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'''Shri Jayatirtha (Dvaita Sampradaya)''', in his commentary on Vishnu-tattva-vinirnaya, lists four attitudes as making up the ethics of personality required of a sadhaka.<ref>Paramahamsa, K. R. (2012) ''Dvaita Vedanta.'' Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. (Page 23)</ref>

'''Shri Jayatirtha (Dvaita Sampradaya)''', in his commentary on Vishnu-tattva-vinirnaya, lists four attitudes as making up the ethics of personality required of a sadhaka.<ref>Paramahamsa, K. R. (2012) ''Dvaita Vedanta.'' Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. (Page 23)</ref>

'''Shri Ramanujacharya (Visishtadvaita Sampradaya)''', quotes in his Sribhashya, the Sadhana Saptakas which are meant for the sublimation of the feeling and the training of the intellect in the sadhana of Bhaktiyoga.<ref>Anantha Rangacharya, N. S. (2006 Second Edition) ''The Philosophy of Sadhana in Visishtadvaita.'' Bangalore: Sri Rama Printers. (Pages 289-292)</ref>

'''Shri Ramanujacharya (Visishtadvaita Sampradaya)''', quotes in his Sribhashya, the Sadhana Saptakas which are meant for the sublimation of the feelings and the training of the intellect in the sadhana of Bhaktiyoga.<ref>Anantha Rangacharya, N. S. (2006 Second Edition) ''The Philosophy of Sadhana in Visishtadvaita.'' Bangalore: Sri Rama Printers. (Pages 289-292)</ref>

== साधनम्॥ Sadhana ==

== साधनम्॥ Sadhana ==

What is meant by Nitya-anitya-vastu-viveka? Nitya vastu, is eternal, an infinite vastu; everything else is ephemeral (timebound), so anitya is something that is temporary, empirical, and finite. What is nitya is a real entity, rest of everything else is all temporal. Later, in Tattvabodha, the nitya vastu is proved to be the Atman or Brahman. This discrimination is important for the reductional analysis where everything is discussed and resolved as Satyam or Mithya. For example, a pot is mithya because anything which undergoes changes is said to be mithya. Here the clay which is the material cause of the pot does not undergo any change and always remains clay in all forms of clay pots. So, at this level, clay is satyam. When clay is further analysed, the chemical composition of clay, and further the atoms are satyam and everything else is mithya, at this microscopic level. Discrimination of what is eternal and what is not, constitutes nitya, anitya viveka. This is a psychological processing that a Sadhaka must undertake to ascertain and eliminate all the intermediaries in understanding the Atmatattva.  

What is meant by Nitya-anitya-vastu-viveka? Nitya vastu, is eternal, an infinite vastu; everything else is ephemeral (timebound), so anitya is something that is temporary, empirical, and finite. What is nitya is a real entity, rest of everything else is all temporal. Later, in Tattvabodha, the nitya vastu is proved to be the Atman or Brahman. This discrimination is important for the reductional analysis where everything is discussed and resolved as Satyam or Mithya. For example, a pot is mithya because anything which undergoes changes is said to be mithya. Here the clay which is the material cause of the pot does not undergo any change and always remains clay in all forms of clay pots. So, at this level, clay is satyam. When clay is further analysed, the chemical composition of clay, and further the atoms are satyam and everything else is mithya, at this microscopic level. Discrimination of what is eternal and what is not, constitutes nitya, anitya viveka. This is a psychological processing that a Sadhaka must undertake to ascertain and eliminate all the intermediaries in understanding the Atmatattva.  

== विरागः ॥ Viraga ==

== विरागः ॥ Viraga ==

What is meant by Viraga? Viraga means indifference or disinterest, absence of raaga. Raaga means longing for something, an attachment to it believing that its presence will solve the problem. Viraga is absence of such anchoring things, binders to the worldly things, with the false notion that such a thing is required to make one happy. This freedom from raaga, or attachment is directed towards what is the question. It is directed towards Kartrtva and Bhoktrtva bhavas of a person. Raaga and desires motivate one towards performing more and more Karma, generating positive and negative karmaphalas. Karmaphala (in a positive sense of punya) must be enjoyed and this leads to the concept of Bhoga. However, while everyone performs karma with an intention of procuring benefits (punya) many a times it leads to undesirable phala (papa) which must also be endured and experienced. Bhoga or enjoyment of fruits of karma happens in this and the other worlds (after death, the svargaadi lokas). It is to be understood by the Sadhaka that Karma chakra drives the person through many janmas until he learns to break free from that cycle of deaths and rebirths (punarjanma). This knowledge must be gained by a Sadhaka by developing the attitude of indifference towards experiencing the materialistic world. Being dispassionate he consciously turns inwards in search of Atmajnana but performs only Prarabdha karma and attains the Jivanamukta stage eventually. Viraga is one who performs karmas without having any raaga or attachment to the karmaphalas, thus he breaks free of worldly limitations and can navigate on the moksha marga by overcoming worldly fetters.  

