Siddhānta

Siddhānta is the thesis the author affirms — opposite of pūrvapakṣa (prior objection). In Śaṅkara's bhāṣya, at each passage there is first the objection (pūrvapakṣa) and then the conclusive response (siddhānta). Studying without distinguishing the two is dangerous: an objection that Śaṅkara cites only to refute can be taken as doctrine. The siddhānta is identified by markers such as 'iti siddham', 'tasmāt', or by clear opposition to the previous pūrvapakṣa.