What is the actual definition of Vedanta?

Question

There are many versions of Vedanta available and most of them have drastic differences and contradictions.

So is Vedanta is a loosely coined term or does it have a concrete definition?

What is its relation to the philosophy?

If veda-anta is something beyond/other than the Vedas then it cannot be called as vedanta at all.

Further, there are no divisions such ad Veda-aadi, veda-madhya then how come we have something like veda-anta?

If its a part of the Vedas then these philosophies also form the part of the so called KarmakAnda.

The original meaning of the word Vedanta is "the end of the Vedas", i.e. the Upanishads. But the term later came to signify the Uttara Mimamsa school, a philosophical school based on the teachings of the Upanishads as expounded in Vyasa'a Brahma Sutras. — Keshav Srinivasan, Jul 04 '17 at 08:04
Though "Veda" + "anta" = "End of Veda" is true in a literal sense. But in the context of "VedAnta", it has to be interpreted as "Beyond Veda" and not "End of Veda". Because "End of Veda" is also "Veda" only. IMO, "Veda"-s are more related to worldly Dharma-s and "VedAnta"s mainly deal with "NirvAna"/"Moksha". This philosophy is beneficial to those who are done with the "Prakruti" (worldly matters); e.g. Arjuna exactly during Kurukshetra war. All his senses were dried up. Nothing could lure him to fight. — iammilind, Jul 04 '17 at 11:41
"If its a part of the Vedas then these philosophies also form the part of the so called KarmakAnda" - why is it so and who said this? — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 00:15
@iammilind, when people say 'end of vedas', it is in the context of 'means' and 'end', as in 'path' and 'destination', or 'methods' and 'goal'..Vedanta means 'goal' of Vedas. the goal of Vedas is to try to show Brahman. After doing all karma mentioned in Vedas and repeated birth and death, when man wants to find something higher, that's how Brahma Sutras start 'athatho brahma jignasa' - 'After all said and done, now lets know about brahman'.. based on Upanishads etc. and finally Vedas themselves give up saying they cannot show Brahman. — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 00:16
@ram Vedas deals with karmakanda. If one says only the Vedanta leads to moksha then its big mistake. It would mean that the remaining portion of Vedas cannot lead one to moksha. — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 01:10
@RakeshJoshi, have you heard 'na karmana na prajaya..' ? Karma can never lead one to moksha, only tyaga can - karma tyaga (as part of jnana yoga) and karma phala tyaga (as part of karma yoga). Vedas contain methods for all 4 purusharthas - dharma, artha, kama, moksha. the part dealing with moksha has been given a name called vedanta. i don't see any confusion here.. — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 01:29
@ram it only shows ignorance in your comment. where does veda say that so and so section is for which purushartha? Further the verse you quoted is talking about immortality. Then is immortality same as moksha? — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 07:00
really.. you don't know that there are different types of yagna mentioned in vedas for different goals ? like rajasuya yaga, or ashvameda, or putra kameshti, or varuna yaga - each prashna or anuvaka or mandala has a specific dharma, artha or kama associated. and there are thousands of such shakas. — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 18:54
those upanishad verses says that goal of vedanta is attaining brahmaloka. If so then there is no problem in accepting it. But then if jagat is mithya then how come brahma loka be satyam? and why is it aim of vedanta? — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 18:56
if it doesn't mean moksha, what else do you think amruta (immortality) means ? whenever any asura does the most intense tapas and asks brahma for immortality (WITH the body), brahma says it is not possible. So, immortality without the prakruta sharira, is moksha — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 18:56
goal of vedanta is definitely not brahmaloka (by this i assume you mean satyaloka), because even from satyaloka there is return to earth. — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 18:57
then please refute the verse of mundaka. वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः संन्यासयोगाद् यतयः शुद्धसत्त्वाः । ते ब्रह्मलोकेषु परान्तकाले परामृताः परिमुच्यन्ति सर्वे ॥ ६॥ — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 18:59
that is exactly the verse i am also referring to - when they welcome yatis. see the term 'shudda satvaah' - that is referring to non-material worlds (aprakruta), since everything from satya loka to patala is made from prakriti (mixture of satva,rajas,tamas). it refers to loka of para brahman, not 4-faced brahma. also, i've heard there are different ways and times going to moksha - you can first go to brahma loka, enjoy time there, and when kalpa ends, you go to vaikunta along with brahma when prakriti dissolves into avyakta, no more return to earth. some others may go to vaikunta instantly. — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 19:07
You are making irrelevant comments. It clearly says brahma loka. whether its loka of brahmaa or brahman it is still a loka and not vedantic mukti. — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 19:11
who said a loka cannot be mukti ? that is your own conclusion. mukti means freedom from 'samsara' and karmic bonds. that's it. there is no rule that mukti cannot involve being in a loka or without a body which are imperishable. you're thinking the 'loka' of brahman is like the worlds we see. Krishna says 'in that world of mine, neither sun nor moon shines' yet it is bright — ram, Jul 05 '17 at 19:13

