Information Studies

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Knowledge Transfer for Spiritual Enlightenment:Master-Disciple Tradition in Ancient India


Affiliations
1 University of Mysore, Mysore-570006, India
2 Library and Information Services, No. 5, 1st. Cross, I Stage, Gokulam, Mysore - 570002, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Explains the method of transmission of knowledge from master to disciple at the time of Spiritual Enlightenment in ancient Indian tradition. Attempt is made to explain the role of words in spiritual discourses and how these words move spiritual disciples into the transcendental plane. The classical method of transmission of spiritual experience by listening, reflective thinking and meditating {Sravana, Manana and Nidhidhyasana) is elaborated. The role and importance of the spiritual masters who are the real abode of true knowledge, carriers of spiritual knowledge, and transmitters of spiritual experience are highlighted. The spiritual master is shown as the fulcrum of all philosophical endeavor: The spiritual master is like a map that guides; the master is like a mirror who reflects and shows the true inner nature, the master is thus the culmination of spiritual knowledge and experience and enables the spiritual enlightenment of the disciples. Presentation also indicates various analogies regarding communication of information while blessing, taken from the animal kingdom, particularly in respect of communication mechanism. Paper projects the Ultimate Existence, Consciousness and Bliss {Sat Chit Ananda) as the Immutable Reality and the means of experiencing the Ultimate Reality- the Supreme Self. The methods of knowledge and communication mechanism in.the realm of spirituality according to Indian philosophy is explained.

Keywords

Spiritual Knowledge, Transfer, Master to Disciple, Gurukula . System, Ancient India.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Hiriyanna, M (1956). Outlines of Indian philosophy. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.

  • Harrison, Steven (2009). Doing nothing: coming to the end of the spiritual search. New Delhi: Wisdom Tree.

  • Krishnamurthy, J (2202). Meditations. Chennai: Krishnamurthy Foundation India.

  • Natarajan, A.R, Ed. (1996). Practical guide to know yourself: Conversations with Sri. Ramanamaharshi. Bangalore: Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning.

  • Subrahmanian, K, Tr. (2006). Living with the Master: Reminiscences by Kunjuswami. Tiruvannamalai: Sri Ramanasratnam.

  • Frydman, Maurice, Tr. (1999). / am That: Talks with Nisargadatta Maharaj. Durham, North Carolina: The Acorn Press.

  • Osho (1997). Enlightenment: The' only revolution - discourses on the great mystic Ashtavakra. Pune: The Rebel Publishing House.

  • Chinmayananda, Swami (1959). Discourses on the Kenopanishad. Calcutta: Sri. K.B.Puri.

  • Madhavananda, Swami (1980). Mirwr Upanishads. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama.

  • Ramakrishna Rao, K.B. Three lectures on Advaita as philosophy and religion. Mysore: University of Mysore. 1969

  • Satchidanandendra Saraswati, Swami. (1996). The pristine pure advaita philosophy ofAdi Sankara. Holenarasipura, Hassan: Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya.

  • Rao, K.B.R. (1965). Ontology of advaita. Mulki: Vijaya College.

  • Nikhilananda, Swami (1975). The Upanishads: Aitareya and Brhadaranyaka. New Yoric: Sri. Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Centre.

  • Nikhilananda, Swami (1963). Upanishads. London: George Allen & Unwin.

  • Nikhilananda, Swami (1949). Upanishads. New York: Harper & Row. v.1-3.

  • Nikhilananda, Swami (9159). Upanishads. London: Phonex House, v.4

  • Raghavachar, S.S. (1956). Introduction to Vedarthasangraha of Sree Ramanujacharya. Mangalore: Mangalore Trading Association.

  • Harshananda, Swami (2008). A concise encyclopedia of Hinduism, Bangalore: Sri Ramakrishna Mutt. v.l.

  • Gambhirananda, Swami (2006). Chandogya Upanishad with commentary of Sankaracharya. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama.

  • Varadachari, K.C. (1969). Visistadvaita and its development. Tirupati: Chakravarti.

