Vijay Vvallabhsuri Smarak Granth

SR No.: 012060
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 756
Language: Hindi, Gujarati, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 24 MB

Page 706

ACHARYA HARIBHADRA'S COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN YOGA 133
order, and are known as pravṛttacakra1 (engaged in yogic practices day and night). Gradually by practising the concentration of mind the soul. realizes itself. This self-realization is known as 'supreme bliss' (paramananda) and freedom from nescience in the Vedanta; it is known as freedom from the specific qualities (in the Nyaya-Vaiseṣika system); it is the extinguished lamp (vidhmatadipa) of the Buddhists; it is extinction of animality (paśutvavigama), end of suffering (duḥkhänta), and detachment from the elements (bhutavigama) .20 Haribhadra thus tries to show the unanimity of the conceptions of final self-realization of all the systems of thought. He then asks the enquirers to keep their minds open and investigate the truth with perfect detachment and freedom from prejudices. For this purpose he enumerates eight virtues which are necessary for the pursuit of truth. They are: freedom from prejudice (adveṣa), inquisitiveness (jijñåsä), love for listening (śuśrüşă), attentive hearing (éravana), comprehension (bodha), critical evaluation (mimāmsā), clear conviction (pariśuddha pratipatti), and earnest practice (pravṛtti) for self-realization.21
Now we come to the Yogabindu. The object and purpose of yoga is the realization of truth. And as there is no controversy about this object and purpose of yoga there should be none regarding the nature of yoga as well. The worldly existence is a fact accepted by all. And freedom from it is the summum bonum of every spiritual system. The problem before us is only the means to that end. Haribhadra says that the same principle is expressed by different terms in different systems. Thus the selfsame principle of consciousness is known as purusa in the Vedanta as well as the Jaina system, as kşetravit in the Sankhya system, as jñāna in the Buddhist school. Similarly the fundamental ground of worldly existence is known as avidya in the Vedanta and the Buddhist system, prakrti in the Sankhya school, and karman in the Jaina system. Moreover, the relation between matter and spirit is known as bhrānti in the Vedanta and the Buddhist system, pravṛtti in the Sankhya school, and bandha in the Jaina system. There is thus fundamental unity among all the
19. For the technical meaning of the term see YDS, 210.
20. SP, XVI. 1-4.
21. SP, XVI. 14.
22. Cf. mokşahetur yato yogo bhidyate na tataḥ kvacit
sadhyābhedāt tathabhave tu 'ktibhedo na kāraņam.-YBi, 3. 23. YBI, 17-18 with Svopajfiavṛtti.