Bhamati and Vivarana Schools of Advaita Vedanta

by P.S. Roodurmun and Kanshi Ram

This book is an attempt at presenting to the readers a critical analysis of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta by comparing the views of the Bhamati and the Vivarana Schools, the two most important protagonists of Sankara`s philosophy, with a detailed study of the original text. It begins with a survery of the historical development of Advaitic thought, starting right from the Vedas to end up with the modern period. The author has taken up for discussion in this work the basic concepts of Advaita Vedanta as interpreted by Vacaspati Misra and Prakasatman, encompassing the concepts of Maya, Avidya, Adhyasa, Anirvacaniyata, Bimba-Pratibimba-vada, Vivartavada, the locus of Avidya, Brahmavagati, Jivanmukti, Videhamukiti etc. The author is engaged in the field of education for the past three decades and is at present senior Lecturer and head of the department of sanskrit Indian philosophy and Hindu Theology at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Mauritius. As a government of India scholar he joined the university of Delhi in 1980 to undertake an indepth study of sanskrit and Indian philosophy which culminated in the successful submission by him of this work in 1999 as his Ph.D. Thesis. Dr. Roodurmun is among the rate scholars outside India engaged in the study and promotion of sanskrit and Indian Philosophy. ".......is a successful doctoral research work of Delhi University in 1999. For literal exposition of the concerned texts the book is encouraging." -----------J.I.C.P.R. Vol. 21 No. 1, Jan-March 2005