Satakatraya

Satakatraya refers to a trio of classical Sanskrit texts that are foundational to the study of Indian philosophy, particularly within the context of Vedanta and Yoga. The term "Satakatraya" translates to "the three hundred" in Sanskrit, though the texts themselves are not limited to three hundred verses. These texts are:

The first text is the *Bhagavad Gita*, an 18-chapter dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is a part of the epic *Mahabharata* and is considered a concise yet profound exposition of the principles of *Bhakti* (devotion), *Jnana* (knowledge), and *Karma* (action). The *Gita* is often studied as a guide to ethical and spiritual living, offering insights into duty, liberation, and the nature of reality.

The second text is the *Brahma Sutras*, also known as the *Sutras of Badarayana*, a collection of 555 aphorisms that systematically present the philosophical framework of Advaita Vedanta. Composed by the sage Badarayana, it explores the relationship between the individual soul (*jiva*), the universal consciousness (*Brahman*), and the illusory world (*maya*). The Sutras serve as a foundational text for Vedantic thought, often interpreted alongside commentaries such as those by Shankara.

The third text is the *Upanishads*, a collection of ancient texts that form the philosophical core of Hinduism. The Upanishads, often referred to as the "Vedanta" (end of the Vedas), contain discussions on the nature of ultimate reality, the self, and the cosmos. They explore themes such as the identity of *Atman* (the soul) and *Brahman* (the absolute), the nature of existence, and the path to liberation (*moksha*). The Upanishads are considered essential for understanding the spiritual and philosophical foundations of Hinduism.

Together, these three texts—*Bhagavad Gita*, *Brahma Sutras*, and *Upanishads*—are central to the study of classical Indian philosophy, offering diverse yet complementary perspectives on the nature of existence, consciousness, and liberation. They have been widely studied, interpreted, and debated by philosophers, scholars, and seekers across centuries.