Pandya · Answer 1 · 2017-10-25T13:39:01.697

The word Anta in definition of Vedanta stands for multiple means, here Anta = End/Conclusion/Culmination

As I discussed in this answer, Vedas constitutes four parts Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka & Upanishads.

Upanishads are generally comes at the end of Vedas and Upanishads signifies (spiritual) conclusion i.e extract of Vedas. So, Upanishads themselves are called Vedanta.

Verse from Upanishads mention/call Vedanta:

Mundaka Upanishad 3.2

वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः संन्यासयोगाद् यतयः शुद्धसत्त्वाः ।
ते ब्रह्मलोकेषु परान्तकाले परामृताः परिमुच्यन्ति सर्वे ॥ ६॥

Having without doubt well ascertained the significance of the knowledge of Vedanta the seekers, their minds purified by dint of renunciation, attain the worlds of the Brahman and when their body falls, their Atman being one with the highest immortal Brahma n are absolved all round.

Shvetashvatar Upanishad:

वेदान्ते परमं गुह्यं पुराकल्पे प्रचोदितम् ।
नाप्रशान्ताय दातव्यं नापुत्रायाशिष्याय वा पुनः ॥ २२॥

VI-22: This highest mysticism, expounded in the Vedanta in a former age, should not be taught to one whose passions have not been subdued, nor to one who is not a worthy son, nor to an unworthy disciple.

Now, talking about Vedanta school of philosophy, there are six Astika schools of Philosophy associated with primary scripture (Sutra) and Rishi as follows:

Sankhya - Sankhya Sutra of Kapila, Sankhya Karika of Ishvara Krishna
Yoga - Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Vaisheshika - Vaishesiki Sutra of Kannad
Nyaya - Nyaya Sutra of Akshpad Gautama
Mimansa - Purva Mimansa Sutra of Jaimini
Vedanta - Brahma Sutra of Badarayana

Mimansa means profound thought or examination/investigation. As Keshav discussed in this, three mimansa has done on different part/aspects of Veda.

Samhita Kanda - Devatakanda Sutras - Kasatrisna
Brahmana (Karma Kanda) - Purva Mimansa (sutra) - Jaimini
Upanishad (Jnana Kanda) - Uttar Mimansa (Brahma Sutra) - Vyasa

Brahma Sutra (also called Vedanta Sutra) systematizes and summarizes the philosophical and spiritual ideas in the Upanishads. So, it is considered very important text to understand the preaching of Upanishads.

Vedanta school is based on three (source) scriptures called Prasthanatrayi:

Shruti Prasthan - Upanishads
Smriti Prasthan - Bhagvad Gita
Nyaya Prasthan - Brahma Sutra

Hence, Vedanta by definition refers to Upanishads and as a schools, refers to philosophy/doctrine based on Prasthanatrayi.

You may refer Swami Vivekananda's lecture on Vedanta.

Regarding contradiction or differences among different Vedantic philosophy, as I discussed in this answer, (in the section "Requirement of Bhashya"), it is due to very subtle nature of Brahma Sutras and difference in interpretation by different Acharyas to prove doctrine. एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति (Rigveda 1.164.46).

