Importance of Upasana for Self Realization according to Vidyaranya
There is no greater attainment than the attainment of the self, which is within us and which is the basis of all.
Upasana is a meditative work which is helpful for the realization of this self as it makes the mind fit to acquire self knowledge in the later stages. Sankara explains the word Upasana as the total engrossment or complete absorption in the object. “Upasana nama tatparyam”. The great Vidyaranya giving importance to Upasana for self realization explains it in his excellent work, Panchadasi. After presenting the Advaitic truth marvelously in the previous chapters, he expresses the importance of meditation for supreme attainment in Chapter IX named Dhyanadeepa or the lamp of meditation.
Vidyaranya explains about two types of errors which either give correct or incorrect knowledge about the desired thing. The error which gives rise to incorrect knowledge or which does not lead to the goal is called misleading error or Bisambadi Bharama. But the error which gives rise to true knowledge or which leads to fruitful activities (Arthakriya ) is named as Sambadi Bhrama. Mistaking the gleam of a lamp for a gem is called a Bisambadi Bhrama or misleading error. But mistaking the gleam of a gem for a gem is called Sambadi Bhrama or leading error. Though both are the cases of delusion, the later is a fruitful one. Vidyaranya compares Upasana to Sambadi bhrama which is an indirect approach to enlightenment. According to him, by worshipping Brahman, one may get realization, the desired goal just like somebody, by chance obtains any desired object by following a wrong path. According to Vidyaranya, Upasana or the worship of Brahman can lead one to emancipation even though the form of Brahman worshipped is illusory, as Brahman cannot be the object of worship. “Nedam jadidam upasate”.
When the attribute-less Brahman is meditated upon, though the content of meditation is not itself Brahman, the contemplation leads one to Brahma realization. So, those who are fickle minded and are not able to gain true knowledge through the practice of enquiry, for them, great Vidyaranya swami recommends the path of meditation, that is Upasana.
“The leading error leads to the desired goal when it is knowledge. Similarly, meditation on Brahman, when ripened, leads to liberation and becomes real knowledge.” “Jatha sambadi bibhrantih phalakale pramayate, vidyayate tathopastirmuktikale atipakatah”
Panchadasi (IX – 123)
Upasana is a meditative work which is helpful for the realization of this self as it makes the mind fit to acquire self knowledge in the later stages. Sankara explains the word Upasana as the total engrossment or complete absorption in the object. “Upasana nama tatparyam”. The great Vidyaranya giving importance to Upasana for self realization explains it in his excellent work, Panchadasi. After presenting the Advaitic truth marvelously in the previous chapters, he expresses the importance of meditation for supreme attainment in Chapter IX named Dhyanadeepa or the lamp of meditation.
Vidyaranya explains about two types of errors which either give correct or incorrect knowledge about the desired thing. The error which gives rise to incorrect knowledge or which does not lead to the goal is called misleading error or Bisambadi Bharama. But the error which gives rise to true knowledge or which leads to fruitful activities (Arthakriya ) is named as Sambadi Bhrama. Mistaking the gleam of a lamp for a gem is called a Bisambadi Bhrama or misleading error. But mistaking the gleam of a gem for a gem is called Sambadi Bhrama or leading error. Though both are the cases of delusion, the later is a fruitful one. Vidyaranya compares Upasana to Sambadi bhrama which is an indirect approach to enlightenment. According to him, by worshipping Brahman, one may get realization, the desired goal just like somebody, by chance obtains any desired object by following a wrong path. According to Vidyaranya, Upasana or the worship of Brahman can lead one to emancipation even though the form of Brahman worshipped is illusory, as Brahman cannot be the object of worship. “Nedam jadidam upasate”.
When the attribute-less Brahman is meditated upon, though the content of meditation is not itself Brahman, the contemplation leads one to Brahma realization. So, those who are fickle minded and are not able to gain true knowledge through the practice of enquiry, for them, great Vidyaranya swami recommends the path of meditation, that is Upasana.
“The leading error leads to the desired goal when it is knowledge. Similarly, meditation on Brahman, when ripened, leads to liberation and becomes real knowledge.” “Jatha sambadi bibhrantih phalakale pramayate, vidyayate tathopastirmuktikale atipakatah”
Panchadasi (IX – 123)
posted by Minati Mishra | 1:10 PM
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