EDUCATION (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Adhyāsa (Sanskrit: Superimposition) is a concept in Hindu philosophy referring to the superimposition of an attribute, quality, or characteristic of one entity onto another entity. In Advaita Vedanta, Adhyasa means a false superimposition of the characteristics of physical body (birth, death, skin color etc.)

Detailed explanation-2: -This Adhyasa is of two kinds, viz., one-sided, e.g., the snake is superimposed on the rope but not the rope on the snake and mutual (Anyonya Adhyasa) i.e., Atman and its attributes are superimposed on the Koshas and the Koshas and their attributes are superimposed on the Atman.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Advaita epistemology there is a gradual unfolding of mental mode. Sankara advocates three levels of reality-the transcendental reality, empirical reality and apparent reality. All objects, Sankara holds, are real in their own levels of existence. His philosophy teaches us the gradual unfolding of reality.

Detailed explanation-4: -Advaita Vedanta describes the creation as the superimposition (adbyasa), through mdyd, of names and forms upon Brahman. An adequate understanding of the concept of superimposition is crucial to the understanding of Advaita Vedanta. The purpose of T. M. P. Mahadevan’s book is to explain this key concept.