufi Murqaba etc. Thus, any ego
less contemplation can be part of the process of chittashuddhi. As an example, contemplation on
e=mc^2 can be as useful as any other traditional meditation, though obviously the traditional
method will be much easier to follow. The indicators of success are (1) consolidation of fourfold
means, and (2) equanimity as a sign of dissolution of ego.
387 Kart Godel was AustrianHungerian logician (19061978). A contemporary Polish logician Alfred
Tarski (190183) proved the analogous Undefinability Theorem which informally states: “No formal
Language is strongly and semantically selfrepresentational”.
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388
In an analogous way, Godel-Turing based on Cantor's 'diagonal slash
389 390
argument', informally states that no Turing Machine (TM) can ever
prove the non-computability of all the mathematical-logical propositions.
This is usually formulated in terms of Halting Problem: Will the execution
of an algorithm (computation) eventually halt 'successfully' or will it run
for ever? Godel-Turing proved that for any algorithm 'A' that purports to
solve halting problem; there will always be a computation C whose halt
cannot be predicted by A.
391
Godel-Turing logic runs like this:
(1) Let Cq(n) be the family of 'feasible' computations running on TM for

n = 1, 2, 3, … and q = 1, 2, 3, … Let A(q, n) be the algorithm that
stops when Cq(n) is ascertained as non-terminating.
(2) For q = n; if A(n, n) terminates then Cn(n) does not terminate. Since
A(n, n) is dependent on only one number, A(n) must be one of the
computations of the Cq family which enlist all computations on
number 'n'.
(3) Let, the particular computation of (2) be Ck. So, A(n, n) = Ck(n)
(4) Again for n=k, we have from (3), A(k, k) = Ck(k), so that;
(5) If A(k, k) terminates, Ck(k) does not terminate.
(6) From (4) and (5), if Ck(k) terminates, then Ck(k) does not terminate.
(7) To avoid contradiction in (6), Ck (= A(k, k)) cannot terminate.
We see that A(q, n) which is machine-designed to ascertain the halting of

Cq(n) cannot do so. Do (6) and (7) suggest something more than what
Godel-Turing theorems are stating explicitly? Do they suggest that the
human intuition is not computable? - or working of mind itself is beyond
388 Alan Turing, an English LogicianComputation Scientist. (19121954)
389 This is an argument put forth by Georg Cantor, a RussianGerman mathematician (b.18451918) to
show that there are infinite (uncountable) sets, which cannot be onetoone mapped onto the
infinite sets of natural numbers. This argument is used in both Godel's Incompleteness Theorems
and GodelTuring Computability Theorem.
390 A particular hypothetical machine conceived by Turing. For our purpose we can take it as general
purpose computer with 'large enough' memory.
391 Ref “Shadows of the Mind” by Roger Penrose (Ch2 on The Godelian Case)
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logic and computability?
To start with, one conclusion is inescapable; logical-mathematical systems

which are Turing computable, and on which all the normative scientific
models are based, are inadequate to validate the total reality of the world.
Scientific models will have some true statement(s) representing empirical
observation(s), which cannot be proved by the model, and to that extent
the reality remains unexplained.
One can make a further arguable case: Since some true statement(s) or
observation(s) conforming to any normative Logical Model LM, in principle,
will be known to us as such (as true), and since the same statement(s) or
observation(s) will never be ascertained by LM; our knowledge or intuition
cannot be totally simulated by the LM's logic. That is to say, working of our
392
mind, at least partly, is supra-logical or non-computable.
In any case, for a traditional Advaitin or Vedantin, science remains a

peripheral instrument that cannot replace the traditional ways of Self
-realization. The final truth (reality) for an Advaitin, traditional or
otherwise, is “Atman = brahman” which axiomatically remains beyond the
conceptuality (of science).
In the forgoing discussion we can roughly identify: X ~ आतमन् = बहन्; UNF ~

अवयक, अवयाकृत ~ PI ~ मूलािवदा, माया ~ PU ~ जगत्, िवशव; WC ~ सािक, संिवद्; IB ~
BMI+WC ~ वयकी, पंचकोश; WC+MI ~ जीव; Indescribable, Inexplicable ~
अिनवर चनीय, अदत
ू ~ Indeterminate, Ontologically Undefinable ~ िमथया; Subtle
elements ~ तनमात; BMI ~ अनमय+पाणमय+मनोमय+िवजानमय कोश; MI ~
मनोमय+िवजानमय कोश; (WC+UNF) ~ कारण शरीर; Science ~ िववेक पिकया; CWC ~
सवर सािक; Epistemic Liberation ~ जीवनमुिक; Ontological Liberation ~ िवदेहमुिक.
( I) Synopsis: The astronomical data in RV and the archaeologically

attested continuity of human settlements at some of the SSC sites suggest
that proto-HVC practices were prevalent since neolithic and chalcolithic
periods. Their canonization must have started after 4000BC, over the
392 For a counterargument see “Mystery of Consciousness” (1998) by John Searl (Ch4).
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anterior periods of mature SSC. If meditation and self inquiry are the first
step towards Self realization, its footprints appeared in SSC in 3rd
millennium BC. The archaeological artifacts of 'meditating pashupati', and
ubiquitous 'mother Goddess' suggest that this meditation could be part of
proto-shaiva-shAkta cults of prehistoric times.
The notion of 'mantra power' and “dadAmi te; dehi me” (give and take)
393
principle of vaidika sacrifices might had its origin in SSC. The fire altars,
adjacent public baths, and archaeological finds of perforated pottery for
sprinkling (of soma juice) suggest existence of sacrificial practices in
mature and late SSC. RV indicates canonization of certain crematory
practices (urn burial) and ashvamedha yaGYa (Horse sacrifice) – the
former attested by Cemetery-H finds of late SSC. This suggests that the
monistic speculations of RV, particularly nAsadIya sUkta and puruSha
394
sUkta, originated in the late SSC. Teachers' lists of BU indicate that
aupaniShad principle of Atman=brahman originated in the period of late or
final phase of SSC. It was the result of inquiry into the bodiless self to
whom the sacrificial credit would accrue. The same principle surfaced in AV
and in certain passages of brAhmaNa texts probably again in the late SSC,
though its compilation in UP took shape later during 800BC-500BC. The
compilation of UP prominently took place in G-Y doab, while major part of
the earliest Vedanga texts seem to have been canonized in S-S region.
Ironically the empirical nothingness of Atman (CU 6.12) and neti-neti
393 Even if RV mantra (that is Sanskrit language) is assumed to have nonautochthonous roots as

suggested by some present day lingual and philological models; the earliest eloquent expression
of the main idea of sacrifice – praising and pleasing the gods by words and deeds in anticipation of
'blessings' – was found in RV and its most elaborate (and often mechanistic and overstretched)
expression was found in brAhamaNa texts.
394 Veda seem to have followed a pattern of 'canonization based on tradition' rather than 'tradition
based on dogma'. AV canonized already existing tribal traditions of charms and sorcery. BU and
CU did the same when they described transmigration in pa.nchAgni vidyA which must have
notionally existed in GY doab even though it was not fully canonized in brahmaNas and RV. Thus,
(1) canonization of cremation practices in RV Bk10 by 1500BC1400BC, which were noticeable
archaeologically after c.1900BC, (b) synchronization of Bk10 with shantanudevApi of MB, and (3)
synchronization of the submerging of Bet Dwaraka in MB to 1500BC1400BC attested by marine
excavation, suggest that RV Bk10 in which nAsadIya sUkta and puruSha sUktas appear and MB
epic in general, must be projecting a time period 1900BC1400BC of late SSC.
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absoluteness of brahman (BU 4.2.4 etc.) found its echo in anAtmA and
shUnyatA of Buddhism that rejected Self. The followers of Buddha such as
mahAkAshyapa, maitreya, nAgarjuna, ashvaghoSha and asa.nga-
vasubandhu who shaped early Buddhism and founded mahAyAna Schools
were Brahmin converts. They brought in the knowledge of Veda and
Vedanta which directly (by way of adaption) or indirectly (by way of
395
rejection) influenced the Buddhist thinking. This influence was mutual; it
established two main Indic traditions during c.300BC-700: an essence
(Atman) based aupaniShad tradition and process (pratItyasamutpAda)
396
based bauddha tradition – both having universal purport. Their
metaphysical axioms are orthogonal to each other but their structural
development is isomorphically equivalent and converges into similar
positions. For example, The non-dualistic bauddha concepts like advaya
(non-dualism of subject and object), ajAta (non-origination), tathAgata-
garbha (origin of becoming), paramArtha satya (absolute reality), and
397
shUnyatA (attributelessness) correspond to similar Vedanta positions.
Buddhism rejects efficacy of sacrifices in general and disapproves animal
sacrifices in particular. Vedanta deprecates sacrifices in the path of
'realization' and accepts them in vyavahAra simply because Veda sanction
them. Both share the axiological concepts of meditation, renunciation,
moral actions, rebirth, and Liberation – these five soterial concepts along
with five ethical doctrines each of yama (Yoga ), vrata (Jainism), and shiila
395 Vedanta in this particular sense can be interpreted in the tertiary way – the break from the earlier
vaidika (liturgicalBrahmanical) traditions implying the literal end (rejection) of Veda by so called
heterodox Indic traditions such as Buddhism and Jainism. This is in addition to its primary and
secondary meaning of Vedanta as last and concluding part of Veda. Advaita Vedanta in this note
is used in this inclusive sense to address avaidika nondualist systems like those of Buddhism.
396 Buddhism is perhaps the most articulate 'process philosophy' of its times. Mahayana Buddhism is
one of the earliest traditions that offered the concept of 'universal welfare' (e.g. servetra sukhinaH
santu...) and 'brotherhood' (maitra). The vaiShNava concept of "वसुधैव कुटुंबकम्" and ethical
universalism of classical yoga appeared side by side. The principle of “ऋत" and of "एकं सत्...” of RV
however, are the oldest Indic expressions of universalism.
397 Toshifumi Goto speculates correspondence between ajara (ageless), amara (deathless), amRRita
(immortal), and abhaya (fearless) Atman of BU on one hand and four basic Aryasatya of Buddha
on the other. This may be explained by the possibility that compositionredaction of BU and
enlightenment of Buddha happened in the same Indic region of present day Bihar; they came from
the same culturalspiritual milieu (ref Goto 2005, Staal 2008).
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398
(Buddhism) have a common Hindu heritage . The HVC however, supports
the concept of 'righteous-war' which is absent in Bauddhist-Jain traditions.
Culturally, post-Buddha Indic tradition displays five major streams in the

399
non-dualist (Advaita) and monist (ekatva) thought:
● Kevala Advaita: Advaita Vedanta and its sub-Schools

● Bauddha Advaita: tathatA, mAdhyamaka, and yogAchara
● Shaiva Advaita: Trika and spanda-pratybhiGYA system
● Shakta Advaita: Tripura tantra as a shAkta-tantra tradition
● Vaishnava Advaita: shuddhAdvaita and puShTimArga
Other than the cultural-sectarian basis, non-dualist Schools can be

classified in other ways, such as based on: (1) type of monism - e. g.
attributive, substantial, absolute; (2) type of theism - e. g. theist,
agnostic, nominalist; (3) scheme of origination - e. g. ajAta (non-
originated), vivarta (illusory appearance), pariNAma (transformation) etc.
Advaita Vedanta and mAdhyamaka offer two view points, viz. vyAvahArika
(V) and pAramArthika (P), according to which they can be classified in two
ways. For example Advaita is: (1) substantially monist at V and 'absolute'
(One) at P, (2) agnostic at V and 'absolute' (substratum) at P, (3) vivarta
at V and ajAta at P; while mAdhyamaka is: (1) interdependently holistic at
V and 'absolute' (void) at P, (2) nominalist at V and 'absolute' (atheist) at
P, (3) dependently originated at V and ajAta at P.
Trika and shuddhAdvaita on the other hand offer unified view – both are
substantially monist and panentheist-monotheist, where the original
substance undergoes a pariNAma (transformation) peculiar to its own
398 According to Buddhist scholars like Dr Peter Santina, the Buddhist soterial tradition can be traced
to mature SSC through the concepts of “meditation, renunciation, karma, rebirth, and Liberation”
(Ref. “The Tree of Enlightenment” at buddhanet.net, 2008). Scholars like Herman Tull however,
sees the origins of karma soteriology in brAhamaNa texts and sees the continuity between
shatapatha brA and BU in this respect. (ref “The Vedic Origins of Karma” SUNY Press, 1989). In
general, these soterial principles could be part of antiquated animismHinduism of SS/GY region.
399 All these Schools are metaphysically (and even axiologically) equivalent insofar as they are non
dualist and set Liberation as their goal. Aurobindo's efforts to integrate existing nondualist
Schools in light of inputs from Science etc resulted in a supposedly 'integrated Advaita' (पूणादैत)
School which can be seen as a synthesis of Advaita Vedanta and Trika (Ref “Life Divine”, 1936).
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School, without any change in Itself.
sha.nkara and his followers canonized the GK line, which became the main
line of general monistic thought in India in the name of Advaita Vedanta .
400
The other Indian monist Schools were represented by Trika (spanda-
pratyabhiGYA). It flourished till 13th century and thereafter 'went
underground' to surface again in the 20th century. The ethical concerns of
Buddhism and Jainism were internalized by Advaita by adopting classical
pAtanjala yoga, while the vaiShNava and shaiva Schools fulfilled the theist
and devotional aspirations of their followers. All these Schools had the
yoga-tantra base to their way of 'realization'. As seen earlier, Vedanta
adopted the classical yoga; Buddhism (vajrAyana) had their own hybrid
model of tantra; while Trika adopted the model of yogika upAya-s and
other traditional tAntrika methods.
401
Indian Sufi orders and some of the bhakti-yoga and shaiva traditions
showed mutual affinity and developed similar devotional practices and
theosophical positions.
402
Social theories such as “creativity through conflicts”, and “intellectual
403
law of small numbers” have been applied by sociologist such as Randall
404
Collins (2000) to the development of Indian and other regional
400 If absolutist Schools of Vedanta and Mahayana are put together, the remaining monotheist Schools
are metaphysically represented by TrikapratybhiGYA. For relationship between early Vedanta, and
Trika through bhartRRiharI, refer “Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism” by N. V. Isaeva, 1995.
401 Sufism is covered in this note as it is closely related to Indic regions and traditions. Neoplatonism
however, is not covered here since its cultural contact with Indic regions and Vedanta was minimal
in comparison to that of Sufism. (for “Advaita & Neoplatonism” refer Staal, 2008 on dbnl.org).
402 Creative persons are typically linked to one another in a chain and appear as contemporary rivals.
Creativity increases by the conflict within or related to the network. Conflicts are the lifeblood of
the intellectual world. Creativity occurs both as intellectual space opens up and as it closes down,
by opposition and by synthesis. Randall's conflict encompasses political and social strifes which
constrain or enhance intellectual resources of the intellectual network; hence it is more general in
its scope than mere intellectual argumentation or debate.
403 The number of active Schools of thoughts which sustain themselves through multiple generations
in an argumentative community are of the order of three to six. This law holds amid the flux.
Strong positions subdivide into factions while weak positions disappear or amalgamate into others
by syncretisms or by synthesis. As a corollary; positions become weak because intellectual
(attention) space becomes overcrowded violating the upperlimit of the law of small numbers. This
then provides necessary stimulus to reduce the positions by synthesis or syncretism.
404 Ref 7.3(21): According to Collins; Advaita's linkup with UP is an imposition of 700CE revolution on
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philosophies. The role of argumentation has been acknowledged in Indian

405
philosophical traditions, where competitive debates under the auspices
of kings are known to have taken place since the days of earliest UP. The
post-sha.nkara Vedanta literature is replete with dialectical arguments
spanned over several generations among the followers of competing
Schools. Still, the 'dynamics of conflict' does not always explain the full
406
story. All Indian theosophies adopt axiology which is based on karma,
rebirth, and liberation and which emphasizes meditation. These notions
were ubiquitous since prehistoric times. Their continuity as a belief system
is unique to Indian traditions which are sedentary in nature. The expression
of monism in the form of Atman = brahman too is unique to Vedanta
philosophies; its varied manifestation indicates a particular cultural
identity leading to intellectual conflict rather than conflict leading to a
particular manifestation. Collins suggests that domination of anti-
conceptual monism of Advaita is the result of Muslim and European
conquest of India which put Hinduism into united front (ref 7.3(21)-p 271).
This is only partially correct. Advaita Vedanta as a philosophy was already
on the forefront in the Indic regions before Turko-Mongol invaders
penetrated India. Qasim's aggressive excursion of 7th century was
repulsed and confined to small packets of North-West, and fresh surges
occurred only after c.1000. Though UP are the repository of multiple views;
supra-conceptual (neti neti) monism of Advaita is the dominant view of
UP. This view was delineated and systematized by sa.nkara in his
a very different situation 10001500 years earlier (p.195). In post1500 Vedanta, creative conflicts
sublimated into sentimentalized nativism (p.270). Among other things, antiintellectual devotional
ism; just when Hindu scholars (mainly of Advaita) were in synchretizing and scholasticizing mode
in defense against alien conquerors, gave India a (false) sedentarystaticmystic image (p.177).
405 वादे वादे जायते तततवबोधः (doctrinal development through argumentation) has been a traditional maxim.
406 Ideas have certain chance element; conflict may add to the probability of their occurrence.
Synthesis in intellectual space can occur by cooperation. For example, scientific theories of 20th
century were ushered more by collaborative quest for knowledge than by conflict. Todays open
source movement too is based on sharing of ideas and collaboration in the intellectual space.
Occurrence of abstract ideas without any immediate utility (such as in certain branches of
Mathematics) is not bound by conflict dynamics though appreciation and reward can be its stimuli.
Collins' heavy emphasis on the role of conflict in the socialintellectual space deemphasizes, in
comparison, the basic human traits of curiosity, creativity, and the quest for selfidentity.
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commentaries thereby establishing the monist tradition emanating from

