Advaita Vedanta rests on a trio of timeless scriptures known as the Prasthanatrayi, along with a rich tapestry of commentaries and independent works that breathe life into its teachings.

1. Upanishads (Shruti’s Heart)

   • Brihadāraṇyaka and Chāndogya stand tall as the largest Upanishads, delving into the nature of Brahman (absolute reality) and Ātman (the Self).
   • Muṇḍaka, Māṇḍūkya (with Gauḍapāda’s Kārikā), and Taittirīya add layers of metaphysical insight, often described as cutting through the noise of everyday perception.

2. Bhagavad-Gītā (Smṛti’s Jewel)

   • This “song of the soul” bridges action (karma) and knowledge (jñāna).
   • Ādi Śaṅkara’s bhāṣya (commentary) pins down non-duality, showing how one’s true nature remains untouched by life’s drama.

3. Brahma Sūtras (Vedānta Sūtras)

   • Also called Uttara-Mīmāṃsā, this terse sutra collection underpins doctrinal coherence.
   • Śaṅkara’s vṛtti (elaboration) interprets each aphorism, turning cryptic verses into a bedrock philosophy.

4. Key Independent Works

   • Gauḍapāda’s Māṇḍūkya Kārikā: Often hailed as the tip of the iceberg, it lays the groundwork for Advaita metaphysics.
   • Śaṅkara’s Upadeśa-Sāhasrī and Aparokṣānubhūti: Practical guides to direct realization, cutting through conceptual fog.
   • Vivekacūḍāmaṇi (“Crest-jewel of Discrimination”) by Śaṅkara or his circle, plus Vidyāranya’s Pañcadaśī, deepen the journey from ignorance to insight.

5. Later Commentaries and Modern Echoes

   • Śaṅkara’s disciples—Sureshvara, Padmapāda, and others—wove intricate layers of analysis.
   • Contemporary teachers, from Swami Dayananda Saraswati to online satsangs by Mooji, prove these 2,500-year-old verses still ring true in a smartphone age.

Across temples, ashrams and digital platforms, these texts continue to inspire seekers worldwide. Whether leafing through a crisp Sanskrit manuscript or streaming a live discourse, Advaita’s core message—that Absolute Reality and one’s own consciousness are inseparable—remains as fresh today as it was at the dawn of India’s spiritual inquiry.