Vamshi Dhara Sharman’s Bhāvârthadīpikāprakāśa and the Original-Reflection Theory

Abstract

This article examines Vamshi Dhara Sharman's (late 19th century) Sanskrit commentary on the Bhāgavatapurāṇa, titled Bhāvârthadīpikāprakāśa. It highlights Vamshi's unique contribution to commentarial literature during a period when Sanskrit scholarship was traditionally thought to be in decline. The article details Vamshi's intricate philosophical arguments, particularly his original-reflection theory (bimba-pratibimba), which distinguishes between the "Lord" (Īśvara) as a reflection in materiality and the "highest Lord" (Parama Īśvara) as the unqualified yet experienced ultimate reality, whose qualities are spiritual rather than material. Through a close philological analysis of Vamshi's interpretation of Bhāgavata 1.1.1, the paper demonstrates his engagement with and reinterpretation of earlier Advaita and Vaiṣṇava theological discussions, showcasing his profound scholarship and innovative approach to understanding the nature of God.