  • Krishnamurthy, J. (2002). Meditations. Chennai: Krishnamurthy Foundation India.

  • Osho (1996). The master is a mirror. New Delhi: Diamond Pocket Books..

  • Brunton, Paul (2003)- A search in secret India. Ed.3: Rider.

  • Natarajan, A.R. (1996). Meditations: The Ramana way. Bangalore: Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning,

  • Rajaneesh, Bhagawan Shree (1979). Pointing the way. Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass Publishers.

  • Harshananda, Swami (199S). An Introduction to Hindu culture: Ancient & medieval. Bangalore: Ramakrishna Mutt.

  • Pande, Govind Chandra. (1998). Life and thought of Sankaracarya. Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass Publishers.

  • Max Muller, F. (1972). The Upanishads. Delhi: Oriental Publishers. (Sacred Books of the East. V.15)

  • Deussen, Paul (1905). Upanishad'sDes Veda. Leipzig: F.A.Brockhaus.

  • Williams, Monier (1963). Indian wisdom. Varanasi: Choukamba Sanskrit Series Publications, v. 36.

  • Hume, Robert Ernest (1858). The thirteen principal Upanishads. London: Oxford University Press.

  • Bahm, Archie J. (1961). Yoga: Union with the Ultimate. Amold-Heinemann.

  • Sood, D.R. (1970). Swami Ramtirth. New Delhi: National Book Trust.

  • Vireswarananda, Swami (2005). Brahmasutras: According to Sri Sankara. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama.

  • Ranganathananda, Swami (2004). Universal message of the Bhagavadgita : An exposition ofGita in the light of modem thought and modem needs. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama. 3 v.

  • Yatiswarananda, Swami (1989). Meditation and spiritual life, Ed. 2. Bangalore: Ramakrishna Ashram.

  • Osho (1976). Living Tao. Pune: Tao Publishing Ltd.

  • Nijagunashivayogi. (1995). Nijagunara samagra kmtigalu. v.l. Ed. by S. Vidyashankara. Bangalore: Directorate of Kannada and Culture, (text in kannada)

  • Siddheswaraswami (1996). Spiritual wisdom of Srimannijaguna Shivayogi. Mysore, Sri Shivaratriswara Dharmika Granthamale.

  • Hiriyanna, M. Popular essays in Indian philosophy. Mysore, Kavyalaya Publications. Recent Publication


Abstract Views: 227

PDF Views: 0




  • Knowledge Transfer for Spiritual Enlightenment:Master-Disciple Tradition in Ancient India

Abstract Views: 227  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

C. P. Ramasesh
University of Mysore, Mysore-570006, India
D. N. Nagaraja Rao
Library and Information Services, No. 5, 1st. Cross, I Stage, Gokulam, Mysore - 570002, India

Abstract


Explains the method of transmission of knowledge from master to disciple at the time of Spiritual Enlightenment in ancient Indian tradition. Attempt is made to explain the role of words in spiritual discourses and how these words move spiritual disciples into the transcendental plane. The classical method of transmission of spiritual experience by listening, reflective thinking and meditating {Sravana, Manana and Nidhidhyasana) is elaborated. The role and importance of the spiritual masters who are the real abode of true knowledge, carriers of spiritual knowledge, and transmitters of spiritual experience are highlighted. The spiritual master is shown as the fulcrum of all philosophical endeavor: The spiritual master is like a map that guides; the master is like a mirror who reflects and shows the true inner nature, the master is thus the culmination of spiritual knowledge and experience and enables the spiritual enlightenment of the disciples. Presentation also indicates various analogies regarding communication of information while blessing, taken from the animal kingdom, particularly in respect of communication mechanism. Paper projects the Ultimate Existence, Consciousness and Bliss {Sat Chit Ananda) as the Immutable Reality and the means of experiencing the Ultimate Reality- the Supreme Self. The methods of knowledge and communication mechanism in.the realm of spirituality according to Indian philosophy is explained.

Keywords


Spiritual Knowledge, Transfer, Master to Disciple, Gurukula . System, Ancient India.

References