Viveka  Viveka () is a Sanskrit and Pali term translated into English as discernment or discrimination. According to Rao and Paranjpe, "viveka" can be explained more fully as: The Vivekachudamani is an eighth-century Sanskrit poem in dialogue form that addresses the development of "viveka". Viveka is the basis of the monastic name of Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu spiritual teacher to journey to the west.