What is vedanta?
Vedanta is a Sanskrit word that means "the end of the Vedas". The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, which contain hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings. Vedanta is a branch of Hindu philosophy that aims to understand the nature of reality, the self, and the supreme being.
What are the main schools of Vedanta?
There are many schools of Vedanta, but the most influential ones are:
- Advaita Vedanta: This school was founded by Adi Shankara, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 8th century CE. Advaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the supreme being, who is the same as the individual soul, the jiva. Brahman is beyond any description, perception, or distinction, and is the source of all existence. The jiva is the individual soul that is born, lives, and dies in the material world, which is also called the purusha. The jiva is not separate from Brahman, but is a part of Brahman, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Vishishtadvaita Vedanta: This school was founded by Ramanuja, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 11th century CE. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Vishnu, the preserver, who is the same as the individual soul, the jiva. Vishnu is the supreme being, who is the source of all existence, but also the creator and sustainer of the material world, which is also called the prakriti. The jiva is not separate from Vishnu, but is a part of Vishnu, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Dvaita Vedanta: This school was founded by Madhvacharya, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 13th century CE. Dvaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Vishnu, the preserver, who is the same as the individual soul, the jiva. Vishnu is the supreme being, who is the source of all existence, but also the creator and sustainer of the material world, which is also called the prakriti. The jiva is not separate from Vishnu, but is a part of Vishnu, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness. However, Dvaita Vedanta also teaches that there are other supreme beings, such as Shiva, the destroyer, and Brahma, the creator, who are also different from Vishnu, and who have their own realms and attributes.
- Nirguna Vedanta: This school was founded by Ramanuja, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 11th century CE. Nirguna Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the supreme being, who is beyond any description, perception, or distinction. Brahman is the source of all existence, but also the creator and sustainer of the material world, which is also called the prakriti. The jiva is not separate from Brahman, but is a part of Brahman, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
What are the main concepts of Vedanta?
Some of the main concepts of Vedanta are:
- Brahman: This is the ultimate reality, the supreme being, who is the source of all existence, and who is beyond any description, perception, or distinction. Brahman is the essence of everything, and is the cause and the effect of everything. Brahman is also the creator, the sustainer, and the destroyer of everything. Brahman is also the jiva, the individual soul, who is the same as Brahman, and who can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Jiva: This is the individual soul, who is the agent of action, the experiencer of sensation, and the bearer of consciousness. The jiva is the essence of everything, and is the cause and the effect of everything. The jiva is also the creator, the sustainer, and the destroyer of everything. The jiva is also Brahman, the supreme being, who is the same as the jiva, and who can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Purusha: This is the material world, which is also called the prakriti. The purusha is the source of all existence, and is the cause and the effect of everything. The purusha is also the creator, the sustainer, and the destroyer of everything. The purusha is also the jiva, the individual soul, who is the same as the purusha, and who can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Maya: This is the illusion, the ignorance, and the bondage that prevent the jiva from realizing its true nature, which is Brahman. Maya is the cause of all suffering, and the obstacle to all liberation. Maya is also the difference between the jiva and Brahman, and the distinction between the purusha and the prakriti. Maya can be overcome by knowledge, wisdom, and devotion.
- Karma: This is the action, the deed, and the consequence that bind the jiva to the cycle of birth and death, which is also called samsara. Karma is the cause of all bondage, and the obstacle to all liberation. Karma is also the difference between the jiva and Brahman, and the distinction between the purusha and the prakriti. Karma can be overcome by knowledge, wisdom, and devotion.
- Moksha: This is the liberation, the release, and the union that the jiva can attain by realizing its true nature, which is Brahman. Moksha is the cause of all happiness, and the obstacle to all suffering. Moksha is also the difference between the jiva and Brahman, and the distinction between the purusha and the prakriti. Moksha can be achieved by knowledge, wisdom, and devotion.
What are the main sources of Vedanta?
Some of the main sources of Vedanta are:
- The Vedas: These are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, which contain hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda. The Vedas are considered to be the word of God, and the source of all knowledge.
- The Upanishads: These are the later scriptures of Hinduism, which contain the philosophical teachings of the Vedas. The Upanishads are divided into two parts: the minor Upanishads, which are shorter and more practical, and the major Upanishads, which are longer and more abstract. The Upanishads are considered to be the word of Brahman, and the source of all knowledge.
- The Bhagavad Gita: This is a part of the Mahabharata, one of the two great epics of Hinduism, which narrates the story of the Kurukshetra war, and the moral and spiritual dilemmas of the characters. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna, the supreme being, and Arjuna, a warrior prince, who is about to fight in the war. The Bhagavad Gita is considered to be the word of Krishna, and the source of all knowledge.
- The commentaries: These are the writings of the Hindu scholars and philosophers, who have interpreted and explained the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. The commentaries are divided into two parts: the orthodox commentaries, which follow the traditional and orthodox views of the Vedanta schools, and the heterodox commentaries, which challenge and criticize the orthodox views of the Vedanta schools. The commentaries are considered to be the word of the scholars and philosophers, and the source of all knowledge.
What are the main branches of Vedanta?
Some of the main branches of Vedanta are:
- Advaita Vedanta: This is the school of Vedanta that was founded by Adi Shankara, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 8th century CE. Advaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the supreme being, who is the same as the individual soul, the jiva. Brahman is beyond any description, perception, or distinction, and is the source of all existence. The jiva is not separate from Brahman, but is a part of Brahman, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing this oneness.
- Vishishtadvaita Vedanta: This is the school of Vedanta that was founded by Ramanuja, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 11th century CE. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is Vishnu, the preserver, who is the same as the individual soul, the jiva. Vishnu is the supreme being, who is the source of all existence, but also the creator and sustainer of the material world, which is also called the prakriti. The jiva is not separate from Vishnu, but is a part of Vishnu, and can attain liberation, or moksha, by realizing