vastavirtana

Vastavirtana is a Sanskrit term that translates literally to "realization" or "manifestation." In various Indian philosophical and spiritual traditions, it refers to the act or process of making something real or bringing it into existence. This can encompass a range of concepts, from the material creation of the universe to the inner spiritual awakening of an individual.

In the context of creation, vastavirtana describes the divine power or cosmic principle that actualizes potential into tangible form. It is the force that transforms the unmanifested into the manifested, the abstract into the concrete. Different schools of thought attribute this power to various deities or fundamental cosmic energies.

On a personal level, vastavirtana signifies the attainment of true understanding or self-realization. It is the process by which an individual moves from ignorance or illusion to a state of profound insight and experiential knowledge. This often involves deep introspection, spiritual practice, and the shedding of misconceptions to perceive reality as it truly is. The ultimate goal of this inner vastavirtana is often liberation or enlightenment, a state of complete understanding and freedom from suffering. The concept emphasizes the transition from potentiality to actuality, both in the external cosmos and within the individual consciousness.