Sw. Chinmayananda
very nicely and convincingly explains the differences in the three schools of
Hindu philosophy - Dwaita, Vishesha-Advaita and Advaita as follows in
VivekaChoodamani (verse 160). He says
the differences should be considered as having been due to the difference in
the type of students (people) the philosophers (of these schools) addressed
during their respective times.
In Shri.
Madhvacharya's period, many people were not mature in their spiritual
awareness. Thy identified with the
external gross layer (body) and behaved as such in the outside world. For such
students, the Supreme is different from their gross layers. The Brahman is different from all three BMI
layers, but the people of those period are probably not intellectually mature
enough to understand it. Hence for them,
Dwaita school of thought where GOD is different from others are preached.
As the intellectual
maturity of the people increased, they became more of the
"thinking-feeling" entity and hence operated on the subtle levels of
mind and emotions. They realized there
is a spark of divinity in them, but they considered themselves as their
body-mind and divinity as separate. For
such students, Shri. Ramanucharya explained that "You are not separate
from the Truth; You are part and He is the whole". This is
'Visishta-Advaita'.
In Shri Adi
Shankaracharya's time, his students were highly matured, very spiritually
inclined, who through sadhana and upasanas, developed a subtle intellect and
able to understand as well as practice Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya
(non-attachment). For such students,
Shri. Shankara boldly declared 'Tat Tvam Asi' - You are That and That is
you. You (we) are all one with GOD - the
Brahman. This is the school of Advaita.
Hari Om
No comments:
Post a Comment