Definition of Anirvacaniya

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

Shri Putran's definition of anirvacanIya is excellent. It is not merely a

definition, but a detailed explanation of the import of the word.

 

I wish to add the following remarks.

 

The word 'anirvacanIya' is derived from the verbal root 'vac' which means

'to say' or 'to describe'. 'vacanIya' means 'what can be described',

'nirvacanIya' means 'what can be specifically described'. 'anirvacanIya'

therefore means 'what cannot be specifically described'. The word

'anirvacanIya' can be used in any situation where we want to say that

something is incapable of being described in specific terms. In advaita

vedAnta it has been given a specific meaning. In the context of advaita

vedAnta we have to add the words 'as real or as unreal', .so that the

meaning becomes 'what cannot be specifically described as real or as

unreal'. Though the word 'anirvacanIya' is often used by itself in advaitic

literature, it is understood to stand for 'sattvena asattvena vA

anirvacanIya). The world is 'sattvena asattvena vA anirvacanIya, i.e., it

cannot be described as either real or unreal. It does not have the same

reality as brahman, nor is it unreal like the horn of a rabbit. It has

vyAvahArika reality only. anirvacanIya thus has the same meaning as

'mithya'.

 

 

 

As regards the term 'upAdhi', its derivation is – upa samIpe svIyam dharmam

AdadhAti—which means—upAdhi is that which transmits its own quality to some

thing near it. The pot gives to the total space surrounding it its own

qualities of being of a particular size and shape. Space looks as if it has

taken on the size and shape of the pot. The mind gives its quality of

thinking to the Self and so it appears as if the Self is thinking, and so on

with all other upAdhis such as gross body, etc.

 

S.N.Sastri

 

 

 

Dear Putran-ji,

 

I am sure that your definition will trigger some comments/alternatives from

other members but I for one find it an excellent one - thank you! The only

significant comment I have at first reading is that it would be nice if you

now defined upAdhi, since you rely quite a lot upon it!

 

Best wishes,

 

Dennis