Vikalpa

'''Vikalpa''' is a Sanskrit philosophical term used in Hinduism and Buddhism, meaning erroneous conceptualizations ("concepts, judgements, views, and opinions") which are coloured by emotions and desires.<ref name="Oxford Reference">Oxford reference, [https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803115839147 Vikalpa]</ref> In Yogacara, it is the split between a perceiver and objects perceived, which constructs an erroneous reification of both.<ref name="Oxford Reference"/>

'''Nirvikalpa''' is the absence, or 'seeing-through', of these erroneous mental constructions, as aimed for in yoga and meditation, in which both the calming of the mind (samatha, samadhi) and insight into the workings of the mind (prajna, bodhi, vipassana) are sought after.

== Different senses of Vikalpa == In the Abhidharma-Yogacara tradition, the term vikalpa is used in three different senses:<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Keng |first=Ching |date=2019-03-01 |title=What is Svabhāva-vikalpa and with Which Consciousness(es) is it Associated? |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10781-018-09377-8 |journal=Journal of Indian Philosophy |language=en |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=73–93 |doi=10.1007/s10781-018-09377-8 |issn=1573-0395|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

* sensory awareness: like the eye seeing a color, which is a simple, non-conceptual perception that does not distinguish between details like blue versus yellow. * mental activity: involves organizing and focusing sensory input. * conceptualization: involves applying names and concepts to what is perceived and using memory to label objects.

== Vikalpa in Yoga Sutras == In Yoga Sutra I.9, vikalpa is defined as the use of words or expressions that do not correspond to an actual object or reality (''vastu-sunya''). Commentators take vikalpa to be metaphorical or figurative language that conveys meaning but lacks a basis in physical reality. For example, phrases like "consciousness is the essence of ''purusa''" imply a distinction that does not exist in reality, ''purusa'' and consciousness are not separate entities. Similarly, expressions like "the sun rises and sets" or "time flies" are vikalpas; they do not describe literal truths but are universally understood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Bryant |first=Edwin F. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/243544645 |title=The Yoga sūtras of Patañjali: a new edition, translation, and commentary with insights from the traditional commentators |last2=Patañjali |date=2009 |publisher=North Point Press |isbn=978-0-86547-736-0 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=39-41 |oclc=243544645}}</ref>

Unlike ''pramana'' (accurate knowledge) and ''viparyaya'' (error), ''vikalpa'' is neither an error of judgment nor objectively real, but it is meaningful and intelligible to others. This sets it apart as a distinct ''vritti'' (mental modification) in the Yoga Sutras. Nyaya, for example, view it as a form of error.<ref name=":0" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vikalpa Vikalpa], Wisdom Library

Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts Category:Hindu philosophical concepts