Changes

Prasthana-trayi (Samskrit:प्रस्थानत्रयी) include the three fundamental texts of Indian Philosophy required to understand the import of every system of Vedanta. Every system of Vedanta declares that it derives its doctrines from three texts (Prasthana-traya), namely, the [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]], the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad-Gita]], and the Vedanta-Sutras or Brahmasutras. Each school holds that its interpretation of the texts is the only correct version and those of the others wrong. Thus we have the different systems of Vedanta being fastened on to one and the same text. This has been possible because of the presence of more than one way of looking at the texts.<ref>Nagaraja Rao, P. (1958) ''Introduction to Vedanta.'' Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. (p.39)</ref>

Prasthana-trayi (Samskrit:प्रस्थानत्रयी) include the three fundamental texts of Indian Philosophy required to understand the import of every system of Vedanta. Every system of Vedanta declares that it derives its doctrines from three texts or Prasthana-traya. Each school holds that its interpretation of the texts is the only correct version and those of the others wrong. Thus we have the different systems of Vedanta being fastened on to one and the same text. This has been possible because of the presence of more than one way of looking at and interpreting the texts.<ref>Nagaraja Rao, P. (1958) ''Introduction to Vedanta.'' Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. (p.39)</ref>

There are six systems of philosophy known as [[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]] of which [[Vedanta (वेदान्तः)|Vedanta]] is one. They accept the Vedas as authority but they have different interpretations of what the Vedas mean. Shankaracharya established that Vedanta is the concluding portion of the Vedas (gives actual conclusive import of the Vedas).

There are six systems of philosophy known as [[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]] of which [[Vedanta (वेदान्तः)|Vedanta]] is one. Astika Darshanas accept the Vedas as authority but they have different interpretations of what the Vedas mean. Shankaracharya established that Vedanta is the concluding portion of the Vedas (gives actual conclusive import of the Vedas). ''Prasthana'' means a textual composition which establishes principles or by which one is led and ''trayi'' is indicative of the quantity three.  

 

''Prasthana'' means a textual composition which establishes principles or by which one is led and ''trayi'' is indicative of the quantity three. Pandey & Navare (2018) mention<ref>Pandey, A., & Navare, A. V. (2018). Paths of Yoga: Perspective for Workplace Spirituality. In ''The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfilment''. Palgrave Macmillan Cham.</ref>: Hindu tradition acknowledges the Prasthānatrayī as its three primary sources. The texts comprising the ''Prasthānatrayī'' are the ''Upaniṣada'' , the ''Bhagavad-Gītā'', and the ''Brahmasūtra''.

== The Three Prasthanas ==

== The Three Prasthanas ==

Indian philosophy has had a life-oriented approach since ancient times. Indian philosophical texts have made valuable contributions to the spiritual, metaphysical and ideological aspects of human life. In Indian philosophical traditions, there has been extensive thinking about the three elements, Atman/Brahman, Jagat and Ishvara.  The author of Vedantasara<ref>Dutt Sastri. M. N. (1909) edit. ''Vedanta-Sara. A Prose English Translation and Explanatory notes and Comments.'' Calcutta: The Society for the resuscitation of Indian Literature. (p.2)</ref> begins his work with an attempt to explain the class of writings included under the heading Vedanta and identifies them as Prasthanatrayam. They endeavor to solve the most momentous questions of life and death.  

Indian philosophy has had a life-oriented approach since ancient times. Indian philosophical texts have made valuable contributions to the spiritual, metaphysical and ideological aspects of human life. In Indian philosophical traditions, there has been extensive thinking about the three elements, Atman/Brahman, Jagat and Ishvara.  The author of Vedantasara<ref>Dutt Sastri. M. N. (1909) edit. ''Vedanta-Sara. A Prose English Translation and Explanatory notes and Comments.'' Calcutta: The Society for the resuscitation of Indian Literature. (p.2)</ref> begins his work with an attempt to explain the class of writings included under the heading Vedanta and identifies them as Prasthanatrayam. He mentions the Sharira Sutras which are popularly called Vedanta Sutras. They endeavor to solve the most momentous questions of life and death. The attainment of self-knowledge is the ''summum bonum'' of spiritual culture according to the advocates of Vedanta.  

All major Vedantic teachers, like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, and Madhvacharya, have composed extensive commentaries on the three texts. The three prasthanas include

All major Vedantic teachers, like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, and Madhvacharya, have composed extensive commentaries on the three texts. Pandey & Navare (2018) mention<ref>Pandey, A., & Navare, A. V. (2018). Paths of Yoga: Perspective for Workplace Spirituality. In ''The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfilment''. Palgrave Macmillan Cham.</ref>: Hindu tradition acknowledges the Prasthānatrayī as its three primary sources. The texts comprising the ''Prasthānatrayī'' are

# [[Upanishads]] - form the Shruti Prasthana (related to Shrutis or Vedic texts or revealed texts)

# [[Upanishads]] - form the Shruti Prasthana (related to Shrutis or Vedic texts or revealed texts)

=== Srimad Bhagavad Gita ===

=== Srimad Bhagavad Gita ===

{{Main|Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)}}

{{Main|Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)}}

Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the third authoritative text given by Vyasa Maharshi in the Mahabharata. Even though Mahabharata is an Itihasa text, the teachings given by ShriKrishna to Arjuna are considered to be Apaurusheya like the Vedas because it spontaneously emerged from ShriKrishna regarded as Paramatman, the Supreme Being. That is why this text is also a scripture expounding [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]]. To attain Brahman, the means of selfless action (nishkama karma), devotion (bhakti) and knowledge (jnana) have been prescribed.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the third authoritative text given by Vyasa Maharshi in the Mahabharata. Even though Mahabharata is an Itihasa text, the teachings given by ShriKrishna to Arjuna are considered to be Apaurusheya like the Vedas because it spontaneously emerged from ShriKrishna regarded as Paramatman, the Supreme Being. That is why this text is also a scripture expounding [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]]. To attain Brahman, the means of selfless action (nishkama karma), devotion (bhakti) and knowledge (jnana) have been prescribed.

 

In the first six chapters, the secret of [[Nishkama Karma (निष्कामकर्म)|Nishkama Karma]] Yoga has been explained, in the second six chapters, the secret of Bhagavad [[Bhakti Yoga (भक्तियोगः)|Bhakti Yoga]] and in the third six chapters, the secret of [[Jnana Yoga]] has been explained.

== Unanimous acceptance ==

== Unanimous acceptance ==