Gitartha Samgraha (critical Study)
by Partha Sarathi Sil | 2020 | 34,788 words
This page relates ‘Significance of the Sangraha shlokas of the Gitarthasangraha� of the study on Abhinavagupta’s Gitartha Samgraha commentary on the Bhagavad Gita: one of the core texts of Indian Philosophy. The Gitartha Sangraha is written in the light of Kashmir Shaivism and brings to Shaiva metaphysics and Yoga integrated in the Bhagavadgita. This study deals with Abhinava’s vision about the purpose of human existence and the accomplishment of salvation (i.e., self-realisation).
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1. Significance of the Saṅgraha śǰ첹s of the īٳṅg
Abhinavagupta has presented one recapitulating śǰ첹 at the every chapter of his īٳṅg. By introducing the recapitulating śǰ첹s, he has serially brought out the hidden purport of all the eighteen chapters in a systematic manner keeping in consonance with the doctrine of Kashmir Ś in one hand also the deeper meaning of the ī on the other.
In the benedictory six verses of īٳṅg, Abhinavagupta has stated the subject matter of his composition, its utility and how he has been inspired to undertake the work. The ultimate four śǰ첹s of the composition contain the chronology of his preceptors and also the Ś of the Ś philosophy infused inseparably with the divine Śپ[1]. From the standpoint of investigative research, the īٳṅg may be properly regarded as a commentary in one hand and also an explanation of the ī. Abhinavagupta himself has termed it as an explanation. The name of the composition has termed it as explanation.[2] The name of the composition has been mentioned as īٳṅg[3] in the benedictory stanza, while the name has been stated as 岵īrthaṅg in the second śǰ첹[4] of the concluding four stanzas. In the Kashmiri edition of the Ѳٲ’s Bhīṣmaparvan, the well known conversation between ṛṣṇa and Arjuna in śǰ첹 form is admitted as the 岵ī and as those śǰ첹s are discussed in the present composition, it is quite likely that īٳṅg and the 岵īrthaṅg are no different from each other.
While explaining 8th Chapter of the 岵ī which represents the philosophical thought of the Kashmir Śaivites, Abhinavagupta has taken the meaning of the word �ṅg� as means[5], and he has established the non-dualistic Ś in the īٳṅg with citations from the Spandakārikās[6]. Considering all the sacrificial rites as the form of Brahman, Abhinavagupta has mentioned the collected śǰ첹s of the inseparable existence of divine Śپ and non-dual Brahman[7]. In this way ʲś has been mentioned ܻ𱹲 in some places of the īٳṅg and somewhere as Ѳś.
It is very difficult to understand the nature of and a. So, with a view to understanding both them the worshipper by dint of his sadhana and reasoning gets rid of resolution and irresolution. Abhinavagupta has grasped the essence of the entire first chapter of the Bhagavagītā in his recapitulating verse; The name of the first chapter is ‘Arjunaviṣāda-yoga�. Here the bow, gāndīva slackens off Arjuna’s hand. He is perplexed to see his own relatives as opponents. Perturbed Arjuna here is s symbol of infirm 첹 standing between resolution and irresolution. He, however, could be able to concentrate slowly to his duty by resorting to the refuge of Lord ṛṣṇa. This is why we find in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the first chapter where the advice has been given to be free from any discrimination so that the 첹 can enter into the adobe of nirvikalpa (free from thought -constructs) by accomplishing the appropriate deeds. In other words, it is an advice to engage oneself in the thought of god forsaking the mundane enjoyments. The second chapter deals with vice and virtue[8]. By using the word ‘ubhe� he has meant vice and virtue. These two things are opposed to each other. Yet destruction of both of them speaks of the skill of yogin, ascetic[9]. He becomes absorbed in Brahman being freed from the bondage of rebirth by the desires of objects like ū貹, rasa etc.[10] Yet it is necessary to wipe out the impression of anything remaining unconsciously in the mind. The mind is the root of every action. So Abhinavagupta has told about the variegated movements of the mind in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the second chapter. Man enjoys the objects even after forsaking them. Again, there are some reverse instances[11]. This is why importance has been laid on the supremacy of mind in course of introduction of this recapitulating śǰ첹. The sense organs have their attachment or hatred towards objects. So attachment is felt to those objects which produce happiness and the objects which generate sorrow are disliked. A mundane realises everything in the way. So, a person who is free from greed is praised in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the third chapter, named ‘Karmayoya�. He is not touched by greed or hatred. The dearest to a mundane is his wife, and the wealth is also desired by all. He always tries to keep his body in joy. But he who has realised the true nature of ٳ, considers all these things as trifles. Anger and others arise from the sense organs[12]. So it is necessary to know that parama-ṅk which is greater than intellect. That is why work, devoid of desire for outcome, is advised in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the karmayoga.
