Questions tagged [advaita]
Literally non-duality; a school of the Vedanta philosophy that declares the oneness of God, soul, and the universe.
5
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37 views
What does Adi Shankara mean with “reflection”
I'm trying to wrap my head around the Advaita teaching that Ishvara is the "reflection" (abhasavada) of Brahman in Maya. I first thought that this means Ishvara is a kind of illusion, ontologically ...
6
votes
1answer
71 views
Difference between srIvidyA upAsanA in Vedanta and in Tantra?
Recently I came to know from one of my friend that srIvidyA upAsanA is also done in Vedanta. While I am aware that srIvidyA is Tantrik upAsanA. I was unaware of Vedantic one. Also as far as I know, ...
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0answers
33 views
What exactly are the 3 level Satya of Advaita? [duplicate]
Advaita explains PratibhAsika satya, VyavhArika satya and ParamArthika satya. What are these and how can one reach the ParamArthika satya ?
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0answers
35 views
How does Advaita answer the Seven-Anuppatti of Ramanujacharya [duplicate]
What answer is given by Advaitins as reply to Ramanuja's seven-questions over Advaita such as, Aashraya, Tirodhan-Anuppatti, etc.
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0answers
33 views
How does Shri Shankar's Advaita answer Shri Ramanuja's Tirodhan-Anuppatti? [duplicate]
The second argument of Shri Ramanuja over Shri Shankar's Advaita is Tirodhan-Anuppatti. How does Avidya Maya, who is dependent on Brahman, envelope Brahman. Advaitains say that Maya is dependent on ...
3
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2answers
153 views
Can Moksha be achieved through Bhakti towards a physical object?
I am looking for any scriptural sources relating to whether Bhakti towards a lover, a king, a country, or a physical idol can lead to Moksha by itself, or does one need to have Bhakti for the formless ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
According to Advaita, what is the difference between Ishwara and Brahman?
I would like to know the difference between Ishwara and Brahman. If Ishwara is saguna rupa of Brahman then is it real or maya?
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2answers
80 views
How does Shri Adi Shankaracharya or any Advaiti establish anumana as pramana, as the whole world is Mithyatmaka and is Maya?
I know that Charuvakas only accept Pratyaksha.
Dvaithis and Vishishtadvaithis accept Pratyaksha, Anumana and Agama(Shabdha). But I was kind of surprised to know that Advaithis accept all the six ...
1
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0answers
31 views
Sankaracharya's philosophical 'Sarvagnapeetha' event at Kashmir
What historically authenticated records of this Adi-Sankarācharya's event exist now ? i.e., before he established Shankara Mutt at KedarNath?
When was it conducted, who were the organizers and ...
5
votes
1answer
140 views
Are Advaita and Karma theory completely contradictory?
As per Karma theory, certain events of my current life are the fruits of my actions in one or more earlier births. Whose action's fruits am I facing in this birth? Given that it cannot be my current ...
5
votes
1answer
114 views
What is difference between achintya and anirvachaniya?
Gaudiya Vaishnava Vedanta uses a term "achintya" (inconceivable).
Advaita Vedanta uses a term "anirvachaniya" (inexplicable).
What is difference between achintya and anirvachaniya? In what situations ...
3
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1answer
80 views
How are the object and the subject one and the same?
I basically wanted the proof of all is ONE and Prakrithi and Purusha are the same.
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36 views
Is everything fixed and I (as a limited individual) am not the doer in spite of Heisenberg's uncertainty? [duplicate]
Is everything fixed in spite of Heisenberg's uncertainty and the so called 'doer-ship of limited individuals'?
Is there free-will or is life just a movie that we are forced to watch?
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66 views
How does Vedanta Desikan interpret Ramanujacharya’s statement about Brihaspati’s brother Samvarta?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the ...
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2answers
107 views
Does the incident of Shankara meeting a Chandala prove that Shankara never had realization?
According to Advaita Vedanta, things like caste, gotra, etc, will cease to exist after realization. But when Adi Shankara met a Chandala in Varanasi, he asked the Chandala to move away from his path. ...
3
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2answers
198 views
According to ISKCON, what is the difference between Brahmavada and Mayavada?
As it is well known, ISKCON (and other Vaishnavas for that matter) strongly criticize philosophy of Advaita. Srila Prabhupada himself criticized Mayavada in his various commentaries on Vaishnava ...
