ज्ञानभूमिः

In one of the classes of Prof. VN Jha sir, under the auspices of Vidya Vatika, Rishi Rina Trust, I learnt how the Nyāya language was frequently used in the commentary of Gita (3.18) so beautifully by Shri Madhusudana, in one of the Sanskrit through Bhagvadgita classes. Karma is not the means of निःश्रेयस. निःश्रेयस is नित्य.  In a very early stages of learnings we learnt about abhyudaya and niḥśreyasa about which I will post in yet another blog. There are ways to understand the seven ladders which are prescribed in Yoga Vasiṣṭha to achieve the niḥśreyasa-mukti. And साधन चतुष्ट्य (Tatvabodha) gives a glimpse on how one achieves the first ladder of the preparatory stage called ज्ञानभूमिः among the successive seven ladders. 

ज्ञानभूमिः 

— is the first preparatory stage which is achieved through साधन चतुष्टय। 

1. नित्य-अनित्य-वस्तु-विवेक—Distinguish between non eternal and eternal. This will lead to 2nd साधन.
2. इह-अमुत्र-फल-भोग-विराग—One should cultivate detachment towards enjoyment of the result -swarga; this leads to third stage of preparation.
3. शम-दमादि-षट्-सम्पद्—(Tatvabodha classes) this understanding and internalization will take you to the stage of stable desire.

• शमः—अन्तरिन्द्रियनिग्रहः—control over internal sense organ
• दमः —बहिन्द्रियनिग्रहः—control over outer sense organ, bringing calmness
• उपरतिः—उपरतस्य इन्द्रियस्य पुनः विषय प्रवृत्ति निरोधः—control over resurfaced viṣaya
• तितिक्षा—सुखदुःखादि द्वन्द सहिष्णुत—tolerance of the opposites
• समाधानम्—चित्तस्य एकाग्रता—steady focus of your mind
• श्रद्धा—गुरु-वेदान्तवाक्येषु विश्वासः—one is not swayambhu on knowledge, have to base upon Guru and Vedānta

4. Mumukṣutva—Stable desire

These are the well reasoned preparations to reach to the second stage called vicāraṇa out of seven stages.