{"id":1562,"date":"2026-06-13T07:37:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T14:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/?p=1562"},"modified":"2026-06-13T08:28:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T15:28:31","slug":"nididyasana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/nididyasana\/","title":{"rendered":"Nididhy\u0101sana \u2013 continuous contemplation of spiritual truth – Ramesh Krishnmurthy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ramesh Krishnamurthy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of us who start our study of Vedanta are advised to follow the three steps to learning about and understanding brahmavidy\u0101 – \u015brava\u1e47a, manana and nididhy\u0101sana (\u0936\u094d\u0930\u0935\u0923, \u092e\u0928\u0928 & \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928). Listening to the lessons, thinking, analyzing, clearing doubts about the lessons and then deep meditation in those lessons learnt.<\/p>\n

The most important mention of this comes in the b\u1e5bhad\u0101ra\u1e47yaka upani\u1e63ad, mahar\u1e63i y\u0101j\u00f1avalkya (\u092c\u0943\u0939\u0926\u093e\u0930\u0923\u094d\u092f\u0915 \u0909\u092a\u0928\u093f\u0937\u0926, \u092e\u0939\u0930\u094d\u0937\u093f \u092f\u093e\u091c\u094d\u091e\u0935\u0932\u094d\u0915\u094d\u092f), ready to renounce all his belongings by giving it away to his wives. When asked by maitrey\u012b what is that which will make him happy if all these riches are not making him happy, he responded that knowing and understanding Atman will lead to true happiness. And there y\u0101j\u00f1avalkya tells maitrey\u012b the three steps to realize Atman.<\/p>\n

\u0101tm\u0101 v\u0101 ar\u0113 dra\u0219hTavya\u0125 \u0219hr\u014dtavy\u014d mantavy\u014d nididhy\u0101sitavyo maitr\u0113yy\u0101tman\u014d v\u0101 ar\u0113 dar\u0219an\u0113na \u0219rava\u1e47\u0113na maty\u0101 vijn\u0101n\u0113n\u0113dagm sarvam viditam (2.4.5)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u0906\u0924\u094d\u092e\u093e \u0935\u093e \u0905\u0930\u0947 \u0926\u094d\u0930\u0937\u094d\u091f\u0935\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u0936\u094d\u0930\u094b\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u094b \u092e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u093f\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u094b \u092e\u0948\u0924\u094d\u0930\u0947\u092f\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924\u094d\u092e\u0928\u094b \u0935\u093e \u0905\u0930\u0947 \u0926\u0930\u094d\u0936\u0928\u0947\u0928 \u0936\u094d\u0930\u0935\u0923\u0947\u0928 \u092e\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0935\u093f\u091c\u094d\u091e\u093e\u0928\u0947\u0928\u0947\u0926\u0901 \u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0935\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0924\u092e\u094d (\u0968.\u096a.\u096b)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u0101tm\u0101 vai are dra\u1e63\u1e6davya\u1e25 \u015brotavya\u1e25 mantavya\u1e25 nididhy\u0101sitavya\u1e25 Thus, the Self should be realized; should be heard of, should be reflected upon, should be meditated upon.are maitrey\u012b, \u0101tmana\u1e25 vai dar\u015banena \u015brava\u1e47ena maty\u0101 vij\u00f1\u0101nena idam sarvam viditam Dear Maitr\u0113y\u012b, by the realization of the Self, through hearing about it, in the mind (intelligence) by full understanding alone, everything else will be understood.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u0101di \u015ba\u1e43kara bhagavatp\u0101da (\u0906\u0926\u093f \u0936\u0902\u0915\u0930 \u092d\u0917\u0935\u0924\u094d\u092a\u093e\u0926), in his bh\u0101\u1e63ya on this, says<\/p>\n

\u015brotavya\u1e25 – p\u016brva\u1e43 ac\u0101ryata\u1e25 \u0101gamata\u015bca (\u092a\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0906\u091a\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0923 \u0906\u0917\u092e\u0924\u0936\u094d\u091a), Firstly, the lesson has to be heard from a teacher, and then from the writings in our scriptures.
\nThen, pa\u015bc\u0101t tarkata\u1e25 mantavya\u1e25 (\u092a\u0936\u094d\u091a\u093e\u0924\u094d \u0924\u0930\u094d\u0915\u0924\u0903 \u092e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u0903), through reasoning the lesson should be thoroughly reflected upon.
\nAfter these, tato nididhy\u0101sitavya\u1e25 ni\u015bcayena dhy\u0101tavya\u1e25 (\u0924\u0924\u094b \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u093f\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u0928\u093f\u0936\u094d\u091a\u092f\u0947\u0928 \u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924\u0935\u094d\u092f\u0903), finally meditated upon with steadfast focus.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Interacting with a Guru, hearing about the lessons comes first, this also includes asking questions all along and clarifying all doubts so that the lesson is clear in one\u2019s mind. A popular subh\u0101\u1e63ita claims that what a student learns comes not only from the teacher, but also from other students. By way of discussions with them, by way of the questions they ask and such. Akhyaataaro guravah (\u0906\u0916\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924\u093e\u0930\u094b \u0917\u0941\u0930\u0935\u0903). Studying scriptural texts is another way a student learns. All these forms, and more, are \u015brava\u1e47a.<\/p>\n

