The Concept of Adhyasa

The concept of Adhyasa

• According to Shankara, there is a self-evident difference between the subject and the object. The subject is pure-consciousness, the light, the I, etc. Whereas, the object is unconsciousness, the dark, the Non-I.
• Hence, the two are opposed to each-other. Yet, it is a common and a natural practice to superimpose one upon the other. In other words, according to Shankara, people wrongly super-impose the object and its attributes upon the subject.
• This coupling of the real and the un…

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The Concept of Jiva

The concept of Jiva

• Jiva is the individual self. It deals with subject-object duality in the sense, it is subject element as it is pure consciousness and is called sakshin. On the other hand, it is the object element for it deals with an internal organ called the antahkarana or mind which is composed of five elements- earth, water, fire, air and ether.
• The source of antahkarana is avidya or ignorance which causes in it the concept of individuality. In the Jagrat state or walking state- the internal or…

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The Concept of Maya

The concept of Maya

• The general trend of Advaitins, including Shankara is to treat the concept of maya or illusion and avidya or ignorance as two terms which can be synonymously used. At the same time, Shankara differentiates between the two aspects of Maya or avidya which are called Aavarna and vikshepa.
• The former or Aavarna is negative in nature for it deals with concealment. On the other hand, vikshepa is positive in nature for it deals with the positive aspect of projection.
• According to Shankara,…

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Theory of Sat, Dravya and Guna: The Concept of Sat or Reality, the Concept of Dravya or Substance, Essential Characteristics or Gunas

The concept of Sat or reality

• Jaina metaphysics give a realist concept of reality or sat. At the same time, it gives the doctrine of many-ness of reality or it gives a pluralist concept of reality.
• According to Jaina philosophy, there are innumerable material atoms and innumerable or infinite souls which are all separately and independently real. This is precisely why Jaina metaphysics is known as the doctrine of pluralistic realism.

The concept of Dravya or substance

• According to Jainism, there is noth…

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