Sureśvara as a Commentator

17.01.2014 15:15 - 16:45

Alexander Pereverzev | Department of Oriental Studies, St. Petersburg State University

Sureśvara was a direct student of Śaṅkara and a celebrated com-mentator of some his works. He authored Naiṣkarmya Siddhi, an independent work, and two vārttikas: on Śaṅkara’s Brhad-āraṇyakopaniṣadbhāṣya and Taittirīyopaniṣad-bhāṣya. It appears from his works that he was a thorough and consistent Śaṅkarite who scarcely allowed diversion from the line of his master. Throughout his career Sureśvara debated with Mīmāṃsakas, both the Bhāṭṭas and the Prābhākaras. He also confronted the followers of Maṇḍana Miśra, a non-Śaṅkarite and famous prasaṃkhyānavādin. One of the major topics of de-bate that is found in each and every of his works is vindication of the insight into the nature of self (jñāna) as the sole means of achieving liberation. In his works, he proves himself to be a seasoned polemicist and a scholar of tremendous erudition. Sureśvara acts as a valuable link between Śaṅkara and the later Advaita tradition.

Organiser:
ISTB & IKGA der ÖAW
Location:
SR 1 TB