In the fourth chapter, accomplishment of the desire of the sense organs, are discussed. In this way liberation of soul has been advised in the sannyāsayoga. When action is performed leaving aside all desires, the result enters in the knowledge and it is brunt there[13]. The action performed by the sense organs for keeping the body fit does not get attached with mind and intellect unlike a mundane[14]. If there is any desire in respect of the consequences of action, then a person becomes enchained by virtue or vice[15]. Therefore the recapitulating śǰ첹 mentions the way of emancipation by performing deeds with the help of sense organs but having no desire for the consequences of action. The fifth chapter’s capitulating śǰ첹 speeks of the way how emancipation can be avoided easily. The devotee, who finds everything in the world as his own self, can proceed towards the path of emancipation through his worldly behaviours. He performs the vow of a sannyasin through his earthly performance of activities. The parameśvara is the experient of this entire world as all the fruits of yojña etc are offered to god[16]. In the Śٲ貹ٳ Brāhmaṇ� as well as in other places the śāstric activities or sacrifices as referred are meant primarily for ʲś. All the activities which are performed by the self controlled person with complete devotion and with the desire of emancipating himself ease the path of liberation[17]. The all pervasive foundational consciousness never perishes[18]. While describing the fifth chapter, Abhinavagupta has explained the doctrine of Ś by citing the instance of potter’s making of pots with mud in one hand and on the other he has given advice about the activities to be performed by the devotee striving after emancipation to attain Brahman. He has shown the actions which are to be done as per the desire of the sense organs in the fourth chapter and in the fifth chapter the advancement of it by opening the path to attain Brahman has been advised. In the fifth chapter he has shown in the recapitulating śǰ첹 that incessant repetition of god’s name is the only way to salvation. This chapter named �Āٳ-ṃy-yoga�, has discussed serially about yoga and its explanation following ʲٲñᲹ, the characteristics of one fallen from the practice of Yoga, refutation of śܲԲⲹ岹[19] and lastly the god has been praised[20]. It has been certified here that Brahman is established on equality[21]. In this way the necessary steps for attainment of Brahman have been described one by one at the end of this chapter.
The Seventh chapter is named �ñԲ-ñԲ-yoga�. Surrendering to god is the main theme of this chapter. The Sādhaka, devotee can be fulfil all his good wishes by complete devotion. So, Abhinavagupta has told about complete devotion to god following the Kashmir Ś in his īٳṅg, chapter Seven. Lord ܻ𱹲 is pervaded everywhere[22]. He is existent as spiritual, supernatural and material sacrifices[23]. , the principle of insentient material power is His action[24]. So one should come to his refuge. According to the Trika doctrine, if a person, forsaking desires, prays to any god, he can get the favour of that god[25]. This is why he has praised the complete devotion in the capitulating śǰ첹 of the Seventh chapter. The prime thing of sacred and miscellaneous knowledge is to approach the ʲś and it is attained by devotion. In the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the eigth chapter it is stated that ʲś is existent in all the tattvas or principles. Due to god’s existence everywhere, there is no difference between inside and outside. The Īsopaniṣad also speaks of Bhrahman’s existence in the same manner. Abhinavagupta has primarily focused in the eigth chapter on six mystical circles of the body, ṣaṭc in connection with Sādhaka and also on the movement of the moon[26]. He has also mentioned about appearance of 辱ś峦 belonging to the mysterious śٰ[27]. To explain the 岵ī he has shown that after achieving the Prarameśvara, man does not have the fear of moving round the cycle of birth and death[28]. He has expressed faith on the tradition of guru[29] and laid much importance on keeping faith on god at the end of the capitulating śǰ첹, because the entire world is absorbed in god. Next in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the ninth chapter, he has mentioned about the 貹śپ, the highest power of the non-dual Brahman. Parāśakti is the basis of entire manifestation. So, it is necessary to concentration for that power.
