Role of Reason in Sankara Vedanta

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In this book, an attempt has been made to bring out the significance of the two-fold role of reason in Sankara Vedanta. The work has been divided into six chapters. In the first chapter (Introduction), the salient features of Sankara’s method of criticism and construction have been hinted at, and the two-fold role of reason in his Vedanta has been dealt with. In the next four chapters, Sankara’s criticisms of rival meta-physical systems (viz., Samkhya, Vaisesika, Buddhism, Jainism, Pasupata and Pancaratra) have been explained and discussed. In the concluding chapter, the relative merits of the two roles of reason in Sankara Vedanta have been assessed and the justification for the new interpretation of the subject under discussion has been given.

Role of Reason in Sankara Vedanta is an improved version of my thesis entitled ‘An Evaluation of Sankara’s Critique of Rival Metaphysical Systems’ on which I obtained Ph. D. degree from B.H.U. in 1972. In this book, an attempt has been made to bring out the significance of the two-fold role of reason in Sankara Vedanta.

The work has been divided into six chapters. In the first chapter (Introduction), the salient features of Sankara’s method of criticism and construction have been hinted at, and the two-fold role of reason in his Vedanta has been dealt with. In the next four chapters, Sankara’s criticisms of rival meta- physical systems (viz., Sankhya, Vaisesika, Buddhism, Jainism, Pasupata and Pancaratra) have been explained and discussed. In the concluding chapter, the relative merits of the two roles of reason in Sankara Vedanta have been assessed and the justification for the new interpretation of the subject under discussion has been given.

The role of reason in Sankara Vedanta has been interpreted here as two-fold, viz., primary and secondary. In its primary role, reason is employed by Sankara to remove the superimpositions of not-self on self by refuting opponents’ theories which mistake this or that form of not-self for self. Operation of reason in this role leads to Atmavada or Brahmavada {the final theory of Vedanta), and fulfils the primary objective of Vedanta, viz., attainment of liberation through self realisation.

In its secondary role, season is used by Sankara to refute opponents’ theories relating to the topics other than self. Through the operation of reason in this role theories such as parinamavada, pradhanakdranavada and paramanukaranavada are refuted, and vivartavada and Brahmanimittopada-nakadranavada are established. The significance of the secondary role of reason is also two-fold. Firstly, the criticisms of antagonistic views made under this role of reason contributed significantly to the progress of Indian philosophy. Secondly, vivartavada and Brahmanimittopadanakaranavada established by reason in its secondary role prove indirectly helpful in the attainment of liberation through self- realisation.

I am indebted to Dr. N.K. Devaraja, Retd. Professor of Philosophy, (B.H.U.) under whose supervision the work was originally done, I owe sincere thanks to my colleagues in the Department, Dr. V. Shanker (Reader and Chairman of the Department), Dr. N.N. Gupta (Reader) and Dr. R.K. Deswal (Lecturer) who helped me immensely in getting this work published. I thank Dr. Bhupinder (Research Assistant, Dept. of Education, K.U. Kurukshetra) and Dr. S.R.S. Tomar (Senior Scientist, IARI, Delhi) who rendered me valuable help in the process of the publication of this work. I am thankful to Dr. Jai Singh and Dr. Hari Singh (Lecturers in Philosophy, University College, Kurukshetra), Smt. Sumitra, Smt. Sabita Rani Hota, Km. Vibha, Km. Anamika and Sh. Satya Narayan (Research Scholars of the Dept. of Philosophy, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra) for helping me in the proof-reading of the book Lastly, [ am grateful to Sh. K.L. Joshi, proprietor, Parimal Publications, Delhi for publishing this work on top priority basis, and to Sh. Suresh Pal, proprietor, Amar Composing Agency, Delhi for printing it in the shortest possible period.

I bank upon the magnanimity of readers for being excused for the printing errors which might have remained uncorrected in spite of the great pains taken in proof-reading.

**Contents and Sample Pages**