What is Vedanta?

This week we talk about the Hindu philosophical school(s) of "Vedanta".

All videos used provided by Videvo.

Sources/Further Reading:
Brahma Sutra Basya by Shankaracharya. Published by Advaita Ashrama, India; New edition (1 Jan. 2000).

The Mandukya Upanishad with Gaudapada's Karika & Sankara's Commentary. Published by Vedanta Press.

Deutsch, Eliot (1986). "Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction". University of Hawaii Press.

Deutsch, Eliot & Rohit Dalvi (2005). "Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta". World Wisdom Books.

Flood, Gavin (2003). "The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism". Blackwell publishing.

Jacobsen, Knut A. (2003). "Hinduismen: Historia, tradition, mångfald". Kultur och Natur.

Sri Ramanuja Gita Basya (Translation by Swami Adidevananda). Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.

#Vedanta #Hinduism #Advaita

[aneevrian]

I can't imagine how many books you must have read to make this Hinduism series.
Good work!

[PAGANONYMOUS]

I'd like to thank India for keeping this vast ancient knowledge base alive.

[headphone]

Peace.

I am a student of Comparative Philosophy at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where we've been spending the past few years learning about the Philosophies and Religions- since in many of the world's traditions, like Vedanta, are inseparable. I wanted to express my gratitude for your very well informed, clear and insightful videos, which always freshen up my knowledge of topics that I haven't had the chance to study in my courses for a while. Many Thanks! You also take me into some alleys of the world's philosophies that I haven't explored in class. Keep doing your great work man!

Also, I am part of a group which includes people from different religious and philosophical interests and confessions of faith, which is devoted to interreligious dialogue and the discussion of topics like Psychology, Metaphysics, Philosophy and Theology. Your videos often find mention in our group and are very much appreciated.

I would appreciate it, if once you could devote a video to the comparison between Sufism and the Vedanta, since both traditions seem to share many fascinating parallels as well as nuanced differences.

Blessings be with you.

[MK-yjpn]

My experience is, trying to understand Hinduism through books was a challange but with help of a Guru, it came out natural and easier.

[fxoobic]

Officially you have entered into a Rabbit hole .
Henry David Thoreau, American Thinker & Author quotes
"Whenever I have read any part of the Vedas, I have felt that some unearthly and unknown light illuminated me. In the great teaching of the Vedas, there is no touch of sectarianism. It is of all ages, climbs, and nationalities and is the royal road for the attainment of the Great Knowledge. When I read it, I feel that I am under the spangled heavens of a summer night."

[Piyushk]

Vedanta is not pedantic
Vedanta is essence conclusion of Vedas
It is full of mellow.
It is so mellowful that one wishes not to separate a bit from it and leaves everything aside to keep submerged into it.

[noahdanielg]

Very good breakdown as always Filip, Advaita Vedānta is one of the richest spiritual philosophies - and my personal practice together with Mahāyāna - thanks again! I see a work by Gavin Flood recommended in the description; his "Introduction to Hinduism" was the textbook we used in our Introduction to Hinduism course, good introduction!

[Nous]

Bhashy = interpretation of Brahma Sutra = interpretation of Upanishad = interpretation of Veda
Advaita Vedanta ≠ Vedanta ≠ Hinduism
Indeed, it is Hindception.

[pkgpk]

Vedanta is the true Heavyweight champion of philosophy. I have never read any philophsy more dense and striking as it.

[debdasgupta]

Vedanta literally means “end of Veda “… however, here “end” signifies the “highest truth”. That’s why you would find upanishads across all four vedas.

[muddasirahmed]

You have summarised the Vedanta in a very helpful way, well done!
I do have somethings to add though (not as criticism but just sharing my thoughts, as I have very limited knowledge in this field):
You have catagorised the Bhagavad Geeta separately, and it's often seen that way too. But sometimes it's also catagorised as an Upanishad titled "Geetopanishad".
Also we can't say that Shankacharya didn't give any importance to devotion, as that will not explain the many hymns he has composed for different dieties. Also not to mention his famous composition Bhaja Govindam in which he advises an old to stop overexerting himself in this old age in learning the difficult Sanskrit grammar, rather to do small acts of worship with acsetism.
You can say rather he gave importance to ascetism and practicality in actions, rather than strict and complicated rituals.

[pam]

I am so impressed with the amount tolerance that Hindus have toward different revisions and commentaries that they allow. Truly democratic and always in a pursuit of knowledge and anathema to dogma

[charlesdavis]

You're doing a wonderful job. Thank you.

[wiwek]

Extremely clear introduction into the concept, the way you are able to grab concepts like this and put it in simpler language is fascinating. Great job!

[arsalanshaikh]

Wow great overview Sir I am looking forward for your new videos thanks for covering Indian philosophies I hope you are enjoying the beauty of these schools love from India.

[amitdurgaprasad]

I thought I knew my religion before watching your video. Wow, so well researched. I so admire how you have crisply summarised such a complex theory into a 20 minute video. You got one more fan....

[padmaaddada]

I m glad you r able to pronounce Sanskrit words so well, V few westerns can do so 👏👏.

[Staniel]

This cleared up so much, so many questions that I've had about Hinduism for years, in under half an hour. I only found this channel a couple days ago and I'm already in love with it!

[JasonS-hu]

Wow! That was a well spoken and great representation of these teachings. Simply Wonderful and Impressive. Deep gratitude and looking forward to more on Advaita Vedanta. Thank you!

[Theaman]

For anyone wanting to study Hinduism from a theological perspective, your videos will be a great starting point/prerequisite course. This was such a well done summary, simple and yet sufficiently detailed on the important concepts.

Thank you, and looking forward to the promised deep dive into each of the branches.