The Philosophy of the Brahma-sutra: An Introduction

The Brahma-sutra is the canonical book of Vedanta, which became the doctrinal backbone of modern Hinduism. It is attributed to Badaraya and is concerned with the ideas of Brahman, the great ground of Being, and the highest good. The Philosophy of the Brahma-sutra provides a comprehensive account of its doctrine of meditation, elaborates on its nature and attainment, and draws the contours of its intellectual biography and reception history. It is an illuminating and necessary introduction to one of Indian philosophys most important works.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Brahma-sutra, attributed to Badaraya (circa 400 CE), holds a revered status as the canonical text within Vedanta, the philosophical tradition that formed the doctrinal foundation of modern Hinduism. As an explanation of the Upanishads, its primary focus revolves around the concepts of Brahman, the supreme ground of Being, and the ultimate attainment of supreme good.

The Philosophy of the Brahma-sutra stands as the inaugural exploration that delves into the text and its profound ideas, rather than solely concentrating on its reception and interpretation across the various schools of Vedanta. Spanning the realms of epistemology, ontology, the theory of causality, and psychology, the Brahma-sutra also offers a comprehensive account of its doctrine of meditation. Furthermore, it delves into the nature and attainment of this profound practice, while carefully considering the broader religious context of Ancient India in which the work was situated. By contextualizing the Brahma-sutras teachings against the backdrop of its primary collocutors, the book elucidates how the work gave rise to widely divergent ontologies and notions of practice.

This invaluable introduction is particularly suited for both undergraduate students and specialists, as it provides a luminous and indispensable gateway into one of Indian philosophy's most seminal and influential works.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 138 x 217 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350150003