HINDUISM FOR ALL - BRAHMA SOOTRAS

HINDUISM FOR ALL

BRAHMA SOOTRAS

If a Hindu were to be asked to name ‘The Holy Book’ of Hinduism, he would be perplexed to choose one text from the huge mass of religious literature. But our philosopher – saints have identified a triplet called Prasthaana – trayi. This triad consist of

Shruti Prasthaana - Ten Upanishads

Smriti Prasthaana - Bhagavad Geeta

Nyaaya Prasthaana - Brahma Sootras.

The Shruti Prasthaana is a representative of the Vedic corpus while the Smriti Prasthana is that of Itihaasa – Puraana literature.

Brahma Sootra stands for Nyaaya – Prasthaana i.e. independent treatise trying to reconcile the seeming contradictions in Upanishadic and Smriti texts and establish the supremacy of Vedaanta and Moksha (Salvation) as the prime objectives of human life.

The text is composed in 555 sootras ( aphorisms i.e. small sentences), by Veda Vyaasa. The text is divided into many Adhikaranas (chapters). The central theme of the work being establishing the nature of Self, it is also called Shaareerika – Meemaamsa – Sootra.

All philosophical traditions belonging to the Vedaanta school have commented upon this text to attain acceptability of their view points. Aadi Shankara has commented from Advaitic Stand (called Shaareerika Meemaamsa Bhaashya),

While Raamaanuja from Vishishtaadvaita (called Shreebhaashya), Madhvaachaarya (called Anubhaashya) from Dvaita stand point, Vallabha from Shuddhaadvaita (Pushtimaarga – also called Anubhaashya), Srikantha from Shivavishishtaadvaita (called Srikantha Bhaashya) and Sri Panchaanana Tarkaratna from Shaakta point of view (called Shaakti Bhaashya). There are many subcommentaries too which speaks volumes about greatness of this work.

SHAD DARSHANAS

The philosophy behind principle of life; death and Moksha (liberation) has been variously understood and explained by various philosophers in India. These became codified as the Six-systems of philosophies or Shad Darshanas. These philosophical schools played a vital role in the progress of Hindu thought and protected it from the intellectual attack from other religious and systems. No aspect of philosophy (discovered in West or Far East) has been left untouched by these Six systems.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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