Mandana Mishra, a prominent figure in Advaita philosophy during the 8th to 9th centuries CE, is known for his work "Brahmasiddhi," where he expounded the concept of Shabda Advaita. In this philosophical framework, Mandana propagated the idea that Brahman, the ultimate reality in Advaita Vedanta, is consciousness, and this consciousness is identified with the power of speech, known as shabda. According to Mandana, this shabda, or sound/vibration, is inherent in Brahman's nature.
Mandana's perspective draws inspiration from the ideas of
Bhartrhari, a philosopher from the 5th century CE associated with the school of
grammar. Bhartrhari argued that language and the spoken word (shabda) are not
just a means of communication but have a deeper ontological significance,
connecting them to the ultimate reality.
Mandana Mishra provides compelling arguments in favor of
Shabda Advaita, incorporating Bhartrhari's linguistic philosophy. However,
despite Mandana's efforts, later Advaitins, who followed the tradition of
Shankara (8th century CE), did not widely adopt or endorse his views. The
mainstream Advaita Vedanta tradition, as established by Shankara, focuses on
the non-dual nature of Brahman, emphasizing the ineffable and transcendent
aspect of the ultimate reality.
The divergence from Mandana's perspective might be
attributed to varying interpretations and emphases within the Advaita Vedanta
tradition over time. While linguistic and philosophical analyses have
contributed significantly to the understanding of reality, the later Advaitins
tended to place more emphasis on the direct experience of the self (atman) and
the realization of the non-dual nature of Brahman through meditation and
introspection, as opposed to an explicit association with linguistic theories.