Vitarka
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Vitarka in general means imagination or doubtful knowledge. However, the Yogasutras of Patañjali (200 B. C.) uses this word in a technical sense. It categorizes samprajñātasamādhi[1] into four varieties, the first one being with vitarka (sa-vitarka).[2]
Meanings as per Yogasutras are as follows:
- Vitarka is defined as the intense awareness that arises in the mind when it concentrates on a gross object.
- In another place,[3] vitarka is identified with certain obstacles to the practice of Yoga.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore