Vedarthasangraha

Vedarthasangraha is a significant philosophical work in the Vedanta tradition, authored by Ramanuja, a prominent exponent of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta. The title itself, Vedarthasangraha, translates to "Collection/Summary of the Meaning of the Vedas." This text serves as a foundational treatise, outlining the core tenets of Ramanuja's philosophy and providing a systematic interpretation of the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita, collectively known as the Prasthanatrayi.

In Vedarthasangraha, Ramanuja addresses various interpretations of Vedanta, particularly contrasting his Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) with the Advaita (non-dualism) philosophy of Adi Shankara. He argues for a concept of Brahman as an impersonal, all-pervading reality that is nevertheless qualified by its attributes and the multitude of individual souls and material existence, which are considered its modes or body. The work elaborates on the nature of God (Ishvara), the self (Atman), and the universe, emphasizing the reality of both individual consciousness and the material world as intrinsically connected to Brahman.

A key theme explored in Vedarthasangraha is the path to liberation (moksha). Ramanuja posits that devotion (bhakti) and surrender to God are the primary means to achieve union with Brahman, contrasting with Shankara's emphasis on knowledge (jnana) alone. The text provides detailed explanations of various spiritual practices and the ultimate goal of attaining the divine grace of Narayana. Vedarthasangraha is thus a crucial text for understanding the philosophical landscape of Vedanta and Ramanuja's unique contribution to its development.