Bhūmikā (
Sanskrit: भूमिका) is derived from the word, ''Bhūmi'', meaning ''earth'', ''soil'', ''ground'' or ''character''.
Hinduism
The
Upanishads speak about the seven ''bhūmikās'' or ''jñānabhūmis'' (fields of knowledge) or the seven stages of development of wisdom, and about the four kinds of ''jivanmuktas''. In Chapter IV of the Varahā
Upanishad, with regard to the characteristics of ''jivanmukti'',
Ribhu
Ribhus (Sanskrit: ऋभु, ṛbhu, also Arbhu, Rbhus, Ribhuksan) is an ancient Indian word whose meaning evolved over time. In early layers of the Vedic literature, it referred to a sun deity. It evolved to being a wind deity, thereafter referred ...
informs Nigadha of these seven:
*''Subheccha'' or good desires
*''Vichārāna'' or inquiry
*''
tanumānasī'' or pertaining to the thinned mind
*''Sattvāpatti'' or the attainment of ''sattva''
*''Asamśakti'' or non-attachment
*''Padārthabhāvanā'' or analysis of objects
*''
Turiya '' or the final stage.
Nigadha is also told that the bhūmikā which is of the form of ''
pranava'' is formed of ''akāra'', ''ukāra'', ''makāra'' and the ''ardhamātra''.
The ''turiya'' essence of ''akāra'' embraces the first, second and the third ''bhūmikās'' whose function is called ''mumukshu''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''ukāra'' embraces the fourth bhūmikā when the mind is firmly fixed on the non-dual and is called ''brahmavit''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''makāra'' embraces the fifth ''bhūmikā'' or ''sushuptipada'' (dreamless sleep) and is called ''brahmavidvara''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''ardhamātra'' embraces the sixth ''bhūmikā'' (dreamless state) and is called ''brahmavidvariya'', beyond which is the seventh ''bhūmikā'' or ''gudhasupti'' and is called ''brahmavidvarishta'' when one remains in the secondless state without fear and with his consciousness almost annihilated.
Buddhism
In Buddhism, the term ''bhūmikā'' refers to a group of 49 to 52 mental factors that are found within the domain of consciousness. It is primarily used in the ''
Mahāvibhāṣa'' and the ''
Abhidharmakośa'' of the
Sarvāstivāda school.
Alternate definitions
''Bhūmikā'' can also refer to a tablet or board for writing, subject, object or a receptacle, theatrical dress or an actor's costume, decoration of an image, a preface or introduction to a book.
The ''yajña bhūmikā'' is the altar on which Vedic rituals are conducted.
References
Hindu philosophical concepts
Sanskrit words and phrases
Upanishadic concepts
Vedas
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