Āvaraṇī Buddhi
Āvaraṇī Buddhi · ā-varaṇī buddhi, “the covering understanding”
Grammar: feminine noun, āvaraṇī (covering) with buddhi (understanding).
Meaning: the understanding that the Lakshmī (wealth) one has obtained is permanent. It is one of the two forms of Vaishṇavī śakti, the other being Vivekā, the discerning understanding.
In the scriptures: In the Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, Medhas Maharshi teaches King Suratha and a vaiśya. He says that Vaishṇavī śakti has two forms, Vivekā (Vivecikā) and Āvaraṇī. Vivecikā śakti gives the Kṛshṇa-bhakta the understanding that Śrī Kṛshṇa is truth itself and eternal, and that everything other than him is impermanent; this discerning buddhi is most ancient. Āvaraṇī buddhi is the idea that the wealth one has obtained is permanent. It is found only in karmabhujas, those who live to enjoy the fruits of karma, who are not Vishṇu-bhaktas.
Medhas names himself as the son of Pracetas, with Brahmā as his grandfather, who received Kṛshṇa-jñāna from Śrī Śaṅkara. He tells the king to go to the bank of a river and worship Vaishṇavī Durgā Devī: since he desires to regain his kingdom, she will give him Āvaraṇa-buddhi. To the vaiśya, who has renounced all desires and serves Durgā, the compassionate Devī will give pure Vivecikā-buddhi. Medhas then taught them Durgā Devī’s pūjā-vidhāna, stotra, kavaca and mantra.
Sources
- Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, Chapter 62