Viveka

Viveka is the fundamental ability to distinguish between what is permanent (ātman/Brahman) and what is temporary (the phenomenal world). It is not intellectual analysis, but direct discernment arising from systematic contemplation. Viveka is the first of the four qualifications (sādhana-catuṣṭaya) required for the study of Vedānta. It develops through constant questioning: 'is this real or apparent?', 'is this eternal or transient?'.