the UP and flowing through BS, BG and GK till his own times and thereafter.
Advaita-Vedanta can be interpreted to support various theological

positions. Its absolutism can be interpreted as absolute theism or as an
agnostic indeterminism. At times, it seems to be precariously close to the
nominalism of atheist Buddhism. At the empirical level it endorses
polytheism by allowing many deities in its devotional practices. Skeptic
may argue that Advaita offers recipes depending on the dispositions of its
followers without showing any firm commitment to any particular path.
They may deride the concept of Maya as Advaita's inability to logically
answer the inherent paradoxes of non-dualism. Advaita's detractors may
level the charge of plagiarism from other ancient Indic traditions – not only
from Vaidika (orthodox) Sankhya and Yoga, but also from non-Vaidika
(heterodox) Buddhism and Jainism. They may also point out Vedanta's
origins in the prehistoric tribal animism.
Advaita-Vedanta can accept all these charges. They indicate Vedanta's

strength rather than its weakness. It has offered variety of paths to suit the
capability and aptitude of individual seekers within the broad framework of
prasthAnatraya. It makes full use of logic and intellect in analysis and
postulation in relative domain, but is open enough to accept their
limitations in metaphysical domain. It has both competed and judiciously
adapted synergistic concepts from rival Schools. Vedanta has evolved from
its so called tribal prehistoric origins to offer a rich theosophical system
satisfying both intellectual and devotional needs of its followers.
In the panorama of classical Indic Schools, Vedanta has occupied the

preeminent position maintaining an unbroken teacher-pupil tradition. After
the first three decades of the 20th century paradigm-shift in science,
monistic Schools received wide-spread attention. Advaita then reinvented
itself as New Advaita (New Vedanta) to meet the spiritual quest for
Knowledge of the new world citizen.
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6.0 Advaita Vedanta Summary:
Advaita [अदैत] teachings can be summarized under the heads of (a)

407
Ontology; (b) Meta-psychology; (c) Epistemology; and (d) Axiology
taking into account the preceding sections and considering traditional
positions which have survived the test of times.
6.1 Ontology:
1. brahman [बहन्] is the ultimate reality. It is one only without dual. It is

without any attributes, quality or distinction. It is beyond time, space
and causality. It is described by the triad of “Being, Awareness, and
Peace [sat, chit, Ananda = सत्, िचत्, आनंद]”. It is also described by the
triad of “Existence, Knowledge, and Infinity [satyam, GYAnam, anantam
= सतयं, जानं, अनंतं]”. These two triads do not describe the attributes or
properties of brahman. They are only indicative of Its essential nature.
They represent the 'transcending unity' of three autonomous principles
viz. 'ontological principle' (Being, Existence), 'epistemological-
psychical principle' (Awareness, Knowledge), and 'axiological principle'
('bliss of ethical sovereignty' or 'peace of infinitude' – of total
independence) that manifest themselves at the empirical level. The
terms in the triads are to be understood co-referentially to direct one's
mind towards brahman. The brahman is also described by “not this, not
this” [neti neti, नेित नेित] - by negating the conceived and experienced
objects of the cosmos – that is by negating the totality of cosmos itself.
It is beyond everything that is thinkable or conceivable.
2. The cosmos [jagat, जगत्] of multiplicity, change and process is less than
real because brahman is the only non-dual reality. It is product of and is
constituted by creative illusion called mAyA [माया]. This mAyA is
beginningless and indeterminate in terms of its relation to brahman.
Cosmos is only an 'apparent transformation' [vivarta, िववतर ] of brahman
as experienced by sentient beings who fail to perceive the underlying
407 Ref 7.3(8)
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reality of brahman due to (the 'concealing' power of) mAyA. They 'see'
the cosmos instead of brahman like a snake erroneously seen in the
rope in the semi-darkness. This superimposition [adhyAsa, अधयास] of
seeing the cosmos instead of brahman is (due to the 'projecting' power
of) mAyA. On the subjective plane or at the epistemological plane,
mAyA is Ignorance [avidyA, अिवदा] and is sublated or canceled by the
Knowledge [GYAna, जान] of reality to reach the absolute plane. At the
absolute plane mAyA does not exist.
3. As stated earlier the cosmos is less than real; but it is not completely
unreal because it is experienced at the subjective level. It is
distinguished from the absolute reality (sat) [paramArtha, परमाथर ] and
from the complete falsity or non-reality (asat) and said to have a
relative reality [vyavahAra, वयवहार]. Thus, at the pure subjective level
cosmos is real, at the absolute level it is unreal and at the relative
rational level it is neither real nor unreal; it is mithyA [िमथया]. Everything
other than brahman including mAyA and Ignorance is mithyA. The
cosmos is mere 'names and forms' [nAmarUpa-s, नामरपािण] projected by
mAyA whose reality at the relative-rational [yauktika, यौिकक] plane is
indeterminate – 'neither real nor unreal' [anirvachanIya, अिनवर चनीय].
4. Empirically or subjectively Cosmos can be seen as a creation. Since it

can be seen as a creation it can also be seen as created from brahman;
it being the non-dual absolute reality. The brahman however, cannot
be actual material cause of the creation since it is acausal. It can only
be transfigurative material cause and the 'substratum of the cosmos'
[adhiShThAna, अिधषान]. The mAyA is the transformative material cause.
It superimposes the names and forms on substratum brahman and
instills empirical consciousness in sentient beings. The brahman
associated with 'mAyA' (sometimes equated with 'primal Ignorance' or
mUlAvidyA = मूलािवदा) is the efficient cause of the 'creation' (= cosmos
inhabited by sentient beings). This efficient cause is known as God
[ईशवर, Ishvara] or 'brahman with attributes' [saguNa brahman, सगुण बहन्].
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5. The acosmic and independent nature of brahman is guarded by (a) A

special cause-effect relationship where the effect always preexists in
the (material) cause. Thus effect does not bring into existence any
thing radically new or different from its source, rather it is becoming of
that which is preexistent. (b) Advaita envisages a 'seed potency' [ bIja
shakti, बीजशिक] or unmanifest [avyakta, अवयक] as a source of cosmos. (c)
cosmos is manifestation of Ishvara via the medium of mAyA which is
brought forth and reabsorbed in recurring cycles in a beginningless
manner. The cosmos is without any beginning in time and space since
both time and space are supposed to dissolve in unmanifest and then
evolve in a cycle of creation. (d) Point a, b, c above are from the
relative stand-point. From the stand point of Reality however, there is
no creation and no creator (that is no mAyA and no Ishvara); only
brahman exists. This theory of non-creation is known as [ajAti vAda,
अजाित वाद] which is said to be the main theory of creation of Advaita.
6.2 Metapsychology:
1. Self [Atman, आतमन्] is self-luminous [svayaMprakAsha, सवयंपकाश]; It

cannot be established by any basis other than immediate experience. It
is timeless, spaceless and is undifferentiated Awareness.
2. Self is one with brahman. That is Atman = brahman [आतमन् = बहन्]. This
is the most important axiomatic identity, an expression of fundamental
unity of Existence.
3. Sentient beings [jIva-s, जीवाः] do not realize their essential nature of

being one with the brahman due to Ignorance and due to the adjuncts
[upAdhi-s] constituting 'body and mind' [sharIra, शरीर]. The upAdhi
[उपािध] is 'superimposed' [adhyAsita, Aropita, अधयािसत, आरोिपत] on the Self
and vise versa. This 'superimposition' [adhyAsa, अधयास; Aropa, आरोप] is
(due to) Ignorance. On the subjective epistemic side mAyA is Ignorance
that is 'sublated or canceled' [apavAdita, अपवािदत] by the Knowledge to
reach the absolute plane. At the absolute plane Ignorance does not
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exist; only brahman exists.
4. Whether jIva-s are said to have a secondary and illusory consciousness

in addition to brahman-consciousness :[AbhAsa vAda, आभास वाद], or the
brahman-consciousness available through the intellect is itself
mistaken to be reflection confined to the individual intellect :
[pratibiMba vAda, पितिबमब वाद], or the brahman-consciousness appearing
to be enclosed in the intellect is mistaken to be empirical individuated
consciousness :[avaccheda vAda, अवचछे द वाद]; in all these cases, there is
the 'false notion' [adhyAsa, Aropa, अधयास, आरोप] on part of jIva-s that
they are limited individuals different from brahman.
5. jIva is constituted as (a) 'gross body' [ sthUla sharIra, सथूल शरीर]

comprising 'physical organs' [annamaya kosha, अनमय कोश], (b) 'subtle
body' [sUxma sharIra, सूकम शरीर] comprising vitality [prANamaya kosha,
पाणमय कोश], mind [manomaya kosha, मनोमय कोश], intellect [viGYAnamaya
kosha, िवजानमय कोश]; (c) 'causal body' [kAraNa sharIra, कारण शरीर]
comprising peace [Anandamaya kosha, आननदमय कोश].
6. jIva is constituted by various levels of consciousness arising by way of

either illusion, or reflection, or delimitation as: (a) waking [ jAgRRita,
जागृत] consciousness – the consciousness of the relative world of duality
where the Self is identified with gross body; (b) dream [svapna, सवपन]
consciousness – the consciousness of subconscious impressions and
intentions where the Self is identified with subtle body; and (c) deep
sleep [suShupti, सुषुिप] – the undifferentiated consciousness where all
duality is held in abeyance and where the Self is identified with causal
body. When 'delimiting (or reflecting or animated) adjunct [upAdhi,
उपािध] is permanently dissociated' [videha mukta, िवदेह मुक] in the Fourth
[turIya, तुरीय] state what remains is Atman = brahman. The names of
appearance of consciousness in individuated and cosmic forms are
given in the following table:
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Living State Waking Dreaming Sleep Fourth

