Neti neti: Difference between revisions

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==Significance==
==Significance==
Neti neti, meaning, "Not this, not this", is the method of Vedic analysis of [[negation]]. It is a keynote of Vedic inquiry.  With its aid the Jnani negates identification with all things of this world, which is [[Anatman (Hinduism)|Anatman]] ("not-self"). Through this gradual process he negates the mind and transcends all worldly experiences that are negated till nothing remains but the Self. He attains the Absolute by denying the body, name, form, intellect, senses and all limiting adjuncts and discovers what remains, the true "I" alone.<ref>{{cite book|title=Meditation and Mantras:An Authoritative Text|author=Vishnu Devanand|year=1999|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|place=New Delhi|page=119|isbn=9788120816152|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgnTT0eqwIoC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA119}}</ref> L. C. Beckett, in his book ''Neti Neti'', explains that the term represents something inexpressible—'suchness' (essence) of that which it refers to when "no other definition applies to it".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Lotus Effect|author=Pavel G. Somov|date=October 2010|publisher=New Harbinger Publications|page=34|isbn=9781608821389|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xaYEQw4Cqc8C&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA34}}</ref> Neti neti negates all descriptions about the Ultimate Reality but not reality itself,<ref>{{cite book|title=Quantum Rope|author=Subhash Sharma|year=2000|publisher=New Age International|page=158|isbn=9788122411874|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fv1IPqpDDCAC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA158}}</ref> annihilating our sense of self altogether.<ref>{{cite book|title=Advanced Yoga Practices Vol.2|author=Yogini|date=December 2010|publisher=AYP publishing|page=247|isbn=9780981925547|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pWDZorvxl1sC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA247}}</ref>
“Neti neti,” is a Vedic expression used as part of a contemplative process to realize the nature of the Self ([[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atman]]). With its aid, one negates identification with all things of this world, which is [[Anatman (Hinduism)|Anatman]] ("not-Self"). Through a [[process of elimination]], all worldly objects and experiences, including the mind itself are excluded as not-Self until nothing remains but the Self. The inquirer thus attains [[jnana]] by negating the body, name, form, intellect, senses and all limiting adjuncts and discovers what remains, the Self.<ref>{{cite book|title=Meditation and Mantras:An Authoritative Text|author=Vishnu Devanand|year=1999|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|place=New Delhi|page=119|isbn=9788120816152|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgnTT0eqwIoC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA119}}</ref> L. C. Beckett, in his book ''Neti Neti'', explains that the term represents something inexpressible—'suchness' (essence) of that which it refers to when "no other definition applies to it".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Lotus Effect|author=Pavel G. Somov|date=October 2010|publisher=New Harbinger Publications|page=34|isbn=9781608821389|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xaYEQw4Cqc8C&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA34}}</ref> Neti neti negates all descriptions about the Ultimate Reality but not reality itself,<ref>{{cite book|title=Quantum Rope|author=Subhash Sharma|year=2000|publisher=New Age International|page=158|isbn=9788122411874|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fv1IPqpDDCAC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA158}}</ref> annihilating our sense of self altogether.<ref>{{cite book|title=Advanced Yoga Practices Vol.2|author=Yogini|date=December 2010|publisher=AYP publishing|page=247|isbn=9780981925547|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pWDZorvxl1sC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA247}}</ref>


