8.9 NITTAI VILAKKAM: THE EXPLANATIONS OF INSIGHT  (நிட்டைவிளக்கம்)

The nittai (nishda) is the state of complete cleansing of malam. This higher state is defined and explained in this book. In a   complete union of the mind with the Siva is called nittai. Just flexing of the limbs and the closing of eyes are not nittai.

Even if one always thinks of the Siva it is of no use. The duties have to be followed. The sariya,kiriya,yoga and the gnana have to be done and obtained systematically.

As long as the desire for the body persists, the sivoga-bhavan will not reach the soul.The mind does not settle down by simply concentrating on the middle point of eye brows. The mental maturity is possible with the grace of god only to this the guru’s help is useful.

Controlling the senses alone will not help. The combined work of sariya,kiriya and gnana will raise the mind to higher state.

The rituals are like the food alleviating a bout of hunger. They cannot relieve the soul from the next bout of the hunger. Rituals alone will not take the soul to god.

The body should be treated in the right way. For this appropriate gnana is necessary. If the body is maintained that way it will not engulf the soul.

Sense control alone is not sufficient. The realization must be achieved.The thought must be channeled in the correct deeds(kiriyas) and that will reduce the soul’s confusion.The duties done in the aim of achieving worldly pleasures are called ava-saryai. They will not relieve the confusion of the soul.

Only duties performed with the devotion to sivam are dhava-saryai and they only will take the soul to the sivam.The sakthi-nibatham, mala-paribaham and the iruvinai oppu are divided into four processes.

They are mandham,mandhadharam, theeviram and theevira-dharam. (மந்தம்,மந்ததரம்,தீவீரம்,தீவீரதரம்)

The thought control must lead the soul towards sakthi-nipatham, mala paribaham and the iru-vinai oppu.  If the process of thought control does not go in this way then the soul will not reach the sivam.The desire for the nittai and the faith in the agamas are not enough. The procedure of the sariya and sakthi-nibatham are more important.

 

 NITTAI=MUKTHI=INSIGHT (நிட்டை,முக்தி&தந்நிலைஉணர்வு)

The  union with god is graded into four stages. The four stages of grading is analogous to the modern grading of insight[i] in DIAGNOSTIC STASTICAL MANNUAL:DSM-V( AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION).

The insight in these systems is graded into six categories ranging from complete absence of insight to highest levels of complete self awareness.

 In Saiva schools the stages range from relatively lower levels to highly closer level to god. As the god is fundamentally within the mind the union with sivam is well compared to the insight classificatory systems.

The levels of saivasisddhanta mukthi are graded qualitatively into four stages .

They are

1.Jeevan mukthiஜீவன்முக்தி

2.Padha mukthiபதமுக்தி

3.Apara mukthiஅபரமுக்தி

4.Para mukthiபரமுக்தி

The mukthi is graded according to the levels of relief from the pasa contaminants. Those have completely severed the pasa are completely rid of malam and are closer to god(insight). In the complete union with the god in the living person is called “NITTAI”(NISHTAI).

The person’s relationship with god is qualified as four types. They are

1.SALOHAM சாலோகம்

2.SAMEEBAMசாமீபம்

3.SAROOPAMசாரூபம்

4.SAYUCHIAMசாயுச்சியம்

1.In saloham position the soul is like a worker who has access to the palace of god.

2.In the sameebam position he is like a child who wanders about the god’s abode.

3.In the saroopam state he is like a friend of god who can come and go.

4.In the sayuchiam state he is in the complete union with the god in his abode.

These insight states are called NITTAI VILAKKAM ( EXPLANATIONS  OF NISHTA)

The nittai states are last stages in the journey of soul towards god(sivam) within the life span. They can be achieved by the practice of the ATTANGA YOGA    ( EIGHT LIFE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES) and the gift of the guru who gives the DHEEKAI(DHEEKSHA).

 

 

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[i] Grades of insight ranging from complete denial to true emotional insight have been suggested. These grades include

1. Complete denial of illness
2. Slight awareness of being sick and needing help but denying it at the same time.
3. Awareness of being sick but blaming it on others, external factors, or medical or unknown organic factors.
4. Intellectual insight: Admission of illness and recognition that symptoms or failures in social adjustment are due to irrational feelings or disturbances, without applying that knowledge to future experiences.
5. True emotional insight: Emotional awareness of the motives and feelings within and of the underlying meaning of symptoms, whether the awareness leads to changes in personality, and future behavior; openness to new ideas and concepts about self and important people in the person’s life.

Insight has implications for and impact on the patient’s life, functioning, and on treatment compliance. Indian J Psychiatry. 2010 Oct-Dec; 52(4): 373–377.