Classical Vedanta scholars often argue that Neo-Vedanta’s sweeping universalism comes at the cost of sidelining vital distinctions. By blending Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, and other schools into a shiny “one-size-fits-all” spirituality, Neo-Vedantins get accused of glossing over centuries of rigorous metaphysical debate—as if all paths really did lead to exactly the same summit.

A second sore point is historical fidelity. Traditionalists point out that key commentarial nuances in Shankara’s Brahma-sūtra Bhāṣya or Ramanuja’s Tattvārtha aren’t mere trivia, but the very backbone of each lineage. Neo-Vedanta’s habit of cherry-picking verses from the Upaniṣads and wrapping them in Western Romantic ideals can feel like sweeping inconvenient complexities under the rug. That approach sometimes brushes aside the guru-paramparā (teacher-successor chain) once deemed indispensable for transmitting shastra’s subtleties.

Rituals and social ethics also draw fire. Critics note that downplaying pūjā, mantra diksha or varṇāśrama duties—viewing them merely as “cultural trappings”—risks tossing out a rich tapestry of discipline that generations of practitioners have found indispensable. In today’s world, where yoga and mindfulness are trending on social media, such criticism echoes broader concerns about spiritual cherry-picking and appropriation.

Then there’s the colonial shadow. Neo-Vedanta’s dialogue with Western thinkers like Emerson or Schopenhauer raised eyebrows among purists, who worry the whole exercise mirrors a kind of intellectual “Trojan horse”—imbibing Enlightenment notions of individual autonomy while sidelining the guru’s guiding authority. This tension became especially visible during recent debates around World Yoga Day’s commercialization, when questions about authenticity and cultural stewardship resurfaced.

At its heart, the critique hinges on balance: Neo-Vedanta’s big tent may capture new hearts, but classical scholars caution that losing doctrinal rigor and ritual depth can leave practitioners stranded on a slippery slope of half-baked spirituality.