Three pillars of Vedanta

Three pillars of “Vedanta”

Introduction

The term “vedanta” is popularly viewed as “hindu philosophy”. However, in its original sense, it means “essence of Vedas”. It consists of three pillars - upanishad, brahma-sutra and bhagavad gita.

Within the Vedic text, philosophical discourses by Rishis were classified as “upanishads”. Since these Upanishads discuss the essence of Vedas in a mystical way, they form the first pillar of Vedanta. 

Schools of thoughts in the Vedic tradition are called “darshana”. Two darshanas surviving in practice today are yoga & uttara-mimamsa. Yoga darshana originated from “patanjali’s yoga-sutras” and uttara-mimamsa originated from “badarayana’s brahma-sutras”. Brama-sutras are the aphorisms which provide a systematic interpretation of Veda and hence form the second pillar of Vedanta.

Mahabharata is called “panchama veda” due to its might both in size & quality. There are hundreds of discourses within Mahabharatha which elaborates aspects of Vedanta. However, it is the discourse of Krishna & Arjuna on the eve of Kurukshetra war - which stands out as the highest deliberation of aspects of Vedanta. Hence, Bhagavad gita is considered as the third pillar of Vedanta.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on these three pillars of Vedanta.

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Vedanta and adopt its spiritual process in your day-to-day life.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

1. Upanishad - first pillar of Vedanta

For a lay-person, direct study of veda-mantra does not make any sense. This is due to the fact that Vedas were never composed like poetry; instead they are the expressions of various Rishi’s experiences using language.

When these Rishis conversed and deliberated the essence of their revelations, it was captured in Upanishads. Few examples are given below.

Rigveda mantras are apparently dedicated to more than 30 major deities directly. The essence of all the deities is deliberated in Shvetashvathara Upanishad. Its 11th Mantra is “eko devah…”, which means there is only one God pervading all of existence. This is the essence of Vedas.

Yajurveda mantras are apparently highly ritualistic. Mundaka Upanishad criticizes rituals devoid of spirituality and calls them frail boats bound to sink (1.2- 7 & 8).

Due to this reason, upanishad mantras within Vedic scriptures are considered decisive in understanding the essence of Vedas.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "Brahma Sutra" as the second pillar of Vedanta

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

2. Brahma sutra- second pillar of Vedanta

The classical compilation of Vedic scriptures are apparently confusing. Brahma Sutras (by Sri Badarayana) serve as aphoristic texts with condensed core principles of vedic knowledge.

The very first sutra declares that all the vedic texts are intended towards investigating the "almighty". This serves as a torch light while navigating through Vedas.

At gross level, Brahma Sutras provide interpretative tools to better understand the vedic language. For example, the fourth sutra declares that all vedic scriptures must be read harmoniously. This serves as an interpretative tool while reading seemingly contradictory vedic scriptures.

One must not conclude that Brahma Sutras are only aphoristic texts or interpretative tools. Sutras are so rich in knowledge that they promulgated the Vedic School of thought - Vedanta darshana. Classically we find 21 commentaries (bhashya) on Brahma sutras including Sri Shankaracharya's, Sri Ramanujacharya's and Sri Madhwacharya's.

In our next write-up, we will discuss Bhagavad Gita as the third pillar of Vedanta.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

3. Bhagavad Gita- the third pillar of Vedanta

Study of Vedic scriptures, Upanishads and Brahma sutras - can prove to be overwhelming for a lay person. It requires lifetime dedication in understanding grammar, logic etc. While the people who pursue it as their life's goal are regarded highly, lay people are left behind.

For this reason, Bhagavad Gita is the most read among scriptures in Vedic tradition.

In chapter 2, Krishna criticizes the then "arm-chair philosophers" who engage in ritualistic interpretation of Vedas and deny existence of the almighty. In chapter 4, Krishna gives a universal scope of "yajna" and lists eight yajnas parallel to conventional (so called) fire worship.

Among vedanta texts, Bhagavad Gita is the most radical and yet highly appreciated for the day to day aspects of lay people. This is the reason Swami Vivekananda once said, even if entire knowledge Vedanta is lost, with only a few verses from Bhagavad Gita it can be rebuilt to its original form.

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought this introductory series on three pillars of Vedanta. We wish you study Vedanta (starting from Bhagavad Gita) and adopt it in your day to day life.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe