Department of Sanskrit Vedanta

Faculty of Indian Metaphysics was the first faculty instituted in the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit at its inception. M.A in Vedanta was the first academic programme introduced in the University.

Vedanta is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. There are different schools in Vedanta which have their separate identity due to the various interpretations of the Upanishad. Upanishads are the final portions of the Vedic literature dealing with spirituality.

The most important and widely accepted school of Vedanta is Advaita or Monism. Its roots are found even in the initial portions of the Vedic literature, namely, the Rig Veda Samhita. Vedic sages, who are called Rishis in Sanskrit, had expounded philosophical principles in the Upanishads. It was Sree Sankara of the late 8th and 9th centuries A.D., who brought Advaita on a logical foundation. Even in the present age, Sankara’s Monism stands equal to the latest theories in the field of Physics. Apart from the scientific basis, Advaita has a universal appeal in as much as it upholds the identity of the souls of all beings whereby the equality of all is established. There is no other philosophy which can serve the ideas of socialism better. In the modern period there have been practical advaitins. Swamy Vivekananda took Advaita to far away places, to America and to Europe. He was a social reformer who gave inspiration to many social and political leaders in India. In Kerala, the most enthusiastic social reformer Sree Narayana Guru got inspiration from Advaita philosophy, which he interpreted to suit the modern times.

The courses offered by the Department of Vedanta include the ancient systems of philosophy namely, Samkhya and Yoga: modern schools of Vedanta, namely, Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita; modern studies following Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal, Vagbhatananda, Brahmananda Swamy Sivayogi etc., and comparisons with western philosophers Kant, Hegel, Aristotle, etc.

The faculty of Indian Metaphysics is headed by the Dean Dr. K. Maheswaran Nair and the Department of Vedanta is headed by the Professor, Dr. P. Chithambaran.

Department of Sanskrit Vedanta
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady
Sree Sankarapuram, PB No.14,
Kaladi
Ernakulam
Kerala
India