pustakasth\u0101 tu y\u0101 vidy\u0101,parahastagata\u1e43 ca dhanam|
\nk\u0101ryak\u0101le samuttapanne na s\u0101 vidy\u0101 na tad dhanam ||
\n\u092a\u0941\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0925\u093e \u0924\u0941 \u092f\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u093e \u092a\u0930\u0939\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0917\u0924\u0902 \u091a \u0927\u0928\u0902 |
\n\u0915\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u0915\u093e\u0932\u0947 \u0938\u092e\u0941\u0924\u094d\u092e\u092a\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0947 \u0928 \u0938\u093e \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0928 \u0924\u0926\u094d\u0927\u0928\u092e\u094d ||<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then while reflecting on the lesson, going over various parts of the lesson will reinforce the lesson learnt and is now firmly established in the mind. When one reviews \u2013 repeats and reflects \u2013 what was heard from different sources, two outcomes happen. One, a factoid gets reinforced and well understood, or two, there is a question or doubt because there was a difference, exception or contradiction about some aspect. As one follows up on the \u015ba\u1e45k\u0101 with the teacher, referring to the texts and discussing them with other students and experts, clarity comes and the doubts are removed. The lesson is now clearly understood. This is manana, the learning now established firmly in the mind.
\nThe final step comes when that lesson is meditated upon regularly, with a focused and steadfast mind, that it becomes completely internalized and is imbibed into the BMI of the student. With repeated and constant thoughts about the tattva, reflecting on it all the time, it starts becoming a part of every aspect of one\u2019s spiritual being, nididhy\u0101sana. There is no wavering thought ever about the tattva.
\nIn pa\u00f1cada\u015b\u012b (\u092a\u091e\u094d\u091a\u0926\u0936\u0940), sv\u0101mi vidy\u0101ra\u1e47ya (\u0938\u094d\u0935\u093e\u092e\u093f \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0930\u0923\u094d\u092f) writes –
\nt\u0101bhy\u0101\u1e43 nirvicikitse\u2019rthe cetasa\u1e25 sth\u0101pitasya yat |
\nekat\u0101natvametaddhi nididhy\u0101sanamucyate \u0965 1-54 \u0965
\n\u0924\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902 \u0928\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0935\u093f\u091a\u093f\u0915\u093f\u0924\u094d\u0938\u0947\u093d\u0930\u094d\u0925\u0947 \u091a\u0947\u0924\u0938\u0903 \u0938\u094d\u0925\u093e\u092a\u093f\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092f \u092f\u0924\u094d |
\n\u090f\u0915\u0924\u093e\u0928\u0924\u094d\u0935\u092e\u0947\u0924\u0926\u094d\u0927\u093f \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092e\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947 \u0965 \u0967-\u096b\u096a \u0965<\/p>\n

t\u0101bhy\u0101\u1e41 nirvicikitse\u2019rthe (\u0924\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902 \u0928\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0935\u093f\u091a\u093f\u0915\u093f\u0924\u094d\u0938\u0947 \u0905\u0930\u094d\u0925\u0947) from those two when all doubts are cleared
\ncetasa\u1e25 sth\u0101pitasya yat (\u091a\u0947\u0924\u0938\u0903 \u0938\u094d\u0925\u093e\u092a\u093f\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092f \u092f\u0924\u094d) and the mind is firmly fixed (on the Atman)
\nekat\u0101natvam etat hi (\u090f\u0915\u0924\u093e\u0928\u0924\u094d\u0935\u092e\u094d \u090f\u0924\u0924\u094d \u0939\u093f) and comes to dwell continuously (on the Atman)
\nnididhy\u0101sanam ucyate (\u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092e\u094d \u0909\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947) it is said to be Profound Contemplation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When by these two \u2013 by enquiry and reflection \u015brava\u1e47a, manana \u2013 the mind is cleared of all doubts and ambiguities, and the mind is firmly fixed on the Atman continuously, it is said to be nididhy\u0101sana
\nIn a common variation of another shloka (\u092a\u093e\u0920\u093e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0930) later in pa\u00f1cada\u015b\u012b,
\n\u0924\u091a\u094d\u091a\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0928\u0902 \u0924\u0924\u094d\u0915\u0925\u0928\u092e\u0928\u094d\u092f\u094b\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0902 \u0924\u0924\u094d\u092a\u094d\u0930\u092c\u094b\u0927\u0928\u092e\u094d \u0964
\n\u090f\u0924\u0926\u0947\u0915\u092a\u0930\u0924\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u091a \u092c\u094d\u0930\u0939\u094d\u092e\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0902 \u0935\u093f\u0926\u0941\u0930\u094d\u092c\u0941\u0927\u093e\u0903 (\u092a\u093e. \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092e\u0941\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947) \u0965 \u096d-\u0967\u0966\u096c \u0965<\/p>\n

