Studies in Haribhadrasuri

Author(s): N M Kansara, G C Tripathi
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology

Page 45

Haribhadra to the Yoga-Vidya
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lovers of truth. Haribhadra illustrates difference in terminology of the different systems about the same concept. For instance, the state of final realization is known as Sadāśiva in one system, Parabrahman in another, Siddhāntātman in the third and Tathāgata in still another one. 68 Hence, there can be no conflict when the truth is realized. Controversies take place only when the truth has not been realized,69 in the same way as an empty pot makes much noise. The various revelations have to be understood from various contexts and viewpoints. The love of truth gives one the power to cultivate faith in spiritual revelations. In the same way, while referring to the seventh Drsti, called Prabhā, Haribhadra compares it with the Visabhāgapariksaya in the Buddhist School, with the Praśānta-vāhitā in the Sāṁkhya system, Siva-vartman in the Saiva system and the Dhruvādhvan of the Mahāvratikas. 70
Besides these eightfold Drstis corresponding to the eight steps of Yogic Sadhanā in Patañjali, Haribhadra refers to the threefold Yoga, the first stage being the Icchā-yoga, in which in spite of his knowledge and will, the Yogī falters in his practice on account of inertia (pramāda),? the second stage being the Šāstra-yoga72 wherein the practitioner never falters in his yogic practices, strictly follows the scriptural injunctions and develop penetrating insight, and the third and the last stage being the Sāmarthya-yoga,73 when the Sādhaka has fully mastered the scriptural injunctions and has developed the power to transcend them. These are the three broad divisions of all the possible stages of Yoga, and the eight-fold Drstis are only the elaboration of these three. 74 Similarly, Haribhadra enumerates a fourfold classification of Yogīs, viz., Gotra, Kula, Pravrtta-cakra, and Nispanna. The first three are not incapable of emancipation, while the last one has already achieved his final state. Hence, it is the Yogīs of the first three classes who need Yogic instruction.75
In spite of this resemblance, there are fundamental differences also with the mystical way adopted by the Jaina