Question

On which of the following systems of Hindu Philosophy, Shankaracharya wrote a commentary in 9th century AD?
a. Sankhya
b. Vaisheshika
c. Yoga
d. Uttar Mimamsa

Answer 1

Hint: Shankaracharya was a philosopher, he was active in the 8th century. He was born in a Brahmin family in a village of Kerala. He was a propagator of the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, which is a subdivision of Vedanta philosophy. The idea behind it is that Atma or the Brahma is the ultimate reality and everything else is an illusion.

Complete answer: Shankaracharya wrote a commentary on Uttaramimamsa philosophy in the 9th century AD.
- Vedanta philosophy is also known as Uttara Mimamsa philosophy, because it deals with the later part of Vedic literature, mainly the Upanishads.
- Vedanta literally means the ‘end of Vedas’ or the final part of the Vedas.
- The most influential school of thought about the Vedanta was propagated by Guru Shankaracharya, called the Advait Vedanta. It is believed that Shankaracharya was an extremely learned guru, he travelled to Kashi from his birthplace in South India.

Thus, the correct option is (D).

Note: Because Shankaracharya lived in a politically vibrant age, he couldn’t teach his philosophy to common people. Moreover, Buddhism was quite popular in the masses and it proved difficult to convince and educate people about the Vedanta philosophy which could be complicated for the common man. Shankaracharya understood this as he started sharing his philosophy with other intellectuals, saints and spiritual figures. He also founded four monasteries in Sringeri, Puri, Dwarka and Badrinath, probably inspired by Buddhist monasteries.