What is meant by Viraga? Viraga means indifference or disinterest, absence of raaga. Raaga means longing for something, an attachment to it believing that its presence will solve the problem. Viraga is absence of such anchoring things, binders to the worldly things, with the false notion that such a thing is required to make one happy. This freedom from raaga, or attachment is directed towards what is the question. It is directed towards Kartrtva and Bhoktrtva bhavas of a person. Raaga and desires motivate one towards performing more and more Karma, generating positive and negative karmaphalas. Karmaphala (in a positive sense of punya) must be enjoyed and this leads to the concept of Bhoga. However, while everyone performs karma with an intention of procuring benefits (punya) many a times it leads to undesirable phala (papa) which must also be endured and experienced. Bhoga or enjoyment of fruits of karma happens in this and the other worlds (after death, the svargaadi lokas). It is to be understood by the Sadhaka that Karma chakra drives the person through many janmas until he learns to break free from that cycle of deaths and rebirths (punarjanma). This knowledge must be gained by a Sadhaka by developing the attitude of indifference towards experiencing the materialistic world. Being dispassionate he consciously turns inwards in search of Atmajnana but performs only Prarabdha karma and attains the Jivanamukta stage eventually. Viraga is one who performs karmas without having any raaga or attachment to the karmaphalas, thus he breaks free of worldly limitations and can navigate on the moksha marga by overcoming worldly fetters.  

== षट्सम्पत्तिः ॥ Shat-sampatti ==

== षट्सम्पत्तिः ॥ Shat-sampatti ==

These six virtues shape the character of a person. Having these virtues indicate the capability of a Sadhaka to endure, control the mind and senses, concentrate and finally have unswerving faith in achieving his goal. The six attributes are taken as one unit because they pertain to the various psychological aspects involved in bringing about mental control and discipline.  

These six virtues shape the character of a person. Having these virtues indicate the capability of a Sadhaka to endure, control the mind and senses, concentrate and finally have unswerving faith in achieving his goal. The six attributes are taken as one unit because they pertain to the various psychological aspects involved in bringing about mental control and discipline.  

After discrimination dawns on a person, he has awakened to the real purpose of his existence. It moves internally to drive the person to seek more than what he sees in the transient world. However, he has his old traits that distract him. Then comes Vairagya which prompts as an inner restraining voice at every passing appearance. The mind applies Viveka to sort out satyam and mithya, but the old self simultaneously exists with all its weaknesses, urges and habitual tendencies to experience the temptations of the objective world. A person needs to stabilize and strengthen himself from the attacks of the subtle mind’s desires and other innate tendencies (such as Arishadvarga – the six enemies). To stand against the temptations means grievous vexations and after a period of slips and retreats, there is a danger of the sadhaka giving into those temptations. To generate a withstanding force from within, a sadhaka must develop the Shat Sampath. A sadhaka must imbibe the different ways to control and stabilize the mind, this again is a psychological process but more of practice, imparting balance, and equipoise to the mind. It gives the power to arrest the outgoing mode of the mind-function and firmly roots him in strong faith and one-pointed adherence to his goal.

After discrimination dawns on a person, he has awakened to the real purpose of his existence. It moves internally to drive the person to seek more than what he sees in the transient world. However, he has his old traits that distract him. Then comes Vairagya which prompts as an inner restraining voice at every passing appearance. The mind applies Viveka to sort out satyam and mithya, but the old self simultaneously exists with all its weaknesses, urges and habitual tendencies to experience the temptations of the objective world. A person needs to stabilize and strengthen himself from the attacks of the subtle mind’s desires and other innate tendencies (such as Arishadvarga – the six enemies). To stand against the temptations means grievous vexations and after a period of slips and retreats, there is a danger of the sadhaka giving into those temptations. To generate a withstanding force from within, a sadhaka must develop the Shat Sampath. A sadhaka must imbibe the different ways to control and stabilize the mind, this again is a psychological process but more of practice, imparting balance, and equipoise to the mind. It gives the power to arrest the outgoing mode of the mind-function and firmly roots him in strong faith and one-pointed adherence to his goal.<ref name=":0" />

What constitutes the Shat Sampat? Shri Sankaracharya explains  

What constitutes the Shat Sampat? Shri Sankaracharya explains  

* शमः कः'''?''' मनोनिग्रहः। Equanimity of the mind. It is state of being in peace, unruffled, and calm. The mind is looked upon as a karana, antahkarana, an instrument to know.  

* शमः कः'''?''' मनोनिग्रहः। Equanimity of the mind. It is state of being in peace, unruffled, and calm. The mind is looked upon as a karana, antahkarana, an instrument to know.  

Desires and cravings produce restlessness. At peace, the serene mind has evenness of temper and restraint of emotions. It is well known that the sense organs report back to the mind. It is the center for cognition based on the inputs received from the sense organs.  

Desires and cravings produce restlessness. At peace, the serene mind has evenness of temper and restraint of emotions. It is well known that the sense organs report back to the mind. It is the center for cognition based on the inputs received from the sense organs.<ref name=":0" />

* दमः कः'''?''' चक्षुरादिबाह्येन्द्रियनिग्रहः। Restraint of the Sense organs such as eyes, etc.  

* दमः कः'''?''' चक्षुरादिबाह्येन्द्रियनिग्रहः। Restraint of the Sense organs such as eyes, etc.  

Dama is restraint in external expression. It is only the abuse or misuse of the organs that brings misery and untoward results. He who is slave to the senses is subject to passions and cravings that can never give ultimate happiness. Dama is the mental ability to resist temptations and wrong actions. It establishes a person in self control, the highest virtue in the world.  

Dama is restraint in external expression. It is only the abuse or misuse of the organs that brings misery and untoward results. He who is slave to the senses is subject to passions and cravings that can never give ultimate happiness. Dama is the withdrawing of the senses from the (external) objects of pleasure; a mental ability to resist temptations and wrong actions. It establishes a person in self control, the highest virtue in the world.  

Kathopanishad (1.3.3-9) gives a wonderful analogy of how the body and mind are related. Here the mantra below describes the relationship between the various entities as shown below.<blockquote>आत्मानँ रथितं विद्धि शरीरँ रथमेव तु।बुद्धिं तु सारथिं विद्धि मनः प्रग्रहमेव च ॥ ३ ॥

Kathopanishad (1.3.3-9) gives a wonderful analogy of how the body and mind are related. <blockquote>आत्मानँ रथितं विद्धि शरीरँ रथमेव तु।बुद्धिं तु सारथिं विद्धि मनः प्रग्रहमेव च ॥ ३ ॥

इन्द्रियाणि हयानाहुर्विषयाँ स्तेषु गोचरान्।आत्मेन्द्रियमनोयुक्तं भोक्तेत्याहुर्मनीषिणः ॥ ४ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.3.3-4)</blockquote>

इन्द्रियाणि हयानाहुर्विषयाँ स्तेषु गोचरान्।आत्मेन्द्रियमनोयुक्तं भोक्तेत्याहुर्मनीषिणः ॥ ४ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.3.3-4)</blockquote>Here the mantra above describes the relationship between the various entities as shown below.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|Chariot  (रथम्)

|Chariot  (रथम्)

We see that the senses (horses) are roped and handled by the mind (reins) and thus the important controlling entity is the mind. If Sama advocates restraint on inner end of the sharira (chariot), Dama advocates restraint on the outer end of the sharira. Thus, both Sama and Dama are extremely sensitive elements, whose practice gives stability of mind which is of utmost importance in the pursuit of knowledge. Forgiveness, patience, abstention from injury, impartiality, sincerity, alertness, mildness, humility, sweetness of speech, contentment, compassion, freedom from malice, respect to the elders, - all such virtues combined make up self-control.

We see that the senses (horses) are roped and handled by the mind (reins) and thus the important controlling entity is the mind. If Sama advocates restraint on inner end of the sharira (chariot), Dama advocates restraint on the outer end of the sharira. Thus, both Sama and Dama are extremely sensitive elements, whose practice gives stability of mind which is of utmost importance in the pursuit of knowledge. Forgiveness, patience, abstention from injury, impartiality, sincerity, alertness, mildness, humility, sweetness of speech, contentment, compassion, freedom from malice, respect to the elders, - all such virtues combined make up self-control.

* उपरमः कः '''?''' स्वधर्मानुष्ठानमेव । Engaging strictly in acts of dharma, i.e., doing whatever must be done or restraining from what should not be done at a given place and in a particular situation; whether pleasant or unpleasant to the person.  

* उपरमः कः '''?''' स्वधर्मानुष्ठानमेव । Engaging strictly in acts of dharma, i.e., doing whatever must be done or restraining from what should not be done at a given place and in a particular situation; whether pleasant or unpleasant to the person.  

This makes a person gain mastery over personal choices of likes and dislikes. Uparama presents the discriminatory function of the mind, teaching one to take charge by overriding the sensual as well as the subtle temptations of the mind. Uparama is best exemplified by followers of Sanyasa ashrama, where we find renunciation of all actions, but the difference here is that there is an engagement with the outer world with discrimination and conviction in Satyam. He is unaffected amidst distractions of diverse objects of temptations.

