avyakta

The Sanskrit word 

अव्यक्त (avyakta) translates to "unmanifested," "invisible," "imperceptible," or "undeveloped". 

The term is a negative compound formed from:

• अ- (a-): A negative prefix, meaning "not" or "un-".
• व्यक्त (vyakta): Meaning "manifested," "expressed," "distinct," or "perceptible" (visible to the senses). 

Significance in Philosophy and Science

Avyakta is a crucial term in various schools of Indian philosophy:

• Prakṛti (Primordial Nature): In the Samkhya school of philosophy, avyakta is a synonym for Prakṛti, the primordial, unevolved material nature. It is the subtle state of existence (where the three guṇas are in perfect balance) before the universe becomes manifest.
• Brahman (The Absolute): In the Upanishads and Vedanta philosophy, avyakta can refer to the ultimate, formless, and imperceptible aspect of reality (Brahman or the Self), which is beyond sensory perception and conceptual understanding.
• Cosmology: The Bhagavad Gitā uses avyakta to describe the unmanifested state of the universe during the "night of Brahmā" (a period of dissolution), from which everything again becomes manifest at the time of creation.
• Ayurveda: In ancient Indian medicine, the term is used to describe the initial, subtle, or unclear premonitory symptoms of a disease, before it is fully manifest. 

For more definitions and usage details, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like the Sanskrit Dictionary at sanskritdictionary.com or the Wisdom Library.

The Sanskrit word 

अव्यक्त (avyakta), meaning "unmanifested," "imperceptible," or "undeveloped," is heavily used in philosophical texts like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gitā, and the Purāṇas to describe the subtle nature of reality, the divine, and cosmic cycles.

Here are samples of avyakta used in various Sanskrit texts:

1. In the Bhagavad Gitā

Lord Krishna uses avyakta multiple times to describe both his own subtle, universal nature and the primal matter from which the manifest world emerges.

• Sanskrit (Chapter 8, Verse 20):

  paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyo 'vyakto 'vyaktāt sanātanaḥ |
  yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu naśyatsu na vinaśyati ||

• Translation:

  "Yet there is another nature, which is unmanifested (avyaktaḥ) and eternal, which is superior to this material unmanifested [matter]. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is annihilated, that part remains as it is."

• Sanskrit (Chapter 12, Verse 3 - Describing the goal of Yoga):

  ye tv akṣaram anirdeśyam avyaktaṃ paryupāsate |
  sarvatra-gam acintyaṁ ca kūṭa-stham acalam dhruvam ||

• Translation:

  "But those who fully worship the unchangeable, the indefinable, the unmanifested (avyaktaṃ), the all-pervading, the unthinkable, the immovable, and the fixed—"

2. In the Katha Upaniṣad (1.3.11)

This Upaniṣad uses a hierarchical system to describe reality, positioning avyakta (Prakṛti, or primal matter) just below the ultimate Self (Puruṣa).

• Sanskrit:

  indriyebhyaḥ parā hy arthā arthebhyaś ca paraṃ manaḥ |
  manasaś ca parā buddhir buddher ātmā mahān paraḥ ||
  mahato vyaktam uttamaṃ avyaktāt puruṣaḥ paraḥ |

• Translation:

  "[...] Beyond the great Self is the unmanifested (avyaktam); beyond the unmanifested is the Supreme Being (Puruṣa)."

3. In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.3.24)

Used in prayers to the divine, referring to the imperceptible nature of God before incarnation.

• Sanskrit: rūpaṁ yat tat prahur avyaktam ādyaṁ...
• Translation: "They say that form of Yours is unperceivable/unmanifested(avyaktam), the original cause..."

apratihatā

The Sanskrit word 

अप्रतिहता (apratihatā), which is the feminine form of the adjective apratihata, translates to "uninterrupted," "unobstructed," "unimpeded," or "unchecked".

