Bhartr{dot below}hari and Man{dot below}d{dot below}ana on avidyā

The concept of avidyā is one of the central categories in the Advaita of ŚaN{dot below}kara and MaN{dot below}d{dot below}ana. Shifting the focus from māyā, interpreted either as illusion or as the divine power, this concept brings ignorance to the forefront in describing duality and bondage. Although all Advaitins accept avidyā as a category, its scope and nature is interpreted in multiple ways. Key elements in MaN{dot below}d{dot below}ana's philosophy include the plurality of avidyā, individual selves as its substrate and the Brahman as its field (vis{dot below}aya), and the distinction in avidyā between non-apprehension and misapprehension. A closer investigation shows that MaN{dot below}d{dot below}ana is directly influenced by Bhartr{dot below}hari's linguistic non-dualism in developing the concept of avidyā. This study also compares other key constituents such as vivartta and pariN{dot below}āma that are relevant to the analysis of avidyā. As the concept of counter-image (pratibimba) emerges as a distinct stream of Advaita subsequent to MaN{dot below}d{dot below}ana, this study also compares the application of pratibimba in the writings of Bhartr{dot below}hari and MaN{dot below}d{dot below}ana.