Vedanta School - Orthodox School of Indian Philosophy - Art and Culture Notes

Vedanta school is a monistic school of Orthodox philosophy that holds that the world is unreal and that Brahman is the only true reality. It is also known as Uttara Mimamsa. This school focuses on the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads (mystic or spiritual contemplations within the Vedas). The school was divided into six sub-schools. Here we will discuss in detail about the Vedanta school, which will be helpful for aspirants preparing for UPSC IAS Examination.

Table of Contents

Vedanta School - Features
Conclusion
FAQs
MCQs

Sri Adi Shankaracharya

Features

Vedanta School - Features

Vedanta is comprised of two words: 'Veda' and 'ant,' referring to the end of the Vedas.
This school adheres to the life ideals outlined in the Upanishads.
The Brahmasutra of Badrayana is the earliest scripture on which this philosophy is based.
Brahm, according to this philosophy, is the truth of existence, whereas all else is illusory or Maya.
In addition, the Atma, or self-consciousness, is analogous to the Brahm.
This argument equates Atma with Brahm, implying that if a person achieves self-knowledge, he will instantly comprehend Brahm and gain redemption.
But, because of the philosophical involvement of Shankaracharya, who published comments on the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita in the 9th century AD, this philosophy evolved.
- Advaita Vedanta arose from his transformations.
Ramanujan, who lived in the 12th century AD, was another important philosopher of this school. His intervention caused certain changes in the Vedanta school:

Shankaracharya’s View	Ramanujan’s View
He believes that Brahm is devoid of all qualities.	He believes that Brahm possesses certain qualities.
He believes that knowledge, or jnana/Gyan, is the most important factor in achieving salvation.	The road to salvation, he believes, is to love the religion and practice devotion.

The Karma Philosophy was also validated by the Vedanta theory.
They believed in Punarjanam or reincarnation as a theory.
They also said that in the future birth, a person would have to endure the burden of their prior acts.
- This concept would also allow individuals to claim that they occasionally suffer in their current birth as a result of a prior misdeed and that the only way to get rid of it is to identify one's Brahm.
The school was divided into six sub-schools, each of which interpreted the texts differently and produced its own set of sub-commentaries:
Advaita (Adi Shankara): It asserts that the individual self (Atman) and Brahman are the same, and that understanding the difference leads to liberation.
Visishtadvaita (Ramanuja): This school of thought holds that all diversity is subsumed by a unified whole.
Dvaita (Madhvacharya): It regards Brahman and Atman as distinct entities, with Bhakti serving as the path to eternal salvation.
Dvaitadvaita (Nimbarka): It states that the highest reality, the controller of all, is Brahman.
Shuddhadvaita (Vallabhacharya): It asserts that God and the individual self are indistinguishable.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Achintya Bheda Abheda): It emphasizes that the individual self (Jvatman) is both distinct and indistinguishable from Brahman.

Other Relevant Links
Orthodox Schools	Nyaya School
Vaisheshika School	Heterodox Schools
Mimamsa School	Samkhya School
Yoga School	Charvaka School or Lokayata Philosophy

Conclusion

In the Indian context, Vedanta is considered to be the highest spiritual knowledge knowing which, there remains nothing further to be known. It contains self-knowledge (Atmavidya) and also the knowledge of the Absolute Truth (Brahmavidya).

Other Relevant Links
Indian Art and Culture	Indian Schools of Ancient Philosophy
Religion in India	Buddhism and Jainism
Official Languages of India	Languages of India
Indian Theatre	Indian Puppetry
Ancient Scripts of India	UNESCO'S List of Intangible Cultural heritage

FAQs

Question: What is Vedanta in the context of Indian philosophy?

Answer: Vedanta is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, rooted in the end portion of the Vedas, known as the Upanishads. The term "Vedanta" literally means "the end of the Vedas" and focuses on understanding the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the ultimate goal of life, which is liberation (Moksha). Vedanta emphasizes the idea that the individual soul is fundamentally the same as the ultimate reality, Brahman, and explores various paths to realize this oneness. This school has various interpretations, with Advaita (non-dualism) being one of the most prominent philosophies within Vedanta.

Question: What are the key concepts of Vedanta philosophy?

Answer: The key concepts of Vedanta philosophy include Brahman, which is the ultimate, unchanging reality that is the source of all existence. Atman refers to the individual self or soul, which is considered to be identical with Brahman in Advaita Vedanta. Maya is the illusion that creates a false perception of duality and separateness from Brahman. Moksha represents the liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), achieved through self-realization and understanding of the oneness of Atman and Brahman. These concepts are explored through various texts, primarily the Upanishads, and commentaries by philosophers such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, and Madhva.

Question: Who are some prominent philosophers associated with Vedanta?

Answer: Several influential philosophers have contributed to the development of Vedanta. Adi Shankaracharya, who lived in the 8th century CE, is renowned for his interpretation of Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes non-dualism and the identity of Atman and Brahman. Ramanuja, known for his Vishishtadvaita in the 11th century CE, asserts a distinction between the individual soul and the supreme soul while maintaining their unity. Madhva founded Dvaita in the 13th century CE, arguing for a clear distinction between God, individual souls, and the material world. Each of these thinkers has shaped the discourse around Vedanta and its applications in spiritual practice and philosophy.

Question: How does Vedanta differ from other schools of Indian philosophy?

Answer: Vedanta distinguishes itself from other Indian philosophical schools primarily through its emphasis on the ultimate unity of the self (Atman) with the absolute reality (Brahman). Unlike Samkhya, which posits a duality between purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter), Vedanta suggests that the true nature of reality transcends this duality. Similarly, while other schools may focus on ritual practices and ethical conduct, Vedanta prioritizes the inner realization of one's true nature as a means to achieve liberation. This focus on experiential knowledge and self-inquiry sets Vedanta apart within the broader landscape of Indian philosophy.

Question: What relevance does Vedanta hold in contemporary society?

Answer: Vedanta holds significant relevance in contemporary society as it offers insights into personal development, spirituality, and holistic well-being. Its teachings encourage individuals to explore their inner selves and recognize their connection to the larger universe, promoting mental peace and self-awareness. In a world increasingly marked by stress and disconnection, the principles of Vedanta advocate for mindfulness and the pursuit of inner fulfillment over material success. Moreover, Vedanta's emphasis on universal truths transcends cultural boundaries, making its teachings applicable to diverse global contexts and contributing to dialogues on ethics, morality, and the nature of existence.

MCQs

1. What does the term "Vedanta" literally mean?

A) End of the Vedas
B) Knowledge of the Self
C) Path of Devotion
D) Philosophy of Life