TY - JOUR
TI - Vedic Ritualism and Advaita Vedānta Monastic Institutions in Kerala
AU - Nowicka, Olga
TI - Vedic Ritualism and Advaita Vedānta Monastic Institutions in Kerala
AB - 
	According to Kerala legends, around the 9th century, direct disciples of the philosopher Śaṅkara established four Advaita Vedānta Maṭhas in Trichur in Kerala, thereafter appointing Nambudiri Saṃnyāsins as heads of these religious institutions. What is peculiar about these monasteries is the prescription according to which Trichur Maṭhas were, and still are, intended only for Nambudiri Brahmins, and moreover only for Nambudiris from specific families who keep the Vedic sacrificial tradition. However, the Advaita Vedānta doctrine was not a current concept among Nambudiri Brahmins. Presumably, in the medieval period it was the mīmāṃsā schools of Bhāṭṭa and Prābhākara which were favoured among Nambudiris. Nevertheless, the appropriation of the Śaṅkaric model of monasticism somehow seemed to be an alluring modus operandi for the aristocracy of the Nambudiri community to gain considerable power.
VL - 2017
IS - Volume 50 Issue 2
PY - 2017
SN - 0137-2432
C1 - 2084-4077
SP - 163
EP - 171
DO - 10.4467/20844077SR.17.010.7341
UR - https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/studia-religiologica/article/vedic-ritualism-and-advaita-vedanta-monastic-institutions-in-kerala
KW - Vedic sacrificial tradition
KW - śrauta ritual
KW - agnicayana
KW - Kerala
KW - Nambudiri Brahmins
KW - Vedic altars
KW - fire ritual
KW - Śaṅkara
KW - Advaita Vedānta monastic institutions
KW - Trichur