December 2, 2012

 

What is Vedanta?

The word Vedanta is composed of two Sanskrit words: Veda meaning knowledge and antah meaning end.  The word signifies that it is the knowledge that is presented in the end portions of the Vedas. These end portions are small texts that are called Upanishads.  Collective knowledge of Upanishads is referred to as Vedanta. There are over one hundred known Upanishads, although now a days only about a dozen of them are taught; a few of the commonly known ones are Isha, Kena, Katha, Mandukya, Mundaka, Ishavasya, Taitreya, etc.

The core teachings of Vedanta answer the ultimate questions one is apt to ask: “who am I? What is this Universe? Who is God? What is my relationship with the Universe and God?”

 What is the practical significance of Vedanta?

Vedanta allows us to deal with the fundamental problem of our feeling of inadequacy and limited-ness.  By nature, we as human beings want complete and infinite happiness.  We want a perfect physical body, a perfect mind and intellect, and perfect emotional status of bliss and happiness.  We pursue this infinite goal by fulfilling our desires through our finite efforts; but we invariably fail. We fail because infinite cannot be attained by finite.  No amount of effort will take us to the ultimate state of happiness.  What is the solution?  Vedanta teaches us that the solution is really simple.  We don’t have to seek perfection outside; we already are what we are seeking!

The reason we don’t feel that way is because our true nature is covered with a veil of ignorance-that’s how we are born.  Vedantic knowledge removes the dark veil of ignorance and allows our true nature to shine through.  Once the ignorance is removed, we will discover the source of happiness within and live fully contented without being dependent on worldly objects.

 

Follow up questions for next posting:
How can I realistically benefit from the knowledge of Vedanta? What is the nature of that knowledge?