What is Vedanta?

Shruti vs. Smriti

1. Shruti (that which is heard)

• Shruti refers to sacred texts considered directly revealed or divinely inspired, including the Vedas and Upanishads.
• These texts were “heard” by ancient sages (rishis) in deep meditation and passed down orally.
• Characteristics: eternal, unalterable, not of human authorship, and foundational scriptural authority in Hinduism.

2. Smriti (that which is remembered)

• Smriti texts are of human authorship, though often divinely inspired.
• They interpret, recall, or elaborate on Shruti teachings.
• Examples: Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Dharmashastras, and the Bhagavad Gita.

The Vedas

• Oldest, most sacred Hinduism texts, considered eternal and divinely revealed.
• “Heard” by Rishis during deep meditations and passed down orally.
• Rishis are seen as receivers or discoverers of divine knowledge, not authors.
• Four major vedic collections:
  • Rigveda: Hymns of praise, one of the oldest religious texts.
  • Yajurveda: Focuses on rituals and sacrifices.
  • Samaveda: Primarily liturgical and musical.
  • Atharvaveda: Contains hymns, spells, and incantations.

The Upanishads

• Philosophical texts usually at the “end” of the Vedas.
• Focus on deeper spiritual and philosophical questions about reality, self (Atman), and ultimate truth (Brahman).
• Considered Shruti, “heard” by sages in meditation, not composed by humans.
• Notable sages associated with Upanishads:
  • Yajnavalkya: Featured in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad.
  • Uddalaka Aruni and Shvetaketu: Appear in the Chandogya Upanishad.

The Brahma Sutras

• Concise sutras (aphorisms) that systematize and interpret the teachings of the Upanishads and reconcile any seeming contradictions.
• Explores the nature of ultimate reality (Brahman) and how it relates to the individual self (Atman) and the world.
• Attributed to the sage Bādarāyaṇa.
• One of the three foundational texts of Vedānta, along with the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Vedānta

• Major school of Indian philosophy focused on the end or culmination (Anta) of the Vedas, particularly the teachings found in the Upanishads.
• Deals with the nature of ultimate reality (Brahman), the self (Atman), and the relationship between the two.
• Based on three foundational sources, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras.

Schools of Vedānta

Different schools of Vedānta emerged based on different interpretations of the Brahma Sutras:

• Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedānta (non-dualism) from 8th century CE, where Brahman is considered the only reality, and the world is ultimately an illusion (Maya).
• Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita Vedānta (qualified non-dualism) from 11th century CE, where the world and individual souls are seen as real but dependent on Brahman.
• Madhvacharya’s Dvaita Vedānta (dualism) from 13th century CE, where God (Brahman), individual souls, and the world are all distinct realities.

Scholarly Timeline of Composition

The Vedas

• Oldest layer of Sanskrit literature, composed during the Vedic Period.

Rigveda (oldest of the Vedas)

• Composed: 1500 BCE – 1200 BCE (early Vedic period)
• Oldest Vedic text with hymns to various deities
• Reflects early Indo-Aryan culture and archaic Sanskrit

Other Vedas (Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda)

• Composed: 1200 BCE – 1000 BCE (middle Vedic period)
• Focus on rituals, chants, and sacrificial rites

Brahmanas and Aranyakas

• Composed: 1000 BCE – 600 BCE
• Explain rituals and ceremonies in detail

The Upanishads

• Concluding part of the Vedic tradition, shift towards philosophical inquiry

Early Upanishads

• Composed: 800 BCE – 500 BCE (late Vedic period)
• Include important texts like Bṛhadāraṇyaka and Chandogya Upanishads

Later Upanishads

• Composed: 500 BCE – 200 BCE
• Include texts like Katha and Mundaka Upanishads

Brahma Sutras

• Composed: 200 BCE – 200 CE
• Foundational text in the Vedānta
• Systematically summarize and interpret the Upanishads

Timeline Summary

• Rigveda: 1500 BCE – 1200 BCE
• Other Vedas: 1200 BCE – 1000 BCE
• Brahmanas and Aranyakas: 1000 BCE – 600 BCE
• Early Upanishads: 800 BCE – 500 BCE
• Later Upanishads: 500 BCE – 200 BCE
• Brahma Sutras: 200 BCE – 200 CE

Basic structure of spiritual practice