Adi Shankara Advaita Vedanta

1 adi shankara

1.1 historical context
1.2 writings
1.3 influence of shankara

adi shankara

adi shankara (788–820), known Śaṅkara bhagavatpādācārya , Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, represents turning point in development of vedanta. after growing influence of buddhism on vedanta, culminating in works of gaudapada, adi shankara gave vedantic character buddhistic elements in these works, synthesising , rejuvenating doctrine of advaita. using ideas in ancient indian texts, shankara systematized foundation advaita vedanta in 8th century ce, though school founded many centuries earlier badarayana. thematic focus extended beyond metaphysics , soteriology, , laid strong emphasis on pramanas, epistemology or means gain knowledge, reasoning methods empower 1 gain reliable knowledge . rambachan, example, summarizes held view on 1 aspect of shankara s epistemology before critiquing follows,

according these [widely represented contemporary] studies, shankara accorded provisional validity knowledge gained inquiry words of Śruti (vedas) , did not see latter unique source (pramana) of brahmajnana. affirmations of Śruti, argued, need verified , confirmed knowledge gained through direct experience (anubhava) , authority of Śruti, therefore, secondary.

sengaku mayeda concurs, adding shankara maintained need objectivity in process of gaining knowledge (vastutantra), , considered subjective opinions (purushatantra) , injunctions in Śruti (codanatantra) secondary. mayeda cites shankara s explicit statements emphasizing epistemology (pramana-janya) in section 1.18.133 of upadesasahasri , section 1.1.4 of brahmasutra-bhasya.

adi shankara cautioned against cherrypicking phrase or verse out of context vedic literature, , remarked anvaya (theme or purport) of treatise can correctly understood if 1 attends samanvayat tatparya linga, 6 characteristics of text under consideration:

while methodology has roots in theoretical works of nyaya school of hinduism, shankara consolidated , applied unique exegetical method called anvaya-vyatireka, states proper understanding 1 must accept meanings compatible characteristics , exclude meanings incompatible .

hacker , phillips note insight rules of reasoning , hierarchical emphasis on epistemic steps doubtlessly suggestion of shankara in brahma-sutra, insight flowers in works of companion , disciple padmapada. merrell-wolff states shankara accepts vedas , upanishads source of knowledge develops philosophical theses, yet never rests case on ancient texts, rather proves each thesis, point point using pranamas (epistemology), reason , experience.

historical context

shankara lived in time of so-called late classical hinduism , lasted 650 1100 ce. era 1 of political instability followed gupta dynasty , king harsha of 7th century ce. time of social , cultural change ideas of buddhism, jainism, , various traditions within hinduism competing members. buddhism in particular influenced india s spiritual traditions in first 700 years of 1st millennium ce. shankara , contemporaries made significant contribution in understanding buddhism , ancient vedic traditions; transformed extant ideas, particularly reforming vedanta tradition of hinduism, making india s important tradition more thousand years.

writings

adi shankara best known systematic reviews , commentaries (bhasyas) on ancient indian texts. shankara s masterpiece of commentary brahmasutrabhasya (literally, commentary on brahma sutra), fundamental text of vedanta school of hinduism. commentaries on ten mukhya (principal) upanishads considered authentic scholars. other authentic works of shankara include commentaries on bhagavad gita (part of prasthana trayi bhasya).

shankara s vivarana (tertiary notes) on commentary vedavyasa on yogasutras on apastamba dharma-sũtras (adhyatama-patala-bhasya) accepted scholars authentic works of adi shankara. among stotra (poetic works), daksinamurti stotra, bhajagovinda stotra, sivanandalahari, carpata-panjarika, visnu-satpadi, harimide, dasa-shloki, , krishna-staka authentic. authored upadesasahasri, important original philosophical work. of other original prakaranas (प्रकरण, monographs, treatise), 76 works attributed adi shankara. modern era indian scholars belvalkar , upadhyaya accept 5 , thirty 9 works, respectively, authentic.

several commentaries on nrisimha-purvatatapaniya , shveshvatara upanishads have been attributed adi shankara, authenticity highly doubtful. similarly, commentaries on several , later upanishads attributed shankara rejected scholars works, , works of later advaita vedanta scholars; these include kaushitaki upanishad, maitri upanishad, kaivalya upanishad, paramahamsa upanishad, sakatayana upanishad, mandala brahmana upanishad, maha narayana upanishad, , gopalatapaniya upanishad.

the authenticity of shankara being author of vivekacūḍāmaṇi has been questioned, scholars credit him. authorship of shankara of mandukya upanishad bhasya , supplementary commentary on gaudapada s māṇḍukya kārikā has been disputed nakamura. however, other scholars state commentary on mandukya, commentary on madukya-karikas gaudapada, may authentic.

influence of shankara

shankara s status in tradition of advaita vedanta unparallelled. travelled on india restore study of vedas. teachings , tradition form basis of smartism , have influenced sant mat lineages. introduced pañcāyatana form of worship, simultaneous worship of 5 deities – ganesha, surya, vishnu, shiva, , devi. shankara explained deities different forms of 1 brahman, invisible supreme being.

benedict ashley credits adi shankara unifying 2 seemingly disparate philosophical doctrines in hinduism, namely atman , brahman. isaeva states shankara s influence extended reforming hinduism, founding monasteries, edifying disciples, disputing opponents, , engaging in philosophic activity that, in eyes of indian tradition, helped revive orthodox idea of unity of beings , vedanta thought.

some scholars doubt shankara s influence in india. according king , roodurmun, until 10th century shankara overshadowed older contemporary mandana-misra, considered major representative of advaita. other scholars state historical records period unclear, , little reliable information known various contemporaries , disciples of shankara.

several scholars suggest historical fame , cultural influence of shankara grew centuries later, particularly during era of muslim invasions , consequent devastation of india. many of shankara s biographies created , published in , after 14th century, such cited vidyaranya s Śankara-vijaya. vidyaranya, known madhava, 12th jagadguru of Śringeri Śarada pītham 1380 1386, inspired re-creation of hindu vijayanagara empire of south india in response devastation caused islamic delhi sultanate. , brothers, suggest paul hacker , other scholars, wrote Śankara extensive advaitic commentaries on vedas , dharma. vidyaranya minister in vijayanagara empire , enjoyed royal support, , sponsorship , methodical efforts helped establish shankara rallying symbol of values, spread historical , cultural influence of shankara s vedanta philosophies, , establish monasteries (mathas) expand cultural influence of shankara , advaita vedanta.