Paramārthasāra and Śrī Bhāgavata
Summary
This comparative study analyses the Paramārthasāra (P.S.), an Advaita treatise attributed to Ādiśeśa or Patañjali and adapted by Abhinavagupta, alongside the Śrī Bhāgavata (Bh.), a Vaiṣṇava text. Scholars have noted that both works have an Advaitic tone and share similarities with Gauḍapāda’s kārikās, though it remains unclear whether the Bhāgavata borrowed directly from Gauḍapāda. The article assigns Śaṅkara to the close of the 6th and beginning of the 7th century and dates the Bhāgavata to the end of the 6th century, arguing that its author could have drawn on earlier Advaita texts. Through detailed tables, the author compares verses on the Kapila‑Devahūti dialogue, jīvanmukti, prārabdha karma and the transcendence of dualities, highlighting close verbal parallels between the P.S. and Bh. These correspondences suggest either direct borrowing or a shared source. The paper argues that the Bhāgavata, an eclectic work adapted to Vaiṣṇavism, likely incorporated material from the Paramārthasāra and other prakaraṇa granthas. The study situates both texts within a continuum of Advaita thought, showing how the Bhāgavata integrates non‑dualistic doctrines into a devotional narrative.
AI-assisted summary, not yet checked. Consult the original PDF before citing.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the Śrī Bhāgavata cannot be divorced from earlier Advaita literature. Its philosophical discourses show strong affinities with the Paramārthasāra and Gauḍapāda’s kārikās, indicating a continuum of ideas. By integrating Advaita doctrines into a bhakti narrative, the Bhāgavata enriched Vaiṣṇava theology. The article underscores the importance of cross‑textual analysis in tracing the evolution of Indian philosophy and suggests that the Bhāgavata drew on a rich corpus of pre‑existing metaphysical literature.