5
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1answer
101 views
Why do people perform rites and meditate if its a hindrance?
According to the īśā Upaniṣad and the latter Śrī Śaṅkarācārya (of Advaita) commentary:
अन्धं तमः प्रविशन्ति येऽविद्यामुपासते । ततो भूय इव ते तमो य उ
विद्यायां रताः ॥
andhaṃ tamaḥ praviśanti ...
3
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1answer
75 views
How are jivas (linga/sookshma sharirs) created as per Advaita?
As per advaita, jivas are nothing but Linga sharira or sookskhma sharira. This has been explained to me by user Pradip Gangopadhyaya before. But I need to know how are jivas created.
Advaita ...
2
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0answers
44 views
does all three bodies cease to exist in turiya?
does all three bodies cease to exist/merge with brahman in turiya state? If so, is it not possible for astral travel or projection since subtle body no longer exists, but merges with brahman?
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0answers
81 views
How do Advatins classify Vaikuntha and other lokas according to their philosophy?
Do advaitins believe in Vaikuntha and other lokas and see them as eternal?
5
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0answers
142 views
What was the lifestyle of Gaudapada?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the ...
5
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0answers
63 views
What scriptures describe Kapila, Panchashikha, and Durvasa carrying Sanyasi staffs?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the ...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
Is the Sattva-Rajas-Tamas classification considered important in Advaita?
Since the Advaitic Brahman has no qualities - it must be that all these Gunas are obstructions to achieving Samadhi.
Are there Advaitic statements that one must transcend all three Gunas?
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2answers
76 views
Do non-advaitic vaishnavite sects have the concept of Samadhi?
In Advaita, among the highest states of oneness with Brahman is "Nirvikalpa Samadhi". Do non-Advaitic Vaishnavite sects talk of Samadhi or anything similar?
5
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1answer
69 views
The difference between the mind and the Atman in Advaita Vedanta
It is emphasised in Advaita Vedanta that "I am neither the mind nor the body, I am the Atman which is in fact the same as Brahman" (not a quote but my understanding).
I would like to know in what ...
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0answers
19 views
What were similarities and differences between Shankara and Madhusudhana saraswati Advaita?
I heard somewhere that Madhusudhana saraswati Advaita is not same as Shankaracharya's. Did Madhusudhana saraswati subscribe to Shankaracharya's school? What were similarities and differences between ...
3
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0answers
36 views
What are various subsects of Shankara Advaita school?
What are different sub sects of AdiShankaracharya's Advaita school?
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2answers
89 views
Gaudiya vaishnava on maayavaada
From some Bengali Gaudiya vaishnavas i heard popular saying "sunle Mayavad Hobe sorbonash"
Is this mentioned in any authentic text of gaudiya school or books like Caitanya charitamrita?
5
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3answers
337 views
Why does nirguna brahman manifest only in 5 forms?
I know that Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Surya and Ganesha are counted as manifestations of Nirguna brahman. Or in other way when nirguna brahman is seen through lens of maya, it is seen in 5 different ways. ...
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Urdhva Pundra for follower of Advaita Philosophy
Can a follower of Advaita Philosophy wear the Urdhva Pundra of Gopi Chandana? If so, what is procedure to be followed to wear it?
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5answers
321 views
Who are the pseudo-advaitins referred to by Shringeri Acharya? Does Adi Shankara state characteristics of true advaitins?
Sri Sringeri Sharadha Peetham has a free ebook to download here. In that book, the following statement is made by the then Shakaracharya, H.H Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswami. In the page 556 of the ...
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0answers
90 views
Do the official Shankaracharya Peethams recognize the validity of Neo-Vedanta?
Do the official Shankaracharya Peethams recognize the validity of Neo-Vedanta as equivalent to traditional Vedanta?
Have any of the Shankaracharya heads of these Peethams said anything regarding Neo-...
2
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1answer
107 views
What's the difference between reflection and reflecting medium in advaita?
I know that the reflecting mediums are the upadhis called mind or ego, also called subtle body or antahkarana, which is like a mirror where the cosmic Atman shines. This reflecting medium or subtle ...
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0answers
39 views
Where can I read the works of Bellamkonda Ramaraya Kavindrulu online?
Bellamkonda Ramaraya Kavindrulu was a Vishishtadvaitin turned Advaitin and he is said to have refuted the interpretations of Sri Bhashyam of Ramanujacharya especially in his works "Sankara Sankara ...
