Determining the right path Test of eternality In the Vedas and the Shastra, three paths to attaining the aim of life have been mentioned – Karma, Gyan and Bhakti. In order to prove the exclusive supremacy of any principle, five criteria have been prescribed in Nyay Darshan, namely - 1) Anvaya or goal achievability [1], 2) Vyatireka or
Determining the right path Test of independence The criteria of anya nirapekshata (Devanagari:अन्य निरपेक्षता ISO15919: nirapēkṣatā) means the path that does not require any other expedient. Testing the three paths elucidated in scriptures for spiritual upliftment to determine which of them stands this test. Testing karma God cannot be attained through the
Determining the right path Test of universality Mind is the cause of bondage as well as liberation. Since eternity, the mind has sought-after the material world to attain bliss. In the process it's desire to attain more material objects has increased. This is called impurity, soiling of mind. To add insult to injury, the desired
Determining the right path Test of indispensability Vyatireka (Devanagari: व्यतिरेक ISO15919: vyatirēka) is the means without which the goal cannot be achieved. In other words, it is impossible to attain the goal without this method. Means the path is indispensable. Testing Karma In the previous article on Anvaya we had established that the aim
Determining the right path Test of essentiality Each of us can relate to our desire of being “happy forever”. In fact, all jeev want to be happy and have been searching for happiness forever. Yet even after expending monumental efforts, over uncountable lifetimes, we have not achieved that happiness. So, the search continues. Possibly, a thought might
