Andhatamisra
By Swami Harshananda
According to the Sāñkhyadarśana, one of the more well-known systems of philosophy, there are two types of creation :
- The elemental creation
- Creation of buddhi
The second one is called pratyaya-sarga. It can be classified under sections:
Andhatā-misra is a subdivision of viparyaya and is manifested as fear of death or self-destruction. Eighteen varieties of this are mentioned. There are five gross objects of pleasure enjoyed through the five organs of perception (e.g., śabda[1] by śrotra[2] etc.) and five subtle objects, their counterparts are enjoyed in higher worlds like heaven. There are also eight siddhis or powers like aṇimā[3] and so on. The fear that these siddhis may be lost is andhatāmisra.
In the Yoga system of Patañjali this is called abhiniveśa (excessive attachment or clinging to life).
The words tāmisra and andhatāmisra have also been used in the purāṇas to indicate certain hells into which people committing certain types of heinous crimes and sins (like suicide, usurping the wealth and women of other people) are casted.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore