A History of Sanskrit Literature c13.26

c13.26

The great Vedāntist philosopher Çankarāchārya, who wrote his commentary in 804 A.D., often quotes the *Mahābhārata* as a Smṛiti, and in discussing a verse from Book XII. expressly states that the *Mahābhārata* was intended for the religious instruction of those classes who by their position are debarred from studying the Vedas and the Vedānta.