All About Bharatiya Sanatana Dharmam otherwise known as Hinduism : 12 Continued- Swami Sivananda.

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Sunday, June 26, 2022. 6:00. AM.

Chapter - 12.

Hindu Philosophy-II

(The Schools of Vedanta)

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DIFFERENT CONCEPTIONS OF BRAHMAN ONLY DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE REALITY :

Nimbarkacharya reconciles all the different views regarding the Lord taken up by Sankara,

Ramanuja, Madhva and others, and proves that their views are all true with reference to the

particular aspect of Brahman dealt with by them, each in his own way. Sankara has taken Reality in

Its transcendental aspect, while Ramanuja has taken It in Its immanent aspect, principally; but,

Nimbarka has adjusted different views taken by the different commentators.

Sri Sankaracharya, Sri Ramanujacharya, Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Vallabhacharya and Sri

Nimbarkacharya—all were great souls. We cannot say that Sri Sankara was greater than Sri

Ramanuja, or Sri Vallabha was greater than Nimbarka, etc. All were Avatara Purushas. Each one

incarnated himself on this earth to complete a definite mission, to preach and propagate certain

doctrines which were necessary to help the growth of a certain type of people, who flourished at a

certain period, who were in a certain stage of evolution. All schools of philosophy are necessary.

Each philosophy is best suited to a certain type of people. The different conceptions of Brahman are

but different approaches to the Reality. It is extremely difficult, rather impossible, for the finite soul

to get—all at once—a clear conception of the Illimitable or Infinite Soul, and more so, to express it

in adequate terms. All cannot grasp the highest Kevala Advaita philosophy of Sri Sankara all at

once. The mind has to be disciplined properly before it is rendered as a fit instrument to grasp the

tenets of Sri Sankara’s Advaita Vedanta.

Salutations and adorations to all Acharyas! Glory to the Acharyas! May their blessings be

upon us all.

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1. THE ADVAITA PHILOSOPHY OF SRI SWAMI ADI SANKARACHARYA :

INTRODUCTION :

The first systematic exponent of the Advaita is Gaudapada, who is the Parama-Guru

(preceptor’s preceptor) of Sri Sankara. Govinda was the disciple of Gaudapada. He became the

preceptor of Sankara. Gaudapada has given the central teaching of Advaita Vedanta in his

celebrated Mandukya Karikas. But it was Sankara who brought forth the final beautiful form of

Advaita philosophy, and gave perfection and finishing touch to it. Carefully go through Sri

Sankara’s commentaries on the principal Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad-Gita.

You will clearly understand his Advaita philosophy. The commentary on the Vedanta Sutras by

Sankara is known as Sariraka Bhashya.

The teachings of Sankara can be summed up in half a verse: “Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya

Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah—Brahman (the Absolute) is alone real; this world is unreal; and the

Jiva or the individual soul is non-different from Brahman.” This is the quintessence of his

philosophy.

The Advaita taught by Sri Sankara is a rigorous, absolute one. According to Sri Sankara,

whatever is, is Brahman. Brahman Itself is absolutely homogeneous. All difference and plurality

are illusory.

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Next -

BRAHMAN—THE ONE WITHOUT A SECOND

To be continued....

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