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Anubhashya Of Madhvacharya

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The Anubhashya of Madhvacharya is an important but concise work in the corpus of Dvaita Vedanta, a dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy. Madhavacharya (1238-1317 CE), also known as Madhva, was the chief proponent of this school and is reputed to have written four significant works on the Brahmasutras: the Brahmasutrabhashya, Anuvyakhyana, Nyayavivarana, and Anubhashya.

Overview of Anubhashya

The Anubhashya, as its name suggests ("anu" meaning tiny), is a succinct metrical composition consisting of 32 shlokas (verses). It is written in the simple Anustubh metre and is divided into four chapters, each containing eight shlokas. This concise format was intended for the convenience of Madhva's disciples, who traditionally read the entire bhashya (commentary) on the Brahmasutras before taking their food.

Structure and Content

  1. First Chapter: Greatness of Bhagavan Vishnu

    • This chapter highlights the supremacy of Bhagavan Vishnu, emphasizing that he is the source of all beings and things. Vishnu's greatness is expounded upon as the ultimate reality and the highest deity in the Dvaita tradition.

  2. Second Chapter: Critique of Other Schools

    • The second chapter focuses on the untenability of the interpretations of Upanishadic passages by other philosophical schools, such as Samkhya. Madhva refutes the monistic and dualistic interpretations that contradict the Dvaita perspective, asserting the distinct and eternal nature of individual souls and the Supreme Being.

  3. Third Chapter: Importance of Jnana (Knowledge)

    • This chapter extols the value of jnana, or knowledge of God. It advises aspirants to avoid evil deeds and engage in virtuous actions. An essential doctrine presented here is the concept of gradation in mukti (liberation), suggesting that liberation is not a uniform state but varies in degree among liberated souls.

  4. Fourth Chapter: Attaining Mukti

    • The final chapter describes the ways to attain mukti. It outlines the spiritual practices and devotion required to achieve liberation, emphasizing the role of devotion to Vishnu and adherence to righteous living.

Alternate Name and Commentaries

The Anubhashya is also known as Sarva-shastrartha-samgraha, which translates to "Compendium of the Meaning of All Scriptures." This alternate name reflects the comprehensive nature of its content, despite its brevity.

Commentaries

Several notable scholars have written commentaries on the Anubhashya, enriching its interpretation and understanding:

  • Jayatirtha: One of the most prominent disciples of Madhva, known for his profound and lucid commentaries on Madhva's works.
  • Ananta Bhatta: A respected scholar who contributed to the elucidation of Madhva's teachings.
  • Raghavendra Tirtha: Another eminent scholar who provided insightful interpretations of the Anubhashya.

These commentaries have played a significant role in preserving and propagating Madhva's teachings, making the Anubhashya accessible and comprehensible to later generations of scholars and devotees.

Significance

The Anubhashya is not just a scholarly work but also a practical guide for spiritual aspirants in the Dvaita tradition. Its emphasis on devotion, ethical living, and the hierarchical nature of liberation provides a clear and structured path for followers of Madhva's teachings. The work's brevity and clarity make it an ideal introductory text for those new to Dvaita Vedanta while also serving as a valuable resource for advanced students and scholars.