(avasthA) (jAgRRita) (svapna) (suShupti) (turIya)
Consciousness vaishva taijasa prajnA Atman
Adjunct: sharIra sthUla sUxma kAraNa Atman
Adjunct: kosha anna prANa, manas, viGYAna Ananda Atman
Cosmic Deity vaishvAnara hiraNyagarbha Ishvara brahman
6.3 Epistemology:
1. brahman is not knowable by means of sensory perception and reason. It

is however, the highest form of Knowledge [parA vidyA, परा िवदा]. What
can be known at the relative level of empirical world [ saMsAra, संसार:
prapa.ncha, पपंच] is called 'relative knowledge' [aparA vidyA, अपरा िवदा].
2. All relative knowledge involves a three fold distinction between the

knower [pramAtA, पमाता], the object (to be) known [viShaya, िवषय,
prameya, पमेय], and 'means of knowledge' [pramANa, पमाण]. The
'experience of knowledge' [pramA, पमा] is through cognition [pramiti,
पिमित] and its validation [prAmANya, पामाणय].
3. At the relative level, Advaita acknowledges six means of valid

knowledge [pramANa-s]: (a) perception [pratyaxa, पतयक, aparoxa,
अपरोक]; (b) inference [anumAna, अनुमान]; (c) comparison [upamAna,
उपमान]; (d) “non-cognition” or “cognition of absence [ अभाव]”
[anupalabdhi, अनुपलिबध]; (e) postulation [arthApatti, अथारपित]; and (f)
testimony [shabda, शबद: Agama, आगम].
4. At the subjective epistemological plane Ignorance means failure to

discriminate between Self and not-Self which are superimposed on
each other by a natural process caused by Ignorance. Equivalently, this
superimposition (composition of Self and not-Self) itself is considered
to be Ignorance or Nescience [अिवदा, मूलािवदा] and separating (realizing)
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the Self from superimposed not-Self is called Knowledge [िवदा]. All other
derivative ignorances are sometimes referred to just as that -
'derivative or auxiliary ignorances' (tUlAvidyA, तूलािवदा).
5. brahman is known immediately, and this 'Knowledge of brahman'

[brahma-GYAna, बहजान] is 'self-certifying' [svataH pramANa, सवतः पमाण],
it has a unique ultimacy. No criteria which otherwise is applicable to
relative knowledge is applicable to it. For parA vidyA – transcendental
Knowledge of Atman = brahman, authority of shruti [शुित] is taken as
pratyaxa pramANa at the relative level.
6. Relative knowledge at the subjective level [vRRiti-GYAna, वृित जान] is

distinguished by following three conditions: (a) The relative
consciousness undergoes a modification or assume a mode [vRRiti, वृित]
to appropriate the form of the object to be known; metaphorically or
otherwise it envelopes the object to be perceived. (b) It must
synthesize the sense data into meaningful concept through the activity
of 'intellect' [buddhi, बुिद], and (c) The relative consciousness of the
subject through the instrumentality of 'the internal subtle organ'
[antaHkaraNa, अनतःकरण] illumines the object.
7. Pure consciousness or the Self as Witness [sAxin, सािकन्] cannot be an

object of knowledge. It is present though in every act of knowing by the
soul; every process of knowledge presupposes it. It is the homogeneous
(undifferentiated), eternal (unbreakable), and pure (uncontaminated)
inmost core or substratum of all of our living experience. It is 'self-
luminous' [सवयंपकाश] inasmuch as it imparts quality to our experience
without itself possessing any quality or attribute and without being
known as an object of any empirical cognition.
8. Perception is accorded the highest priority when knowledge is to be

validated. In the metaphysical domain of brahman, shruti (UP) has the
status of perception which is 'immediate [aparoxa, अपरोक] knowledge'
while other means are of 'mediate [paroxa, परोक] knowledge'. smRRiti
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[समृित] (scriptures like gItA) has the status of testimony, while nyAya
[नयाय] (BS) has the status of postulation.
9. All knowledge is intrinsically valid. It can be falsified by experience

which is contrary [apavAda, अपवाद] to it; but it cannot be completely
validated by external or mediate means. All knowledge acquired by
various means is valid in its 'own proper sphere' [ kAryaxetra, कायर केत],
but insofar as it is subject to contradiction by another qualitatively
different kind of experience, it is necessarily a relative knowledge.
Knowledge of brahman once realized cannot be contradicted.
6.4 Axiology:
1. The ultimate goal of human kind should be Liberation [moxa, मोक,

nirvANa, िनवारण] – release from the recurring cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth. From a more positive side moxa means 'liberation from
(bonded) action' [(baddha) karma-mukti, (बद) कमर -मुकी] and 'freedom
from fear' [abhayatva, अभयतव] to achieve insight and self-determination.
2. Knowledge is the way to Liberation [GYAna mArga, जान मागर ]; rites and
rituals [karma kANDa, कमर कांड] are neither sufficient nor necessary for its
attainment. Even so 'right actions' [kartavya, कतर वय] and inculcation of
moral values [saMskAra, संसकार] helps in purifying the mind. 'Purified
mind' [shuddha antaHkaraNa, शुद अनतःकरण] is necessary (but not
sufficient) condition for Liberation. (1) ability to discriminate what is
real (permanent, true, right) and unreal (transient, false, wrong):
[viveka, िववेक]; (2) dispassion about enjoyment of fruits of actions in this
world and hereafter:[vairAgya, वैरागय]; (3) 'six treasures' [Shat-saMpatti,
षट् -संपित] i.e.calmness [shama, शम], restraint [dama, दम], withdrawal
[uparati, उपरित], endurance [titixA, ितितका], concentration [samAdhAna,
समाधान], conviction [shraddhA, शदा]; and (4) 'desire to Know'
[mumuxutva, मुमुकुतव] are indicators of the purified mind. In the ultimate
end however, Knowledge and Knowledge alone is the means of final
release. Once Knowledge is realized there is nothing more to be gained
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on the individual basis.
3. Liberation is not something that is attained, rather it is already existing

state of one's being that needs to be realized. Knowledge removes the
obstructions to realization. Liberation can be realized in one's life; when
so realized one is known as 'enlightened being' [jIvanmukta, जीवनमुक]. All
the accumulation of action which has not yet borne fruit [ sa.nchita
karma, संिचत कमर ] and all action which would otherwise take place in
future [AgAmI karma, आगामी कमर ] is obliterated. Action done in the past
which has already begun to bear fruit :[ prArabdha karma, पारबध कमर ] must
however be carried out. Liberated person does not perform 'wishful
actions' [kAmya karma, कामय कमर ]. That is to say he carries out action in
unattached manner without associating himself with the results of the
action there by not creating any bondage due to karma. He does not
accumulate 'demerit' [pApa, पाप] or 'merit' [puNya, पुणय] irrespective of
his acting within the purview of vaidika injunctions (or otherwise). He
transcends the law of karma.
4. For the jIvanmukta, complete Liberation is obtained on death of the

body; he becomes free of the (limitations of the) body :[ videhamukta,
िवदेहमुक]; he is not reborn. He realizes the 'ontologic – epistemic – ethic'
unity of sat (pure Being, Existence), chit (Knowledge, Awareness), and
Ananda (peace, infinitude).
5. Bondage and Liberation exist only at the relative (vyAvahArika,

