A STUDY OF RELIGIOUS APPROACH ON SANKARACHARYA AND SWAMI VIVEKANANDA.

Abstract

The present study explores the religious philosophy of Sankaracharya and Swami Vivekananda with special reference to their approaches towards Vedanta, spirituality, and the realization of ultimate truth. The research examines the philosophical foundations of Dharma, religion, selfrealization, and the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Reality. It focuses on Sankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta and Vivekananda’s Neo-Vedanta, highlighting both continuity and transformation within Vedantic thought. The study adopts a doctrinal and historical methodology based on the analysis of philosophical texts, books, scholarly works, and related secondary sources. The findings indicate that while Sankaracharya emphasized the non-dual nature of Brahman and liberation through knowledge, Vivekananda expanded Vedantic principles into a practical philosophy centred on service, universal brotherhood, and the divinity of humanity. The research demonstrates that Vivekananda’s interpretation of Vedanta provided a modern and socially relevant dimension to classical Indian philosophy. The study concludes that both thinkers contributed significantly to the development of Indian religious thought by emphasizing spiritual realization, unity of existence, and the pursuit of higher human values.