Shankara and Indian Philosophy

According to Advaita-Vedanta, God or Brahman is identical with the inner self (the Atman) of each person, while the rest of the world is nothing but objective illusion (maya). Shankara maintains that there are two primary levels of existence and knowledge: the higher knowledge that is Brahman itself, and the relative, limited knowledge, regarded as the very texture of the universe. Consequently, the task of a human being is to reach the absolute unity and the reality of Brahman-in other words, to reach the innermost self within his or her own being, discarding on the way all temporary characteristics and attributes.

About the author

Natalia Isayeva is Senior Researcher in the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. She is the author of Shankara and Indian Philosophy, also published by SUNY Press.

Product details

• Authors: Natalia Isayeva
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 24.12.1992
• EAN: 9780791412824
• ISBN: 978-0-7914-1282-4
• No. of pages: 285
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 226 mm x 20 mm
• Weight: 522 g
• Series: Suny Series in Religious Studi; Suny Series in Religious Studi; Suny Religious Studies
• Subject: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Other world religions