Badarayana

The Brahma Sutras, also known as Vedanta Sutra, Shariraka Sutra, and Bhikshu-sutra, is a Sanskrit text attributed to the sage Badarayana, also known as Vyasa. It is a foundational text of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. The text criticizes the metaphysical dualism of Samkhya philosophy and synthesizes and harmonizes divergent Upanishadic ideas about Brahman, postulating it as the only origin and essence of everything. The oldest version may have been composed between 500 BCE and 200 BCE, with the surviving form completed around 400–450 CE. The Brahma Sutras consist of 555 aphoristic verses organized into four chapters, dealing with the knowledge of Brahman. It declares the Upanishads as the only acceptable source of truth regarding Brahman. The text attempts to reconcile various Upanishadic vidyas (knowledges) and upasanas (meditations), viewing them as synonyms for Brahman. The first chapter refutes Samkhya's view of pradhana as the first principle, asserting Brahman as the conscious cause of the universe. The second chapter addresses objections from other Hindu philosophical schools (Nyaya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa) as well as heterodox schools (Buddhism, Jainism). The third chapter compares and combines Upanishadic vidyas and upasanas. The fourth chapter discusses the benefits and importance of spiritual knowledge. The Brahma Sutras, along with the Principal Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, form the Prasthanatrayi, the three foundational texts of Vedanta. It has influenced various schools of Indian philosophy, with differing interpretations by Advaita Vedanta, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita Vedanta.