Systems of Vedanta And Kashmir Saivism (C.A.D. 300-1000)

Author : R. Balasubramanian
Publisher : Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan
Language : English
Edition : 2011
ISBN : 9789380864044
Pages : 180 (5 Color Illustrations)
Cover : Paperback
Dimension : 20.5 cm X 14 cm
Price : 230 gm

The Veda consist of Four parts: (1) Mantras (2) Brahmanas (3) Aranyakas and (4) Upanisads Since the Upanisads come at the end of the Veda they are Called Vedanta. The term Vedanta Etymologically means the end of the Veda the anta of the Veda). What is taught in the Upanisads has been conveyed in the form of brief statements called sutras in the Brahma Sutra composed by Badarayana. The Bhagavad-Gita the song of the lord sets forth the teachings of the Upanisads in the form of dialogue between Krsna, the incarnation of Visnu and Arjuna the human being caught in the existential predicament. It may be noted that tradition has accorded to this text the status of the Upanisad even though it is only smrti. While the Upanisad which is a part of the Veda is Sruti the Brahma sutra and the Bhagavad-Gita are smrti. The systems of Vedanta have developed their philosophy on the basis of Sruti Smrti and tarka. Some systems of Vedanta make use of the Agamas in addition to the prasthana traya for the support of their theory and practice.

There are four metaphysical perspectives bheda abheda, bhedabheda and visistadvaita in the systems of Vedanta and these perspectives are supported by the Upanisads. According to the tradition prevalent in Kashmir Saivism is as old as the Vedas. Like the Upanisads the sixty four Siva Sastras also teach these perspectives. So Saivism broadly speaking is of two kinds dualistic and non dualistic. Just as there are dualistic systems of Vedanta even so there are dualistic systems of Saivism. But Kashmir Saivims like Advaita Vedanta is no dualistic systems of Vedanta even so there are dualistic systems of Saivism. But Kashmir Saivism like Advaita Vedanta is non dualistic. It maintains that the entire universe is the manifestation of the one ultimate reality which is both consciousness and energy fused into one.

The present volume gives an account of the systems of Vedanta and Kashmir Saivism from A.D. 300 to 1000. Vedanta is a generic term comprising several philosophical systems of which Advaita is one. For example Dvaita Bhedabheda Visistadvaita etc. are Vedanta systems. Since Advaita is only one of the systems of Vedanta it is wrongs to identify Advaita with Vedanta as many scholars do.

I contributed a chapter entitled systems of Vedanta and Kashmir Saivism (A.D. 300-1000) to the PHISPC Volume life thought and culture in India edited by Prof. K. Satchidananda Murty and published by the centre for studies in Civilization 2002 I express my grateful thanks to Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya General Editor and Prof. Bhuvan Chandel Member Secretary of the Centre for Studies in Civilization for giving me permission to publish this as a separate monograph with minor changes. I am thankful to Chinmaya International foundation Shodha Sansthan for publishing this work. My esteemed colleague Prof. V.K.S.N. Raghavan helped me as usual in the preparation of the final draft of the script. I have to acknowledge the help of Prof. S. Revathy in checking the proofs. I thank K.S. Jayanthi for typesetting this work. The inspiration from my children’s is as usual a great support to me I need it; I Love it’ I cherish it.