[Advaita-l] Topic for Discussion: What is Nirvikalpaka Samaadhi?

[akhanda]

Sadaji,

PraNAms.

 > What exactly means nirvikalpaka samaadhi - Is that required for 
self-realization.  Some say - Vedanta study is not sufficient, One has 
to experience it. What does that mean?

Here is the sentence from the Vivekachudamani that clearly says that 
nirvikalpaka samaadhi is a discrete step before self-realization.

Sloka 362. When the mind, thus purified by constant practice, is merged 
in Brahman, then Samaadhi passes on from the Savikalpa to the Nirvikalpa 
stage, and leads directly to the realization of the Bliss of Brahman, 
the One without a second.

Hence Nirvikalpa samaadhi leads directly for self-realization, and 
self-realization itself is therefore a step different from samaadhi. It 
must therefore occur at a specific point in time in an individual's life 
(as stated elsewhere, via the akhandaakaara vrtti generated through the 
mahaavaakya) and is therefore an experience and not simply understanding 
the Vedantic texts.

As to whether nirvikalpaka samaadhi is a compulsorily required step, 
that is not clear.

Hari Om,
Anil (Gidwani)



On 05-Mar-2016 1:48 PM, "advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org via 
advaita-l-bounces"@lists.advaita-vedanta.org wrote:
> Sri Sadananda Ji wrote
>
>
>
>   << Nirvikalpaka samaadhi has been discussed extensively even by
> Vidyaranya. Vikalapa is thought - hence nirvikalapa samaadhi is same thing
> stated above - a thought less state of mind - that is one explanation
> coming from Pataangali yoga - or is it something different as per advaita.
> That is the question. >>.
>
>
>
> In advaita nirvikalapa samaadhi  is Chaitanyam/Atman/Brahman  itself.  “
> Nirvikalapa”  is “ absence of differences such as vastu,attributes etc.” .
> It It is not “thoughtlessness”. The advaitic concept is different from the
> Patanjali Yogic concept. Reference could be made to Bhashya on Mandukya
> karika 3-33
>
>
>
> << अकल्पकं सर्वकल्पनावर्जितम्, अत एव अजं ज्ञानं ज्ञप्तिमात्रं ज्ञेयेन
> परमार्थसता ब्रह्मणा अभिन्नं प्रचक्षते कथयन्ति ब्रह्मविदः ।
>
>
>
> ( Translation Swami Gambhirananda ) <<The knowers of Brahman प्रचक्षते
>   (prachakShate), say ; that absolute ज्ञानं (j~nAnaM) , Knowledge ; that is
> अकल्पकं (akalpakaM ) , devoid of all imagination ( non conceptual ) ; and
> is therefore अजं (ajaM), birthless ; is  ज्ञेयाभिन्नं (j~neyAbhinnaM),
> nondifferent from the knowable, identified with Brahman, the absolute
> Reality.>>
>
>
>
>   Regards
>
> On Fri, Mar 4, 2016 at 9:16 AM, kuntimaddi sadananda via Advaita-l <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
>
>> PraNAms to all
>>
>> Some topics for discussion - all centered on self-realization.
>>
>> Some say - Vedanta study is not sufficient, One has to experience it. What
>> does that mean?
>>
>> Some say it is object-less awareness - Is that possible?
>>
>> What exactly means nirvikalpaka samaadhi - Is that required for
>> self-realization.
>>
>> What is akhandaakaara jnaana vRitti means?
>>
>> Currently I am doing the 9th Chapter of Panchadashi - where Vidyaranya
>> talks about - nirguna brahma upaasana - which may be Oxymoron.
>>
>> Just some thoughts to ponder.
>>
>> Hari Om!
>> Sada
>>
>> Hari Om!
>> Sada
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