V Vedānta, Overview Shakuntala Gawde Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India Synonyms Five schools of Vedānta; Vedānta philosophy Definition Vedānta literally means “end of the Vedas.” Anta has two meanings – end and culmination. Upani- shadic texts which come at the end of Vedas are called as Vedānta. Upaniṣads are also considered as culmination of Vedas and therefore called as Vedānta. Philosophical texts discussing the phi- losophy of Upaniṣads or based on the philosophy of Upaniṣads are popularly known as Vedānta. Introduction Uttaramī māṁsā or Brahmasūtras are called as Vedānta Sūtras as they explain the meaning of Upaniṣads known as Vedānta. These 555 apho- risms divided into four adhyāyas are composed by Bādarāyaṇa in order to explore the philosophy of Upaniṣads which was interpreted differently. Brahmasūtras being abridged in nature became unintelligible in later time. Vedānta Sūtras are divided into four chapters or adhyāyas namely – samanvaya, avirodha, sādhana, and phala. Samanvaya adhyāya aims at establishing har- mony among Śruti statements. Avirodha adhyāya focuses on refuting the counter views posing con- tradictory opinions of Śruti statements. Sādhana adhyāya discusses about means of attaining liber- ation, and the phala adhyāya discusses about the nature of liberation. Vedānta Sūtras are commented by Śaṅkara, Bhāskara, Yādavaprakāśa, Rāmānuja, Keśava, Nīlakaṇṭha, Madhva, Baladeva, Vallabha, and Vijῆānabhikṣu ([4], p. 399). Nature of Brahman, jī va, Jagat, and their interrelation are discussed by these commentators. There are differences among standpoints of these commentators which made different schools of Vedānta philosophy. Kevalādvaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita, Dvaita, Dvaitādvaita, and Śuddhādvaita are popularly known as five schools of Vedānta. Except Kevalādvaita Vedānta of Śaṅkarācārya, other four systems are theologi- cal philosophies based on Vaiṣṇavism. All Vaiṣṇava vedāntins consider Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa as Parabrahman or Ultimate Reality. Kevalādvaita Kevalādvaita (Absolute Monism) was pro- pounded by Śaṅkarācārya. His time period is 680 CE as given by R. G. Bhandarkar ([4], p. 415). Śaṅkarācārya’ s philosophy is based on © Springer Nature B.V. 2020 P. Jain et al. (eds.), Hinduism and Tribal Religions, Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_511-1