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INFO: About SURESHVARA-Advaitin
dear netters,
i found a write up about Sureshvara-an advaitin, disciple of Sankara.
i thought i would share it with you all.
with regards
m.ravichandran
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The story of Sureshvara has been reffered from, ''The
Naishkarmyasiddhi of Sureshvara,'' by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam.
The book was published in 1988 by the Radhakrishnan Institute for
Advanced Study in Philsophy, University of Madras, India.
This is a story of Sureshvara, one of the greatest philo-
sophers of Hinduism. His commentaries on advaita has been ac-
cepted as one of the best. His scruptural image is present in-
side the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Kanchipuram.
Sureshvara was known to be a 'Mimaansaka', a champion of
philosophy of action, a zealous householder. HE later became an
advaitin. These are 2 different schools of philosophies. Ac-
cording to some theories, Sureshvara was known in his purvaasrama
as 'Mandana' and also as 'visvarupa' before he became a 'san-
nayasin'.
When Adi-sankara was on his 'dig-vijaya', he met a lot of
people on his way. One of them was Kumarila Bhatta. He burnt
himself for expiating his sin of betraying his teacher. Sankara
tried to stop him and all his efforts were in vain. Kumarila
asked Sankara to talk to Sureshvara (who was known by Mandanamis-
ra at that time), who was a celebrated Mimaamsaka at that time.
Mandanamisra was the sister's husband of Kumarila.
Sankara had a long debate with Mandanamisra, and finally
the latter accepted defeat. He accepted the principles of advai-
ta. He gave up his life of a householder and became a renunci-
ate. He became a disciple of Sankara. He compared himself to
Bhagiratha, who was purified by river ganga from Lord Shiva.
Sureshvara's one of greatest works was Naishkarmyasiddhi.
When Sankara wanted him to write a commentary on Brahma-sutra,
the other disciples didnt like it. They were afraid that Suresh-
vara might misinterpret Brahma-Sutra-bhasya in his 'vartika'.
Hence Sankara directed Sureshvara to write an independent work,
hence Naishkarmyasidhi.
Sureshvara belonged to the class of Vyasa. Although he
was a disciple of Sankara, he was not compared with the other
disciples. He had also written commentaries called
"Taaitriyopanishad-bhasya', to 'bhrahadaranyakapanishad-bhasya'.
His books constitute a valuable source book of Advaita.
--
Ravichandran Mahalingam, MS (Civil). ravicndn@engr.latech.edu
P.O. Box 8342, Ruston, LA 71272 phone# (318)-255-5948
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* Whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and purpose, and *
* whose actions have been burnt by the Fire-of-Knowledge, him *
* the "wise" call a SAGE. *
* -Srimad Bhagawad Geeta, chapter 4, verse 19. *
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