Marta Kudelska

The topic of the presented article is to show the relation between two dimensions of the reality, one of them is denoted by the term akṣarātman, and the other by the term vijānātman. The term vijānātman occurs only twice in the classical Upanishads. We can find it in the Praśna. That analysis is carried out by the using the hermeneutical methodology. All consideration are based on the main text of Praśna with some additional remarks to the other texts belonging to the line of Atharvaveda, to the Muṇḍaka and to the Māṇḍukya. The leading idea of the Praśna and Muṇḍaka, they are according to the Śankara closely related, are the deliberation between parā and aparā vidyā and the special stress which is put on the describing details concerning yogic procedures.
The main aim of that article is to show how the philosophical concepts have been developing. In which way on the base of the introspective experiences have been built upanishadic view of the world and in which way that view had been adopted to advaita thought.

The article presents the aporias that are found in classical Brahmin philosophical systems when their ontological assumptions are confronted with the fundamental metaphysical thesis formulated in the Upanishads. This thesis determines the way in which the absolute being is described: sat ekam advitiyam (existing one only, without a second). The wording considerably resembles Parmenidesʼ description of being. Later European history of philosophy shows various problems that appear in subsequent systems when we attempt to construct a coherent ontological system which includes the Parmenidean concept of being. The account presented is not strictly comparative, and it mostly analyses selected Indian systems. It shows analogous processes of the origination of key metaphysical ideas peculiar to given traditions. It also indicates significantly similar difficulties which are connected with assuming the Parmenidean understanding of absolute being in Europe, as well as the Upanishadic thesis in India.

The fundraising activity initiated by the Birla family in India resulted in the construction of more than 20 Hindu temples, commonly referred to as the Birla Mandirs. Although they vary in terms of architectural forms and iconographic programs it seems, that one basic and common theme remains - to show reformed Hinduism as a religion that is the pillar of the identity of the people of New India. It is understood at the same time as separate but also higher than other great religions, yet assuring a place within its confines for all of them. It is – as the authors argue in this paper - the practical realization of the thought expressed in the Ṛgveda(I 164.46) and repeatedly referred to in the Birla temples as ‘ekam sad viprā bahudhā vadanti’, which seems to be the motto of all foundations of the Birla family.