The terms “Para, Madhyama, Pashyanti, and Vaikhari” are actually related to the stages of speech in the Indian philosophical and linguistic tradition. These terms describe the various levels of manifestation of speech, from the most subtle to the most gross. Here is a brief explanation of each: Para: Para is the highest level of manifestation of speech, where speech is still in its unmanifested state. It is often associated with pure consciousness and is said to be beyond the reach of ordinary human perception. Pashyanti: Pashyanti is the second level of manifestation of speech, where speech is still in a subtle, unformed state. It is often associated with the power of thought and is said to be the level of speech where meaning first arises. Madhyama: Madhyama is the third level of manifestation of speech, where speech begins to take on more form and structure. It is often associated with the level of sound or vibration, and is said to be the level of speech where the mind and the body begin to interact. Vaikhari: Vaikhari is the fourth and final level of manifestation of speech, where speech takes on its most gross, articulated form. It is the level of speech that we use to communicate with others, through spoken or written language. Overall, these stages of speech are often used in Indian philosophy and linguistics to explore the relationship between language, consciousness, and reality.
