Madhwa and Sri Aurobindo

by D.Harish Kumar 02-March-2005 Home Page Similar Page

The philosophies of Madhwa and Aurobindo are identical in all respects , the differences is there only in form and not in essence. It is Madhwa's philosophy presented in the language of Yoga and occult and modern evolution. It is the kshatriya interpretation of Madhwas philosphy and also its most brilliant presentation of Ideas and Concepts of Madhwa. The Madhwas philosphy has both brahminical and kshatriya aspects to it, but the SI Brahmins have generally laid stress on the brahminical aspect, Mokhsa, acquistion of vedic knowledge and ascetism and morality, almost completely ignoring, especially in modern times the kshatriya aspect which enabled the Vijayanagar Empire to come into existence.

Aurobindo came to establish the kshatriya aspect of Madhwas philosphy. Madhwas philosphy can be used to establish an ideal wordly society as well as for Moksha purposes. The Kannada brahmins have chosen to concentrate primarily on Moksha completely ignoring worldy welfare.

In fact Madhwa in his commentary on the Isha Upanishad mantra says that one must know god as both the creator and destroyer and knowing him only as the creator is sinful. Knowing god as the destroyer frees us from worldy miseries and knowing him as the creator gives us Moksha. Aurobindo repeatedly stresses the destructive aspect of the Eternal Being in all his works.

In fact we see that Aurobindo has infact lifted many sentences straight out of Madhwas works , verbatim, and it should come as no surprise to us. We often quote Aurobindo as it is as it often not possible to better his presentation.

Madhwa gives a threefold interpretaion of the Rig Veda. According to him every suktha can be interpreted in three ways - adhidhaiva, adhibhautika and adhyatmika - that is physical, psyhcological and philosophical. Aurobindo too gives a two-fold interpretation of the Vedas and he has stressed, very much like Madhwa on the philosophical aspect over and above the ritualistic aspect as given by Sayana. He reveals this insight of his in his Magnum Opus , The Secret of the Veda.