वयावहािरक) level. In reality there is no end ( anta, अंत), no beginning
(utpatti, उतपित); no one is in bondage (baddha, बद); there is no aspirant
(sAdhaka, साधक); no one is seeking Liberation (mumuxu, मुमुक)ु , and no
one is free (mukta, मुक). This is the supreme Truth (paramArtha, परमाथर ).
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7.0 References
408
7.1 Source books
1. Eight Upanishads with Commentary of sha.nkarAchArya (volume-1 and 2):
Translated by Swami Gambhirananda (1989)
2. The bRRihadAraNyaka Upanishad with Commentary of sha.nkarAchArya:
Translated by Swami Madhavananda (1965)
3. The ChAndogya upaniShad with Commentary of sha.nkarAchArya: Translated
by Swami Gambhirananda (1983)
4. The Principal Upanishads by S. Radhakrishnan:: Published by HarperCollins
409
Publishers in India (1994)
5. The shvetAshvatara upaniShad with Bhaskareshwarananda's Elucidation:
Translated by Swami Vedananda. (2002)
6. The bhagavadgItA bhAShya of sha.nkarAchArya: Tr . by Dr A. G. Krishna
Warrier (1983)
7. gUdhArtha-dIpikA of madhusUdana sarasvatI: Translated by Sw.
Gambhirananda (1998)
8. brahma-sUtra bhAShya of sha.nkarAchArya: Translated by Sw.
Gambhirananda (1965)
9. brahma-sUtra-s According shrI sha.nkara: Translated with exhaustive notes
by Swami Vireswarananda (1936)
10. sureshvara's vArtika on the bRRihadAraNyakabhAShya of sha.nkara : 12-vol
set edited, translated, and annotated by K. P. Jog & Shoun Hino
11. Sanskrit Texts, English translations, and other related books on Internet:
http://sanskritdocuments.org
http://www.celextel.org
http://is1.mum.edu/vedicreserve
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin
http://www.buddhanet.net
http://www.archive.org/details/texts
408 SourceBooks (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9) pub. by Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati; (5, 6) pub. by Ramakrishna

Math – Nagpur (5) and Chennai (6).; and (10) pub. by Motilal Banarasidas (MLBD), Delhi.
409 It has transliterated (English) text of eighteen UP: thirteen prime UP + following UP: (a) subAla
(SYV) for nArAyaNa as worldself; (b) jAbAla (AV) for renunciation at any stage; (c) pai.ngala
(SYV) for satyaGYAnAnandam brahma (1.2), mAyA as 'potter's wheel' (1.12); adhyAropaapavAda
(2.18); (d) kaivalya (AV) for moxa; (e) vajrasUchikA (SV) for the assertion that only 'Knowledge'
(and not 'birth' or parentage) is the true signature of a Brahmin.
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410
7.2 Students' Texts (in Sanskrit)
411
1. upadesha sAhasrI (US) of sha.nkarAchArya: Translated with notes by
Swami Jagadananda (1941)
412
2. vedAntaparibhAshA (VP) of dharmarAja adhvarIndra: Translated and and
annotated by Sw. Madhavananda. (1972)
413
3. vedAntasAra (VS) of sadAnanda yogindra: Translated with notes by Swami
Nikhilananda (1949)
414
4. pa.nchadashI (PD) of Swami vidyAraNya: Translated by Swami Swahananda
with the introduction of T.M.P. Mahadevan (1967)
415
5. vivekachUDAmaNi (VC) : Translated. by Sw. Madhavananda (1921)
416
6. dRRik-dRRishya-viveka (DDV) : Translated and commented by Swami
Nikhilananda (1931)
417
7. aparoxAnubhUti (AA) : Translated with notes by Sw. Vimuktananda (1938)
418
8. jIvan-mukti-viveka (JMV) of Swami vidyAraNya: Translated and
commented by Swami Mokshadananda (1996)
419
9. pratyabhiGYAhradayam of xemarAja: Translated and commented by Dr.
Jaideva Singh (1982)
410 References (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8) are published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati; (1, 4) are published by
Ramakrishna Math, Chennai; and (9) is published by MLBD. These are traditional texts written in
Sanskrit and translated and commented in English.
411 US is supposedly the only authoritative noncommentarial work of sha.nkara and hence uniquely
important. The translation and footnotes follow rAmatIrtha's glossary.
412 VP, supplemented by another text (shikhAmaNi), projects the epistemological position of Advaita
Vedanta, particularly of vivaraNa subSchool. Important for its theory of perception.
413 VS seems to be the standard texts of its times. Though supposed to be a prakaraNa grantha (of a
particular topic); it admirably elucidates Addvaita's overall position in a concise manner.
414 PD consists of 15chapters of 3quintads: (1) viveka pa.nchaka (dealing with discrimination of real
from unreal), (2) dIpapa.nchaka (expounding nature of Self as Consciousness), and (3) Ananda
pa.nchaka (about bliss nature of brahman). This is an authoritative and popular guide of Vedanta.
415 VC is traditionally attributed to sha.nkara (bhAShyakAra). This is not acceptable to many modern
scholars, though the text is quite respected in the tradition both for its content and its style.
416 DDV is a small prakaraNa grantha written (probably) by bhAratitIrtha, the Guru of vidyAraNya. It
propounds jIva=brahman identity by avachCheda vAda as the main line of argument.
417 AA is a small guide for the direct experience of Selfrealization. Like VC; AA refutes prArabdha
and its effects in respect of GYAnI a position which is not uniformly accepted in the tradition.
418 JMV is an exhaustive prakaraNa grantha on jIvanmukti a difficult topic for textual as well as
philosophical discourse. Sw. vidyAraNya defends his positions by taking recourse not only to
prasthAnatraya, but also to yogavAsiShTha, bhAgavata, mahAbhArata, and other shAstrika texts.
419 This book can be supplemented by other three Trika books completing a quadrapole of Trika texts
written by Dr. Jaideva Singh's viz. (1) on “shivasUtra”, (2) on “spandakArikA”, (3) on “vigYAna
bhairava”, and (4) on “pratyabhiGYAhradayam”. (Trika is seen here as the theistmonist pole that
was developed and posited along side the absolutistmonist pole of Advaita c.8001200).
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420
7.3 Other References
421
1. The Philosophy of the Upanishads: by Paul Deussen (Tr . by A. S. Geden) (1908)
422 423
2. (a) Thirty Minor UP: K. Narayanasvami Aiyar (1914); (b) 108 UP Publ. by
Theosophical Publishing House, Chennai; Advaita Ashrama; and Celextel.org
3. Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies 424: Edited by Karl Potter
425
4. Indian Philosophy - vol 1 & 2: by S. Radhakrishnan, Pub. OUP (1929)
426
5. A History of Indian Philosophy, vol 1-5: by S. N. Dasgupta, Pub. CUP (1957)
427
6. Outlines of Indian Philosophy: by M. Hiriyanna (1932)
428
7. Philology and Confrontation: by Hacker and Halbfass, Pub. SUNY Press (1995)
429
8. The Essential Vedanta: by Eliot Deutsch and Rohit Dalvi, New Age Publ. (2004)
430
9. The Doctrine of mAyA: by P. D. Shastri, Pub. Luzac and Co, London (1911)
431
10. The Method of Vedanta: by Sw. Satcidanandendra, Tr. by A. J. Alston (1989)
432
11. The Method of Early Advaita Vedanta: by Michael Comans (2000)
433
12. A History of Early Vedanta Philosophy: by Nakamura, Mayeda et al (1983)
434
13. The Seven Great Untenables: by John Grimes (1990)
435
14. Methods of Knowledge: by Sw Satprakashananda, Pub. Advaita Ashrama (1964)
420 References (1, 2, 5, 9, 18, 26) can be checked on the Internet for their online availability.
References (3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 24) are published by Motilal Banarasidas (MLBD)
421 This classic work is one of the earliest treaties on UP from the Western (Kantian) point of view.
422 These are classified as Vedanta (14), physiological (2), mantra (3), sa.nnyAsa (2), yoga (9).
423 The 108 UP as listed in muktikA Up. are assigned to RV (10), SYV (19), KYV (32), SV (16), AV (31)
424 VolIII (1981): Part One contains exposition of the concepts of gauDapAda, sha.nkara, and
maNDana mishra. Part Two consists in summaries of all the known authentic works of these
authors together with those of sureshvara, padmapAda, totaka, and hastamalaka. VolXI (2006):
Advaita Vedanta works during c.8001200 (from vAchaspati to chitsukha).
425 Vol1 discusses amongst other things UP and heterodox Schools (Buddhism yogAchAra and
mAdhyamaka) related to Advaita; Vol 2 describes Vedanta along with other 'orthodox' systems.
426 Vol1: major Indic philosophies; vol2: Advaita, yogavAsiShTha and BG; vol3: vishiShThAdvaita,
dvaitAdvaita, viGYAnabhixu, select purANas, and lokAyata; vol4: SB, dvaita, shuddhAdvaita,
achintya bedAbheda and polemics between Advaita and others; vol 5: shaiva cults.
427 Outlines Indic Schools and reconstruction of Advaita starting with UP and later with sA.nkhya.
428 This collection discusses Hacker's philological views of sha.nkara's authorship and Vedanta
429 This is a resource book facilitating study of Advaita in its classical form. Deutsch earlier (1974)
wrote the book titled “Advaita Vedanta: a philosophical reconstruction”.
430 Explains mAyA doctrine complete with exhaustive philology of the word mAyA in Veda.
431 This book is translation of the author's original Sanskrit work Vedanta prakriyA pratyabhiGYA. It
describes adhyAropaapavAda as the main method of Vedanta and discusses what the author
thinks as 'deviations' to the original sha.nkarasureshvara line in the writings of later vedAntins.
432 Gives good exposure to mANDUkya kArikA with incisive discussions on sha.nkara's conception of
Ishvara and the Vedanta method based on “negation cum indication”.
433 Vedanta's preBS and postBS (but presha.nkara) history is reconstructed in 2 volumes from the
crossreferences as available from competing Schools and from other classical literature.
434 The text discusses the polemics between Advaita and 'qualified Advaita' of Ramanuja.
435 Epistemological (and related ontological) position of Advaita is explained in a definitive manner.
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436
15. Pre-sha.nkara Advaita Philosophy: by S. L. Pandey; Darshan Peeth, (1974)
16. A Thousand Teachings; The upadeshasAhasrI of sha.nkara437: Translated & Edited
by Sengaku Mayeda (2006) with a Forward by John M. Koller
438
17. Aspects of Vedanta : Published by R. K. Mission, Calcutta (1995)
439
18. The Life Divine : by Sri Aurobindo; pub. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (2005)
440
19. A History of India: by H. Kulke and D. Rothermund, Pub. Rupa & Co. (1991)
441
20. A Global History – The Human Heritage: by Stavrianos, Pub. Prentice Hall (1983)
442
21. The Sociology of Philosophy – by Randall Collins, Pub. Harvard Univ. Press (2000)
443
22. A Study of the ratnagotravibhAga (uttaratantra) [RGV] by Jikido Taraski, Pub. in
Serie Orientale Roma (XXXIII) (1964)
444
23. Discovering the Vedas: by Frits Stall, Pub. Penguin Books India (2008)
445
24. The Vibrating Universe: by N. C. Panda (1995)
446
25. Road to Reality: by Roger Penrose ; Pub. Jonathan Cape (2004)
447
26. Motion Mountain – The Adventure of Physics: by Christoph Schiller (2009)
448
27. महाराषर ाचा भागवत धमर : (१) वैिदक वाङयातील भागवत धमारचा िवकास, (२) पौरािणक भागवत धमर , (३) जानदेव
आिण नामदेव, (४) संत एकनाथ, (५) संत तुकाराम : लेखक - डॉ. शंकर दामोदर पेडसे, कॉनटीनेनटल पकाशन (१९६९)
436 Gives positions of anterior and posterior commentators of BS.
437 Excellent anterior essay and notes. Ref commentaries of rAmatIrtha, bodhanidhi, AnandaGYAna.
438 Collection of articles by wellknown scholars culled from the pages of 'Cultural Heritage of India'.
439 Sri Aurobindo's magnum opus in which he tries to reconstruct Vedanta.
440 This is a textbook written by two Indologists who had the benefit of working together in South Asia
Institute of Heidelberg University discussing the problems of Indian history for many years. Though
section on Indus Civilization is rather dated, the other sections offer an insightful presentation.
441 As name suggests, this is a book of World History with a global perspective, aiming to connect the
past with the present. It believes that the story of humans has basic unity right from the beginning.
442 A sociological survey of philosophy with a global perspective. It includes three of the oldest
philosophical traditions of the world viz. Greek, Indian, and Chinese and covers a geographical
and social spread that spans multiple civilizations, religions, and social groups.
443 RGV is a treaties on tathatAtathAgarbha theory of mahAyAna Buddhism. The work is based on
Taraski's PhD dissertation submitted to the Uiniversity of Pune.
444 Staal traces the origins of Vedic tradition a controversial topic of perennial debate, then describes
each Veda, Mantras, Rituals, Upanishads, Vedic Sciences, insights, and lastly, Veda & Buddhism.
445 It tries to search relationship between Vedanta and Trika on one side and Science on the other. In
doing so it not only covers the principles of AdvaitaVedanta and Trika, but also discusses and
surveys various physical theories and concepts juxtaposing them with Vedanta and Trika.
446 An ambitious survey of modern physics through the lens of a mathematician. It's ch29 discusses
the 'measurement paradox' and its ontological implications where consciousness plays an
important role. This book can be read along with his other two books: (1) Emperor's New Mind:
Pub. Vintage (1990), and (2) Shadows of the Mind: Pub. Vintage 91994). He envisages a radically
new unified theory of physics (quantum gravity).
447 This is an “online Physics book”, its vol6 discusses: (1) 'indeterminate' and 'anticonceptual'
nature of the Physical Universe and (2) 'Unification of Physics'.
448 Pendse finds the origin of Bagavata Dharma in vaidika bhakti; traces its course from BG to SB;
and then dissertates its independent growth in Maharashtra 12001700. He opines that protagonist
GYAnadeva taught shA.nkara Advaita, but eschewed total renunciation by advising righteous acts.
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449
7.4 Classical Advaita- Vedanta Literature
circa
No. Author Work
AD
1 gaudApAdAchArya* 500 mANDUkya-kArikA, shrI vidyA-sUtra
2 maNDana mishra* 690 brahmasiddhi; vibhramaviveka
3 sha.nkara bhagavatpAda* 710 BSBh, BGBh, dashopaniShad bhAShya-s, US.
4 sureshvara* 740 BUBhV, TUBhV, NS
5 padmapAda* 740 pa.nchapAdikA [PP] (on preamble + 1.1.1-4 of BSBh)
6 GYAnaghana 900 tattva shuddhi
7 vimuktAtman* 950 IShTasiddhi [IS]
8 vAchaspati mishra* 960 bhAmati [BH] (on BSBh), tattva-parIxA (on brahmasiddhi)
pa.nchapAdikA-vivaraNa [PPV] (on PP), shArIraka nyAya

