AUTHOR: Alexander PEREVERZEV
Danubius, XXXVII, Galaţi, 2019 pp. 381-416
Abstract
Sureśvara was a direct disciple of the Advaita Vedānta luminary, Śaṅkara, and a celebrated commentator on some of his works. He authored Naiṣkarmya Siddhi, an independent work, and two vārtikas: on Śaṅkara’s Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad-bhāṣya and Taittirīyopaniṣad-bhāṣya. It appears from his works that he was a thorough and consistent Śaṅkarite who scarcely allowed diversion from the line of his master. Throughout his career Sureśvara debated with Mīmāṃsakas, both the Bhāṭṭas and the Prābhākaras. He also confronted the followers of Maṇḍana Miśra, a famous non-Śaṅkarite Vedantin. One of the major topics of debate that is found in each and every of his works is vindication of the insight into the nature of self (jñāna) as the sole means of achieving liberation. In his works he proves a seasoned polemicist and a scholar of tremendous erudition. Sureśvara also acted as a valuable link between Śaṅkara and the later Advaita tradition.