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Bhamatiprasthana Of Vacaspati Misra

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The ‘Bhamatiprasthana’ (Bhamati Prasthana) school of thought, as established by Vacaspati Mishra in his celebrated commentary Bhamati on the Shankara Bhashya of the Brahma Sutras, is a significant philosophical development in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. This school, named after his work, places a strong emphasis on understanding the role of ignorance (avidya) and the nature of the individual self (jiva) in relation to Brahman, the ultimate reality. Let’s delve deeper into the key tenets and contributions of the Bhamati school:

Historical Context and Influence

  1. Vacaspati Mishra's Contribution:
    • Vacaspati Mishra (circa 840 CE) is a monumental figure in Indian philosophy, particularly within the Advaita Vedanta tradition. His work, Bhamati, is a comprehensive commentary on Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhashya (commentary) on the Brahmasutras. The Bhamati profoundly influences subsequent Advaita Vedanta thinkers and gives rise to the Bhamati school of thought.
  2. Subsidiary Commentaries:
    • The Bhamati school’s interpretations were further elaborated by later scholars, notably Amalananda’s Kalpataru (13th century) and Appayya Dikshita’s Parimala (16th century). These works help preserve and expand upon the foundational ideas set forth by Vacaspati Mishra.

Core Philosophical Views

  1. Brahman and the World:

    • According to the Bhamati school, Brahman is the material cause of the world. However, unlike some interpretations that suggest avidya (ignorance) resides in Brahman, Vacaspati Mishra posits that avidya does not abide in Brahman itself but in the individual jivas. This approach distinguishes between Brahman as the ultimate reality and the jivas, or individual selves, as loci of ignorance.

  2. Role of Avidya (Ignorance):

    • The school recognizes two types of avidya:
      • Mula Avidya (Primal Ignorance): The fundamental ignorance that veils the true nature of Brahman and is the root cause of the world's manifestation.
      • Tula Avidya (Derivative Ignorance): The specific, derivative ignorance that results in misconceptions and erroneous perceptions in the jivas. This is what creates bhrama-samskaras or error impressions in individuals.

  3. Plurality of Avidya:

    • Since avidya is seen as abiding in the individual jivas and given that jivas are many, avidya is also considered plural. Each jiva has its own unique form of ignorance which obscures its perception of reality.

  4. Avacchedavada (Theory of Limitation):

    • Vacaspati Mishra supports the avacchedavada, or the theory of limitation, to explain how Brahman, though infinite, appears as the finite jiva. This is akin to the way a pot limits the infinite sky to the space within it. Similarly, the avidya of the individual limits the infinite Brahman and makes it appear as the finite self (jiva).

  5. Maya’s Role:

    • In the Bhamati school, Maya is considered only an accessory cause, not the primary cause, in the manifestation of the world. This subtle distinction underscores that Maya functions in conjunction with avidya, which resides in the jivas, to create the illusion of the world and individual selves.

  6. Nature of Mahavakyas (Great Sentences):

    • The Bhamati school asserts that the mahavakyas, or great sayings of the Upanishads (such as "Tat Tvam Asi" - "Thou Art That"), do not produce direct, immediate cognition of the truth. Instead, the mind must be conditioned and purified through sustained meditation and discipline to attain the experience of oneness with Brahman.

Significance and Legacy

  • Reconciliation of Differences:
    • Vachaspati Mishra’s Bhamati is noted for its attempt to reconcile various interpretations within the Advaita tradition and to provide a cohesive framework that integrates different aspects of Shankara's thought.
  • Impact on Later Thought:
    • The Bhamati school has had a lasting influence on the development of Advaita Vedanta. Its perspectives on avidya and the nature of individual consciousness continue to be subjects of study and debate among Vedanta scholars.
  • Continued Relevance:
    • The detailed exploration of ignorance and the finite perception of the infinite in the Bhamati school offers profound insights into the nature of reality, consciousness, and liberation, which remain relevant to both philosophical inquiry and spiritual practice.

In summary, the Bhamati school, through Vacaspati Mishra’s interpretations and subsequent elaborations by other scholars, provides a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the interplay between Brahman, jivas, and avidya. This school’s contributions are pivotal in the rich tapestry of Advaita Vedanta philosophy.