A spiritual seeker has to study Sadhana Chatustaya ( or Chathushtaya) , which one needs to develop to study Vedanta and realize the self. Would you like to know more about it? In the following excerpt, we will look at the different qualifications for spiritual seeker and Adhikari meaning.
Four Qualifications For a Spiritual Seeker
- Viveka: nitya-anitya-vastu vivekaḥ:
The above statement means ‘discrimination between the Eternal and the ephemeral.’ It refers to a firm belief of spiritual seeker that the mind that Brahman alone is real (constant) and the universe of names and forms are unreal (changing) - Vairagya: iha-amutra-phala-bhoga-viragaḥ:
A spiritual seeker should have the qualification of Vairagya. It talks about ‘freedom from the fruits of one’s actions in this life or next.’ Moreover, it means that one would have to give up the desire for temporary pleasure. - Samadhi-sat-sampatti:
It refers to a six-fold wealth to develop, beginning with sama:- Sama: Firstly, it is the control over the mind. A spiritual seeker must divide the mind from sense objects, not allowing it to enter the mind.
- Dama: Dama refers to the control over the sense organs. It means to pull out the senses from the sense objects. Consequently, not allowing sense organs to go out to the sense objects.
- Uparati or uparama: It is the inner withdrawal. As a result, the external world no longer stirs the mind.
- Titika: It indicates patience. One must patiently carry on in the face of all difficulties without worry.
- Sraddha: It is the faith of spiritual seeker and the firm belief in the Guru, Lord, scriptures, and the Self.
- Samadhana: lastly, samadhana refers to the single-pointedness in scriptural studies, reflection, and contemplation.
- Mumuksutva: It is the intense longing for liberation from all bondage. The seeker longs for freedom from identification with the three tools (body, mind, and intellect) and the three states (waking, dream, and deep sleep). Finally, also through the three limits, which are in time, space, and object.
Adhikari
Adhikari meaning is apparent in vivekacudamani Adi Sankara. He says, ‘He who has a keen memory, enough knowledge of the world outside, an understanding of the world within, who believes in and stands up for the scriptures and can prove the arguments false – such a one is fit for receiving Ᾱtma-vidyā (Self-knowledge, Brahmavidyā).’ Therefore, an Adhikari is a qualified student who is fit to receive Brahmavidya from the Guru. Such a person has the following qualities:
- He has general knowledge of the Vedas and similar scriptures.
- Most importantly, he has a pure mind.
- He studied with sādhana chathuṣṭaya.
- Fourthly, he dutifully performs nitya karmas (daily duties) and naimittika karmas (special duties).
- Adhikari avoids kamya karmas, which are actions born out of desire, and nisiddha karman, which are wrong actions.
- Lastly, he observes prāyaścitta karmas (acts of penance to correct or improve himself) when needed.