This note introduces "Advaita Vedanta" (aka Kevala Advaita or only Advaita) as the prime non-dualist tradition of the Indian subcontinent. It differs from most of the other books on the subject, both in approach and in scope. The approach is 'constructive' - the philosophical development of the tradition is discerned by applying exegetical and metaphysical criteria to the scriptures. The historiography is traced right from the archaeological protohistory to the New Vedanta of 20th century. Advaita Vedanta is interpreted here as a tradition moving away from the exclusivity of Vedic rituals to...

This "Student's Note" offers a constructive interpretation of Advaita Vedanta by tracing its philosophical, historical, and social development. While doing so, it explores the total landscape of non-dualist traditions in the Indian subcontinent. The second edition retains basic organization of the first edition. Chapters 0 to 4 discuss orthodox Vedanta. Chapter four discusses karmic axiology while the previous chapters give basic ontologic-epistemic elements of the tradition. Chapter five traces historical development of Vedanta. It also delineates other non-dualist Indic traditions in...

Advaita theology rejects plurality at two levels: (1) At the phenomenal level it assumes "one unknowable" from which the Universe emanates and into which it dissolves, (2) At the absolute level it believes in the "via negativa" which pervades everything and provides an existential basis to the phenomenal Universe including our subjective and qualitative experience. This via negativa is knowable (realizable) and its Knowledge is said to be liberating. In Advaita tradition the "via negativa" is known as Brahman. Upanishads gave positions (1) and (2) among other things based on which Advaita...