An understanding of Maya: The philosophies of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva Department of Religion studies Theology University of Pretoria By: John Whitehead 12083802 Supervisor: Dr M Sukdaven 2019 Declaration Declaration of Plagiarism 1. I understand what plagiarism means and I am aware of the university’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this Dissertation is my own work. 3. I did not make use of another student’s previous work and I submit this as my own words. 4. I did not allow anyone to copy this work with the intention of presenting it as their own work. I, John Derrick Whitehead hereby declare that the following Dissertation is my own work and that I duly recognized and listed all sources for this study. Date: 3 December 2019 Student number: u12083802 __________________________ 2 Foreword I started my MTh and was unsure of a topic to cover. I knew that Hinduism was the religion I was interested in. Dr. Sukdaven suggested that I embark on the study of the concept of Maya. Although this concept provided a challenge for me and my faith, I wish to thank Dr. Sukdaven for giving me the opportunity to cover such a deep philosophical concept in Hinduism. This concept Maya is deeper than one expects and has broaden and enlightened my mind. Even though this was a difficult theme to cover it did however, give me a clearer understanding of how the world is seen in Hinduism. 3 List of Abbreviations AD Anno Domini BC Before Christ BCE Before Common Era BS Brahmasutra Upanishad BSB Brahmasutra Upanishad with commentary of Sankara BU Brhadaranyaka Upanishad with commentary of Sankara CE Common Era EW Emperical World GB Gitabhasya of Shankara GK Gaudapada Karikas Rg Rig Veda SBH Sribhasya of Ramanuja Svet. U Svetasvatara Upanishad Ved.Sang Vedartha Samgraha 4 Table of Contents Declaration................................................................................................................... 2 Foreword...................................................................................................................... 3 List of Abbreviations.................................................................................................... 4 Table of Contents........................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 1..................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Background of the study.................................................................................... 9 1.2 Problem statement........................................................................................... 11 1.3 The purpose of this study................................................................................. 11 1.4 The research hypothesis.................................................................................. 12 1.5 Methodology .................................................................................................... 12 1.6 Proposed contribution...................................................................................... 13 1.7 Structure........................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2................................................................................................................... 15 The emergence of the Upanishads and its references to Maya................................ 15 2.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 15 2.2 The development of the Upanishads............................................................... 16 2.3 Date and authorship......................................................................................... 16 2.4 Brahman and Atman in the Upanishads.......................................................... 20 2.5 The concept of Maya in the Upanishads.......................................................... 22 2.6 Schools of Vedanta.......................................................................................... 26 2.6.1 Advaita Vedanta........................................................................................ 27 2.6.2 Vishishtadvaita.......................................................................................... 27 2.6.3 Dvaita........................................................................................................ 28 2.7 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 3................................................................................................................... 30 5 Sankara and his philosophy of Maya......................................................................... 30 3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 30 3.2 Date of birth, life and influences of Sankara.................................................... 30 3.2.1 Date of birth............................................................................................... 30 3.2.2 Influencers of Sankara's thought and those who were influenced............ 33 3.2.3 Works of Sankara...................................................................................... 37 3.3 Advaita Vedanta according to Sankara............................................................ 39 3.3.1 Brahman and Atman ................................................................................. 41 3.3.2 Understanding knowledge according to Sankara...................................... 42 3.4 Maya as understood by Sankara..................................................................... 43 3.4.1 Brahman and Maya in Sankara's philosophy............................................ 46 3.5 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 49 Chapter 4................................................................................................................... 50 Ramanuja and his philosophy of Maya...................................................................... 50 4.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 50 4.2 Life and influences of Ramanuja...................................................................... 50 4.2.1 Influences of Ramanuja's life and those who were influenced.................. 51 4.2.2 Works of Ramanuja................................................................................... 56 4.3 Vishishtadvaita according to Ramanuja........................................................... 56 4.3.1 Brahman and Atman ................................................................................. 57 4.3.2 Understanding knowledge according to Ramanuja................................... 60 4.4 Maya as understood by Ramanuja.................................................................. 62 4.5 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 5................................................................................................................... 66 Madvha...................................................................................................................... 66 5.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 66 6 5.2 Life and influences of Madhva......................................................................... 66 5.2.1 Influencers of Madhva's thought and those who were influenced............. 68 5.2.2 Works of Madhva....................................................................................... 70 5.3 Dvaita according to Madvha ............................................................................ 72 5.3.1 Brahman and Atman ................................................................................. 73 5.4 Maya as understood by Madhva...................................................................... 74 5.5 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 76 Chapter 6................................................................................................................... 78 Central understanding of Maya ................................................................................. 78 6.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 78 6.2 The general understanding of Maya................................................................ 78 6.3 The Vedas........................................................................................................ 78 6.4 The Upanishads understanding of Maya......................................................... 81 6.4.1 Similarities between Advaita, Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita......................... 83 6.5 Sankara’s understanding of Maya ................................................................... 84 6.6 Ramanuja’s understanding of Maya ................................................................ 86 6.6.1 Ramanuja's critique on Maya.................................................................... 88 6.7 Madvha’s understanding of