There is a false translation in the mundaka verse. It says that the fruit of vedanta and sanyasa is attaining brahmaloka. i.e loka of brahmaa not brahman — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 15:28
It is also not clear from the previous answers if Upanishad and others constitute Vedas or not? — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 15:30
Where is this division of jnana, upasana, and karma kandas in vedas? as per which vedic verse? — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 15:32
@RakeshJoshi Not mentioned in Vedas but you can find it in the work of Acharyas. — Pandya, Jul 05 '17 at 15:44
@RakeshJoshi the classification of Vedas into Samhita & Brahmanas and considering them as Veda is not only the belief of Vedanta Acharya, it is told by Vyakarana and Sutra Kara and widely accepted by Acharyas of Karma Kanda as well. — Pandya, Jul 05 '17 at 16:02
Ok please quote some of them which classifies which section is jnana kanda and which section is karma kanda. — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 16:03
If goal of Vedanta is reaching brahma loka then there is no problem in accepting. But then world is not real as per Vedanta??? — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 16:03
@RakeshJoshi I've quoted some verses from Apastamba Guhya Sutra, Gautama Guhya Sutra and of Sayanacharya in this answer which states Mantra/Samhita & Brahmanas as Veda. — Pandya, Jul 05 '17 at 16:06
Yes i remember but it not talk of upanishads. Further where is classification of vedas viz upasana, karma, and jnana kanda — Rakesh Joshi, Jul 05 '17 at 16:10

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 06 '17 at 12:25

Vedanta (or Upanishad) literally means the end of Veda or the concluding portion of Vedas. Now this can have two meanings:

1) If Veda considered a book then Vedanta it's concluding chapters. In this case, there is virtually no difference between the two. So, there is no need to mention them separately when they are mentioned together.

2) Vedanta are the supplementary texts that are appended to the ends of Veda at a later period. Even saints like Rishi Aurobindo agrees with the Upanishadic period being much later to the Vedic period.

The conclusion 2 appears to me as much more reasonable.

Now, while its virtually impossible (IMHO) to prove that Upanishads or Vedanta are also a part of Vedas (i.e they are Sruti or heard by Rishis ) but indications which point to the opposite direction are many.

Therefore the Yogis that want rewards meditate Her, Who is of the nature of Vidyâ and Who is devoid of attributes. The best Munis, the knowers of the truths of Vedanta meditate on Her as formless, immutable, stainless, omnipresent Brahmâ devoid of all Dharma. She is described in some Vedas and Upanishads as full of Light (Tejas)

The Brâhmins, versed in the Vedas and Vedantas, are objects of venerations and must be worshipped. Give, then, them always according to merits, cows, lands, gold, etc. Don’t worship any Brâhmin who is illiterate. Don’t give to illiterates more than their belliful wants.

The Devi BhAgabatam, Book 3, Chapter 1.

Now, if Vedanta=Vedas, then there remains no need to mention them separately in the same sentence. Right? But as you can see they are mentioned separately.

Even the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad mention Vedas and Upanishads separately while mentioning them together. Following are the relevant verses from the Upanishad.

"As from a fire kindled with wet fuel various kinds of smoke issue forth, even so, my dear, the Rig—Veda, the Yajur—Veda, the Sama—Veda, the Atharvangirasa, history (itihasa), mythology (purana), the arts (vidya), the Upanishads, verses (slokas), aphorisms (sutras), elucidations (anuvyakhyanas) and explanations (vyakhyanas) are like the breath of this infinite Reality. From this Supreme Self are all these, indeed, breathed forth. (4.5.11)

Janaka, Emperor of Videha, rose from his lounge, humbly approached Yajnavalkya and said: "Salutation to you, O Yajnavalkya. Please instruct me." Yajnavalkya said: "Your Majesty, as one who wishes to go a long distance would procure a chariot or a ship, even so you have fully equipped your mind with so many secret names of Brahman. You are also honoured and wealthy; you have studied the Vedas and heard the Upanishads. But do you know where you will go when you are released from this body?"

Verses from Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad,(4.2.1) .

The Vyasa Smriti also does the same:

Then having recited the Gayatri, the twice-born ones should commence the study of the Vedas. Having studied portion of the Saman, Yajus, and Atharvan, they should commence reading the Itihasas, Puranas and Upanishads, either entirely, or in parts, if a complete perusal is not feasible. This should be done every day. (910) (Vyasa Smriti)

So, option 2 is much more reasonable. They are appended later to the Vedas by the teachers so that the students can master the terse content of Vedas easily.

They are like appendices to the Vedas but very important texts none the less.

@RakeshJoshi I have added them. – Rickross Jul 06 '17 at 12:22 — Rickross, Jul 06 '17 at 12:22

What is the actual definition of Vedanta?

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