taccintana\u1e43 tatkathanamanyonya\u1e43 tatprabodhanam |
\netadekaparatva\u1e43 ca brahm\u0101bhy\u0101sa\u1e43 vidurbudh\u0101\u1e25 (p\u0101. nididhy\u0101sanamucyate) \u0965 7-106 \u0965
\ntat-cintanam (\u0924\u0924\u094d \u091a\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0928\u092e\u094d): Thinking constantly on That (Truth)
\ntat-kathanam (\u0924\u0924\u094d \u0915\u0925\u0928\u092e\u094d): Talking exclusively about That (Truth)
\nanyonya\u1e41 tat-prabodhanam (\u0905\u0928\u094d\u092f\u094b\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0902 \u0924\u0924\u094d \u092a\u094d\u0930\u092c\u094b\u0927\u0928\u092e\u094d): Teaching one another about That Truth
\netad-eka-paratva\u1e41 ca (\u090f\u0924\u0924\u094d \u090f\u0915\u092a\u0930\u0924\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u091a): Totally dedicating and absorbing oneself in that alone.
\nbrahm\u0101bhy\u0101sa\u1e43 vidu\u1e25 budh\u0101\u1e25 (\u092c\u094d\u0930\u0939\u094d\u092e\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0902 \u0935\u093f\u0926\u0941\u0903 \u092c\u0941\u0927\u093e\u0903): Wise men describe the Meditation on Brahman.
\nnididhy\u0101sanam ucyate (\u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092e\u094d \u0909\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0924\u0947): This is called Nididhyasana.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wise persons describe meditation on Brahman to consist of one constantly thinking on Brahman, speaking of Brahman and enlightening one-another on the Nature of Brahman and thinking of nothing else.
\nsv\u0101mi sure\u015bvar\u0101c\u0101rya (\u0938\u094d\u0935\u093e\u092e\u093f \u0938\u0941\u0930\u0947\u0936\u094d\u0935\u0930\u091a\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f), one of the students of \u0101di \u015ba\u1e43kara bhagavatp\u0101da, clarifies it again in his commentary on the b\u1e5b u. In the bh\u0101\u1e63ya-k\u0101rika (\u092d\u093e\u0937\u094d\u092f \u0915\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0915\u093e) of the madhu br\u0101hma\u1e47a (\u092e\u0927\u0941 \u092c\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0939\u094d\u092e\u0923), he says,<\/p>\n

\u015b\u0101str\u0101c\u0101ry\u0101nubhavanairhetubhi\u015bca samarthita\u1e25 |
\n\u012bd\u1e5bgaik\u0101tmyasa\u1e43bodho nididhy\u0101sanamucyate ||
\n\u0936\u093e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093e\u091a\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0928\u0941\u092d\u0935\u0928\u0948\u0930\u094d\u0939\u0947\u0924\u0941\u092d\u093f\u0936\u094d\u091a \u0938\u092e\u0930\u094d\u0925\u093f\u0924\u0903 |
\n\u0908\u0926\u0943\u0917\u0948\u0915\u093e\u0924\u094d\u092e\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0902\u092c\u0928\u094d\u0927\u094b \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092e\u0941\u091a\u0924\u0947 ||
\n\u012bd\u1e5bk When, aik\u0101tmyasa\u1e43bodha\u1e25 the lesson of the Singular Atman, (through), \u015b\u0101stra Scriptures, \u0101c\u0101rya teacher, anubhavanai\u1e25 experiences, ca and, hetubhi\u1e25 logical reasoning, samarthita\u1e25 is confirmed, ucyate it is said, nididhy\u0101sanam profound meditation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

nididhy\u0101sana, the profound meditation, is so called when, the instruction about the Singular Atman is confirmed by scriptures, teachers, experiences and logical reasoning.
\n(Submitted at the feet of Brni. Shubhani-ji for her review of the first-write and invaluable feedback and suggestions. I take it as my blessings. Hari Om)<\/p>\n

Om tat sat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ramesh Krishnamurthy Most of us who start our study of Vedanta are advised to follow the three steps to learning about and understanding brahmavidy\u0101 – \u015brava\u1e47a, manana and nididhy\u0101sana (\u0936\u094d\u0930\u0935\u0923, \u092e\u0928\u0928 & \u0928\u093f\u0926\u093f\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938\u0928). Listening to the lessons, thinking, analyzing, clearing doubts about the lessons and then deep meditation in those lessons learnt. The most important […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-footsteps-vedanta"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1562"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1563,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1562\/revisions\/1563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmportland.org\/HariPatrika2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}