Freedom Through Inner Renunciation: Sankara`s Philosophy in a New Light

Book Details:

• Author: Roger Marcaurelle

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2002

• ISBN: 9788170307693

• Pages: 269

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 21 cm x 14 cm

Book Description:

From the Back of the Book:

This book offers an exceptional study on renunciation within Sankara's Advaita Vedanta philosophy. It sheds light on a major misinterpretation of Sankara's stance on renunciation that has persisted in modern scholarship and among Indologists. While many believe that Sankara considered the monastic lifestyle essential for attaining full Self-knowledge and spiritual freedom, Roger Marcaurelle presents a different perspective.

Through this study, Marcaurelle demonstrates that for Sankara, the inner renunciation of the ego and doership was the only essential form of renunciation. Although monasticism was seen as beneficial in the spiritual path, it was not mandatory for attaining enlightenment.

The author draws from Sankara's own hermeneutical principles to examine how misinterpretations arose within the tradition and how they influenced modern views on Sankara's philosophy. The work also explores a pertinent topic today—Sankara's perspective on meditation—offering valuable insight as Eastern meditation practices are increasingly revived worldwide.

The book stands out for Marcaurelle's mastery of Advaita literature, his intellectual rigor, and his focused concentration on this crucial aspect of Sankara's philosophy. By combining scholarship with a deep commitment to the thesis, the author brings forth a clearer understanding of Sankara's philosophy, making this work an important contribution to Advaita Vedanta scholarship.

Key Themes:

• Misinterpretations of Sankara's view on renunciation within the Advaita tradition.

• The essential role of inner renunciation in Self-realization versus the external renunciation of monasticism.

• The relationship between meditation and Advaita Vedanta from Sankara's perspective.

• Scholarly analysis of Sankara's hermeneutical methods and their application to the understanding of his philosophy.

This book is invaluable for scholars, students, and practitioners of Advaita Vedanta, offering a fresh interpretation of Sankara's teachings on renunciation and meditation.