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Text replacement - "spiritual" to "adhyatmik"
Purusha (Samskrit पुरुषः) is a complex concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the cosmic man or Self, Consciousness, and Universal principle.
{{NeedCitation}}Purusha (Samskrit पुरुषः) is a complex concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the cosmic man or Self, Consciousness, and Universal principle.
== परिचय || Introduction ==
== परिचय || Introduction ==
During the Vedic period, Purusha concept was one of several theories offered for the creation of universe. Purusha, in Rigveda, was described as a being, who becomes a sacrificial victim of gods, and whose sacrifice creates all life forms including human beings.
During the Vedic period, Purusha concept was one of several theories offered for the creation of universe. Purusha, in Rigveda, was described as a being, who becomes a sacrificial victim of gods, and whose yajna creates all life forms including human beings.
In 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 Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.'''The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of [[Prakrti (प्रकृति)|Prakrti]] in the Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is 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 everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why there is cause and effect'''.''' Purusa is what connects everything and everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.
In 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 Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.'''The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of [[Prakrti (प्रकृति)|Prakrti]] in the Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is 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 everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why there is cause and effect'''.''' Purusa is what connects everything and everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.
== Purusha - As in मुण्डक उपनिषद् || Mundaka upanishad ==
== Purusha - As in मुण्डक उपनिषद् || Mundaka upanishad ==
Mundaka Upanishad is the vedanga of the Atharvana Veda. Verses 2-5 describe the attributes of the Purusha.<blockquote>"दिव्यो ह्यमूर्तः पुरुषः सबाह्याभ्यन्तरो ह्यजः |</blockquote><blockquote>अप्रणो ह्यमनाः शुभ्रो ह्यक्षरात्परतः परः || " (Mund. Upan. 2.1.2)</blockquote>Meaning : Replete without a form, this Purusha, all pervading and internal, unborn, without life (breath) or intellect, from Him arise life, breath and mind.
Mundaka Upanishad is the vedanga of the Atharvana Veda. Verses 2-5 describe the attributes of the Purusha.<blockquote>"दिव्यो ह्यमूर्तः पुरुषः सबाह्याभ्यन्तरो ह्यजः | अप्रणो ह्यमनाः शुभ्रो ह्यक्षरात्परतः परः || " (Mund. Upan. 2.1.2)</blockquote>Meaning : Replete without a form, this Purusha, all pervading and internal, unborn, without life (breath) or intellect, from Him arises life, breath and mind.
It was said
It was said that from that Imperishable Being, everything proceeds; the world is created by That. That Supreme Imperishable is the divine, formless Purusha. Here Purusha is to be understood in the sense of essential Consciousness. The origin
that from that Imperishable Being, everything proceeds; the world is created by
That. That Supreme Imperishable is the divine, formless Purusha. Here
Purusha is to be understood in the sense of essential Consciousness. The origin
of all things is Consciousness.
of all things is Consciousness.
Verse 2.1.3
Verse 2.1.3 wonderfully describes that from this great Purusha (एतस्माज्जायते || etasmaajjayate), everything comes.
wonderfully describes that from this great Purusha (एतस्माज्जायते || etasmaajjayate), everything comes.
* The cosmic प्राणो || prana, [[Hiranyagarbha (हिरण्यगर्भ)|Hiranyagarbha]], emanates from this Supreme Brahman.
* The cosmic प्राणो || prana, [[Hiranyagarbha (हिरण्यगर्भ)|Hiranyagarbha]], emanates from this Supreme Brahman.
* The Virat, which is called here the मनः || manas, also emanates from that Brahman.
* The Virat, which is called here the मनः || manas, also emanates from that Brahman.
