1001Philosophers

Adi Shankara Quotes on Knowledge

Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, the school of non-dualism. This page collects quotes attributed to Adi Shankara on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.

Quotes

  • “Knowledge of the Self is the only means to liberation.”

    p. 4: Quote nr. 2.
  • “Brahma satyam jagat mithyam, jivo brahmaiva naparah”

    Brahman (the existential substratum) is the only truth, the world is illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and individual self.
  • “One should become aware of oneself, indivisible, and perfect; free from identification with all things transient, such as one’s body, functions, mind, and the sense of being the doer, for all these are the product of ignorance.”

    p4
  • “Action cannot destroy ignorance , for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness .”

    p. 6: Quote nr. 3.
  • “The Soul appears to be finite because of ignorance. When ignorance is destroyed the Self which does not admit of any multiplicity truly reveals itself by itself: like the Sun when the clouds pass away.”

    p. 7: Quote nr. 4.
  • “Like bubbles in the water, the worlds rise, exist and dissolve in the Supreme Self, which is the material cause and the prop of everything.”

    p. 14: Quote nr. 8.
  • “Atman is an ever - present Reality . Yet, because of ignorance it is not realised. On the destruction of ignorance Atman is realised.”

    p. 82: Quote nr. 44.
  • “p. 82: Quote nr. 44.”

    Atman is an ever - present Reality . Yet, because of ignorance it is not realised. On the destruction of ignorance Atman is realised.