Etymology

The word is a compound term derived from:

• अ- (a-): The negative prefix, meaning "not" or "without".
• प्रतिहता (pratihatā): Meaning "stopped," "hindered," "obstructed," or "struck down".

Significance in Hindu Philosophy

Like the related term ahaitukī ("unmotivated"), the word apratihatā is primarily used in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam to define the highest standard of pure devotional service (bhakti).

• Apratihatā Bhakti: This term refers to devotion that is "uninterrupted" or "unchecked." It describes a spiritual practice or state of consciousness that is so steady and complete that no material circumstances—whether happiness, distress, wealth, poverty, or any external obstacle—can stop the devotee from engaging in service.
• Ideal Devotion: True bhakti is described as both ahaitukī (unmotivated by self-interest) and apratihatā (continuous and unstoppable).

For more definitions and usage examples, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like sanskritdictionary.org or the Wisdom Library.

ahaitukī

The Sanskrit word 

अहैतुकी (ahaitukī) translates to "causeless," "without reason," "unmotivated," or "disinterested". 

It is an adjective (feminine form of the neuter/masculine ahaituka) used to describe actions or states of being that are free from selfish motives or material expectations.

Etymology

The word is a compound term derived from:

• अ- (a-): A negative prefix, meaning "not" or "without".
• हेतु (hetu): Meaning "cause," "reason," or "motive". 

Significance in Hindu Philosophy

The term ahaitukī is primarily used in devotional literature to describe the highest form of pure love or devotion (bhakti).

• Ahaitukī Bhakti: This term, frequently found in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, refers to "unmotivated devotional service". A devotee offering ahaitukī bhakti does not seek any material gain, spiritual benefit, or even liberation in return for their service; the devotion is an inherent yearning performed without cause or expectation.
• Apratihatā: In scriptural descriptions of pure devotion, ahaitukī is often coupled with apratihatā ("uninterrupted" or "unchecked"), emphasizing that this genuine devotion cannot be stopped by any material impediments. 

For more definitions and usage examples, you can consult online Sanskrit dictionaries like sanskritdictionary.org or the Wisdom Library.

The Sanskrit word 

अहैतुकी (ahaitukī), meaning "causeless," "unmotivated," or "disinterested," is most famously used in philosophical and devotional texts (Bhakti Shastras) to describe the highest form of pure love for God.

Here are samples of ahaitukī used in various Sanskrit texts:

1. In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (SB 1.2.6)

This is perhaps the most famous and foundational verse that uses the term, defining pure, supreme devotion (bhakti) as unmotivated and uninterrupted.

• Sanskrit:

  sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje |
  ahaitukī apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati ||

• Translation:

  "The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be uninterrupted and unmotivated (ahaitukī), in order to completely satisfy the self."

2. In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 1.4)

This text of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism elaborates heavily on the concept introduced in the Bhāgavatam.

• Sanskrit:

  prema-dharma-vyākhyāna ei śāstrera sādhya |
  ahaitukī bhakti yaiche haya prema-paryāya ||

• Translation:

  "The explanation of the religious principles of love is the main objective of this scripture. It describes how unmotivated devotion (ahaitukī bhakti) is synonymous with divine love (prema)."

3. In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.1.11)

This text by Rūpa Gosvāmī provides a technical definition of pure devotional service, defining the parameters of ahaitukī.

• Sanskrit:

  anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam |
  ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā ||
  (Note: This verse uses synonyms for the concept of 'unmotivated'—'anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ' means 'devoid of other desires'—rather than the word ahaitukī itself, but it defines the same principle.) The commentary on this verse, however, often uses the term ahaitukī.

• Sanskrit (Commentary Context): Ahaitukī bhakti eva mukhyā.
• Translation: "Causeless/Unmotivated devotion is indeed the primary/supreme [form]."

These samples illustrate that ahaitukī is almost exclusively used to describe a very specific, high level of spiritual purity and action free from self-interest.