A previously unknown 11th-century commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, following the Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) tradition, has been identified in a private family collection in Vrindavan. The manuscript, written on well-preserved Sanchi-pat (bark), offers a radical re-interpretation of the relationship between the individual soul and the divine, emphasizing the inherent divinity of the material world.
Scholars believe this manuscript may predate the formal systematic works of Vallabhacharya, suggesting that the roots of Shuddhadvaita philosophy were established much earlier than the 15th century. The commentary focuses on the 'Lila' (divine play) aspect of the universe, arguing that the world is not an illusion (Maya) but a real manifestation of Brahman's joy. Digital high-resolution imaging is being conducted to preserve the delicate text for future study.