Question

‘Hare’s horn (śāśa-viṣāṇa)’, according to the Philosophy of Yoga, is a valid example of which kind of citta-vṛtti?

• A. Constructive Imagination (vikalpa)
• B. Wrong cognition or false knowledge (viparyaya)
• C. Absence of cognition or sleep (nidra)
• D. Memory (smṛti)

Hint:

In Yoga philosophy, constructive imagination (vikalpa) refers to the mental creation of ideas or images that do not correspond to reality, like the "Hare's horn."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding citta-vṛtti.
In Yoga philosophy, citta-vṛtti refers to the mental modifications or fluctuations. "Hare's horn" is a classical example used to explain a type of mental activity that involves a false imagination or a product of the mind, which is known as constructive imagination (vikalpa).
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Constructive Imagination (vikalpa): This is correct because the example of "Hare’s horn" is a product of the mind, illustrating a mental construction that does not correspond to reality.
- (B) Wrong cognition or false knowledge (viparyaya): This option refers to misperceptions or incorrect knowledge, but the example is about an imagination rather than incorrect cognition.
- (C) Absence of cognition or sleep (nidra): This is not relevant to the example given, as the "Hare’s horn" example involves active imagination, not sleep or unconsciousness.
- (D) Memory (smṛti): This refers to recollection, but the "Hare’s horn" is not an example of a memory, but rather an imagined construct.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) Constructive Imagination (vikalpa), as it directly relates to the concept of a false mental construct.