Introduction: The evolution of spiritual understanding
With the start of Kali-yuga, the essence of the Vedic knowledge compiled by Vyāsadeva was gradually lost. This was the start of a renaissance culminating with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
« Vedānta-sūtra: The Govinda-bhāṣya of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Introduction: The evolution of spiritual understanding
Once, six blind men started touching an elephant. The first bumped against its belly and concluded that the elephant was like a wall. The second touched its tusk and concluded that the elephant was like a spear. The third touched his trunk and concluded that the elephant was similar to a snake. The fourth touched one of his legs and concluded that the elephant was like a tree. The fifth, who touched its ear, concluded the elephant was like a fan, while the last touched its tail and concluded the elephant was just like a rope. The six blind men then started arguing about who was correct.
Similarly, there are many different philosophical systems in India, starting with the six classical philosophical schools and continuing with the systems propounded by Lord Buddha, Śankarācārya, and the four great Vaiṣnava ācāryas. These different systems represent an evolution, of philosophical thinking, which brought a gradual restoration of the original understanding of the Vedas, in which each ācārya has built on top of the philosophy propounded by the previous, creating a chain that ultimately brings us to the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who revealed the science of the eternal relationship of the soul with the Supreme Lord in its totality.
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« Vedānta-sūtra: The Govinda-bhāṣya of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa