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Which texts form the three foundational sources of Vedanta philosophy?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Seventeenth-century illustration from the Mahabharata showing Krishna, with blue skin, driving a white horse-drawn chariot as Arjuna sits behind him holding a bow.
Indian philosophy In the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna and the Hindu deity Krishna, who also serves as Arjuna's charioteer (as depicted in this 17th-century illustration), engaging in a philosophical dialogue.

In the context of Indian philosophy, the three foundational sources of Vedanta—collectively known as the prasthanas—are as follows:

  • The Upanishads: These texts represent the "conclusion" of the Vedas and serve as the primary philosophical basis for the system. Favored texts include the Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya, and Katha Upanishads.12
  • The Brahma-sutras: Also referred to as the Vedanta-sutras, these are concise, often brief interpretations of the doctrines found within the Upanishads.12
  • The Bhagavadgita: Due to its immense popularity, this text was incorporated as a foundational source to provide support for the doctrines established in the Upanishads.12

Founders of the various Vedanta schools, such as Shankara, Ramanuja, and Madhva, have historically substantiated their unique theological and metaphysical positions by writing commentaries on these three sourcebooks.12