The Quintessence of Vedanta -Samadhi relative and absolute

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ramji (of the Advaitin list). Because of the importance of these

posts on the "Quintessence of Vedanta", I will take the liberty to post them

on two other lists in case there are some people interested. Wonderful to

hear again from Sadaji and enjoying Frankji's and Ramji's recent posts.

Thanks.

 

Harsha

 

 

Ram Chandran [chandran]

Wednesday, March 24, 1999 1:51 AM

Advaitin List

The Quintessence of Vedanta -Samadhi relative and

absolute

 

Ram Chandran <chandran

 

The "Sarva Vedanta Siddhanta Sara Sangrah" by Acharya Sankara is a

compendium and a precise restatement of all that has been thought of and

 

set down about the Self from a purely philosophical view point. The

compendium contains 1006 Sanskrit verses. The translation of these

verses was originally by Swami Tattwananda and later revised by Swami

Jagadananda of the Ramakrishna Mission with a view to make it simpler

for the general public. Verses 819 to 826 discuss the distinction

between

relative and absolute Samadhi.

--

Ram Chandran

Burke, VA

 

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Samadhi relative and absolute

 

819. There are, two kinds of samadhi. Of them, one is known as the

savikalpa samadhi. It represents deep concentration at the relative

plane. The other is the nirvikalpa samadhi which is at the absolute

plane of consciousness. We shall now describe the nature of, savikalpa

samadhi; listen attentively.

 

820. in the relative plane of consciousness, one is aware of Brahman

as permeating the whole of one's field of consciousness. In as much as

one has yet to establish complete identity with that which one

contemplates, it is called 'relative'.

 

821. A clay elephant reminds us of a living one, even though it is

only clay. In the same way, the apparent distinction of the knower, the

known and the knowledge of it, although unreal, yet helps one to realize

the ultimate Truth; and such is the nature

Savikalpa samadhi.

 

822. It is called 'samadhi' because' it is helpful in leading to the

transcendent Reality. It is called 'savikalpa' which means 'subject

to modification,' because there still linger the threefold

modifications of the knower, knowing and the known.

 

823. That stage of awareness is known as the nirvikalpa samadhi, in

which, after having cast off the idea that one is the knower, one is

firmly established in that on which one contemplates.

 

824. It is as though the salt that has been thrown into water hits lost

its separateness, and remains in the form of water only.

 

825. When our individuality merges in the absolute 'Brahman' from which

it has emerged, it loses its sense separateness; and all that remains

is the one nondual Brahman. (Individuality depends upon the

modifications of the mind such as the idea 'I am Brahman'.)

 

826. on account of the absence of the knowledge of the knower and the

like, this type of deep concentration is referred to as the 'absolute'.

It is the presence or the absence of the mental modifications that

distinguishes the savikalpa from the nirvikalpa samadhi.

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