Tattva Bodha is a ‘Prakarana Gantha’ (translated as ‘basic texts’) written by the great master Aadi Shankaracharya. It introduces the students to Vedantic terms and equips them for higher Vedantic studies. In Tattva Bodha, Sri Shankaracharya explains the term and significance of ‘Saadhna Chatustayam’ which is the four-fold qualifications that I have referred in my previous blog. Sri Shankara elaborates the Saadhana Chatushtayam (four-fold qualifications) as thus:
साधन चतुस्तयं किं ?
नित्य अनित्य वस्तु विवेकः
इह मुन्नर्थ फल भोग विरागः
शमदिस्तकसंपत्ति मुमुक्षुत्वं च इति
Sadhna Chatustayam kim?
Nitya-Anitya Vastu Vivekaha,
Iha munnartha phala bhoga viragaha
Samadhisthakasampathi, Mumukshutvam cha ithi
The viveka (knowledge) to discriminate between Nithya (permanent) and Anithya (Non-permanent), dispassion towards enjoyment and results of action, six fold qualities of Sama, Dana, Uparama, Thitiksha, Sraddha, Samadhana and finally Mumukshutva, which is the ardent desire to achieve liberation.
Aadi Shankara provides wonderful insights into each of the above qualifications in great detail in the book. As explained in my previous blog, the significant points in the above are 1) Viveka 2) Vairagya, 3) Control of mind, body etc and 4) Intense desire to attain moksha or liberation. All these are achievable only through knowledge and our effort to experience the Pure Consciousness (Aatman) within all of us.
Viveka is the knowledge and capacity to discriminate the Real from the un-real, the Permanent from impermanent, the Changeless from the changing. The scriptures provide us five types of viveka needed in all humans. They are
Amsa-Amsi Viveka : (relationship between) part and whole
Sadhana-Sadhya Viveka : the means and the end (goal)
Sreyah-Preyah viveka : the good and the pleasant
Atma-Anatma viveka: the self and non-self
Nithya-Anithya viveka : Permanent and impermanent.
Viveka is a trait that is naturally inherent in us as human beings and is one of the unique skills that we have compared to other living things. We should use this skill regularly and wisely in all situations we may face in life.
Hari Om.
- KVR