Sankara on the Relation between the Vedas and Reason
By Satindra Kumar Mukherjee
Summary
This philosophical article examines how the ninth‑century Vedāntin Śaṅkarācārya negotiated the relationship between scriptural revelation (śruti) and rational enquiry (tarka). Through close reading of his commentaries on the Brahma‑sūtra and the Upaniṣads, the author shows that Śaṅkara accorded primacy to the Vedas as the ultimate pramāṇa (means of knowledge) for knowing brahman. Reason, however, was not rejected outright; rather, it was employed to remove misconceptions and to defend the non‑dualistic doctrine against rival schools. The article outlines Śaṅkara’s arguments against Mīmāṃsā ritualism and Buddhist momentariness, emphasising his use of logic to undermine opposing positions while insisting that final realisation transcends intellectual constructs. A key section explores the famous dictum that when reason conflicts with scripture, scripture prevails, but that reason has a legitimate function in interpreting ambiguous passages. By comparing Śaṅkara with later Advaitins and with contemporary Indian philosophers, the paper argues that his approach represents a synthesis of faith and reason rather than a rejection of rationality. It concludes that appreciating this nuanced stance can deepen our understanding of Indian epistemology and its engagement with scepticism.
Conclusion
The article demonstrates that Śaṅkara’s Vedānta is neither purely fideistic nor purely rationalistic. By integrating critical reasoning into a scriptural framework, he created a philosophical method that could respond to challenges without surrendering its foundational commitments. This balance between revelation and reason remains a distinctive feature of classical Advaita thought.