The nature of perception, philosophical methods, Vedanta and the transcendental Absolute truth

Let's do a philosophical deep dive by Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, a prominent saint in the Brahma Madhava Gaudiya sampradaya of Vaishnava Hinduism. He wrote an article titled "The Vedanta: Its Morphology and Ontology". Many people need a dictionary next to them to read this article. Here is a brief and incomplete summary of his thesis.

1. Perception and Truth:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur argues that?sensory perception can be misleading. We may interpret our experiences incorrectly, highlighting the impact of knowledge and perspective ("coaching of an adept of astronomy").
• He emphasizes the importance of?critical thinking?in deciphering true reality from "deceptive outward manifestations" and "seeming reasons." While "seeming truths" might be useful, they are subject to change and shouldn't be mistaken for absolute truth.

2. Diversity in Philosophy:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur acknowledges the?diversity of philosophical approaches?across cultures and historical periods. Different schools of thought emphasize different goals, such as happiness and virtue ("Hellenic and Hebraic Schools"), social order ("China"), or mystical contemplation ("mediaeval Europe").
• There are simplistic conceptions of philosophy, including those based solely on animism, impersonalism, or "savage" ideas.

3. The Indian Perspective:

• The passage briefly introduces some?key concepts from Indian philosophy. This includes the?six phases?of development, the?numerous philosophical views, and the?functions of the mind.
• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur establishes a distinction between the?Jiva (soul)?and the?phenomenal world, suggesting that the individual soul is trapped in a material existence.

Distinctive features of Vedanta philosophy:

1. Difference from Other Indian Schools:

• Vedanta is contrasted with the?"five old schools of philosophy"?that rely on?"super-sensuous methods."?Unlike them, Vedanta deals with?transcendental?themes beyond the limitations of?sensory perception.

2. Transcending the Finite:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur emphasizes that Vedanta is?not confined?to the material world, space, time, or objects. It transcends these?"finite views of phenomena."
• There are attempts to?"bring Vedanta within the prison bars of their senses."?Vedanta uses language to guide individuals towards the?"supersensuous regions."

3. The Absolute and Its Nature:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur introduces the concept of the?"Absolute", a goal for?"sentient beings."?It is?unchanging, complete, and free from limitations?like divisions and observer positions.
• "Devotion" (Bhakti)?is promoted as the path towards the Absolute, while seeking material gratification through?"Karma"?is deemed undesirable.

4. Characteristics of the Absolute:

• The Absolute is?eternal and unchanging, unlike the?"shaky"?and?"transformable"?nature of the phenomenal world.
• It cannot be?"enjoyed"?through the senses, nor does it offer?"temporary happiness"?or benefit the individual at the expense of others.
• The text emphasizes the?"unalloyed absolute infinitesimals,"?highlighting the unique nature of the Absolute that transcends limitations and divisions.

5. Scope and Sources of Vedanta:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur acknowledges various?"treatises" and "workers"?within the Vedanta tradition. It emphasizes using?"Sruti"?(sacred texts) as the primary source, excluding untenable views and those deviating from the "strict path."
• The four aspects of Vedanta are mentioned:?Sruti Prasthan, Nyaya Prasthan, Smriti Prasthan, and Prakarana Prasthan. The first two are favored by?"impersonalists"?who rely less on?"Smriti"?texts.

The Path of Devotion:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur promotes?"devotion (Bhakti)"?as the path to reach Brahman. It criticizes?"shankar's illusory theory of Maya"?and?"theories of enjoyment or salvation based on individual inflation."
• Madhva's concept of "eternal associative duality"?is presented as an alternative, where?"individual spirits"?achieve?"eternal relief"?through devotion to?Vishnu.

4. Nature of Reality:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur distinguishes between the?"transcendental"?and the?"mundane."?It warns against?"anthropomorphizing"?Brahman and applying?"mundane limitations"?to the?"transcendental Absolute."
• He emphasizes the?"unaltered"?and?"eternal"?nature of the?"Absolute Infinity"?and?"absolute infinitesimals,"?contrasting them with?"finite relativities"?and?"transforming phenomena."

5. Avoiding Misconceptions:

• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur against?"mistakenly identifying"?the?"Absolute"?with the?"material world."?It emphasizes seeking?"the Absolute"?and avoiding?"non-absolute searches."
• Sripada Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur warns against?"epistemologizing"?the Vedanta from?"limited experience"?and?"exploited innovations"?that disturb the?"peace and the harmonious system of transcendence."

References:

1. https://back2godhead.com/vedanta-morphology-ontology/