9 prakAshAtman* 975
sa.ngraha (on BSBh), shabda-nirNaya
10 GYAnottama mishra 980 chandrikA (on NS)
11 sarvaGYAtmamuni* 1027 sa.nxepashArIraka [SS], pramANalaxaNA, pa.nchaprakrIyA
12 shrIharSha* 1140 khaNDana-khaNDa-khAdya [KKK]
nyAya makaranda [NM], nyAyaratnadIpAvali [ND],

13 Anandabodha bhattAraka* 1150
pramANamAlA [PM]
14 bodhanidhi* 1150 kaivalyadIpikA [KD], commentary on US (metrical part)
15 vedottama bhattAraka 1150 advaitasAdhanA, bRRihatvAkyavRRitti
16 ga.ngAdhara 1167 advaita-shataka
IS-vivaraNa, nyAyaratnadIpAvalii, padArthatattvanirNaya

17 AnandAnubhava 1190
[PTN], tarkadIpikA, vedAntacha.ndra
18 GYAnottama bhattAraka* 1190 vidyA shrI on BSBh
19 amalAnanda* 1255 Vedanta-kalpataru [VK] (on bhAmati)
20 GYAnottama-gauDeshvara 1265 GYAna-siddhi, nyAya-sudhA, IS-vyAkhyA
NM-sa.ngraha, ND-chandrikA, PM-nibandha, IS-

21 anubhUtisvarUpAchArya 1270
vivaraNa, prakaTArtha vivaraNa (on BSBh)
449 Ref. http://faculty.washington.edu/kpotter/ (as on 31/3/2008): Bibliographical index of Encyclopedia
of Indian Philosophies. The authors are of guruSishya (teacherpupil) tradition of Advaita and are
listed here to show the continuous learning tradition till 20th century. It is said to be a living
tradition even today. Although the list here starts from gauDapAda, the tradition is said to go back
in antiquity before gauDapAda. This is reflected in the traditional salutation of students and
teachers of Advaita when they undertake study of sha.nkarabhAShya of BS and pay homage to
teachers starting from nArAyaNa (viShNu) and then pass through the names of brahmadeva,
vAsiShTha, shakti, parAshara, vyAsa, shuka, gauDapAda, govinda, sha.nkara and then through
the linage of sha.nkara's students to the present times.
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22 GYAneshvara 1290 AmRRitAnubhava, bhAvArthadIpikA (in Marathi)
23 ga.ngApUra bhattAraka 1290 tatparyadIpikA (on PTN)
gItA-tAtparya-bodhini, upaniShad-ratna, dIpikA-s on

24 sha.nkarAnanda* 1290
major (except BU, CU) + some minor UP, BS, and GK
25 durgAprasAda yati 1290 advaitaprakAsha, sudhA on KD
tattvapradIpikA [TP], bhAva prakAshikA (on BSBh), NM-

26 chitsukha* 1295
vyAkhyA, bhAvadIpikA (on KKK), tAtparyadIpikA (on PPV).
AnandaGYAna (Ananda girI Vedanta-tarka-saMgraha [TS], tattvaloka [TL],

