ON LOVE--ITS VARIETIES

Love is the bedrock in the creation of the universe! It's because of His love  that God created the universe and all the creatures in it! It is because of the causeless and unconditional love of God all of us lead our lives on this terra firma! God is the universal mother looking after her children despite their failings and atrocities committed on mother earth! Like the ordinary mother who condones her child’s misdeeds and crimes, this Universal mother overlooks all mistakes on the part of man.The affection and compassion of the Providence is incomparable! Love is the most important ingredient in the heart of man! It is the repository of unalloyed love! It is impossible for man to exist without love! It is a wonderful emotion that goes out of one’s being for the welfare of someone irrespective of any relationship! Man loves himself first and foremost! It is very difficult for man to love others because of his selfishness! That is why the Bible says, “Love thy neighbor as thyself!” It is very interesting to see the various ramifications of love in the life of a human being!

“ If you have no love, you are like a lamp without the flame, blind and blinding”. says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba.The love of parents is called filial love. From being selfish, the love of the couple expands and concentrates on their children! Personal intimacy gives in to the bringing up of the child who is the offspring of their love! They think more about their child and are ready to sacrifice many things for the sake of the child! Selfishness is reduced and gives place to selflessness! That is the beauty of pure love. Love cannot exist without sacrifice. Ideal love is love for love’ sake,not for any material benefit! Unfortunately it is very rare to find such ideal or Platonic love in society! Love of the husband and wife is physical, romantic, and emotional. They are made for each other but the moment they become parents there is a natural, gradual transformation and expansion of their love.Maternal love is par excellence! It has no equal.The child is indebted to her eternally! Mother’s love is far superior to paternal love. Sometimes the mother sacrifices her life so that the child may live! Fraternal love is not always ideal.It leads to disputes especially where property and wealth is concerned! The ideal love between the brothers is that of Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna in Valmiki's Ramayana!

Grandparents dote on their grand children! In fact many children love them more than their parents! In modern days where both the parents are employed, children depend increasingly on their grandparents! Love for the country is called patriotism! Every individual is expected to love his native country! “Janani janma bhumischa swargadapi gariyasi”  says the Sanskrit adage.  Mother and Motherland are greater than Swarga or Heaven. “ Breathes there the man who never to himself has said “This is is my own native land?” asks Sir Walter Scott the famous British poet.  Patriotism has led to the sacrifice of many individuals who have martyred themselves for the sake of the nation. They have attained “Veera Swargam!” Their names are etched in Golden letters in the annals of the country.

In his novel “A Tale of Two Cities” Charles Dickens portrays the ideal love of Sydney Carton who loved Lucy. But it was little late when he proposed to her! She married one  Charles Darnay! Sydney Carton did not wreak vengeance on Darnay! On the other hand he wished his Love well wherever she lived! It was the period of French Revolution and Charles Darnay was arrested and jailed. Sydney Carton was pained at this news and wanted his Lucy not to suffer. He went to Paris where Lucy was. He wanted to save Darnay who was about to be guillotined! Taking advantage of his similar form and personality, Sydney Carton managed to enter the prison, changed clothes with Charles Darnay, and allowed him to escape! He remained in the prison as Charles Darnay and wet to the guillotine with a smiling face with the satisfaction that he has contributed to the happiness of his lady love though she had married a different person!

Intense love and devotion to God Is called “ Bhakthi”. The bhaktha is always in the thought of the Almighty! Many times he loses himself a forgets everything round him! His bhakthi compels God to come before him! He yearns for salvation or mukti, not for material pleasures and silly wants! He surrenders himself totally to the will of God! In rare cases the Bhaktha merges himself into that Super Consciousness called God! The Bhaktha is mad after God! The common people mistake him for a deranged person! He chants the sacred name of his chosen deity and eventually gains liberation from the cycle of birth and deth!

