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Line 154: − + − '''The Vedanta Sutras state meaning that 'The Absolute Truth is that from − which everything else emanates' Bhagavata Purana [S.1.1.1].[citation needed]''' − Line 239:
Line 235: − − == Controversies surrounding Purusha Suktam == − In one verse of − Rigveda, Varna is portrayed as a result of human beings created from different − parts of the body of the divinity Purusha. This Purusha Sukta verse is − controversial and is believed by many scholars, such as Max Müller, to be a − corruption and medieval or modern era insertion into Veda''',[14][15]''' − because unlike all other major concepts in the Vedas including those of Purusha''',[16]''' − the four varnas are never mentioned anywhere else in any of the Vedas, and − because this verse is missing in some manuscript prints found in different − parts of India. − − That remarkable − hymn (the Purusha Sukta) is in language, metre, and style, very different from − the rest of the prayers with which it is associated. It has a decidedly more − modern tone, and must have been composed after the Sanskrit language had been − refined. − − — Henry Thomas − Colebrooke, '''[17]''' − − There can be − little doubt, for instance, that the 90th hymn of the 10th book (Purusha Sukta) − is modern both in its character and in its diction. (...) It mentions the three − seasons in the order of the Vasanta, spring; Grishma, summer; and Sarad, − autumn; it contains the only passage in the Rigveda where the four castes are − enumerated. The evidence of language for the modern date of this composition is − equally strong. Grishma, for instance, the name for the hot season, does not − occur in any other hymn of the Rigveda; and Vasanta also does not belong to the − earliest vocabulary of the Vedic poets. − − — Max Müller, '''[18]''' − − 'The Purusha − Sukta is a later interpolation in the Rig Veda. ('...) Verses in the form of − questions about the division of Purusha and the origins of the Varnas are a − fraudulent emendation of the original.' − − — Babasaheb − Ambedkar, '''[19]''' − − An example of − alternate theory is Nasadiya Sukta, the last book of the Vedas, which suggests − a great heat created universe from void. − − <nowiki>----</nowiki> Klaus K. − Klostermair (2007), A survey of Hinduism, 3rd Edition, State University of New − York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-7081-7</nowiki>, pp 88 − + − # Angelika Malinar, Hindu Cosmologies, in Jessica Frazier (Editor) - A Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-8264-9966-0</nowiki>, pp 67 − # Karl Potter, Presuppositions of India’s Philosophies, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 81-208-0779-0</nowiki>, pp 105-109 − # Klaus K. Klostermair (2007), A survey of Hinduism, 3rd Edition, State University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-7081-7</nowiki>, pp 87 − # Encyclopædia Britannica. Edition: 11 V. 19 - 1911 page 143 − # Patrice Lajoye, "Puruṣa", Nouvelle Mythologie Comparée / New Comparative Mythologie, 1, 2013: <nowiki>http://nouvellemythologiecomparee.hautetfort.com/archive/2013/02/03/patrice-lajoye-purusha.html</nowiki> − # Theos Bernard (1947), The Hindu Philosophy, The Philosophical Library, New York, pp 69-72 − # Klaus K. Klostermair (2007), A survey of Hinduism, 3rd Edition, State University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-7081-7</nowiki>, pp 167-169 − # Klaus K. Klostermair (2007), A survey of Hinduism, 3rd Edition, State University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-7081-7</nowiki>, pp 170-171 − # Jessica Frazier, A Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-8264-9966-0</nowiki>, pp 24-25, 78 − # Angelika Malinar, Hindu Cosmologies, in Jessica Frazier (Editor) - A Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-8264-9966-0</nowiki>, pp 78-79 − # Swami Madhavananda. Minor Upanishads. Advaita Ashrama. p. 11. − # Angelika Malinar, Hindu Cosmologies, in Jessica Frazier (Editor) - A Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-8264-9966-0</nowiki>, pp 80 − # David Keane (2007), Caste-based Discrimination in International Human Rights Law, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0754671725</nowiki>, pp 26-27 − # Raghwan (2009), Discovering the Rigveda A Bracing text for our Times, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8178357782</nowiki>, pp 77-88 − # Rigveda 10/81 & Yajurveda 17/19/20, 25 − # Colebrooke, Miscallaneous Essays Volume 1, WH Allen & Co, London, see footnote at page 309 − # Müller (1859), A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, Williams & Norgate, London, pp 570-571 − # N. Jabbar (2011), Historiography and Writing Postcolonial India, Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0415672269</nowiki>, pp 149-150 − #
→Controversies surrounding Purusha Suktam
concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and
concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and
Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the
Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the
cosmic man or Self, Consciousness, and Universal principle.'''[1][2][3]'''
cosmic man or Self, Consciousness, and Universal principle.
