Advaita (Skt., ‘not-dual’). The state in which there is only, without differentiation, whatever there is, in which all appearances of distinction (e.g. between subject and object, perceiver and perceived) are known to be a consequence and product of inadequate understanding, or ignorance (avidyā, adhyāsa). This state can only be ascribed to God or to Brahman as Absolute. This perception of non-duality underlies Advaita Vedānta.

Advaita (Sanskrit, ‘non-duality’) Most influential school of Vedanta Hinduism, based on the thought of Shankara (ad 788–820). Shankara systematized the teachings of the Upanishads, stressing the indivisibility of Brahman and atman.