== Purusha - As in अत्मनोपनिषद् || Atmanopanishad ==
== Purusha - As in अत्मनोपनिषद् || Atmanopanishad ==
The abstract
The abstract idea Purusa is extensively discussed in various Upanishads, and referred interchangeably as महा-आत्मन || maha-atman and ब्रह्मन् || brahman (not to be confused with a person).
idea Purusa is extensively discussed in various Upanishads, and referred
interchangeably as महा-आत्मन || maha-atman and ब्रह्मन् || brahman (not to be confused with Brahmin).[2]
Rishi [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angiras]]
Rishi [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angirasa]] of the Atmopanishad belonging to the Atharvaveda explains that Purusha, the dweller in the body, is three-fold:
of the Atmopanishad belonging to the Atharvaveda explains that Purusha, the
dweller in the body, is three-fold:
* the बाह्यत्मन् || Bahyatman (the Outer-Atman) which is born and dies
* the बाह्यत्मन् || Bahyatman (the Outer-Atman) which is born and dies
* the अन्तरात्मन् || Antaratman (the Inner-Atman) which comprehends the whole range of material phenomena, gross and subtle, with which the Jiva concerns himself
* the अन्तरात्मन् || Antaratman (the Inner-Atman) which comprehends the whole range of material phenomena, gross and subtle, with which the Jiva concerns himself
* the परमात्मन् || Paramatman which is all-pervading, unthinkable, indescribable, is without action and has no संस्कार || Samskaras
* the परमात्मन् || Paramatman which is all-pervading, unthinkable, indescribable, is without action and has no संस्कार || Samskaras
== Purusha - As in साङ्ख्य || Saamkhya ==
== Purusha - As in साङ्ख्य || Saamkhya ==
Samkhya school
Samkhya school of darshanas states that there are two ultimate realities whose interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - Prakriti (प्रकृति | Matter) and पुरुष || Purusha (पुरुषः | Atman). Sankhya analyzes the cosmos into a dualistic, and atheistic
of Hinduism states that there are two ultimate realities whose interaction
accounts for all experiences and universe - प्रकृति || Prakriti (matter) and पुरुष || Purusha
(spirit). Sankhya analyzes the cosmos into a dualistic, and atheistic
scheme.
scheme.
# In Taittiriya Aranyaka, it is the 12<sup>th</sup> anuvaka in the 3<sup>rd</sup> Kanda.
# In Taittiriya Aranyaka, it is the 12<sup>th</sup> anuvaka in the 3<sup>rd</sup> Kanda.
# It is also found in Sama Veda & Atharva Veda with some variations.
# It is also found in Sama Veda & Atharva Veda with some variations.
It gives a description of the spiritual unity of the universe. It presents the nature of Purusha or the cosmic being as both immanent in the manifested world and
It gives a description of the adhyatmik unity of the universe. It presents the nature of Purusha or the cosmic being as both immanent in the manifested world and
yet transcendent to it.
yet transcendent to it.
the Purusha. In Virat, omnipresent intelligence manifests itself which causes
the Purusha. In Virat, omnipresent intelligence manifests itself which causes
the appearance of diversity.<blockquote>तस्माद्विराळजायत विराजो अधि पूरुषःस जातो अत्यरिच्यत पश्चाद्भूमिमथो पुरः ||</blockquote><blockquote>tasmadviraljaayat virajo adhi purushas jato atyarichyat paschadvbhamimatho purah ||</blockquote>
the appearance of diversity.<blockquote>तस्माद्विराळजायत विराजो अधि पूरुषःस जातो अत्यरिच्यत पश्चाद्भूमिमथो पुरः ||</blockquote><blockquote>tasmadviraljaayat virajo adhi purushas jato atyarichyat paschadvbhamimatho purah ||</blockquote>
== Purusha - As in आयुर्वेदः || Ayurveda ==
Purusha refers to a person or a human being in general. Ayurvedic classics specify that the term ‘Purusha’ denotes Chetana dhatu (‘consciousness, soul or life element’). The knowledge of life offered by Ayurveda is for longevity, health and well-being of ‘Tridandatmaka Purusha’ which is called as Adhikaran (Object) of Ayurveda.
=== Etymology according to Ayurvedic classics ===
The term purusha is composed of 2 words.
Pure shareere shayati iti
Where, ‘Pure’ means City and ‘Shayati’ means sleeps or resides
Thus, the term Purusha means the one which resides inside the body (indicated by the word city). It is believed that ‘Jivatma’ resides in the human body and therefore, the term ‘Purusha’ denotes the Jivatma (soul/consciousness or life element) inside the living body.