During the
During the
Upanishads, the Purusa concept no longer meant a being or cosmic man. The
Upanishads, the Purusa concept no longer meant a being or cosmic man. The
meaning evolved to an abstract essence of Self, Spirit and the Universal
meaning evolved to an abstract essence of Self, Spirit and the Universal
Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.[4]'''
Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.'''The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of Prakrti in the
The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of Prakrti in the
Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a
Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a
combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material
combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material
laws and principles of nature.'''[3][7]''' Material reality, or Prakrti, is
laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is
everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.
everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.
Purusa is the Universal principle that is unchanging, uncaused but is present
Purusa is the Universal principle that is unchanging, uncaused but is present
everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why
everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why
there is cause and effect'''.[7]''' Purusa is what connects everything and
there is cause and effect'''.''' Purusa is what connects everything and
everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.
everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.
There is a
There is a
diversity of views within various schools of Hinduism about the definition,
diversity of views within various schools of Hinduism about the definition,
scope and nature of Purusa'''.[2]'''
scope and nature of Purusa
== Definition ==
== Definition ==
Upanishads and later texts of Hindu philosophy, the Purusa concept moved away
Upanishads and later texts of Hindu philosophy, the Purusa concept moved away
from the Vedic definition of Purusa and was no longer a person, cosmic man or
from the Vedic definition of Purusa and was no longer a person, cosmic man or
entity. Instead, the concept flowered into a more complex abstraction'''.[8]'''
entity. Instead, the concept flowered into a more complex abstraction'''.'''
Both Samkhya and Yoga schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose
Both Samkhya and Yoga schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose
interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - Prakrti (matter) and
interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - Prakrti (matter) and
Purusa (spirit).['''3][10''']
Purusa (spirit).
Hinduism refers
Hinduism refers
in everything and everyone, all the times.
in everything and everyone, all the times.
* Purusa is Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive.
* Purusa is Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive.
* Purusa is in the form of nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and direct change, evolution, cause and effect.['''3''']
* Purusa is in the form of nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and direct change, evolution, cause and effect.
* It is Purusa or Chaitanya form, in Hindu concept of existence, that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness,['''2'''] one that creates oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self.
* It is Purusa or Chaitanya form, in Hindu concept of existence, that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness, one that creates oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self.
* It is Purusa, the cause in Hinduism, as to why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against being static.['''7''']
* It is Purusa, the cause in Hinduism, as to why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against being static.
Both Samkhya
Both Samkhya
and Yoga school holds that the path to moksha (release, Self-realization)
and Yoga school holds that the path to moksha (release, Self-realization)
includes the realization of Purusha.['''11''']
includes the realization of Purusha.
== Concept of Tad Ekam in Nasadiya Suktam (Rig Veda) ==
== Concept of Tad Ekam in Nasadiya Suktam (Rig Veda) ==
* the Bahyatman (the Outer-Atman) which is born and dies
* the Bahyatman (the Outer-Atman) which is born and dies
* the Antaratman (the Inner-Atman) which comprehends the whole range of material phenomena, gross and subtle, with which the Jiva concerns himself
* the Antaratman (the Inner-Atman) which comprehends the whole range of material phenomena, gross and subtle, with which the Jiva concerns himself
* the Paramatman which is all-pervading, unthinkable, indescribable, is without action and has no Samskaras'''.[12]'''
* the Paramatman which is all-pervading, unthinkable, indescribable, is without action and has no Samskaras
== Purusha - As in Sankhya ==
== Purusha - As in Sankhya ==
Sankhya school
Sankhya school
(तस्माद्विराळजायत विराजो अधि पूरुषःस जातो अत्यरिच्यत पश्चाद्भूमिमथो पुरः)
(तस्माद्विराळजायत विराजो अधि पूरुषःस जातो अत्यरिच्यत पश्चाद्भूमिमथो पुरः)
== References ==
== References ==
# Purusha Encyclopedia Britannica (2013)
# Rig veda