167. ABHINAVAGUPTA'S THEORY OF ÆSTHETICS 187

ABHINAVAGUPTA'S THEORY OF ÆSTHETICS 187

PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTION OF VAIRAGYA AND ITS RELATION TO SELF-REALISATION (TATTVAJNANA). According to the Yoga system, the mental attitudes towards the objective world are determined by predominance of any one of the three qualities (Gunas). 1. Sattva 2. Rajas and 3. Tamas. 1. When Sattva predominates over Rajas and Tamas and the latter two are in the condition of equality with each other, the mind1 is drawn to the acquisition of super- natural powers and sweet sounds etc. 2. When Tamas predominates over Sattva and Rajas, the mind is drawn to acts, based on lack of faith in religion and ignorance. It is then excessively attached to the worldly objects (Avairägyopagama) and experiences disappointment everywhere. 3. When, however. darkness of Tamas disappears and Rajas co-operates with Sattva, the position is reversed. The mind then is drawn to the acts, based on faith in religion and true knowledge of facts. It is then indifferent to the objects of the world (Vairagyopagama) and feels no disappointment. 4. But when the Sattva is perfectly free from the impurities of Rajas and Tamas, the consciousness of distinction between Buddhi and the Self dawns. 5. The consciousness of distinction between Buddhi and Purusa consists in perfect freedom of the Sattva from the impurities of Rajas and Tamas, and, therefore, is identical with it. The Self-realisation, however, is different from it. For, in perfect self-realisation, even the consciousness of Buddhi, involved in the consciousness of distinction (Vivekakhyāti) must disappear : the conscious- 1. Y. S. (M, P.) 5