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Vedanta-Sutras with Shankara's Commentary, Volume 1 (Audio Reading)

Bādarāyaṇa; Adi Shankara

A modern volunteer audio reading of George Thibaut's English translation of Shankara's commentary on the Vedanta Sutras.

This is a modern reading of a translation of Shankara's commentary on the Vedanta Sutras, one of his central philosophical works.

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Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Śaṅkarācārya, Vol. 1, trans. George Thibaut; LibriVox volunteer reading by Jeffrey Allen Stumpf.

About this source

What it is

This is a LibriVox volunteer recording of George Thibaut's English translation of The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya, Volume 1. The Vedanta Sutras (or Brahma Sutras) are a Sanskrit text attributed to the sage Badarayana, and Shankara wrote an influential commentary on them. The reading is performed by a modern volunteer, not Shankara or anyone from his time.

Why it matters

Shankara's commentary on the Vedanta Sutras is one of his most important philosophical works, laying out his interpretation of Advaita Vedanta. This recording makes Thibaut's English translation accessible by ear, but it is important to remember it is a modern reading of a later translation, not the sound of Shankara's own voice or words.

Look closer

  • Why is it important to know this is a volunteer reading of a translation, not the original text or voice?
  • What might be changed or simplified when a Sanskrit philosophical commentary is translated into English?
  • What does the continued recording and sharing of this text suggest about its lasting influence?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Adi Shankaracharya on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of 'The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankarakarya, translated by George Thibaut, Part I', published at the Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1890, All rights reserved.Book

Primary source

Brahma Sutra Bhashya

Adi Shankara · c. early 8th century

Scan of a manuscript page in Devanagari Sanskrit script, written in dark brown ink on aged, yellowed paper. Dense lines of text fill the page, with a marginal note at the upper left and a thin vertical border line at the edges.Document

Secondary source

Manuscript of Shankara's Aitareya Upanishad Commentary

1593 CE (manuscript copy)

Painting of a seated robed sage in red with a forehead mark and beaded necklaces, teaching four disciples seated on animal skins by a forest pond with lotuses and two swans, a hut and mountains behind.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Adi Shankara with Disciples

Raja Ravi Varma

Kedarnath Temple, a stone shrine with a golden-yellow sloped roof and blue trim, set against snow-capped Himalayan peaks and green mountain slopes under cloudy skies. Visitors stand near the entrance and steps, with yellow flags strung nearby.Artifact

Secondary source

Kedarnath Temple

traditionally 8th century

A wide river flows through a valley under a pale sky. A sandy bank with patches of green plants lies on the left, and dense green trees and hills stand along the far shore. A concrete structure and a yellow railing appear at the bottom edge.Artifact

Secondary source

Sringeri Sharada Peetham

traditionally 8th century; developed 14th century onward

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