What is Advaita Vedānta?

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The word 'Advaita' ( अद्वैत ) means non-duality. It is a philosophy which describes that there is only one reality and one truth i.e. Brahmāna. All else is not real, not eternal and is of transient nature.

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Brahmān is changeless, formless, indivisible, unchanging, immutable, beyond guna-s (attributes), beyond the reach of 5 senses, mind and beyond the realms of Māyā.

Vedānta means the Conclusion (Anta) of Vedas, hence the one which contains the essence of Vedas.

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Hence, Advaita Vedanta can be defined as a Mārga which teaches the essence of vedas that there is one supreme reality (non dual) Nirguna Brahman (निर्गुण ब्रह्म).

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Advaita Vedanta teaches that this world is transient, temporary, and hence a Mithyā. It is due to the power of Māyā (illusion) that this world looks different than Brahmān. Brahmān alone is reality.

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Advaita asks one to raise from Sharīra Bhāva to Jīva Bhāva to Ātman Bhāva . According to Advaita, Jīva and Brahmān aren’t dual. Entire Advaita Vedānta can be summed up in an Ardha Shloka as:

“ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रहैव नापरः”

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Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithyā Jīvo Brahmāiva Nāparah"

~ Brahmā Jnanavalī Mālā (20)

Brahman alone is the reality and this Transient World is merely an illusion. The Jīva is therefore non dual from Brahmān.

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This Concept of refering the Transient World as an “Illusion” must not be understood as being “Unreal”. Bhagwāna Ādi Shankarācharyā explained it further as follows,

अनेन वेद्यं सच्छास्त्रमिति वेदान्तडि्ण्डिमः ||

~Brahmā Jnanavalī Mālā (20)

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The Transient World is Mithyā, Hence it cannot be categorised either as “Real” or “Unreal”. This should be understood as the correct Shāstra. This is proclaimed by Vedanta.

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Now the seekers of the Immortal Bliss mustn't assume this Mahā Vākya of Advaita Vedānta to be “created” by Bhagwāna Ādi Shankarācharyā. It's actually asserted by Shrutīs themselves and was only quoted by Mahābhāga Shankarāchārya.

ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रहैव नापरः

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~ Nirāmbala Upanishada (28)

Brahmān is alone real.

Glories to Bhagwāna Ādi Shankarācharyā!!🌺🌺🙏🏻

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