The Seven Stages of Jnana
Divine Life Society Publication: Jnana Yoga by Swami Sivananda
There are seven stages of
Jnana or the seven Jnana Bhumikas.
First, Jnana should be
developed through a deep study of Atma Jnana Sastras and association with the
wise and the performance of virtuous actions without any expectation of fruits.
This is Subheccha or good desire, which forms the first Bhumika or stage
of Jnana. This will irrigate the mind with the waters of discrimination and
protect it. There will be non-attraction or indifference to sensual objects in
this stage.
The first stage is the substratum
of the other stages. From it the next two stages, viz., Vicharana and Tanumanasi
will be reached. Constant Atma Vichara (Atmic enquiry) forms the second stage.
The third stage is Tanumanasi.
This is attained through the cultivation of special indifference to objects.
The mind becomes thin like a thread. Hence the name Tanumanasi. Tanu means
thread - threadlike state of mind. The third stage is also known by the name Asanga
Bhavana. In the third stage, the aspirant is free from all attractions. If
any one dies in the third stage, he will remain in heaven for a long time and
will reincarnate on earth again as a Jnani.
The above three stages can be
included under the Jagrat state.
The fourth stage is Sattvapatti.
This stage will destroy all Vasanas to the root. This can be included under the
Svapana state. The world appears like a dream. Those who have reached the
fourth stage will look upon all things of the universe with an equal eye.
The fifth stage is Asamsakti.
There is perfect non-attachment to the objects of the world. There is no Upadhi
or waking or sleeping in this stage. This is the Jivanmukti stage in which
there is the experience of Ananda Svaroopa (the Eternal Bliss of Brahman)
replete with spotless Jnana. This will come under Sushupti.
The sixth stage is Padartha
Bhavana. There is knowledge of Truth.
The seventh stage is Turiya,
or the state of superconsciousness. This is Moksha. This is also known by the
name Turiyatita. There are no Sankalpas. All the Gunas disappear. This
is above the reach of mind and speech. Disembodied salvation (Videhamukti) is
attained in the seventh stage.
Remaining in the certitude of
Atma, without desires, and with an equal vision over all, having completely
eradicated all complications of differentiations of 'I' or 'he', existence or
non-existence, is Turiya.
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