Gaudapadacharya “asparsa yoga” for attaining “no mind”: A historical method of advaita vedanta for teaching “human liberation” in a profound way

The article examines Gaudapada's Mandukya Karika and Shankara's commentary to argue that human suffering (Samsara) arises from perceiving duality (subject-object distinction). Freedom (Moksha) is attained through nonduality (Advaita), realized by constant discrimination between the real and unreal. This leads to 'no-mind' (Amanibhava), a state where the mind ceases grasping desires upon recognizing oneself as Existence, Consciousness, Bliss (Brahman). This non-grasping mind constitutes liberation, a Vedantic Samadhi distinct from yogic mystical states.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article is based on the two verses from the 3rd chapter known as “Advaita Prakaranam” (section of nonduality) of text called “Mandukya Karika” written by the author Gaudapada. At the beginning of the text Gaudapada tells, the problems which human beings have in the world (Samsara) are due to the perception of duality (subject-object duality). He says, the duality causes Samsara (problems in the worldly life) and nonduality (one without a second) is the freedom. Hence, “Advaita” (nonduality) is the freedom (Moksha) and duality (Dvaitam) is “Samsara” (Worldly troubles or bondage). According to Shankara's commentary on Gaudapada's texts, “no-mind” can be attained by constant practice of discrimination between the real and the unreal (repeated discrimination), all based upon reasoning. Gaudapada says “Amanibhava” (no-mind) means managing the mind or spiritualizing the mind. It means when a person realizes the truth about oneself as the “Existence, consciousness, Bliss” (The Absolute or Brahman) then, in the mind, there will be no more desiring or reaching out or grasping. When the mind finds nothing out there to grasp then it becomes a “nongrasping mind” (Agraham) that is called a “no-mind” state. This “no mind” state is referred to “freedom or liberation” from worldly suffering according to Advaita Vedanta Philosophy. This state of complete identity with nondual Brahman, arrived at as a result of discrimination and negation of phenomena, is the Vedantic conception of Samadhi (which is quite different from any mystical state described as Samadhi in the Yoga system).