Difference between revisions of "Vikalpa"
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The word Vikalpa has several senses. It's different inference as per varied theories is as follows: | The word Vikalpa has several senses. It's different inference as per varied theories is as follows: | ||
| − | * When manas or the mind is defined as that part of the antahkaraṇa<ref>Antahkaraṇa means inner organ.</ref> which is responsible for | + | * When [[manas]] or the mind is defined as that part of the [[antahkaraṇa]]<ref>[[Antahkaraṇa]] means inner organ.</ref> which is responsible for saṇ[[kalpa]] and vikalpa, the word vikalpa stands for doubt. |
* In a more technical sense, it stands for an alternative or an option. | * In a more technical sense, it stands for an alternative or an option. | ||
* If a Vedic passage declares that one can offer sacrifice with vrīhi<ref>Vrīhi means rice.</ref> or yava,<ref>Yava means barley.</ref> it is a vikalpa that gives a choice to the sacrificer. | * If a Vedic passage declares that one can offer sacrifice with vrīhi<ref>Vrīhi means rice.</ref> or yava,<ref>Yava means barley.</ref> it is a vikalpa that gives a choice to the sacrificer. | ||
| − | * The dharmaśāstras give many vikalpas or alternatives in the performance of certain rituals.<ref>Manusmṛti 3.267</ref> | + | * The dharmaśāstras give many vikalpas or alternatives in the performance of certain rituals.<ref>[[Manusmṛti]] 3.267</ref> |
| − | * The Yogasutras<ref>Yogasutras 1.9</ref> uses the word vikalpa to indicate that wave of the mind which arises after hearing a word, even though there is no corresponding real object outside. For instance, when we hear the word | + | * The Yogasutras<ref>Yogasutras 1.9</ref> uses the word vikalpa to indicate that wave of the mind which arises after hearing a word, even though there is no corresponding real object outside. For instance, when we hear the word “[[Rāhu]]’s head,” the idea of a head that arises in the mind is a vikalpa because [[Rāhu]]<ref>Rāhu is the planet.</ref> has only a head and no other parts of the body. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| − | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore | + | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram [[Krishna]] Math, Bangalore |
[[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | [[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:18, 19 December 2016
By Swami Harshananda
Vikalpa literally means ‘doubt,’ ‘choice’.
The word Vikalpa has several senses. It's different inference as per varied theories is as follows:
- When manas or the mind is defined as that part of the antahkaraṇa[1] which is responsible for saṇkalpa and vikalpa, the word vikalpa stands for doubt.
- In a more technical sense, it stands for an alternative or an option.
- If a Vedic passage declares that one can offer sacrifice with vrīhi[2] or yava,[3] it is a vikalpa that gives a choice to the sacrificer.
- The dharmaśāstras give many vikalpas or alternatives in the performance of certain rituals.[4]
- The Yogasutras[5] uses the word vikalpa to indicate that wave of the mind which arises after hearing a word, even though there is no corresponding real object outside. For instance, when we hear the word “Rāhu’s head,” the idea of a head that arises in the mind is a vikalpa because Rāhu[6] has only a head and no other parts of the body.
References
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore