What Is Vedanta?
Vedanta, according to Hinduism, is a school of philosophical thought that interprets and elucidates the teachings of the Vedas, which are considered as the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The term "Vedanta" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Veda," meaning knowledge or wisdom, and "anta," meaning end or conclusion. Therefore, Vedanta can be understood as the culmination or highest knowledge of the Vedas.
Vedanta encompasses a wide range of philosophical and metaphysical concepts, and it is often considered as one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Hindu philosophy. It is primarily based on the Upanishads, which are a collection of ancient philosophical texts that are considered to be the concluding portion of the Vedas. The Upanishads expound upon the nature of reality, self, and the ultimate truth, and they form the foundation of Vedantic philosophy.
At its core, Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality or truth is Brahman, which is the absolute, eternal, and all-pervading reality that underlies and transcends the entire universe. Brahman is considered to be the source of all existence and the essence of everything. According to Vedanta, the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true nature as Brahman, which is known as self-realization or enlightenment.
Vedanta also teaches the concept of Maya, which is the illusion or veil of ignorance that creates the sense of individuality and separation from Brahman. It explains that the world and the individual selves (Atman) are not separate from Brahman but are rather an expression or manifestation of Brahman through Maya.
There are several sub-schools or interpretations of Vedanta, including Advaita Vedanta, Dvaita Vedanta, and Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, which emphasize different aspects of Vedantic philosophy and have varying perspectives on the relationship between Brahman, the individual self, and the world.
Vedanta has profound implications for various aspects of human life, including ethics, spirituality, meditation, and the pursuit of self-realization. It is considered as one of the major philosophical systems of Hinduism and has had a significant influence on Indian spirituality, religion, and philosophy for centuries.
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