That is the ideal love which has become a rare commodity in modern society! Love has lost it's meaning to day! It is being abused and misused! Love is mistaken for lust! The lover today is a villain who murders her for not accepting his amorous advances! He flashes acid on her face, maims her and makes life unbearable to her! Can this be called love? Love is a matter of the heart! It is not just the physical satisfaction of the senses! Unfortunately love is equated with satisfaction of the senses! We are appalled at the series of rapes and gang rapes of even minors in the present. Men are behaving worse than animals! The have crossed all limits of decency in behavior! Ethics and morality have no meaning for them! This tendency on the part of modern man has to be curbed! All efforts have to be taken to educate such men and reform them as far as possible and as early as possible. That will be a great boon to society!!!

"Da Da, Da" Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Gods, men and demons, children of Prajapati, lived as students with their father! Their   studentship being over, they requested their father to instruct them. Prajapati uttered the syllable “ Da” and asked them if they understood what he said. The Devas replied that they have understood the meaning of the syllable “DA" and it meant “ Damyata--control yourselves! Prajapati was happy and said that they have understood it properly.

On their part, the men requested the Prajapati to instruct them!  Once again, Prajapati uttered the syllable “Da” and wanted to know if they have understood its meaning. The men instantly replied that they have grasped the meaning of the syllable correctly. They said that the syllable  meant “ Datta”--give! Prajapati was overjoyed and remarked that they have understood it properly.

Later the demons requested Prajapati to instruct them! He once again repeated the syllable “Da" and questioned whether they understood the meaning of the syllable. They replied that they have understood it correctly! The syllable meant “ Dayadhvam”--be compassionate! Prajapati was happy that all his students, Devas, men and the demons have understood the significance of the three syllables. Meanwhile ‘the heavenly voice of thunder repeated the same--Da, Da, Da, that is, control yourselves, give to others, and be compassionate. Therefore  one should practice the same triad--self control, charity, and compassion! In TS Eliot's poem “Waste Land” thunder pops up in the fifth and final section and says, “Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata” in Sanskrit language! Thunder is the harbinger of rain! Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains hymns on virtues and ethics. In 5.2.3 it recommends three virtues temperance, charity and compassion for all life!

The first ethical precept of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad became the foundation of “Yama” in different schools of Hindusim. In Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sastra’ it consists of ahimsa, nonviolence in thought, word and deed for all creatures ; Satya, restraint from falsehood; Astheya, restraint from stealing; Brahmacharya, restraint from sex; and Aparigraha, restraint from avarice and possessions! Various aspects of spiritual consciousness are discussed in the conversations between King Janaka of Videha and his mentor Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi. Besides, many others engage Janaka and Yajnavalkya with their questions which bring out profound answers from the great Sage and the king!

The Upanishad says that Self is the dearest for man. There is no difference between man and God! It is foolish to think you are separate from God. Brahman manifests in each and every object in the universe. It is consciousness that controls man’s wakefulness, sleep and dreams. From the Self come forth all organs, worlds, all deities and all beings. Self is the Truth of truth! It is not for the sake of the husband that a husband is dear, but for the sake of the Self is a husband dear!There is no difference between the Self and the Brahman!The Upanishad questions “by what should one know that by which all this is known?” Brahman is the imperishable unseen seer,and hearer! Heis the vital force. Atman can be described by saying  “not this, not this”--neti, neti”. Like a caterpillar drawing itself to move to the next blade of grass  the Self throws off the body and takes a new body! It is important that we should know these eternal truths to lead our lives peacefully, and happily!!!

