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THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH OF SHANKARA VEDANTA

BY

D. B. GANGOLLI

PUBLISHED BY

ADHVATMA PRAKASHA KARVALA VA HOLENARSIPUR

1997

First Edition -

1000 copies -

1997

C Copyright 1991 by Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya (All Rights Reserved)

Typeset by Verba Network Services

139. 8th Main. 12th Cross

Malleswaram. Bangalore 560 003

PrInted by Sri Ranga Offset Printers Magadi Road. Bangalore

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PUBLISHERS' NOTE According to Vedanta, every one's true nature is the non-dual, Transcendental Reality. The main aim of life is to cogntse this true essence of Being to be the substratum of all phenomena of the universe. From the empirical viewpoint the universe appears to be real, but in truth the Self or Xtman is the One and Only Reality, being the essence of the universe of multiplicity. 1bis Vedantic Reality or the Self or Xtman can never be object1fled by any means like speech or the mind. The empirical means like perception, inference etc, are of no avail, for this Ultimate Reality of Vedanta is beyond the time-space-causation complex and being the essence of every one's Being can only be IntUited or by taking identification with It. To enable the seeker to Intuit this Transcendental Reality the Vedantic texts adopt the most unique, ingenious method of Adhyaropa Apavada Nyaya or the method of Superimposition and Rescission. This is the only and exclusive method suited to teach the subject-matter of Advatta Vedanta. There are many methods adopted in the Upanishads such as Karya Karana Viveka, Panchakosha Viveka, Samanya Vishesha Viveka etc., but among all of them the examination of the three states of Consciousness, viz. Avasthii Traya Viveka, is the most important one. With the help of this unique method a qualified aspirant can cognise here and now his true nature as the Self spontaneously, directly and immediately. The adoption of audio-visual methods in focussing the attention of students on the subtle aspects of a subject has become the order of the day, particularly in teaching science subjects in the educational field. This modern technique of teaching with the help of diagrams, slides, symbols, formulae etc. enables the students to comprehend the subtle truths using both his faculties of hearing and seeing, thereby enhancing his chances of understanding the subject-matter in its true perspective. Advaita Vedanta, as expounded by Sri Shankaracharya, is the Science par exceUence of Life. In order to teach the esoteric truths of this Science of Being or Atman, this modern audio-visual technique is adapted suitably and made use of in this small treatise by Sri D.B. Gangolli, Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya,

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Holenarsipur, Hassan District, Karrtataka 573211. The diagrams are utilised with the sole intention of facilitating the true student to comprehend the subtle aspects of the Vedantlc teachings about this Absolute Truth beyond the time-space-causation factors. Hence , the Ulustrations should be treated as only visual aids for the benefit of the student in the same manner as the explanatory commentaries; for, in the ultimate analysis he has to Intuit the Ultimate Reality and not try to grasp it intellectually. There is no other go, but from the standpoint of the uninitiated student these diagrams will be of immense benefit. Within the short space available, the author has attempted to provide. for the benefit of a genuine student, the fundamentals of Vedanta without which he will find it very difficult to solve the apparent anomalies and contradictions the Upanishadic lore abound with. Besides he has given the basic central methodology running in and through the Upanishadic texts as well as Sri Shankara's Bhashyas (GIta Bhashya 13-13) and its various ,applications. A small" chapter on the Vedmtic disciplines is also included. In this book, along with explanatory write-ups adopting the above-stated methodology for the purposes of highlighting the teachings of Vedanta, for the first time simple, attractive diagrams are used to drive home the esoteric truths of Vedanta with telling effect. We congratulate Sri. D. B. Gangolli on his achieving this unique task of depicting the subtle, esoteric tenets of Shankara Vedanta utilizing the modem audio-visual aids (diagrams) for the benefit of genuine seekers and acknowledge this his valuable contribution a purely labour of love - with Narayana Smaranams.

Holenarsipur, December 3, 1996 Price : Rs. 40/-

In the seIVice of pristine pure Shankara Vedanta, H. Venkatanarasappa President, Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya Public Charitable Trust, Holenarsipur, Hassan District 57321 i

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CONTENTS l?1r~fCl(:~

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•• ~

I.

Introduction....................................................................... 1

II.

Genuine Tenets of Vedanta and Some Misconceptions J\l>()llt 1r1t~m .......................................................................

~

III.

Rudiments of Vedantic Methodology ................................ 18

IV.

The Rationale of Vedantic Method ................................... 35

v.

1r1te Method J\ppUed in Upanishads - Agama & Tarka ... 39

VI.

J\vidya and Maya ............................... .•..•.......•.•••.•..•..•..•

VII.

Being an Becoming .......................................................... 51

VIII.

j[sh~aura

IX.

~"a

x.

J\"~thatraya

XI.

~a-~a

XII.

Vedanta Shastra - The One and Only Means fOI" Self-l