The most notable thing of this chapter is that according to Abhinavagupta, the devotee is able to know the Veda in the dual state, but he is unable to know his own self as Ś[30]. So he has made it to understand that for knowing the non-dual ʲś, the method of Trika instruction should be followed. In this chapter he has refuted the theory of differentiation and at last he stated about non-dual Brahman and his divine power. In the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the chapter ten he has said about worshiping of Brahman, devoid of resolve and thought construct. In this state existence of objects in the sense organs appearing through sight is also considered as obstacle. With a view to strengthening the context of refutation of the theory of differentiation it is stated in the īٳṅg that the entire universe is existent in a single particle of the ʲś[31]. Removal of resolve and thought construct is the prime subject in the tenth chapter. In the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the chapter eleven it is stated that only the true devotee can have the knowledge of pure experient and impure provable. In this way the fourth state of consciousness of the equal form has been said. In this chapter ܻ𱹲 tattva has been mentioned[32]. This tattva is another name of Ś. In the recapitulating śǰ첹 the main constituent element of god’s universal form has been expressed. When the devotee can realise his own self, everything appears as non-dual to him. Here is the reflection of arising the knowledge of Brahmaṇḍa i.e. the universe in the 辱ṇḍ i.e. the body. In that twelfth chapter the characteristic of ٳԲ-Dz has been shown. To be passionate to god is the true knowledge. In this way here a combination of knowledge and devotion can be found. That is why god’s presence is said in the concluding śǰ첹 of the twelfth chapter[33]. Attainment of Brahman as existent in this delighted state indicates that it is the consequence of Bhakti, devotion. In chapter thirteen Abhinavagupta has given the real characteristic of yoga and he has told about attainment of devotion by yoga[34]. It is possible to attain emancipation from their world through the worship[35] of god with devotion[36]. At the end of this chapter judgement made on ṛt, the principle of matter and ܰṣa, the sentient principle of consciousness and also the relation between them has heightened the position of non-dual Ś. The recapitulation śǰ첹 of the fourteenth chapter describes mainly the condition of the emancipated person while still alive. Delighted by the Bhakti[37] rasa the worshiper transcends the gunas by god’s grace while living in this world. In this recapitulating śǰ첹 the result of attaining god’s grace is described. The main theme of the chapter is the sublimity of devotion. The complete destruction of duality and appearance of god are indicated in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of chapter fifteen[38]. Here is virtually the end of the īśٰ which preaches non-dualism. These recapitulating śǰ첹s describe 첹’s attainment of the position of Brahman by removing ignorance. The substance of the chapter sixteen relating to divine and demonic wealth (岹ī and ܰī ṃp岹) has been narrated at the end of the chapter in the recapitulating śǰ첹. The person subdued by ignorance, becomes incapable to judge which virtue is and which is sin. So, here the śٰ has to be followed. The śٰs generate intellect. The hatred generated by mental perturbation is but hate to god[39]. So the śǰ첹 says that transparent discernment comes from the śٰ and it is the main theme of the śǰ첹. Difference of attachment to work as well as accomplishment of work between a householder and a prudent has been shown in the recapitulating śǰ첹 of the Seventeenth chapter. The same work done by a prudent brings emancipation for its being offered to the god. After mentioning the context of ś岹, vākśakti and svatantra-śakti, power of divine freedom, Abhinavagupta has described the nature of Brahman[40]. He has praised in the īٳṅg the offering of deeds to god for attaining that state of Brahman. At last in the eighteenth chapter attainment of the state of վṣṇ and then heightening to the position of Śtva is mentioned in the recapitulating śǰ첹. The conflict of knowledge and ignorance which was stated as divine and demonical in the first chapter of the īٳṅg, that has come to an end in this recapitulating śǰ첹 by way of removing ignorance. It is not only the theme of this chapter, but the theme of the whole of the 岵ī is reflected in it. In this way
Abhinavaguta has presented a great gift by way of as if, collecting honey from each of the chapters and establishing the doctrine of the Kashmir Ś.
Saṃgrahaślokās of īٳṅg
cidyobhayāghātasaṃghaṭṭavivaśīkṛta� |
ܰٲ dvayamapi ٲⲹٱ nirviveko bhavenܲԾ� ||1 ||
A wise person, who was compelled into the troubling union between knowledge and ignorance, should, having analysed and rejected both, enter the state free from thought.
aho nu cetasaścitrā gatistyāgena yatkila |
ārohatyeva viṣayāñchrayaṃtāṃstu parityajet || 2 ||
The most amazing, indeed, is the movement of the mind. Through the process of giving up one object it jumps to other ones, taking thus recourse to new objects that are again and again.
dhanāni dārāndeha� ca yo'nyatvenādhigacchati |
쾱� 峾 tasya kurvanti krodhādyāścittavibhramā� ||3 ||
One who approaches one’s health, wife or even one’s body with a sense of difference from his real nature, what kind of hard could be done to such a person by the changing nature of mind?
vidhatte karma yatkiñcidakṣecchāmātrapūrvakam |
tenaiva śubhabhāja� syustṛptā� karaṇadevatā� ||4 ||
Whichever act, preceded by the desire in the sense organs, one might perform, this act will make gods in the form of sense organs fulfilled and in return they will bless people with auspicious results.
