Hindu Pantheism: The Pancadasi of Sri Vidyaranya Svami

Advaitic interpretations of Badarayana’s Brahmasutra, basic work of the Vedanta philosophy, have added a new dimension to the philosophical wisdom of India that, at length, has given rise to a brilliant constellation in the spiritual horizon of mankind – its positive impact on the philosophical aspirations goes far beyond the geographical boundary of India. In these present days also, it has tremendous vitality. Advaita, as embodied in the teachings of Sankaracarya, has been handed down to us in three independent schools headed by Suresvaracarya Padmapadacarya and Vacaspati Misra. They, by means of their works Varttika, pancapadika and Bhamati respectively, have established three lines (Prasthanas) which later on have been attended by the strong contingents of scholars/mendicants. The present work conforms to the line of the celebrated Padmapadacarya, viz. Vivaranaprasthana. The Pancadasi is a 14th century verse compendium by Vidyaranya, a pontiff of the Sringeri Math, who sometimes is regarded to be the same as Madhava, the illustrious brother of Sayana. It specially expounds: there is no moment when there is no consciousness; consciousness is the ultimate reality – Brahman; self is pure bliss; Maya (illusion) is a Sakti (power) by which self is obscured; Maya cannot be regarded as absolutely real or unreal; it is partly associated with Brahman and create the universe; all the objects in the universe are manifestations of the union of Brahman and Maya, Brahman being reflected through Maya assumes diverse forms and characters; the false identification of an individual self is the product of Maya. Then the author has dealt with the general topics of Vedanta. The chief and important feature of this work lies in the continual restatement of well-established Vedantic principles in a clear, popular and attractive manner which is very helpful to those who want to get initiated into the Vedantic path of self-realization. The present volume comprises an authentic but lucid English translation of the aforementioned text with illuminating exegetical notes which may be deemed as a brief commentary. The publication will be of great help to the students and scholars of Indian philosophy in general and of the Advaita school in particular.