Hindu Philosophy—Part 12
The Advaita Philosophy of Sri Sankara 2/2
The World—A Relative Reality
The world is relatively real (Vyavaharika Satta), while Brahman is absolutely real (Paramarthika Satta). The world is the product of Maya or Avidya. The unchanging Brahman appears as...
Hindu Philosophy—Part 11
The Advaita Philosophy of Sri Sankara 1/2
The first systematic exponent of the Advaita is Gaudapada, who is the Parama-Guru (preceptor’s preceptor) of Sri Sankara. Govinda was the disciple of Gaudapada. He became the preceptor of Sankara. Gaudapada...
Hindu Philosophy—Part 10
The Schools Of Vedanta
The Sutras or aphorisms of Vyasa are the basis of the Vedanta philosophy. These Sutras have been variously explained by different commentators. From these interpretations have arisen several schools of philosophy, viz., Kevala...
The Vedanta Philosophy—Introduction Part 2
Brahman, Maya and Jiva
Brahman
Brahman, the Absolute, after manifesting the elements, enters them. It is the Golden Person in the sun. It is the Light of the soul. It is ever pure. It is Sat-Chit-Ananda, one...
The Vedanta Philosophy—Introduction Part 1
Prostrations and adorations to Sri Vyasa, the founder of Uttara Mimamsa or the Vedanta system of philosophy, Avatara of Lord Vishnu, son of Sri Parasara Rishi.
Uttara Mimamsa or the Vedanta philosophy of Vyasa or Badarayana...
Origin of the terms ‘Hindu’ and ‘Hinduism’
“SANATANA DHARMA,” the most ancient of all the living religions today—popularly called “Hinduism” now, though that appellation is not very correct to denote any religion, as we still see later—is not exactly a “Religion”...
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—Part 7
The Philosophy of Yoga—Part 5
Practice of Kriya-Yoga
Kriya-Yoga purifies the mind, attenuates or thins out the five afflictions, and leads to Samadhi. Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (studying and understanding of scriptures) and Isvarapranidhana (worship of God and surrendering the...
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—Part 6
The Philosophy of Yoga—Part 4
Conditions for Success in Raja Yoga
The Importance of Yama and Niyama
Aspirants who desire to attain God-realisation should practise all the eight limbs of Yoga. On the destruction of the impurities through the practice...
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—Part 5
The Philosophy of Yoga—Part 3
Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara
Asana is steady, comfortable posture. Asana or posture is a physical help to concentration. When one obtains mastery over the Asana, he is free from the disturbance of the pairs...
HINDU PHILOSOPHY—Part 4
The Philosophy of Yoga—Part 2
The Yoga and the Sankhya
Kapila’s system is Nirisvara Sankhya, as in it there is no Isvara or God. The system of Patanjali is Sa-Isvara Sankhya, because there is Isvara or Special Purusha...
