Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya

What it is

This is an English translation of the Vedanta-Sutras together with the commentary by Sankaracharya, translated by George Thibaut and published as part of the Sacred Books of the East series. The introduction discusses the role of complementary works, like this commentary, in helping students understand the Vedic texts.

Why it matters

Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (Vedanta-Sutras) is a foundational text of Advaita Vedanta, explaining how the sacred Vedic texts should be interpreted. Thibaut's translation, part of a major Victorian scholarly series on Eastern religions, made Shankara's reasoning accessible to English-speaking scholars and students.

Look closer

• Why does the introduction say students needed 'complementary works' to understand the Vedic texts on their own?
• What does it suggest about the role of commentary and interpretation in religious traditions?
• Why might a British scholar in the nineteenth century choose to translate Shankara's commentary?