Vedanta - Discussion Forum I (introductory))

[gangajal]

Some more information about Vishistadvaita
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1. Everything, including dreams and illusions, is real. When one sees water in the desert, one is actually seeing water since through panchikarana water is present even in the desert.

2. Savikalpa means determinate seeing. Nirvikalpa means non-detreminate seeing. So any time one sees something for the first time one has a nirvikalpa experience. It takes repeated seeing to have a savikalpa experience.

3. Jnana, consciousness, is nether spiritual nor material. Jnana is the only way to see everything but there is no way to see Jnana itself. Jnana is present as an attribute of both Isvara and Jiva. Hence it is called dharmabhutajnana. Isvara's dharmabhutajnana is not constrained while Jivas who are not liberated have their dharmabhutajnana constricted.