hindu-mindWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.
Hearing, Reflection, Meditation (Śravaṇa–Manana–Nididhyāsana)
Hear it, reason it out, then meditate it home — knowledge ripening into sight.
Vedānta lays out a three-step method for turning teaching into realization: first śravaṇa, attentively hearing the teaching of the texts from a qualified teacher; then manana, thinking it through and reasoning away one's doubts; and finally nididhyāsana, deep sustained contemplation until the truth is no longer merely understood but directly seen. It is the disciplined backbone of the path of knowledge.
Key passages(11)
Vivekacūḍāmaṇi 364↗explains
Vivekacūḍāmaṇi · Śaṅkara (traditionally ascribed; authorship doubted)
Very high
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)
High
High
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate