Viparyaya

By Swami Harshanand

Viparyāya literally means ‘contrariety’.

This is a technical term used in the Yogasutras. The cittavrttis or the modifications of the mind, though they appear to be infinite, can be classified into five broad groups:

1. Pramāṇa - means of valid knowledge
2. Viparyāya - contrariety
3. Vikalpa - mere concept
4. Nidrā - sleep
5. Smṛti - memory

Viparyaya, the second, is defined as mithyājñāna or false knowledge. It is not based on reality. When we see a snake in twilight in a rope lying on the ground, it is viparyāya, seeing one thing for another. Avidyā is an another name for it.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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