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What Is Vedanta?
Vedanta means the culmination of knowledge and the ultimate knowledge that is out there. Vedanta is the end portion of the Vedas, the knowledge section of the Vedas known as Jnana Kanda.
Vedanta is a handbook for living. It’s essentially a manual on self-improvement. It is the knowledge that gives us the ability to hold a mirror to the true nature of the self. Vedanta teaches us to look at ourselves and the world in its absolute nature – in the original form.
Vedanta is a means to the truth. The truth of the real relationship with the world, God or the higher power and our inherent nature of the self. It offers means to pause, reflect, and look inward.
Vedānta = Veda + anta.
This literally means the final portion of the Vedas which are texts collectively known as the Upanishads.
Vedanta is the philosophical system which is based on the teachings of the Upanishads. The cream of the teaching of the Upanishads is summed up in the Bhagavad Gita and further expounded upon in the Brahma-sūtras.
So, in summary the VEDANTA is a system of philosophy which is based on these three texts collectively known as the Prasthāna Trayam.
There are three major variations of Vedanta known as:
- Advaita – Non-dualism (Shankaracharya)
- Visiṣṭhādvaita – Qualified non-dualism (Ramanujacharya)
- Dvaita – Dualism. (Madhvacharya)
Before beginning the study of Vedanta, one is traditionally required to study:
- Nyāya – critical thinking and logic.
- Tarka – the art of the argument, the rules of debate.
- Mīmāṁsa – hermenutics – the art of interpreting sacred texts – the rules of exegesis and hierarchy of authority. This is most important because most of the propositions of Vedanta are based on Vedic statements.
Learning Vedas, UpaVedas and Vedangas – A Complete Overview
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About The Article Author:
Hi, I’m Rachana. Its been my dream for years to do something to consciously create a better future where every one of us is excited about our own potential. My challenge to everyone is that they aspire for their personal best and leave a legacy of their work through their contributions to mankind.
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About Sanatana Dharma
ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव नापरः।
अनेन वेद्यं सच्छास्त्रमिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः॥
Brahman alone is real; the universe is mithya – neither fully real nor unreal, but an appearance. The individual self (jiva) is none other than Brahman itself, not separate or different. This is the true teaching of the scriptures, as revealed by Vedanta. ~ Verse 20 from Brahma Jnānavali Māla
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