The Philosophy Of The Vedantasutra: A Study Based On The Evaluation Of The Commentaries Of Samkara, Ramanuja And Madhva

The Vedantasutras of Badarayana which codifies the teachings of the Upanisads is acclaimed by all as the fundamental source-book for the system of Vedanta philosophy. Nevertheless several schools of thought such as the Advaita of Samkara, the Visistadvaita of Ramanuja and the Dvaita of Madhva have been developed from it, each one differing from the other in respect of major doctrines. This makes it difficult to determine the specific nature of the Vedanta philosophy as enunciated by Badarayana in his classic sutras apart from what is claimed by the respective commentators. Dr. Chari's scholarly work attempts to bring out the views of Badarayana on the philosophy of Vedanta as enshrined in the sutras. He discusses comprehensively and in a systematic manner with reference to the selected sutras, the five fundamental doctrines of Vedanta namely, the nature of Brahman, the nature of the individual soul and its relation to Brahman, the nature of the universe and its relation to Brahman, the nature of the means to attain Brahman and the nature of the Supreme Goal. On the basis of an objective evaluation of the comments of Samkara, Ramanuja, and Madhva, the three principal exponents of Vedanta, he has conclusively established that the Vedanta philosophy of Badarayana is theistic monism, upholding the oneness of the Ultimate Reality as organically related to the sentient souls and the non-sentient cosmic matter. The book which is the first of its kind seeks to provide a deeper insight into the Vedantasutras.