some foundation...
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
Have you noticed that many-a-post refers to the knowledge that is found within the bhāgavad gītā¹ ? Now why would that be? One can answer, it is a great book, it is the song (gītā) of the Lord (bhagavān). I would say that is absolutely correct. Yet, as always in sanātana dharma there is more.
It is considered one of the foundations of vedānta. As you know vedānta = veda + anta = end of the veda. This ‘end’ has significance as it means conclusion, final but also suggests there is nothing further; that no one need to go further then this for knowledge, it is final. I will offer some additional ideas in a future post on this notion, but for now let’s get back to the notion of ‘foundations’.
The foundation of vedānta is called prasthānatrayī . This word is prasthāna + trayī . Prasthāna is defined ‘the place of origin’, ‘starting point’ , ‘source’ – so many have termed this as foundation. And trayī = traya which simply means ‘3’ , but also means ‘summit’ or the highest point.
So, if we combine the meanings it suggests that prasthānatrayī is the 3 places of origin, the source, the highest point (traya) of vedānta. And what are these three ?
- The bhāgavad gītā , also called smṛti prasthāna within the framework we are speaking
- The upaniṣad-s , also called sruti-prasthāna
- The brahmasutra-s , also called nyāya-prasthāna
Note that smṛti is that which is remembered, sruti is that which is heard, and nyāya that which is reasoned.
So it is this prasthānatrayī that is considered core to vedānta. These scriptures are considered key for that author who wishes to profoundly comment & explain (bhāṣya) these works… some call them the checkmarks that are needed for any of the great bhāyaṣkāra-s ( or bhāyakārin-s) to comment on.
So that should be it… end of story ? Well, if you look at the term vedānta it can be prefixed by 3 different views of vedānta ( leave it to us humans to not be satisfied with one):
- adivaita vedānta
- viśiṣtādvaita vedānta
- dvaita vedānta
Who are the primary bhāyaṣkārin-s of these now-to-be-known schools of vedānta ?
- ādi śaṅkara for adivaita vedānta
- rāmānuja for viśiṣtādvaita vedānta
- madhvācārya for dvaita vedānta
Are there others ? Yes, but most if not all stand on the shoulders of these 3 bhāyaṣkārin-s.
Many ( but not all) of our conversations on HDF stem back to these books and points of view. They talk of the truth of reality from 3 different views. For some they see them as ‘camps’ or opposing views, for others they see the ‘camps’ as 3 different vantage points to view Reality and the definition of this Reality.
So , on HDF when a conversation arises many a thoughtful person will say, it all depends on how you look at it. This is not just a modern day deterrent to avoid being cornered into a position, but the actual vantage point of a learned person; three different views of the same subject matter.
There is more to add to this overall conversation and will ( and others are welcomed) to continue in future posts.
iti śivaṁ
words
- bhāgavad components
- bhaj = to grant , bestow , furnish + ga
- ga is rooted in √gai singing
- bhaga = ‘dispenser’ ; gracious lord; good fortune , happiness , welfare , prosperity; love and affection
- vad = to praise; also to speak , recite , rehearse; it also means
- Additional HDF post : http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=5093
Last edited by yajvan; 14 October 2014 at 04:43 PM.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
Bookmarks