HOW To PRAY

Man is a bundle of desires. He gets fulfilment in very few of his desires and craves for more. His wants are too many and he prays to God so that many of his desires may be granted! people, of late, crowd temples in large numbers and there is none who does not pray before the deity with folded hands and bent head! Why this prayer always in a temple? Some want children; a few desire  good health; quite a few require power and position; many want wealth! Students pray for success in their examinations and lovers for the success of their love! Prayer is very powerful. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”, says the Victorian poet. But when will prayer be most effective? If it is sincere, honest and coming from the heart! Man requires many things but God does not give whatever he wants! He is the universal Mother and knows what is good for every single individual and provides it appropriately! The pity is that man aspires for worldly gains and personal satisfaction which are temporary, and cannot last long! He is satisfied by the grant of small, silly pleasures! While God is ready to offer the greatest boon of Mukti or salvation, man desires the lowest boon of mundane pleasures and transitory  things! He does know what to demand from God in essence!

“ God gives you whatever you pray for; so, take care. Ask for the right things” counsels Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The difficulty is in asking for the right things. Asking for trivial material pleasures is a gross mistake on the part of man! He should ask for eternal devotion to the Lord which in its train brings every material prosperity along with spiritual advancement! There are instances of people who gained infinite advantage by asking the right things from the Providence and those who suffered the worst by demanding the wrong things. Child Dhruva, unable to sit on the lap of his father king Uttanapada wanted to achieve his desire by doing penance! On the way sage Narada met him and sensing his determination advised and gave him the Narayana mantra! After severe penance the Lord not only satisfied his wish but granted  him the position of the Pole Star!

The second instance is that of another child devotee, Prahlada, son of the terrible rakshasa Hiranyakasipu! He was a born devotee and excelled in his devotion to the Lord from his childhood. Day in and day out he was in the company of God in his heart! He angered his father,an inveterate enemy of Lord Vishnu by singing in his praise! Hiranyakasipu had performed severe penance and when the Creator Brahma stood before him asked for immunity from death from everything on earth and heaven! When he hit the pillar to find the Lord, Lord Vishnu, in the form Nara Hari -man lion, put him on His lap, at the threshold, when it was neither the end of the day and the beginning of the night and tore him to pieces! Thus Hiranyakasipu was the architect of his own destiny! Prahlada was rewarded with the kingdom and blessed!

Ravana, king of Lanka is another example of great devotees who asked for wrong things from God! Like Hiranyakasipu, he too performed severe penance and got invulnerability from everything on earth and heaven! He was so arrogant and full of ego that he thought that no mortal can attack him! He was a very great devotee of Siva and pleased Him with his Sama gana! He was Brahmin of the clan of Visravasu and brother to Kubera! There was no woman in heaven or earth not enslaved by him! His lust knew no bounds! Finally it was Sri Rama the embodiment of Dharma, a mortal, killed him and saved mankind in Treta Yuga! Ravana’s brother, Kumbhakarna is also guilty of asking God for wrong things! When the Lord appeared before him after  severe tapas, he asked for good sleep as boon and God granted it and vanished! It was very difficult for Ravana’s soldiers to wake him up during the the epic fight between Sri Rama and Ravana!

Whatever you ask God will grant that alone and nothing else! So one has to be careful in asking boons from God! Even among children, the  mother is fond of the child that is not demanding! He does not ask the mother for anything! The other child always pesters her for many things! She has a soft corner for the child who doesn't ask. She gives him more even without his asking! In the same way, God loves the devotee who prays for His mercy and Grace through pure devotion! He grants just those worldly desires and nothing more to the ordinary mortal! But for the real bhaktha who is not enamored of this Samsara, he grants liberation from the inextricable web of family life as well as great prosperity in the world! Hence let us be very careful in our prayers to the Almighty!

THE RELIGION OF LOVE

There is only one who is truly and perfectly democratic! He treats all equally! He gives opportunity to all! There is no discrimination between one and the other! He is not bothered about caste, community, religion, race, language, family background and various other things! He is the personification of love and compassion! His love is unconditional! He loves those who worship him as well as those who deny him! He is omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient!  He manifests in every creature of this universe! But he is the unseen protector of the entire world! It is impossible to escape his attention! He is the bedrock and basis of  everything in the universe! He is the darling of his devotees. He doesn't tolerate any harm done to his bhakthas. He is the very form of Existence, Awareness and Bliss! He is the very Providence, God!