Neti neti is indirectly referenced in [[Brahma Sutras]] III.2.22 and was cited by pre-Shankara commentators such as [[Śabara|Sabara]], [[Gaudapada|Gauḍapada]], and [[Maṇḍana Miśra|Mandana]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Acharya |first=Diwakar |date=2013-01-01 |title=Néti néti Meaning and Function of an Enigmatic Phrase in the Gārgya-Ajātaśatru dialogue of Bṛhad Āraṇyaka Upaniṣad II.1 and II.3 |url= |journal=Indo-Iranian Journal |language=en |volume=56 |issue=1 |pages=3–39 |doi=10.1163/001972412-620402 |issn=0019-7246}}</ref> [[Adi Shankara]] was one of the foremost [[List of teachers of Advaita Vedanta|Advaita philosophers]] who advocated the neti-neti approach. In his commentary on [[Gaudapada]]’s Karika, Shankara explains that [[Brahman]] is free from adjuncts and the function of ''neti neti'' is to remove the obstructions produced by ignorance. Shankara's disciple, [[Sureśvara|Sureshvara]], further explains that the negation, ''neti neti'', does not have negation as its purpose, it purports identity.<ref>{{cite book|title=Negative Theory|author=Harold G. Coward |date=January 1992 |authorlink=Harold Coward |publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|page=204|isbn=9780791409633 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xv9JLVBNHSYC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA204}}</ref> The sage of the [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]] II iii 1-6, beginning with there are two forms of Brahman, the material and the immaterial, the solid and the fluid, the Sat ‘being’ and tya, ‘that’ of Satya – which means true, denies the existence of everything other than Brahman. And therefore, there exists no separate entity like [[Jiva]] which Shankara states is the reflection of Brahman in Avidya (ignorance).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Sacred Books of the Hindus Vol.5, Part 1|author=Baman Das Basu|year=2007|publisher=Genesis Publishing (P) Ltd.|page=480|isbn=9788130705545|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=szMvRnYw6QsC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA480}}</ref>
Neti neti is indirectly referenced in [[Brahma Sutras]] III.2.22 and was cited by pre-Shankara commentators such as [[Śabara|Sabara]], [[Gaudapada|Gauḍapada]], and [[Maṇḍana Miśra|Mandana]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Acharya |first=Diwakar |date=2013-01-01 |title=Néti néti Meaning and Function of an Enigmatic Phrase in the Gārgya-Ajātaśatru dialogue of Bṛhad Āraṇyaka Upaniṣad II.1 and II.3 |url= |journal=Indo-Iranian Journal |language=en |volume=56 |issue=1 |pages=3–39 |doi=10.1163/001972412-620402 |issn=0019-7246}}</ref> [[Adi Shankara]] was one of the foremost [[List of teachers of Advaita Vedanta|Advaita philosophers]] who advocated the neti-neti approach. In his commentary on [[Gaudapada]]’s ''Karika'', Shankara explains that [[Brahman]] is free from adjuncts and the function of ''neti neti'' is to remove the obstructions produced by ignorance. Shankara's disciple, [[Sureśvara|Sureshvara]], further explains that the negation, ''neti neti'', does not have negation as its purpose, it purports identity.<ref>{{cite book|title=Negative Theory|author=Harold G. Coward |date=January 1992 |authorlink=Harold Coward |publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|page=204|isbn=9780791409633 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xv9JLVBNHSYC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA204}}</ref> The sage of the [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]] II iii 1-6, beginning with there are two forms of Brahman, the material and the immaterial, the solid and the fluid, the Sat ‘being’ and tya, ‘that’ of Satya – which means true, denies the existence of everything other than Brahman. And therefore, there exists no separate entity like [[Jiva]] which Shankara states is the reflection of Brahman in Avidya (ignorance).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Sacred Books of the Hindus Vol.5, Part 1|author=Baman Das Basu|year=2007|publisher=Genesis Publishing (P) Ltd.|page=480|isbn=9788130705545|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=szMvRnYw6QsC&q=Neti+Neti&pg=PA480}}</ref>


"Here, then, is the rule of substitution: 'not ____, not ____,' for there is nothing beyond the 'not.'" BU II iii 6<ref>Upanisads, a new translation by Patrick Olivelle. Oxford University Press. p. 28.</ref>
"Here, then, is the rule of substitution: 'not ____, not ____,' for there is nothing beyond the 'not.'" BU II iii 6<ref>Upanisads, a new translation by Patrick Olivelle. Oxford University Press. p. 28.</ref>

