VEDANTA PHILOSOPHY

Vedanta is a Sanskrit word which literally means ‘the end of the Vedas’ ^_ the Vedas being the scriptures of the Hindus.

The Vedas are divided into two main portions: the work-portion, which describes how one should do work and do worship, and the knowledge-portion. Included in the knowledge-portion are those books which deal with spirituality and philosophy. These books are called the Upanishads, or the Vedanta. Veda means ‘knowledge’; therefore, Vedanta also means ‘the end of knowledge’, or ‘the highest knowledge.’ It is claimed that at least six thousand years ago this body of spiritual knowledge was experienced and discovered in India by the sages and seers.

The principles of Vedanta are impersonal, universal, and eternal. They are about God, soul, and the world. Vedanta teaches that each soul is potentially divine ^_ the infinite ocean of Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. The goal of human life is to manifest this innate divinity through meditation (Raja Yoga), devotion (Bhakti Yoga), selfless action (Karma Yoga), and discrimination (Jnana Yoga). Vedanta preaches the unity of the Godhead and accepts every faith as a valid means to realize God. As the Rig Veda, the oldest scripture of the Hindus, declares, "Truth is One, sages call it by various names." Vedanta is a religion, a philosophy, and a way of life.