*

 

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.

 

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About The Article Author:

Our mission with FutureSTRONG Academy – to grow children who respect themselves, their time and their capabilities in a world where distractions are just a click or a swipe away.

I see myself as an advocate for bringing social, emotional and character development to families, schools and communities. I never want to let this idea out of my sight – Our children are not just GPAs. I’m a Writer and a Certified Master Coach in NLP and CBT. Until 2017, I was also a Big Data Scientist. In December of 2044, I hope to win the Nobel. Namasté.

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Rachana Nadella-Somayajula,
Program Director & Essential Life Skills Coach for Kids and Busy Parents

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