Parimal Devanath

  Sa/bandha   Samav§ya It is a necessary prerequisite to understand the concept of Sa/bandha (relationship) for grasping the theory of adhy§sa (superimposition). Samav§ya is the most important concept and it also the corner stone of the Ny§ya-Vai<e>ika system. Samav§ya is one kind of V&tti-Niy§maka sa/bandha. The systems of Ny§ya-Vai<e>ika regard it as a separate category altogether. Samav§ya is ‘an intimate relationship’ between two objects which are generally inseparable. This sa/bandha is found: i) between a part and a whole ( avayava and avayav$ ), the generic character and the individual manifestation ( j § ti and vyakti ), For example, a composite whole remains in its constituent parts e.g., the cloth exists in yarns, by which it is composed. ii) the quality and the substance qualified ( gu;a and karma ) and, iii)   A generic character remains in an individual e.g., manu>yatva (humanity) exists in all human beings, gha+a...

  Yoga in the West The first steps With the grand persona of Swami Vivekananda coming to the scene of world religious forum and talking perhaps for the first time with the fire of conviction blazing, the perception towards the country of India changed forever.   Swamiji spoke of the Aryan or Vedic civilization, that promoted a cultless cult through an array of systems (philosophical schools, spiritual trends and many more) outwardly appearing diverse in nature yet co-existing quite harmoniously.   In this civilization a dualist many agree with a non-dualist, yet they would very passionately and respectfully listen to the opponents viewpoint and try to understand the same without much prejudice. For the west, this was kind of a new opening:   a scope for broadening the horizons of mind and intellect. On a more practical line, Swamiji emphatically spoke on the lessons of Advaita (monistic lessons) and Rajayoga.   Not just that he spoke big words.   H...