[Advaita-l] Asked of Chatgpt: "Are there any definitions or descriptions that depict a positive ignorance in Sankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras or classic 10 Upanishads whether in context or otherwise?

[Bhaskar YR]

praNAms
Hare Krishna

Sorry, please bear with my ignorance.  What is this Chatgpt??  Who answered these queries??  What is the background of the scholar who is answering this query?? BTW, the answers / clarifications provided below OK with me 😊 the quotes and references conspicuously missing the quote from adhyAsa bhAshya which is the main source to some to prove bhAvarUpa avidyA and which is the material cause for adhyAsa.

Hari Hari Hari Bol!!!
bhaskar

BHASKAR YR

From: Michael Chandra Cohen <michaelchandra108 at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 10:16 AM
To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>; Advaitin <advaitin at googlegroups.com>
Cc: Sudhanshu Shekhar <sudhanshu.iitk at gmail.com>; Bhaskar YR <bhaskar.yr at hitachienergy.com>
Subject: Asked of Chatgpt: "Are there any definitions or descriptions that depict a positive ignorance in Sankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras or classic 10 Upanishads whether in context or otherwise?

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Adi Shankaracharya's commentaries on the **Brahma Sutras** and the **classic Upanishads** are pivotal in understanding his view on **avidya** (ignorance). The notion of avidya as positive ignorance versus a mere absence of knowledge is a significant interpretative issue. To address your question, let's delve into the definitions and descriptions of avidya in Shankaracharya’s works, focusing on whether they depict avidya as a positive ignorance.

### Analysis of Avidya in Shankaracharya’s Commentaries

#### **1. Brahma Sutras**

**Brahma Sutras (Brahmasutras) Commentary:**
- **Sutra 1.1.1**: The Brahma Sutras start with "Athato Brahma Jijnasa," which translates to "Now, therefore, the inquiry into Brahman." Shankaracharya’s commentary here emphasizes the need to understand Brahman, the ultimate reality, and addresses the role of avidya in obscuring this knowledge.
- **Role of Avidya**: In his commentary, Shankaracharya typically describes avidya in terms of its effects, such as causing mistaken identity and suffering, rather than as a positive entity. For example, he describes avidya as leading to the false perception of duality but does not always characterize it as an active, positive force.
- **Non-Duality**: Shankaracharya emphasizes that Brahman is the only reality and avidya is simply the veil over this truth. The focus is on dispelling ignorance through knowledge rather than combating an independent force of ignorance.

#### **2. Classic Upanishads**

**Chandogya Upanishad Commentary:**
- **Chapter 6, Section 1**: Shankaracharya explains the concept of avidya as the cause of mistaken identity. He describes how individuals mistake themselves for the body and mind rather than recognizing their true nature as Brahman.
- **Positive Ignorance**: Shankaracharya’s commentary here does not typically depict avidya as an active, positive force but rather as the absence of knowledge about the true nature of the Self. The focus is on removing this ignorance to reveal the ever-present reality of Brahman.

**Mandukya Upanishad Commentary:**
- **The Three States**: In his commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad, Shankaracharya discusses the states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, and deep sleep) and the ultimate reality (Turiya). He uses the concept of avidya to explain how the Self is obscured in these states but does not present avidya as an active force.
- **Avidya’s Role**: Avidya is discussed as the source of ignorance about the Self’s true nature, leading to the mistaken perception of the world. Again, the treatment focuses on the lack of knowledge rather than an independent force.

**Brhadaranyaka Upanishad Commentary:**
- **Chapter 4, Section 3**: Shankaracharya discusses the nature of Brahman and how ignorance leads to misunderstanding. He describes avidya as obscuring the true knowledge of Brahman but does not elaborate it as a positive ignorance.
- **Avidya’s Nature**: In this commentary, avidya is addressed as the lack of true knowledge, rather than as a positive entity causing illusions.

### Summary

In Shankaracharya’s commentaries on the **Brahma Sutras** and the **classic Upanishads**, **avidya** is primarily described in terms of its effects—such as leading to mistaken identity and the perception of duality—rather than as a substantive, positive force. The general approach in these texts is to emphasize the removal of ignorance through direct knowledge of the Self (Atman) and Brahman.

#### **Key Points:**
- **Absence of Positive Ignorance**: Shankaracharya does not typically define avidya as a positive, active force. Instead, he characterizes it more as a lack or veil over the true knowledge of Brahman.
- **Focus on Knowledge**: The primary solution offered in Shankaracharya’s commentaries is to gain true knowledge (atma-jnana) to dispel avidya, which aligns with the idea that avidya is not a positive ignorance but rather a lack of understanding.

Thus, **Shankaracharya’s position**, based on the commentaries on these texts, supports the interpretation of avidya as an absence of knowledge rather than as a positive ignorance. This interpretation aligns with the perspective of Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati, who also emphasizes that avidya is best understood as the lack of true knowledge rather than an independently existing positive force.