Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.209

c16.209

**Apara- and Para-Vairāgya.** This fourth stage of *Vairāgya* is not the final stage. *Vairāgya* in its four stages as described above is *Apara-Vairāgya*, which ripens into the final stage called *Para-Vairāgya*. *Apara-Vairāgya* is negative. Here the mind turns away from (*virakta*) objects, those of daily life (*dṛishṭa*) and those prescribed as ultimate ends (*ānuśravika*). This detachment from objects is due to perception of their inherent imperfections (*vishaya-dosha-darśī*) which are three-fold, comprising the three afflictions (*tritāpa*) of spiritual bafflement (*ādhyātmika*), sorrows arising from the material world (*ādhibhautika*) and those that are inflicted by chance and super-natural agencies (*ādhidaivika*) [*Bhāsvatī*]. On the mind thus detached from the realm of desired ends dawns the ‘awareness of Purusha’ (*purusha-khyāti*). In this state of detachment which is also one of purity (*śuddhi*), the *Buddhi* (intellect) achieves equipoise and placidity (*tatśuddhiviveka-āpyāita-buddhi*). Out of this state of *apara-vairāgya* arises that of *para-vairagya* marked by a serene insight, self-fulfilling, and self-fulfilled (*jñāna-prasāda*). In it, “all that is worthy of attainment has been attained; all that has to be given up has been rejected; the links in the chain of births and deaths have been broken. This *Vairāgya* marks the highest point of knowledge (*jñānasya parākāshṭhā*), and holds within it *Kaivalya* (mukti, salvation).”