Significance of Sakshin

Sakshin is a significant concept in various philosophical and spiritual traditions, particularly in Vaishnavism, Natyashastra, Yoga, Vedanta, Dharmashastra, and Mahayana. It refers to the role of a witness, embodying pure consciousness and awareness. In Vaishnavism, it involves observing righteous endeavors, while in Vedanta, it denotes the Witness-self that perceives experiences without being influenced by them, closely associated with Brahman. The concept underscores the essential nature of the witness for knowledge and evidence in multiple contexts, including providing credence and defending innocence.1
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In Finnish: Sakshin; In Dutch: Saksjin; In Spanish: Sakshina; In German: Sakschin

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Sakshin'

Buddhism Books

Sakshin, in Buddhism, symbolizes a 'Witness.' In this context, it reflects the role of an observer who verifies Yashodhara's innocence during her defense by Gopa against false accusations of adultery.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

(1) Witness; in the context of Gopa defending Yashodhara, it denotes someone who can attest to her innocence following the allegations of adultery.[1]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Sakshin'

Hinduism Books

Sakshin in Hinduism denotes the Witness-consciousness, emphasizing its role as an unbiased observer of experiences, facilitating a connection with the true self, and aligning with concepts of ultimate awareness and Brahman.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

(1) 'One who knows' in a personal sense; it indicates the notion that a true witness must have awareness of their observations.[2]

(1) The term used to refer to the Witness-self or Witness-consciousness that perceives experience without being influenced by it.[3]

(1) Refers to the witness consciousness that observes all without being affected by the events of the physical world.[4]

(1) The witnessing consciousness that observes all experiences and phenomena without being affected by them, often equated with Brahman.[5]

(1) The witnessing principle that is necessary for knowledge to exist, which the pradhana lacks, thus denying its status as all-knowing.[6]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

(1) This refers to the role of a witness, specifically observing the collection of righteous endeavors, as the text illustrates.[7]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).