ṇyٰ ūԾ samatvenānupasyata� |
jaḍavadvyavahāro'pi mokṣāyaivāvakalpate ||5 ||
He who perceives all creatures as being equal is fit for liberation, even if he is ignorant in the matters of worldly affairs.
bhagavan峾saṃprāptimātrātsarvamavāpyate |
� śālaya� samyagvṛṣṭimātre'valokite ||6 ||
Only by attaining God’s name everything is achieved, just as rice grains blossom when the rainy season comes.
ṭa� bhagavato bhaktirahitā kalpamañjarī |
sādhakecchāsamucitā� yenāśā� paripūriyet ||7 ||
Pure devotion is the wish-fulfilling tree by means of which one may fulfill hopes proper to be desired by the 첹.
sarvatattvagatatvena vijñāte parameśvare |
antarbahirna sāvastha na yasyā� bhāsate � ||8 ||
When the Lord is known to be present in all the tattvas, then for a yogin there is no place either externally or internally where ʲś is not present.
advaite brahmaṇi 貹 sarvānugrahaśālinī |
śaktirvijṛmbhate tena yatanīya� tadāptaye ||9 ||
That all merciful Parāśakti, which blesses all living beings, blossoms and expands in that unitary consciousness called Brahman; therefore, one should strive to attain that highest reality.
峾Ի 辱 yadevāyāti gauravam |
ṻ屹貹ⲹṃsٲٳٲٱśԳٲ� brahma bhāvayet ||10 ||
Whatever might be the object of one’s experience and whatever might form the content of one’s desire, one should while persistently dissolving all of that, meditate on the Brahman, which is the highest peace.
śuddhāśuddhavimiśrotthasaṃvidaikyavimarśanāt |
ūܱ� svastraya� paśyansamatvena samo ܲԾ� ||11 ||
Having the realization of the oneness of consciousness, which is manifested as pure, pure-cum-impure and impure, a meditator possessing a balanced mind observes the three states of consciousness with equilibrium.
paramānandavaivaśyasañjātāveśasampada� |
ⲹ� sarvāsvavasthasu brahmāsattā hyayatnata� ||12 ||
The yogin absorbed in God and taken by the bliss of the absorption spontaneously experiences the reality of the Brahman in all states and conditions of life.
pumānṛtrityeṣa 岹� saṃmūḍhacetasām |
paripūrṇāstu manyante nirmalātmamaya� jagat ||13 ||
The difference between Puruṣa and Prakṛti exists only for those who are confused, but those who are perfect realize the entire universe as the pure atman.
lasadbhaktirasāveśahīnāhaṃkāravibhrama� |
sthite'pi ṇaaṃmarde ṇātīٲ� samo ⲹپ� ||14 ||
A yogin, who has become free from error caused by ṅk, as a result of the nectar of blooming devotion, such a yogin although living in the midst of the three ṇa is beyond their influence.
ٱ 屹ٲ峾dz� ṛt brahmamayī� citim |
laukike vyavahāre'pi munirnitya� samāviśet ||15 ||
The sage who has transcended the great delusion caused by the notion of duality and who has realized his consciousness as being pervaded by the Brahman, that wise men even while performing worldly activities should permanently remain absorbed in the highest reality.
abodhe svātmabuddhyaiva ⲹ� naiva vicārayet |
kintu śāstroktavidhinā śٰ� bodhavivardhanam ||16 ||
At the time of indecision one should not use one’s own mind to decide the course of action, but rather should rely on the śٰs whose purpose is to increase knowledge.
sa eva kārakāveśa� saivāviśeṣiṇ� |
tathāpi vijñānavatā� mokṣārthe paryavasati ||17 ||
He, Ś alone assumes the form of different instruments; his Śپ, which is free from all attributes, is action. In this way, to those who possess knowledge, all actions, such as charity, austerity or sacrifice, culminate in ǰṣa.
bhaṅktvā jñānavimohamantharamayī� sattvādibhinnā� ⲹ� ⲹ ٳūٲܲԻ岹ٲ ṣṇ� vikalpāgatim |
ⲹپṃcٲǻⲹ徱ԻⲹԾᲹٰٳٱrhelāta� kurute tadasya 첹� saṃpadyate śaṅkaram ||18 ||
Whatever action might be performed by a Yogin–who has freed his mind dominated by the three ṇa, which are of the nature of knowledge, confusion and inertia, and who has attained վṣṇ, who is beyond thought, through the beauty of the realization of his own self–that action is performed effortlessly because he is engaged only in such activities of the sense organs, which arise in him on their own. To such a Yogin Ś is everything.[42]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
[3]:
bhaṭṭendurājādāmnāya vivicya ca � dhiyā |
kṛto'bhinavaguptena so'ya� īٳṅg || īٳṅg, Ѳṅg verse -6.
