Tattva-vicāra
Tattva-vicāra · tattva-vicāra, “inquiry into the true nature of things”
Grammar: masculine noun; a compound of tattva (the true nature of a thing, a principle) and vicāra (inquiry, reflection): “inquiry into tattva”.
Meaning: the inquiry into the true nature of the ātmā and the Para-tattva, by which the mind is made pure and ātma-jñāna is gained; and the śāstra that teaches this inquiry.
In the scriptures: In his teaching to the munis on the way to mukti, Vyāsa speaks of this inquiry. Stilling all saṅkalpas and filling the citta with sattva-guṇa, one should be devoted to inquiry into tattva. When the citta is pure, the sense of difference, “this is auspicious, this is inauspicious”, goes, and one attains the highest happiness; the mind becomes clear like the happiness of deep sleep, and shines unmoving like a lamp in a windless place.
This śāstra of inquiry into tattva is the secret of all the Vedas. It is not obtained from aitihyas (tradition-lore) or from āgamas, and it gives ātma-jñāna. Varuṇa taught it to his son Bhṛgu. As butter is brought out by churning curds and fire by churning wood, the knowers of tattva churned the śāstras that teach dharma and satya for tens of thousands of years and brought out this tattva, which gives mukti, to uplift the seekers of moksha. It is better than all wealth and all knowledge, most secret, hard for men to obtain, seen by the maharshis and taught in the Upanishads.
It should be taught to one who has studied the Veda. It must not be taught, even if he offers the whole earth in return, to one who lacks a calm mind, control of the senses, tapas, knowledge of the meaning of the Veda, obedience to the elders, freedom from envy, straight conduct and doing as he is told; nor to one whose buddhi is spoiled by tarka-śāstra, nor to a tale-bearer, nor to one who praises himself (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 237).
Related terms: Tattva · Ātma-jñāna · Adhyātma · Sāṅkhya · Moksha
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 237