Following are my observations on some popular understandings of modern intellectuals.
1. On what grounds do they conclude that vedic rituals are harsh? The yajnas are performed with all forms of virtues like truthfulness, generosity etc. The vedic values guide people in the path of virtue. There is no historical evidence that they had a decimating effect on Hindu society.
2.The speculative statement that buddhism and jainism were born on account of the evil effects of rituals is not substantiated with any evidence. The exponents of Buddhim and Jainism did not accept the validity of Vedas. Hence they denounced the vedic way of life and expounded their own philosophies.
3.Shankaracharya did not denounce Vedic ritual or Tantra. He accepted the validity of both. The introductory Bhashya on Bhagavagita uphold the Karma Kanda as a means for spiritual upliftment of the beings. His works like Saundarya Lahari uphold the Tantric way of worship as well.
4. It is a misconception that the followers of Vedanta reject Veda Purva. Shankaracharya acknowledged the validity of Veda Purva as well. His debate with Purva Mimansa philosophers like Mandana Mishra was regarding the purport and significance of certain statements of Vedanta that reveal Advaita. These debates did not contradict or challenge the validity of the Karma Kanda.
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