The brahman and the word principle (Śabda): IInfluence of the philosophy of bharthari on Mandana's brahmasiddhi

The literature of Bhartrhari and Mandana attention in contemporary times. The writings of the prominent linguistic philosopher and grammarian Bhartrhari and of Manndana, an encyclopedic scholar of later seventh century and most likely a senior contemporary of Śṅakara, shape Indian philosophical thinking to a great extent. On this premise, this study of the influence of Bhartrhari on Mandana's literature, the scope of this essay, allows us to explore the significance of Bhartrhari's writings, not only to comprehend the philosophy of language, but also to understand the contribution of linguistic philosophy in shaping Advaita philosophy in subsequent times. This comparison is not to question originality on the part of Mandana, but rather to explore the interrelationship between linguistic philosophy and the monistic philosophy of the Upanisadic tradition. Besides excavating the role of Bhartrhari writings on the texts of Mandana, analysis this will reveal the interrelatedness of the Advaita school of Śṅakara often addressed as 'pure non-dualism' (Kevalādvaita) and the Advaita of Bhartrhari, identified as 'non-dualism of the word-principle' (Śabdādvaita).