Unifying Hinduism Advaita Vedanta

advaita vedanta came occupy central position in classification of various hindu traditions. scholars, arrival of islamic rule, first in form of delhi sultanate thereafter mughal empire, , subsequent persecution of indian religions, hindu scholars began self-conscious attempts define identity , unity. between twelfth , fourteen century, according andrew nicholson, effort emerged classification of astika , nastika systems of indian philosophies. thinkers, according nicholson thesis, began retrospectively classify ancient thought 6 systems (saddarsana) of mainstream hindu philosophy.

other scholars, acknowledges nicholson, present alternate thesis. scriptures such vedas, upanishads , bhagavad gita, texts such dharmasutras , puranas, , various ideas considered paradigmatic hinduism traceable being thousands of years old. unlike christianity , islam, hinduism religion not have single founder, rather fusion of diverse scholarship gallaxy of thinkers openly challenged each other s teachings , offered own ideas. term hindu too, states arvind sharma, appears in older texts such in arabic record islamic invasion or regional rule of indian subcontinent. of these texts have been dated between 8th , 11th century. within these doxologies , records, advaita vedanta given highest position, since regarded inclusive system.