Fwd: Shravana Manan and Nidhidhysana - Sankara's perspective

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " bhikkuyogi " <bhikkuyogi>

wrote:

Dear members,

 

I have refered several times in my post titled " Miscellaneous

responses " to this article. The article proposes to explain

Sankara's

perspective of Shravana, Manana, and Nidhidhyasana.

 

When you say that beleif is necessary first and later through

experience one would know that the Upanishad is correct, you seem to

imply that experiencing the truth, is some sort of action, that

needs

to be performed to know Brahman, that Brahman is subservient to

injunction. However, that is not Sankara's view. In his commentary

to

the Upanishad and in the Sutra Bhashya, Sankara, makes it clear

repeatedly that Shravana, Manana and Nidhidhyasana are three

independent means of wisdom. They are not three actions to be

performed in sequence. I quote Sankara: Again, as for the contention

that because Manana and Nidhidhyasana is seen to be enjoined

subsequent to Sravana, Brahman must therefore be subservient to an

injunction, we reply 'NO'. For Manana and Nidhidhyasana are also for

the purpose of Knowledge. To explain : If Brahman already known (by

means of Sravana) were to be used for some other purpose (such as

the

subsequent undertaking of Manana and Nidhidhyasana ), then, perhaps

it

might be considered to be subservient to an injunction. But it is

not

so, for, Manana and Nidhidhyasana are also intended for the

Knowledge

of Brahman, just like Sravana. " (Sutra Bhashya 1-1-4).

 

It is extremely important to understand that it would be incorrect

to

say that Shravana is necessary for Manana or Nidhidhyasana. Each of

them are independent means of knowledge. They are not actions to be

done, and are not subsequent to Shravana. Sankara has pointed this

out

very often in the Sutra Bhashya and in the Upanishad commentaries.

 

I hope my explanation is clear and I do hope that you would correct

me

if my understanding of Sankara is incorrect.

 

-Bhikku Yogi

--- End forwarded message ---