John M Denton

The Quintessence of Vedanta John M Denton

Adi Shankara was an early 8th century Indian philosopher who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta and is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in this branch of Indian philosophy. His works in Sanskrit discuss the unity of the Self and Nirguna Brahman "brahman without attributes." He wrote commentaries on the Brahma Sutra, Principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita) which are still authorities on the subjects and known for their erudition and lucidity. His works explain the ideas found in the Upanishads. Shankara travelled across the Indian subcontinent to propagate his philosophy through discourses and debates which he always seems to have won, hence his opponents converted to his way of thinking and the doctrine spread far and wide. It is still one that stands up to rigorous argument. This book explains the traditional prescription for enlightenment and gives guidance from beginning to end.