Latest revision as of 23:03, 22 June 2025

Template:Short description Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists Neti Neti (Sanskrit : नेति नेति) is a Sanskrit expression which means "not this, not that", or "neither this, nor that" (Template:Transliteration is sandhi from Template:Transliteration "not so"). It is found in the Upanishads and the Avadhuta Gita and constitutes an analytical meditation helping a person to understand the nature of Brahman by negating everything that is not Brahman. One of the key elements of Jnana Yoga practice is often a "neti neti search." The purpose of the exercise is to negate all objects of consciousness, including thoughts and the mind, and to realize non-dual awareness.

Significance

“Neti neti,” is a Vedic expression used as part of a contemplative process to realize the nature of the Self (Atman). With its aid, one negates identification with all things of this world, which is Anatman ("not-Self"). Through a process of elimination, all worldly objects and experiences, including the mind itself are excluded as not-Self until nothing remains but the Self. The inquirer thus attains jnana by negating the body, name, form, intellect, senses and all limiting adjuncts and discovers what remains, the Self.[1] L. C. Beckett, in his book Neti Neti, explains that the term represents something inexpressible—'suchness' (essence) of that which it refers to when "no other definition applies to it".[2] Neti neti negates all descriptions about the Ultimate Reality but not reality itself,[3] annihilating our sense of self altogether.[4]

Neti neti is indirectly referenced in Brahma Sutras III.2.22 and was cited by pre-Shankara commentators such as Sabara, Gauḍapada, and Mandana.[5] Adi Shankara was one of the foremost Advaita philosophers who advocated the neti-neti approach. In his commentary on Gaudapada’s Karika, Shankara explains that Brahman is free from adjuncts and the function of neti neti is to remove the obstructions produced by ignorance. Shankara's disciple, Sureshvara, further explains that the negation, neti neti, does not have negation as its purpose, it purports identity.[6] The sage of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad II iii 1-6, beginning with there are two forms of Brahman, the material and the immaterial, the solid and the fluid, the Sat ‘being’ and tya, ‘that’ of Satya – which means true, denies the existence of everything other than Brahman. And therefore, there exists no separate entity like Jiva which Shankara states is the reflection of Brahman in Avidya (ignorance).[7]

"Here, then, is the rule of substitution: 'not ____, not ____,' for there is nothing beyond the 'not.'" BU II iii 6[8]

"About this self, one can only say 'not ____, not ____.'" BU IV v 15[9]

Another explanation is in the book Introduction to the Vedārthasangraha of Sri Ramanujacharya by S. S. Raghavachar based on the Vishishtadvaita view: Template:Quote This implies an extremely interesting aspect of the various possibilities an entity can go through. The fact that a person didn't know the alphabet as a baby is true, but whether s/he will not know it even as an adult depends on the person, who being nothing else but the manifestation of Brahman can become the causation to manifest into a highly literate person or illiterate, whichever personality the person desired for, subject to Karma/causality which is nothing else but Brahman again; Brahman itself being the cause of all Karma.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Avadhuta Gita

The following was extracted from Avadhuta Gita 1.25 on Wikisource:

Sanskrit in Devanagari:
तत्त्वमस्यादिवाक्येन स्वात्मा हि प्रतिपादितः ।
नेति नेति श्रुतिर्ब्रूयाद अनृतं पाञ्चभौतिकम् ।। २५।।

IAST:
tattvamasyādivākyena svātmā hi pratipāditaḥ /
neti neti śrutirbrūyād anṛtaṁ pāñcabhautikam //25//

By such sentences as "That thou art," our own Self is affirmed. Of that which is untrue and composed of the five elements - the Sruti (scripture) says, "Not this, not this."

See also

References

Template:Reflist

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Upanisads, a new translation by Patrick Olivelle. Oxford University Press. p. 28.
  9. ↑ Upanisads, A new translation by Patrick Olivelle. Oxford University Press. p. 71.
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