This makes a person gain mastery over personal choices of likes and dislikes. Uparama presents the discriminatory function of the mind, teaching one to take charge by overriding the sensual as well as the subtle temptations of the mind. Uparama is best exemplified by followers of Sanyasa ashrama, where we find renunciation of all actions, but the difference here is that there is an engagement with the outer world with discrimination and conviction in Satyam. He is unaffected amidst distractions of diverse objects of temptations.

* तितिक्षा का '''?''' शीतोष्णसुखदुःखादिसहिष्णुत्वम् । What is titiksha? Endurance of sukha and dukha (with equanimity) in polarized situations such as heat and cold.  

* तितिक्षा का '''?''' शीतोष्णसुखदुःखादिसहिष्णुत्वम् । What is titiksha? Endurance of sukha and dukha (with equanimity) in polarized situations such as heat and cold.  

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ ।समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥ २-१५॥ (Bhag. Gita. 2.14-15)</blockquote>The contact of the sense organs with objects, which cause heat and cold, pleasure and pain have a beginning and an end, they are impermanent. It is only one who is not afflicted by these dualities, for whom the pleasure and pain are the same, is fit for realizing the Atman.

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ ।समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥ २-१५॥ (Bhag. Gita. 2.14-15)</blockquote>The contact of the sense organs with objects, which cause heat and cold, pleasure and pain have a beginning and an end, they are impermanent. It is only one who is not afflicted by these dualities, for whom the pleasure and pain are the same, is fit for realizing the Atman.

* श्रद्धा कीदृशी '''?''' गुरुवेदान्तवाक्यादिषु विश्वासः श्रद्धा । What is Shraddha? It is the trust in the statements of Vaidik texts and teachings of the Guru.

* श्रद्धा कीदृशी '''?''' गुरुवेदान्तवाक्यादिषु विश्वासः श्रद्धा । What is Shraddha? It is the trust in the statements of Vaidik texts and teachings of the Guru.

Mundakopanishad (3.2.6) emphatically states that Atman has to be understood by Vedanta, वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः । so a firm resolve that the statements made therein are true, in spite of the many questions that arise, and will reveal the nature of Brahman – is Shraddha. Satya-buddhi towards the words of the Guru and not relying on the sense perceptions only, indicates Shraddha. We have the stories of exemplary shishyas – such as that of Uddalaka Aruni whose unswerving faith in his Guru, Dhaumya made him an outstanding shishya and eventually he became an expert in shastra. A Guru is the one who shows the seeker what is already there, but lost in the drsthti-path of the shishya, likened to the analogy of showing the lost tenth man. It is to be realized that mere pratyaksha, anumana etc., pramanas, observations and their logical processing, reasoning, hypothesizing as proposed by modern scientific methodologies lead us nowhere in the spiritual realms. This is the fundamental difference between a shastra and science. Shraddha transcends reason, does not originate from logical deductions but from an innate inner experience which is totally personal and exclusive solely to the seeker. Faith in Ishvara, existence of a higher source of rtam are the hallmarks of the principles of Sanatana Dharma and it reinforces the mumukshatvam in a seeker.

Mundakopanishad (3.2.6) emphatically states that Atman has to be understood by Vedanta, वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः । so a firm resolve that the statements made therein are true, in spite of the many questions that arise, and will reveal the nature of Brahman – is Shraddha. Satya-buddhi towards the words of the Guru and not relying on the sense perceptions only, indicates Shraddha. We have the stories of exemplary shishyas – such as that of Uddalaka Aruni whose unswerving faith in his Guru, Dhaumya made him an outstanding shishya and eventually he became an expert in shastra. A Guru is the one who shows the seeker what is already there, but lost in the drsthti-path of the shishya, likened to the analogy of showing the lost tenth man. It is to be realized that mere pratyaksha, anumana etc., pramanas, observations and their logical processing, reasoning, hypothesizing as proposed by modern scientific methodologies lead us nowhere in the spiritual realms. This is the fundamental difference between a shastra and science. Shraddha transcends reason, does not originate from logical deductions but from an innate inner experience which is totally personal and exclusive solely to the seeker. Faith in Ishvara, existence of a higher source of rtam are the hallmarks of the principles of Sanatana Dharma and it reinforces the mumukshatvam in a seeker.

* समाधानं किम् '''?''' चित्तैकाग्रता । What is samadhanam? It is the single-pointedness of the mind.  

* समाधानं किम् '''?''' चित्तैकाग्रता । What is samadhanam? It is the single-pointedness of the mind.