ऊहः शब्दोऽध्ययनं दुःखविघातास्त्रयः सुहृत्प्राप्तिः ।
दानं च सिद्धयोऽष्टौ सिद्धेः पूर्वोऽङ्कुशस्त्रिविधः ॥ ५१ ॥
ūhaḥ śabdo’dhyayanaṁ duḥkhavighātāstrayaḥ suhṛtprāptiḥ ।
dānaṁ ca siddhayo’ṣṭau siddheḥ pūrvo’ṅkuśastrividhaḥ ॥ 51 ॥
ūhaḥ=reasoning; śabdaḥ=oral instruction; adhyayanaṁ=study; duḥkha=suffering; vighātāḥ=suppression; trayaḥ=three; suhṛtprāptiḥ=acquisition of friends (suhṛd); dānaṁ=charity or purity; ca=and; siddhayaḥ=siddhis (attainments); aṣṭau=eight; siddheḥ=of the attainment; pūrvaḥ=before; aṅkuśaḥ=obstacles; trividhaḥ=three-fold
The eight attainments are: reasoning, oral instruction, study, suppression of the three-fold suffering, acquisition of friends, purity (or charity). The three mentioned earlier (ignorance, disability and contentment) are obstacles to success.
In this karika, the eight siddhis (attainments) are listed. As always, it is up to the commentators to offer an interpretation and explanation of each siddhi listed. Both Gaudapada and Mishra have offered different interpretations. I’d like to present a summary of their interpretations.
Gaudapada
Reasoning (ūhaḥ): Through reasoning one asks such questions as “what is the truth in this life?”, “what happens after this life is over?”, “how to attain the purpose of my life?” etc. By reasoning thus, one can realize the fact that Purusha is distinct from Prakriti and its elements – buddhi, ego, mind, all the senses etc. This can lead to liberation.
Oral instruction (śabdaḥ): Through oral instruction, one can gain knowledge of Prakriti and all its evolutes which can lead to liberation.
Study (adhyayanaṁ): By studying ancient texts like Vedas and other scriptures, knowledge of the 25 elements is attained which leads to liberation.
Prevention of the three kinds of suffering (duḥkhavighātāstrayaḥ): By approaching a guru (teacher) and learning from his teachings and guidance, the three types of suffering – internal, external, and divine – can be eliminated which leads to liberation.
Acquisition of friends (suhṛtprāptiḥ): Liberation can be gained by receiving knowledge from a friend.
Charity or purity (dānaṁ): When someone helps a holy person with shelter, medicine, food, clothes etc., one can receive knowledge and wisdom in return which can lead to liberation.
Mishra
Mishra divides the eight siddhis into two categories – primary and secondary. He believes that the three siddhis that help suppress the three-fold suffering are primary. The other five are secondary since they serve as the means to eliminate the three-fold suffering. He also lists these five siddhis in a cause-effect relationship.
Study (adhyayanaṁ): While studying the scriptures with a teacher, one learns the nature of both Purusha and Prakriti.
Word (śabdaḥ): Study as the cause leads to the effect ‘word’ which leads to deep comprehenstion of the meaning of ‘word’ presented in the scriptures.
Reasoning (ūhaḥ): This implies understanding the ancient texts (known as agamas) through reasoning. Also known as ‘manana’ (discernment), the process of investigation can help establish the viewpoint presented in the text while allaying doubts and objects raised by the opponents.
Acquisition of friends (suhṛtprāptiḥ): Having acquired the truth through reasoning and investigation, one needs to discuss the truth with teachers, fellow students and disciples for confirmation about the validity of the knowledge gained.
Charity or purity (dānaṁ): The common meaning of the word is charity. However, Mishra translates it as purity which is derived from the Sanskrit root word ‘daip’ (to purify). He quotes Patanjali and equates the statement in sutra 2.26 with purity – “Uninterrupted discriminative discernment is the method for the removal of suffering” (sutra 2.26). It’s only after purifying the mind of all cravings and desires that one can attain this level of discriminative wisdom. He also refers to the concept of abhyasa (practice) (described by Patanjali in sutra 1.14) which must be done assiduously for a long and uninterrupted period to attain mental purity.
Next, Mishra mentions the three primary siddhis which relate to elimination of the three types of suffering – Ādhyātmikam (internal), Ādhibhautikam (external) , ādhidaivikaṁ (divine). As mentioned above, Mishra considers these as the primary siddhis.
Both Mishra and Gaudapada also mention alternate Sanskrit names for these siddhis (without mentioning any source for this information):
- Study = tāram: one that helps take one across the ocean of samsara (cycles of birth, death and rebirth)
- Word = sutāram: higher level of tāram
- Reasoning = tāratāram: highest level of tāram
- Acquisition of friends = ramyaka: friends are a source of pleasure
- Charity or purity = sadāmudita
- Suffering – internal = pramoda: gives joy by eliminating internal suffering
- Suffering – external = mudita: gives joy by eliminating external suffering
- Suffering – divine = modamāna: gives joy by eliminating divine suffering
The last part of the karika states that the other three mentioned in karika #46 – ignorance, weakness, and complacency – act as a goad or a hook (aṅkuśa) for the siddhis. Normally, the goad is used to control or restrain the movements of an elephant. In that sense, the word aṅkuśa used in the present karika would mean that the other three act as a restraining factor in the attainment of the siddhis mentioned in the karika.
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