27 1300
or janArdana)* commentaries on bhAShya-s including BS, BG, UP, and US
28 allAla sUri* 1300 bhAmati-tilaka
29 advayAraNya 1300 tarka-vyAkhyA
30 advayagirI 1300 viGYAna-chandrikA
31 akhaNDAnanda* 1320 tattva-dIpana (on PPV)
32 sukhaprakAsha 1325 adhikaraNaratnamAlA, tIkA-NDvyAkhyA, vivechanI-NM,
33 amRRitAnanda 1330 nyAya-viveka (on ND)
34 praGYAnanda 1330 tattva-prakAshikA (on TL)
35 rAmAdvaya 1340 Vedanta-kaumudI, Vedanta-kaumudI-vyAkhyAna
36 anandapUrNa vidyAsAgara 1350 nyAyachandrikA, vidyAsAgarI (on KKK), PPV-tIkA
37 paramAnandatIrtha 1350 brahmavidyAsudhArNava, khaNDana-maNDana (on KKK)
vidyAraNya (mAdhava or pa.nchadashI, vivaraNa prameya sa.ngraha [VPS],

38 1350
bhAratI tIrtha)* jIvanmukti-viveka, sarvadarshanasa.ngraha, vArtika-sAra
39 rAmakRRiShNa 1375 Advaita-viveka, tAtparya-prabodhini
40 nRRisiMha bhAratI 1380 vivekamukura, advaitaparishkAra
41 laxmIdhara 1440 Advaita-makaranda [AM]
42 mallanArAdhya 1490 advaitaratna
43 vasudeva sArvabhouma 1490 satchidAnandAnubhava pradIpikA, AM-tIkA
44 jagannAtha sarasvatI 1500 advaitAmRRita, tarangini, siddhAntarahasya, tattvadIpana
vedAntasAra, bhAvaprakAshikA (on BG), tAtparya-

45 sadAnanda yogindra* 1500
prakAsha (on BS), Vedanta-siddhAnta-sArasa.ngraha
46 vishvadeva 1500 siddhAnta-dIpa (on SS), vArtika on BSBh
47 balabhadra 1505 advaitachintAmaNi
48 prakAshAnanda* 1505 Vedanta-siddhAnta-muktAvalii [VSM]
49 rangarAja dIxita 1505 advaitavidyAmukura
50 girvanendra sarasvatI 1530 prapa.nchasArasa.ngraha

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51 (dhIra) godAvara mishra 1535 advaitadarpaNa
52 brammAnanda tIrtha 1550 advaitasa.ngraha (on BSBh)
53 nRRisiMha sarasvatI 1550 vedAntaDiNDima
Advaita-dIpikA [AD], tattvabodhini (on SS), tattvaviveka ,

54 nRRisiMhAshrama* 1555
vivaraNa-prakAshikA (on PPV), bheda-dhikkAra [BD]
55 bodhendrayatI (sa.nnyAsin) 1560 advaitabhUshaNa [ABH]
56 devendra sarasvatI 1560 svAnubhUtiprakAshikA
Advaita-siddhi [AS], siddhAntabindu, VedantakalpalatikA,

57 madhusUdana sarasvatI* 1570
gUdhArtha-dIpikA [GD] (on BG), SS-sArasa.ngraha etc.
58 viGYAnabhixu 1575 upadesharatnamAlA, viGYAnAmRRita, Aloka on MU-PU
59 AtmasvarUpa 1585 prabodhanaparishodhini (on PP)
advaitanirNaya, tattvamuktAvalii, nyAyaraxAmaNi on BS,

60 appaya dIxita* 1585 vedAnta-kalpataru-parimala on VK-BH, siddhAntalesha-
sa.ngraha [SLS], vedAnta-ratnakosha on PPV
61 bhAskara dIxita 1585 AtmatattvaparIxA, kaustubhadUshaNa
62 brahmendra sarasvatI 1590 advaitAmRRita, vedAntaparibhAshA
63 nAnA dIxita 1590 siddhAntadIpa (on VSM)
64 rAmAshrama 1590 vRRiti on BS, tattva chandrikA
65 bhattoji dIxita 1590 tattva-kaustubha, tattva-viveka-dIpana-vyAkhyA
66 nArAyanAshrama 1595 tattva-viveka-dIpana, BD-satkriyA, AD-vivaraNa
67 yaGYeshvara dIxita 1600 ujjIvini (on PPV), advaitachandrikA (on SLS)
68 puruShottama sarasvatI 1600 sAdhaka (on AS), subodhinI (on SS)
69 ratnakheta srInivAsa dIxita 1605 advaitakaustubha, vedAntavAdAvalii
70 dAsopanta 1606 advaitashrutisAra, upaniShadarthaprakAsha
71 ra.ngoji bhatta (dIxita) 1610 Advaita-chintAmaNi, Advaita-shAstra-sAroddhAra
72 rAma tIrtha* 1610 anvayArtha-prakAshikA (on SS), padayojanikA (on US)
73 balabhadra 1610 vyAkhyA on AS
74 kumArabhAva svAmin 1610 advaita-chintAmaNi
75 svayaMprakAshAnanda 1610 Vedanta-nyAya-bhUShaNa (on BS)
76 dharmarAjAdhvarIndra* 1615 Vedanta-paribhAShA [VP], padayojana (on PP)
77 raghavAnanda sarasvatI 1620 tattvArthachandrikA (on BG), vidyAmRRitavarshini (on SS)
78 gopAlAnandAshrama 1620 brahmatattvasubodhini
79 samarapungavada dIxita 1620 advaitavidyAtilaka
80 maheshvarAnanda saras. 1630 AtmAnAtmavivechana, GYAnopadeshasAra

ssp/04,10
81 govindAnanda sarasvatI 1640 ratnaprabhA [RP] (on BSBh)
82 vidyendra sarasvatI 1640 vedAntatattvasAra
83 mukunda muni 1640 advaitaGYAnasarvasva, Atmabodha, tattvabodha
AtmAnAtmA viveka, rasAbhivyajika (on AM), dvaita-

84 syayaMprakAsha muni 1640
khaNDana, vedAntasa.ngraha, guNatrayaviveka
85 ananta bhatta 1641 Advaita chandrikA, Advaita ratnAkara
86 mahAdev sarasvatI 1645 tAtparyadIpikA, advaitachintAkaustubha
87 kRRiShNabhatta hoshinga 1650 advaitasAra, (shAstrIya) prashna (siddhanta) mala
88 rAmAnanda tIrtha 1650 advaitanirNayasa.ngraha, adhyAtmabindu, advaitarahasya
89 ramakRRiShNa adhvarin 1650 shikhA-maNi (on VP), VS-tIkA
90 sadAnanda kAshmIraka* 1650 advaitabrahmasiddhi
91 raghunAtha bhattAchArya 1661 siddhAntarNava, bhUshamaNi
92 laxmaNa paNDita 1663 advaitasudhA
93 kRshNAnanda sarasvatI 1665 siddhAntasiddhA.njana [SA], mAnassaMbodhana
94 akhaNDAnanda sarasvatI 1670 RRijuprakAshikA (on BH), bhAvaprakAshikA
95 ramAnanda sarasvatI 1670 Vedanta-siddhAnta-chandrikA [VSC], vivaraNopanyAsa
96 bAlkRshNAnanda sarasvatI 1670 nyAyamoda, On (AUBh, CU, IU, KU, KEU, PU + BSBh)
97 (achuta) kRshNAnanda 1670 bhAvadIpikA (on BH), adhikaraNAnukramaNikA (on BS)
98 kaivalyAnanda tIrtha 1680 praNavArthaprakAshikA
99 laxminRRisiMhan 1680 Abhoga (on VK-BH), jijnAsadhikaraNa
100 shivendra sarasvatI 1690 svarUpasamAdhAna, dahara vidyA prakAshikA
101 nandarAma tarkavAgIsha 1690 AtmatattvaprakAshikA
102 gopAlendra sarasvatI 1690 shrtui-sa.ngrahita-vedAnta
103 tippa dIxita 1693 bhedadhikkAropanyAsa
104 prakAshAnanda sarasvatI 1695 adhiShThAna viveka, pUrNAdi (on RP)
gauDa brahmAnanda guruchandrikA and laghu-chandrikA (on AS), muktAvalii

105 1700
sarasvatI* (on BS), nyAyaratnAvalii (on siddhAntabindu)
106 vAsudevashrama 1700 yatidharnmaprakAsha
107 bhAskara rAya dIxita 1710 ratnatUlikA (on SA), on (10 UP + GK)
AnandadIpikA (on ABH), Atmabodha, tattvabodha,

108 vAsudevendra yogin* 1710
aparoxAnubhava, AtmAnAtmAviveka, vedAntaprakaraNa
advaitasudhA, dIpikA-s on about 35 minor UP, and tIka-s

