Concept of Mind in the Major Upanishads

by Gisha K. Narayanan | 2018 | 35,220 words

This page relates ‘Different Names of Prajna’ of the study on the concept of Mind as found in the Major Upanishads: the philosophical backbone of the four Vedas. This study explores the various characteristics and psychological aspects of the mind (described by the Seers of ancient India thousands of years ago) including awareness (samjna), understanding (vijnana) and knowledge (prajnana).

Saṃjñāna [Saṃjñānaṃ]—This classifies the objects to give different names.
Vijñāna [Vijñānaṃ]—It means the deep knowledge of science.
Meda—It is the ability to bring the objects.
Dṛṣṭi—It is vision.
Dhṛti [Dhṛtiḥ]—It is workmanship with patience.
Mati [Matiḥ]—It is thoughtfulness.
ManīṣāFreedom of thought.
Jūti [Jūtiḥ]—mental convulsion.

yadetaddhatayaṃ manaścaitat saṃjñānamajñānaṃ vijñānaṃ prajñānaṃ medhā dṛṣṭirdhṛtirmanīṣā jūtiḥ smṛtiḥ saṅkalpaḥ kraturasuḥ kāmo vaśa iti | sarvāpyevaitāni prajñānasya nāmadheyāni bhavanti || [1]

These are remarkable that the different levels of experiences of intelligence are sensation, perception, ideation and conception. It is recognized and distinguished from one another. The whole universe is forced by intelligence. This intelligence works on being guided and established in the minds of the humans and the whole universe.

It assumes consciousness, judgment, ideation, wisdom, insight, steadfastness, opinion, thoughtfulness, impulse, memory, volition, purpose, will to live, desire and self control.

sajñānaṃ saṃjñaptiḥ cetanabhāvaḥ ājñānaṃ ājñaptiḥ īśvarabhāvaḥ vijñānaṃ kalādiparijñānaṃ prajñānaṃ prajñaptiḥ prajñatā medhā granthadhāraṇasāmarthyaṃ dṛṣṭiḥ indriyadvāra sarvaviṣayolabdhiḥ dhṛtiḥ dhāraṇaṃ avasannānāṃ śarīrendriyāṇāṃ, manīṣā tatra svātantryaṃ, jūtiḥ cetaso rucādidukhvitvabhāvaḥ, smṛtiḥ smaraṇaṃ, saṃkalpaḥ śuklakṛṣṇādibhāvena saṃkalpanaṃ, kratuḥ adyavasāyaḥ asuḥ praṇānādijīvanakriyā nimittavṛttiḥ, kāmaḥ asaṃnihitaviṣayākāṃṣā tṛṣṇāḥ vaśaḥ strīvyatikarādyabhilāṣaḥ iti || [2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid-3.1.2

[2]:

Aitareyopaniṣad Śānkarabhāṣya-3.1.2

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