Prasthānatraya Commentaries

The Prasthānatraya (Three Foundational Texts) refers to the trio of canonical texts in Vedānta philosophy, each of which received major commentaries from the leading Vedānta ācāryas. Together, these commentaries constitute the philosophical framework of Vedānta.

Overview

The three texts are: the Upaniṣads (Śruti-prasthāna), the Brahma Sūtras (Nyāya-prasthāna), and the Bhagavad Gītā (Smṛti-prasthāna). Major commentaries on these texts were produced by Śaṅkara (Advaita), Rāmānuja (Viśiṣṭādvaita), and Madhva (Dvaita), among others.

Content and Structure

Each ācārya produced commentaries on all three texts: Śaṅkara wrote the Upaniṣad Bhāṣyas, Brahma Sūtra Bhāṣya, and Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya; Rāmānuja wrote the Śrī Bhāṣya, Vedārtha Saṅgraha, and Gītā Bhāṣya; Madhva wrote commentaries on the same three texts. These commentaries established the three major philosophical schools of Vedānta.

Significance

The Prasthānatraya commentaries are the foundation of all Vedānta philosophy. They established the method of interpretation (hermeneutics) that continues to define Vedānta scholarship and influenced all subsequent Indian philosophical discourse.

Verification Notes

• The concept of Prasthānatraya was formalized in the medieval period.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).