=== Importance of ‘Purusha’ according to Ayurvedic classics ===
Acharya Charaka has pertinently highlighted the unparallel role of purusha in living world. Acharya says that no object or experience in world can be perceived without the presence of Purusha. Darkness and light, Truth and untruthful, knowledge in Vedas and good or unethical actions, body, pleasure and pain perception, movement, rest, speech, intelligence, birth and death, bondage and liberation; nothing could be perceived without the presence of Purusha in this world. This clearly indicates that the Purusha is the cause of perception and also the prime cause for the creation. (charaka Sharir 1/ 41)
=== Various components of Purusha described in Ayurvedic classics ===
Purusha is one and single entity. However after reviewing other shastras, Ayurveda acharyas have mentioned various components of Purusha described elsewhere and specified the meaning of term 'Purusha' when used in context of Ayurveda shastra. Ayurveda acharyas have described Purusha from different perspectives as follows,
==== कर्मपुरुषः|| Karmapurusha ====
This is also known as षड्धात्वात्मकः पुरुषः|| ‘Shad dhatwatmaka purusha’ or चिकित्साधिकृतः पुरुषः || ‘Chikitsadhikruta Purusha’. This purusha is the one which is commonly referred as human being and it is for him, the knowledge of life in Ayurveda has been described. This purusha is composed of ‘Panchamahabhootas’ (5 basic elements) and the 6<sup>th</sup> element ‘Jivatma’ (the life element or consciousness of human being). (sushruta sutra 1) (sushruta sharir 1) Since Chikitsa (Treatments and procedures) can be prescribed and conducted on the living physical body only, this type of purusha is called as ‘Chikitsadhikruta purusha’ (the purusha indicated for treatments offered in Ayurveda) or ‘Karmapurusha’.
==== एकधात्वात्मक: पुरुषः|| Ekdhatwatmaka Purusha ====
When purusha refers only to the consciousness inside the human body then it is called as ‘Ek dhatwatmaka purusha’ i.e. Purusha composed of single element named ‘Chetana’ (life element/living force) Citation needed
==== त्रिदन्डात्मकपुरुषः|| Tridandatmaka Purusha ====
Acharya Charaka has clearly mentioned that, knowledge about life offered in Ayurveda is related to the Ayu of त्रिदन्डात्मकपुरुषः । Tridandatmaka [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]]. सत्वम्। [[Manas (मनः)|Satva]] (Mind), आत्मा। [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (Life energy) and शरीरम् । [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|Shariram]] (Body) are the three basic components. The union of these three components form the tripod of life. The entire life depends and sustains on this union. It must be understood that any one of these is not sufficient to uphold the life individually. When each one of these factors supports other and form a union, they develop the ability to sustain the life. When any one of these factors is absent and their union breaks, the life discontinues. Hence each of these 3 factors and their union hold equal importance. This union is also called as पुमान् । Puman or चेतनम् । Chetan and Tridandatmaka Purusha
==== चतुर्विंशतिकः पुरुषः || Chaturvinshatika purusha ====
Also known as ‘Rashi purusha’. This form of Purusha refers to the union of 24 basic principles of evolution and existence of life in this world. These 24 Tatvas (principles) are 8 Prakruti (Primary substances) and 16 Vikaras (secondary substances). 8 Prakrutis are Avyakta, Mahat, Ahankara and 5 Tanmatras (subtle forms of 5 basic elements) while 16 Vikaras are 11 Indriyas (5 sense organs, 5 motor organs and 1 Manas commonly referred as mind), Pancha mahabhutas (5 basic elements of nature).
==== पंचविंशतिकः पुरुषः || Panchavinshatika purusha ====
Acharya Sushruta opine that the 24 tatvas when unite make an inert amalgamation which is lifeless until the Jivatma enters into it. Thus, Purusha is composed of 25 tatvas i.e 24 tatvas described above along with ‘Jivatma’ (life element or consciousness) as the 25<sup>th</sup> Tatva. Such Purusha is called as Panchavinshatika purusha.
== References ==
== References ==