Imagination is knowledge arising from words but devoid of any real object.

Vikalpa is mental construction based on language that has no correspondence with any existing object. It arises from the mind’s ability to combine concepts and create ideas that have no referent in reality.

Classic examples include “the horns of a hare” or “the son of a barren woman” — constructions that are linguistically possible but ontologically empty.

This type of mental activity is particularly relevant for meditation: much of our inner dialogue consists of imaginary constructions — worries about futures that will never arrive, elaborations about non-existent situations. Recognizing vikalpa is essential for quieting the mind.