Prasthanatrayi

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Prasthanatrayi, literally, three points of departure, (IAST Prasthānatrayī) refers to the three canonical texts of Hindu philosophy, especially the Vedanta schools. It consists of:

  1. The Upanishads, known as Upadesha prasthana (injunctive texts)
  2. The Brahma Sutras, known as Nyaya prasthana (logical text)
  3. The Bhagavad Gita, known as Sadhana prasthana (practical text)

The Upanishads consist of twelve or thirteen major texts, with many more minor texts. The Bhagavad Gītā, is part of the Mahabhārata.The Brahma Sūtras (also known as the Vedānta Sūtras), systematise the doctrines taught in the Upanishads and the Gītā.

All the founders of the three major schools of Vedanta, viz, Adi Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva wrote bhāṣyas (commentaries) on these texts.

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