Lectures of the Shivdasani Visiting Fellow
Week 2, Thursday 29 January 2.00-3.00, OCHS Library
Dr Radha Raghunathan
One of the debates among the different schools of Vedānta is regarding Brahman as the cause of creation ― the dualistic schools like Sāṁkhyā, Dvaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita and others hold that the universe is real, it is transformation (pariṇāma) of Brahman. The Advaitin’s explanation is that in this modification Brahman undergoes no change but merely ‘lends’ existence; thus, the universe is a transfiguration (vivarta) of Brahman. As do all schools of Vedānta, the Advaitin quotes the famous statement from Ch.Up. 6.1.4–6 and 6.4.1–4), “Any modification is a name dependent on words / speech.” (“vācā’’rambhaṇaṁ vikāro nāmadheyam…”)
Radha Raghunathan examines the statement “vācā’’rambhaṇaṁ vikāro nāmadheyam…,” in the light of the Advaitins Śaṅkarācārya (8th cent. C.E.), Ānandagiri also known as Ānandajñāna (14th cent. C.E.), Upaniṣad Brahmayogin (fl. 1800 C.E.), Bellaṁkoṅḍa Rāmarāya Kavi (early 20th cent. C.E.), and ‘lalitaalaalitaḥ’ (current times) to see how far they succeed in establishing that creation is transfiguration and not transformation of the changeless (nirvikāra) Brahman.