4
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1answer
147 views
Why the three levels of reality of Advaita Vedanta are not mentioned in any scriptures?
According to Advaita Vedanta, there are three levels of reality:
Pāramārthika (Absolute reality)
Vyāvahārika (Relative reality)
Prāthibhāsika (unreality)
Now, as far as I know, this concept is not ...
5
votes
3answers
133 views
In Advaita, is jiva the same as subtle body?
Followers of advaita like Pradip or Milind would say that when the universal Atman is being encapsulated or embodied, it is known as jiva. Or when Atman is limited by upadhis like mind, ego etc. its ...
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votes
2answers
135 views
Why Shri Krishna did karma when He spoke against it in 2.21?
In BG 2.21, Shri Krishna says
वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम्।
कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम्।।2.21।।
English translation
O Partha, he who knows this One as indestructible, ...
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0answers
42 views
Ethics of Advaita Vedanta
How is the problem of metaphysical, natural and moral evil resolved within traditional Advaita Vedanta?
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2answers
157 views
How do non-advaitins interpret these passages of bhagavatam?
Here are advaitic verses which I found from bhagavatam
SB 12.13.12 sarva-vedānta-sāraṁ yad brahmātmaikatva-lakṣaṇam vastv
advitīyaṁ tan-niṣṭhaṁ kaivalyaika-prayojanam
12.5.11-12 ahaṁ ...
7
votes
3answers
359 views
Did Adi Shankaracharya accept equality of 5 major gods in his works?
I want to know if Adi Shankaracharya said that the five Panchatayana deities (Shiva, Surya, Vishnu, Durga, Ganesh) are Saguna Brahman from his works.
Did he differentiate between them or said all ...
2
votes
2answers
183 views
Are there advaitic verses in bhagavatam? [closed]
Bhagavatam is a Vaishnava text. Are there any advaitic verses in it? If yes, what are they? Verse and translation please.
6
votes
1answer
129 views
What are the philosophical differences between the Vivarana and Bhamati schools of Advaita Vedanta?
It seems that from this question that the Advaita Vedantic school of Adi Shankaracharya has two divisions- the Vivarana school of Prakasatman and the Bhamati school of Vachaspati Misra.
What are the ...
6
votes
1answer
210 views
What are the outcomes of Kaivalya and Sayujya mokshas according to Gaudiya Vaishnavas?
As discussed here, the Upanishads describe the state of Kaivalya as the detachment/seperation of the Self from Prakriti.
According to Advaitins, Kaivalya is said to be the ultimate state/moksha ...
10
votes
3answers
268 views
How do non-Advaitin defend Advaitin argument that difference need not be taught in scripture?
It is daily experience that we all are different beings , therefore scriptures will be purposeless if they taught that is very obvious. Hence, the actual meaning of scripture must be some unknown ...
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0answers
127 views
What does the term embodied mean?
I know some of you will say that embodied one is the jiva or sookshma sharira, but that's not the answer i'm looking for. I want to know the definition of the term embodied when applied to gita verse ...
6
votes
1answer
85 views
Are name and form sat or asat?
Bhagavad gita 2.16 says
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः।
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः।।2.16।।
Following is Bhagavadpad Adi Shankracharya's commentary:
न हि शीतोष्णादि ...
4
votes
1answer
116 views
Shankaracharya said that ultimately even law of Karma is not right. Is there a scriptural reference where he says this?
Just watched a lecture from Swami Sarvapriyananda on Mandukya upanishad in which he states that Shankaracharya even cuts down the Law of Karma saying that ultimately that also is not true.
In what ...
6
votes
1answer
98 views
How does Brahman or Atman witness?
When Krishna says in Gita that Atman, the universal consciousness only witnesses but performs no action, what exactly did he mean by it?
Does Atman needs to have a mind/body to witness everything or ...
5
votes
1answer
150 views
How do Vishishtadvaitins interpret this passage from the Vishnu Purana?
Having thus spoken to Nidāgha, the
Brāhmaṇa Ṛbhu went away, leaving his
disciple profoundly impressed, by his
instructions, with belief in unity. He beheld all
beings thenceforth as the same ...
7
votes
4answers
181 views
To whom does the illusion belong?
According to the great Adi Shankaracharya, the waking world is an illusion (or as unreal as dream if not an illusion).
My question is, who imagines this waking world? Is it result of your desires or ...
