Philosopher
Vijñānabhikṣu
fl. 1500–1600
Also known as Vijnanabhiksu, Vijñāna Bhikṣu
Last major Bhedābheda thinker of pre-modern India, who argued that Vedānta, Sāṅkhya, Yoga and Nyāya are at bottom one, and is best known for his commentaries on Sāṅkhya and Yoga.
Vijñānabhikṣu lived in the sixteenth century and, unlike Vallabha and Caitanya, did not follow the devotional path. He saw the relation between the individual self and Brahman as one of non-separation, but accepted the Sāṅkhya-Yoga view that selves are many and separate, so long as that separation is understood as temporary.
He continued Bhāskara’s sharp attack on the Advaitins, whom he called ‘crypto-Buddhists’ and ‘Vedāntins in name only’. He is best known today for his commentaries on Sāṅkhya and Yoga texts.
Key ideas
- The unity of the schools
- Vijñānabhikṣu argued that Vedānta, Sāṅkhya, Yoga and Nyāya are ultimately one, grounding his readings of Sāṅkhya and Yoga in Bhedābheda metaphysics.
- Yoga as the best means
- In his sub-commentary on Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra he argued that yoga is the most effective way to liberation.
Influences
Where these links come from
- Vijñānabhikṣu drew on Patañjali. Source: Andrew J. Nicholson, Bhedabheda Vedanta, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Vijñānabhikṣu drew on Bhāskara. Source: Andrew J. Nicholson, Bhedabheda Vedanta, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Terms on this page
Sources
- Andrew J. Nicholson, Bhedabheda Vedanta, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy