Vedas 16 - Sankara's Advaita

Advaita means Non-dual The One without a second. This non-dualism treats Brahman as the sole Reality! The great Mahaavaakya of Sankara- "Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Parah" Treats the world only as an appearance and ‘Jeeva' -the living being, as not different from Brahman. The world which includes Nature and the ‘Jeevas', Insentient and sentient beings are Unreal or false- ‘Mithya' - in other words, Only an appearance - ‘Vivarta'. Just as we mistake a rope for a snake Due to ignorance or ‘avidya', The body is taken as real While the spirit-the essence is ignored. Brahman or Self alone is Real The individuals identify Their body, mind, intellect with Reality, Due to ‘Ajnana' or lack of true knowledge. Wisdom dawns only through rigorous discipline, Practised under the guidance of a ‘Guru'. Self-realisation releases one from all miseries. To know Brahman is to be Brahman!