Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ25844

Analysis of the First Mantra of Isopaniṣad from TwoDifferent Philosophical Perspectives

Authors(1) :-Kankana Goswami

The Īśāvāsyopaniṣad, one of the principal Upaniṣads, has attracted significant philosophical interpretation across various philosophical schools. This paper comparatively analyzes two distinct commentarial traditions on its first mantra: the Śāṅkara Bhāṣya rooted in Advaita Vedānta and the Tattvaprakāśikā Bhāṣya composed by Amolakram Shastri, reflecting the Nimbārka school. Śaṅkarācārya interprets the mantra through the lens of non-dualism, asserting the omnipresence of the Supreme Self (Ātman) and advocating renunciation (tyāga) as a means to self-realization. He emphasizes the illusory nature of multiplicity and the need to perceive the Self as the substratum of all existence. On the other hand, the Tattvaprakāśikā Bhāṣya elaborates the inner purport of the Upaniṣad by affirming the dual reality of the sentient and insentient, governed under the divine auspices of Lord Hari (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), who resides in both individual and collective entities (Vyaṣṭi and Samaṣṭi). The commentary draws upon the Nimbārka philosophical framework of bhedābheda (difference-cum-non-difference) and underscores the importance of spiritual eligibility (adhikāritva) and detachment for true understanding. By comparing these two exegeses, the study highlights the distinct metaphysical and soteriological approaches within Vedānta, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the plurality of interpretations in Indian philosophical thought.

Authors and Affiliations

Kankana Goswami
Research Scholar, Department of Sanskrit, Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University

Īśāvāsyopaniṣad, Śāṅkara Bhāṣya, Tattvaprakāśikā Bhāṣya, Advaita Vedānta, Nimbārka philosophy.

  1. Ishopanishad, 1.
  2. Röer, E.Dr., (translator). The Twelve Principal Upaniṣads: Text in Devanāgari; and Translation with Notes in English from the Commentaries of Śaṅkarācārya and the Gloss of Ā Vol. 1. Theosophical Publishing House, 1931. p. 6.
  3. Śaṅkarācā Īśāvāsyopanishad: With the Commentary of ŚrīŚaṅkarācārya. Translated by M. Hiriyanna, Sri Vani Vilas Press, 1911. p. 4-6.
  4. श्रीमद्धंसं कुमारांश्च देवर्षिं नारदं नुमः। हृत्तमोनाशने शक्तं निम्बभानुं गुणार्णवम्॥२॥ श्रीकृष्णाय नमस्तस्मै राधिकानन्ददायिने । परमानन्दसन्दोह सान्द्रानन्द वपुष्मते॥३॥ अनन्यनृपतिं वन्दे शुचिरत्नमहोदधिम् । आशुधीरस्य शिष्यं श्रीहरिदासं दयानिधिम्॥
    1. Ishopanishad, 1.
    2. Röer, E.Dr., (translator). The Twelve Principal Upaniṣads: Text in Devanāgari; and Translation with Notes in English from the Commentaries of Śaṅkarācārya and the Gloss of Ā Vol. 1. Theosophical Publishing House, 1931. p. 6.
    3. Śaṅkarācā Īśāvāsyopanishad: With the Commentary of ŚrīŚaṅkarācārya. Translated by M. Hiriyanna, Sri Vani Vilas Press, 1911. p. 4-6.
    4. श्रीमद्धंसं कुमारांश्च देवर्षिं नारदं नुमः। हृत्तमोनाशने शक्तं निम्बभानुं गुणार्णवम्॥२॥ श्रीकृष्णाय नमस्तस्मै राधिकानन्ददायिने । परमानन्दसन्दोह सान्द्रानन्द वपुष्मते॥३॥ अनन्यनृपतिं वन्दे शुचिरत्नमहोदधिम् । आशुधीरस्य शिष्यं श्रीहरिदासं दयानिधिम्॥४॥ स्वामिनीशरणं नत्वा सकलदेशिकोक्तितः। ईशोपनिषदो व्याख्यां व्याकरवाणि यथामति॥५॥ Śāstrī, Amolakrāma. Īśādyāṣṭopaniṣadaḥ:Upaniṣatprakāśikākhya Ṭīkopetaḥ. Edited by Rāmaprasāda Śāstrī, Prabhakar Printing Press, Mathura. 1937. First Edition.p. 1.
    5. Ibid. p. 1-3.
    6. Ibid. p. 2.
    ४॥ स्वामिनीशरणं नत्वा सकलदेशिकोक्तितः। ईशोपनिषदो व्याख्यां व्याकरवाणि यथामति॥५॥ Śāstrī, Amolakrāma. Īśādyāṣṭopaniṣadaḥ:Upaniṣatprakāśikākhya Ṭīkopetaḥ. Edited by Rāmaprasāda Śāstrī, Prabhakar Printing Press, Mathura. 1937. First Edition.p. 1.
  5. Ibid. p. 1-3.
  6. Ibid. p. 2.

Publication Details

Published in : Volume 8 | Issue 1 | January-February 2025
Date of Publication : 2025-02-20
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 250-254
Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ25844
Publisher : Shauryam Research Institute

ISSN : 2581-6306

Cite This Article :

Kankana Goswami , "Analysis of the First Mantra of Isopaniṣad from TwoDifferent Philosophical Perspectives", Shodhshauryam, International Scientific Refereed Research Journal (SHISRRJ), ISSN : 2581-6306, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp.250-254 , January-February.2025
URL : https://shisrrj.com/SHISRRJ25844

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