[4]:
taccaraṇakamalamadhūpo bhagavadgītārthasaṃgraha� vyadadhāt |
Բܱٲ� saddivajaloṭakakṛtacodanāvaśata� || īٳṅg,concluding verse -2.
[6]:
[7]:
advaite brahmaṇi 貹 sarvānugrahaśālinī |
śaktirvijṛmbhate tena yatanīya� tadāptaye || īٳṅg, Saṅgraha śǰ첹-9.
[8]:
[10]:
[12]:
[13]:
[14]:
śarīropaDzī indriyavyāpārātmaka� karma śī�, yanmanobuddhibhyā� na tathānurañjitam, īٳṅg, 4/21.
[16]:
yajñaphaleṣu bhoktā tyaktaphalatvāt | īٳṅg, 5/29.
[18]:
teṣāṃ sarvata� sarvāsvavasthasu brahmasattā pāramārthikī na nirodhakālamapekṣate | īٳṅg, 5/26.
[19]:
쾱ṃcidapi viṣayāṇāṃ tyagagrahaṇādika� na cintayet yastvanyairvākhyāta� na 쾱ṃcidapi cintayet iti tadasmabhya� na rucita� śūnyavādaprasaṅgāt | īٳṅg, 6/26.
[20]:
abhyāsena ǰṣapakṣa� kramātkrama� viṣayīkriyate iti dvayorupādanam | ܰٲ� ca tatra bhavatā bhāṣyaṛt’ubhayādhīnaścittavṛttinirodha��, (Y.D.,1.12),īٳṅg, 6/36.
[22]:
ataeva sa vāsudeva eva sarvam ityeva� dṛḍhapratipattipavitrakṛtahṛdaya� | īٳṅg, 7/19.
[23]:
ādhyātmikādhidaivikādhidaivikādhiyajñikāni ca mamaiva rūpāntarāṇi | īٳṅg, 7/30.
[25]:
kintu siddhānto'yamatra ya� kāmanāparihāreṇa yat쾱ṃciddevatāū貹mālambate tasya tat śuddhamuktabhāvena paryavasati | īٳṅg, 7/24.
[26]:
tatra candramaso bhogyāṃśānupraveśād bhogāyāvṛtti� | īٳṅg, 8/25.
[27]:
ṭīk, īٳṅg, 8/25.
[28]:
eva� sṛṣṭau pralaye ca punar屹�,.. sarvato lokebhya� punarāvṛttirna tu mā� ⲹ iti sphuṭayati | īٳṅg, 8/19.
[29]:
asmadguravastvāhu� sarvānugrāhakatayā madhye ābhyantarakālakṛtamutkrānti, īٳṅg, 8/27.
[30]:
yadܰٲ� mayaivavedānveda na veda śāṃbhavapada� dūyeta nirvedavān |
svargārthī yajamānatā� pratijahajjāto yajanyājaka� || īٳṅg, 9/27.
[31]:
[32]:
[33]:
ٲٲ� mayi saṃnyasye ٳivedanadvāreṇetyaśaya�.... pārameśvareṣu hi siddhāntaśāstreṣu ٳivedane'yamevābhiprāya� | īٳṅg, 12/11.
[34]:
[35]:
yena kenacidupāyena bhagavatattvamupāsyamānamuttārayati | īٳṅg, 13/26.
[37]:
sa evāvyabhicāriṇyā bhagavato maheśvarasyāgrahaśaktyā pavitrokṛto nānya iti jñeyam | īٳṅg, 14/26.
[39]:
krodhādiruṣitatvādeva lokāndviṣanto māmeva dviṣanti | īٳṅg16/18.
[40]:
o� tat sat ityebhistribhi� śabdabrahmaṇo Ծś� saṃmukhīkaraṇam | tatra o� ityanena śāstrārtho'yamādehasaṃbandhamūrīkārya iti sūcyate | tat iti sarva峾padena sāmānyamātrābhidhāyinā viśeṣa貹marśamātrāsamarthena phalānabhisaṃdhāna� brahmaṇyucyate.... sat ityamuyā śrutya praśaṃsābhidhīyate | īٳṅg, 17/27.
[41]:
yajñaphaleṣu bhoktā tyaktaphalatvāt | īٳṅg, 5/29.
[42]:
Translations are quoted from Boris Marjanovic’s edition