109 nArAyaNa sarasvatI* 1710
on BUBh, CUBh, KUBh, KeUBh; vArtika on BSBh
110 shankukavI (kRRiShNa) 1710 kaivalyadIpikA and prabhA, dRshyonmarjanikaprakaraNa

ssp/04,10
111 sadAshiva brahmendra 1720 AtmavidyAvilAsa, advaitarasamanjarI, advaitaratnAvalii
112 ekojIrAjA 1735 parabrahmanirupaNa
113 shAshvatAnanda tIrtha 1740 bhAvArthaprakAshikA, brahmAnandavilAsa
ramachandrendra
114 1740 Commentaries on all 108 UP of muktikA upaniShad.
sarasvatI
115 narasiMha munI 1750 advaitapa.ncharatna, tattvavivechana (on BD)
116 ga.ngAdharendra sarasvatI 1755 sAmrAjyasiddhi and kaivalyakalpadrum (on VSC)
117 advaitAnanda tIrtha 1762 adhyAtmachandrikA, tAtparyadIpikA (on BSBh)
118 abhinava brahmendra 1770 advaitAnusandhAna, aparoxAnubhavadarpaNa
119 sadAnanda vyAsa 1780 siddhAntasAra (on AS), pratyaktattvachintAmaNi
120 rAma nArAyaNa 1780 Anumiti-nirupaNa, tattvabodha, tIkA on PD
121 GYAmRRita or GYAnAnanda 1800 vidyAsurabhi on NS; On CU, IU, AUBh, TUBh
121 keshavAnanda yatI 1800 anubhavAnanda laharI, tIkA on ratnaprabhA
122 (vellinki) sItArAmashAstrin 1800 uttaramImAMsAsArArthasudhA, vedAntasArachintAmaNi
123 Anandashrama 1810 AnandarasasAgara, vishveshvarI sannyAsapaddhatI
124 tryaMbaka (bhatta) shAstrI 1825 Advaita-vAkyArtha, -siddhantavaijayantI, tIkA-US
125 AchArya rAya modaka 1825 advaitAmRRitamanjari and vyAkhyA, Advaita nirNaya
126 pANDura.nga 1827 advaitajalajatA in collaboration with acutarAya modaka
127 dayAsha.nkara 1830 AtmaGYAnarahasya, subodhini on VS
128 amareshvara shAstrI 1850 advaitaratnaprakAsha, biMba dRRiShTi vicAra, AtmatIrtha
129 achutashrama bhixu 1855 svaprakAshatvadIpikA
130 bAlashAstrI garde 1860 AtmAnubhava
131 somanAtha vyAsa 1869 advaitapadyabhAshya, advaitaprakAshikA
132 govindAnanda sarasvatI 1885 advaitabrhamasudhAkArikA
vimarsha (on BSBh), advaitanyAyamatakhaNDana,

(bellan koNDA) rAma
133 1889 Advaita-navanIta, advaitAnubhava, advaitAmRRita,
(rAya) kavI*
arthaprakAshikA
134 harihara paramahaMsa 1890 anubhava-vilAsa
135 brahmAnanda tIrtha 1892 advaitamArtaNDa, tArkikamohaprakAsha
136 sundaramUrti 1893 advaitasAra
137 govindaparivrAjaka 1899 advaitAnubhava
138 amardAsa 1900 maNiprabhA (on shikhA-maNi), advaitaratnAkara
139 hemachandra 1901 advaita-siddhAnta
140 vAsudeva brahmendra 1902 vichAra sa.ngraha, tAtparya sa.ngraha

ssp/04,10
141 AtmAnanda sarasvatI 1910 vedAntashAstramakaranda
142 rAma subramaNya 1927 anantAryavAda, tAtparyasa.ngraha (on BSBh)
143 vasudeva abhyankara 1929 advaitAmoda
144 hariharAnanda sarasvatI 1935 advaitabodhadIpikA, samanvaya sAmrAjya samarthana
145 P. subramaNya shAstrin 1938 vivaraNa (on BH), ratnamAlA (on BSBh)
advaitamArtaNDa, advaitatattvasudhA, pradIpa (on BSBh)

N. S. anantakRRiShNa
146 1946 vedAntaraxAmaNi, shArIrakanyAyasa.ngrahadIpikA,
shAstrI*
chaturgranthI (on AS), advaitadIpa, prakAshikA (on VP)
147 chandrashekhara bhAratI 1954 vivekachUDAmaNi bhAshhya
sachchidAnandendra mUlAvidyAnirAsa, vedAnta prakriyA pratyabhiGYA,

148 sarasvatI (Y. subramaNya 1959 arthatattva-vivechanI (on BSBh), vishuddhivedAntasAra
sharman)* shuddhasha.nkaraprakriyAbhAskara, gItAshAstraviveka
149 kevalAnanda sarasvatI 1976 advaitasiddhyaviShkAra
abhedAnanda
150 1994 advaitatattvamImAMsA
bhattAchArya
शिशकांत पडळकर

Advaita Vedanta

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1 / 295 Advaita Vedanta

न िह जानेन सदशं पिवतिमह िवदते || (गीता ४.३८)

My interest in Advaita-Vedanta was kindled by the excellent Marathi text-book of

In Upanishads, there are descriptions of Brahman 'without properties' (Nirguna)

I included Shaiva (Trika), Shakta (Tripura), and Shakya (Mahayana) traditions

Apart from mainstream Advaita-Vedanta, there are other Vedanta sub-Schools,

Consciousness is fundamental in Advaita. Since absolute absence of

The main doctrine of Consciousness seems to be under contemplation of Vedic

N. B. ITRANS scheme was used for transliteration into Devanagari by activating

1.0 Means of Knowledge 18

2.0 Method of Knowledge 35

3.0 Ignorance and Illusion 87

4.0 Liberation 113

5.0 Historical Overview 128

5.2 Vedanta History 156

5.2.1 Period of Scriptures 156

5.2.5 Period of Dialectic 223

6.0 Advaita Vedanta Summary 278

7.0 References 286

7.1 Source books 286

Tables: 1. Vedic Branches (pages 13-15)

Maps: 1. Sapta Sindhava Civilization (page 152)

AU aitareya upaniShad [ऐतरेय उपिनषद्]

ITRANS (transliteration) is used for Sanskrit-Devanagari words (ref next page).

Devanagari Transliteration ( ITRANS) Scheme.

a aa i ii u uu e ai o au aM aH RRi RRI LLi LLI

ka kha ga gha N^a

cha Cha ja jha JNa

ya ra la va sha Sha sa ha La xa GYa

The terms Knowledge and Ignorance have special meanings in Advaita.

Ignorance too has everyday meaning, that of 'lack of worldly knowledge'

0.1 Veda: Since Vedanta is the concluding section of Veda, it is worthwhile

RV, SV, and AV demarcate their respective saMhitA (mantra-s) and

8 Association of AV with brahma priests was not there in the initial phase; AV was canonized late

had many versions (recensions, branches or shAkhA-s) with their own

Extant shAkhA-s or their fragments have been listed in the following

(‘X’ indicates 'no information'; ? denotes ambiguity; ?? denotes 'possibly

2 AshvalAyana RV (shAkala) (shAkala) (shAkala)

3 kauShItakI RV (X) kauShItakI kauShItakI kauShItakI

10 These techniques became part of the vaidika science of phonetics and phonology [shixA] and of

n shAkhA saMhitA brAhmaNa AraNyaka UpaniShad

5 sha.nkhAyana RV sha.nkhAyana sha.nkhAyana sha.nkhAyana

7 mAdhyandina SYV shatapatha shatapatha bRRihadAraNyaka

13 kapisthala KYV (P) kapisthala (P) X X

15 rANAyanIya SV (kauthuma) (kauthuma) (kauthuma)

16 talavakAra SV (P) jaiminIya, ArSheya talavakAra kena (talavakAra

n shAkhA saMhitA brAhmaNa AraNyaka UpaniShad

18 paippalAda AV-P ?? X prashna

Antiquity is not a criterion of authority within a Vedanta tradition, however,

(1) shixA [िशका]: Phonetics

21 AV­shaunakIya (AV­S) is arranged in 20 kANDa­s (books) in 4 divisions not necessarily following

Following Table-2 gives Vedanga literature. As can be noted, kalpa sUtra-s

n Vedanga RV SV KYV SYV AV

1a shrauta AshvalAyana lATyAyaNa, baudhAyana kAtyAyana vaitAna

1b gRRihya AshvalAyana, gobhila baudhAyana kAtyAyana kaushika

1c dharma vAsiShTha gautama baudhAyana

1d shulva baudhAyana kAtyAyana

n Vedanga RV SV KYV SYV AV

2 shixA (A) shiva-sUtra: fourteen verses that organize the Sanskrit

21 AVshaunakIya (AVS) is arranged in 20 kANDas (books) in 4 divisions not necessarily following

32 Knowledge [brahmaGYAna] and moxa are closely related. Realization of Self invariably leads to

45 nyAya = Logic and dialectics; hence nyAyaprasthAna stands for source of Knowledge which is