Adhikari-bheda
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
 |
Adhikari-bheda, the Sanskrit expression which is a combination of two words – "adhikari", meaning the rightful or the qualified, and "bheda", meaning distinction or difference, loosely refers to the distinction between qualified persons or to the difference of the qualified aspirants capable of apprehending the same truth.[1] The principle of Adhikari-bheda, universally accepted by the Hindus, is the foundation on which the teachings of the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita which texts contain though not contradictory various doctrines meant for people at different stages of spiritual evolution, are based, in which principle the method of Arundhatī Darśana Nyāya applies.[2]
Arundhatī Darśana Nyāya is the method of spotting the tiny star, Arundhati, with the help of bigger stars.
Hinduism is a composite of various darshanas; the conflict amongst them is avoided by the twin doctrines of "Adhikara" and "Ista". Adhikara means eligibility; it is not a gradation but an acceptance of fact or realism in the spiritual sphere and a question of duty. A person's faith is determined by the kind of man he is, and his creed depends on his adhikara which eligibility determines his Ista or ideal. Therefore, Adhikari-bheda refers to differences in eligibility which apparent difference arises from a difference in perspective. It helps in taking adequate care of the truth of experience or soundness of doctrines.[3] In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna urges Arjuna to follow his caste duties of fighting and not take to the sadharana dharma of ahimsa and spared no philosophy (including code of ethics and religion) at his command for this purpose. The branches and sub-branches of Hindu philosophy and Ethics, which are largely individualistic, are based on the spiritual competence or adhikari-bheda.[4] Thus, Adhikari-bheda is the difference in the persons who can follow certain procedures to discharge their respective duties.[5]
It permits Upasana.[6] Sankara, in conformity with this principle, replaces the concepts of truth and error with the concepts of adequacy, inadequacy and degrees of adequacy, he recognized the fact that the Ultimate cannot be formulated but a formulation of the Ultimate is not an error which formulation can serve as stepping stone to rise higher.[7]
In Tantric yoga Adhikari-bheda is an important and integral part of the discipline called Sadhana on the premise that all are not capable of understanding, living or realizing the highest ideal for which reason a uniform discipline cannot be prescribed. Each individual has to be gradually uplifted in accordance with the discipline which is not too remote to each individual's understanding, natural temperament and capacity. This school divides human seekers into three distinct types or categories viz – "Pasu" (the animal type), "Vira" (the heroic type) and "Divya" (the divine type), which categorisation corresponds to three stages of human evolution, for not all have the capacity to realise the highest spiritual aim in the present birth but progress made if any in the present birth is carried over to the next birth.[8]
It was also used by Swami Vivekananda for a rational defence of Hinduism, as it allowed people to choose their own creed and sect based on their temperaments.[9] The idea is also pervasive throughout the corpus of Mahayoga and Yogini Tantras of Buddhism.[10]
Usage in defense of caste
[edit]The principle of Adhikari-bheda has also been made to refer to the notion that each caste and sect has its own rituals and beliefs, in a unified, but hierarchically differentiated structure within which each knows its place.[11]
Swami Vivekananda has however provided the interpretation that caste is an expression of an individual's nature, and has condemned the idea of caste a being crystallized structure or hereditary class as a corruption of this original definition of caste. [12]
References
[edit]- ^ John A. Grimes (17 October 1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy. SUNY Press. p. 11. ISBN 9780791430682.
- ^ Badarayana. Brahma-Sutras (with translation and commentary by Swami Vireswarananda). Advaita Ashrama. p. liv. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
- ^ Arvind Sharma (June 2006). Religious Studies and Comparative Methodology. SUNY Press. pp. 14–19. ISBN 9780791464564.
- ^ Surendranath Dasgupta (1982). Philosophical Essays. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 258. ISBN 9788120807501.
- ^ Srivatsa Ramaswami (22 June 2006). Yoga Beneath the Surface. Hachette Books. p. 224. ISBN 9781569242940.
- ^ Govind Chandra Pande (1994). Life and Thought of Sankaracarya. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 376. ISBN 9788120811041.
- ^ Jehangir N. Chubb (1983). Faith Possesses Understanding. Concept Publishing Co. p. 64.
- ^ M.S.Srinivasan. "Yoga as Applied Psychology". Archived from the original on 2013-04-12.
- ^ Saral Jhingran (1989). Aspects of Hindu Morality. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 24. ISBN 978-81-208-0574-3.
Adhikara bheda.
- ^ Christian K. Wedemeyer (2013). Making Sense of Tantric Buddhism. Columbia University Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780231162401.
- ^ David E. Ludden (April 1996). Contesting the Nation. Pennsylvania Press. p. 277. ISBN 0812215850.
- ^ Vivekananda, Swami (3 January 1895). The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 4, Writings Prose, A Plan of Work for India. p. 182. Retrieved 6 March 2025.