________________ -18 he is the one who does meditation without any selfish purpose exclusively for attaining God. As stated in the Gita, he is regarded by God as His dearest (atyartha-priyah). The bhakti-yoga, which we outlined in foregoing pages, as the direct means to moksa, is the best one. The thirty two vidyas or upasanas mentioned in the Upanisads are of the same nature as bhakti-yoga outlined in the Gita, though they are named differently because of the differences in the description of the object of contemplation viz. Brahman in terms of its attributes as stated in the Vedanta-sutra32. Thus for instance, the upasana on as Brahman sat or the ground of the entire universe is named 'sad-vidya' The upasana on Brahman as an indweller in the inner recess of the heart (dahara-akasa or subtle space) is known as dahara-vidya. As the goal of these upasanas is the same, viz. the attainment of moksa, they are regarded as alternative means (vikalpa) as explained in the Vedanta-sutra33. in all these cases the mode of meditation along with the various ethical and religious requirements explained earlier in connection with bhakti-yoga, remains the same. This is indeed an arduous pathway to moksa. It is beset with innumerable difficulties and hardships and it is almost impossible in the present epoch for anyone to pursue the bhakti-yoga. Even the most competent person like Arjuna who was fully instructed by a person no less than the very God-incarnate, expressed grief towards the end indicating his incapability for the observance of bhakti-yoga. At this stage, the benevolent Lord Krsna, out of compassion and friendly disposition towards Arjuna comes out with the advice to adopt the method of absolute surrender as an easier and alternative pathway to moksa. This is the doctrine of Saranagati or Prapatti. The Vaisnavism as expounded by Ramanuja has adopted this important doctrine. This is also regarded as yoga since it is an upaya or means to moksa. It is essentially an ethico-religious discipline comprising six components and hence called sadanga-yoga analogous to astanga-yoga or the eight-fold discipline of the Yoga system. Though the concept of Saranagati is acceptable to all religious schools, its development as an alternative direct means (upaya) to moksa is unique to Vaisnavism of Ramanuja. It is therefore important that we include a brief outline of this distinctive doctrine of yoga in this chapter. 32 to us. T1-3-56. nana sabdadi Whedat. 33 V.S IIl-3-57 vikalpo avisista-phalatvat See also vs. Il-3-1. -18