“ Devotion knows no caste; it saves all, ennobles all. Lord is enshrined in the heart of a devotee.” says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. What is devotion? It is pure, unalloyed love for the Supreme Lord! The bhakthas lose themselves in the thought of God and are not bothered about their families and children and other attachments. They live in God, eat with Him sleep with Him and  there is nothing that can separate them from m His presence! In short, they have surrendered themselves totally to the Will of God! The trials and tribulations that they come across are taken as His will and gladly accepted by them!They are neither elated by their success nor dejected or despondent on their failures! They resign themselves to whatever God has bestowed on them! There is a sense of supreme contentment in them that distinguishes them from the others! God does not like show and ostentation. He is fond of true love and sincere prayer! Is there any doubt that the Lord will not accept the selfless love of these devotees irrespective of their caste? How many saints and sages and staunch devotees of different castes have been blessed by the compassionate Lord!

We should never delve into the origins of sages and saints and devotees! Valmiki was a highway robber! Kabirdas was a Muslim. Nandanar was of very low caste. Kannappa Nayanar was a hunter! But their devotion to the Lord was pure and exemplary such that the Lord overruled every other thing in preference to to their bhakti! Trilochana das was an expert in making gold and silver jewels. He was pious and spent his money on serving the devotees of the Lord. The Nawab who ruled the town ordered a beautiful diamond studded jewel for his daughter from Trlochana Das and wanted it to be delivered in four days! Das totally forgot this in serving the bhaktas who came to him in large numbers. The Nawab was persistent to get the jewel on the same day. Initially Das was unnerved but threw all responsibility on Krishna of Mathura, had his darshan, prayed and went to Brindavan. Sensing the delicate situation of his true devotee, Lord Krishna, went to the Nawab as Trilochana Das and handed over the diamond studded jewel! The Nawab was amazed at the splendid design and artistry of the jewel! Pleased beyond measure, he gave Das plenty of money which the Lord handed over to the wife of Trilochana Das and vanished! In the meanwhile, the jewel worn by the Nawab's daughter  grew heavy day by day and could not be worn. All attempts to lessen its weight and even cut it proved futile!

Nawab’s daughter wanted the jewel very badly and said that she had the darshan of Lord Krishna as long as she wore the jewel! Now He has disappeared! She said that without the same jewel she cannot live! Surprised at this experience of his dear girl, the Nawab sent a hundred servants to get Trilochana Das back home! Tired of searching, the servants entered the forest and began praying. Das, who was in another side of the forest heard their prayers, provided food and enquired about what had happened. Initiated into bhakti, the hundred servants became his disciples and remained in the forest! Feeling dispirited after waiting for six months, the Nawab set out to search for Trilochana Das himself! He went to Gokul Brindavan and met Das shining brilliantly like the moon amid the stars! He was overwhelmed with spiritual feelings and fell at the the feet of Das! Das blessed the Nawab and said that it was because of his sacred deeds in the past he had developed bhakti for the Lord! In the meanwhile, Lord Krishna went to the Nawab’s daughter, took a bit of the jewel, created three hundred sixty amazing jewels and asked her to wear a jewel a day and vanished! When the Nawab heard this incredible news he was astounded at the Divine sport of the Lord!

Muslims of the day were furious at the Nawab for his piety and total surrender to Trilochana Das! They wanted to wreak vengeance! They waited to humiliate the Nawab and Das as they returned from bath. Sensing this the Nawab, wantonly sent his sepoys to attack Das! But the swords used in the attack became garlands to the utter dismay of the Muslims! On another occasion a tiger accosted Das and his men while returning home. Das saw his Lord in the Tiger! When the disciples prayed, the tiger lost its ferocity, became very docile and as gentle as a lamb!! If the heart is not filled with pure devotion, there is no use even if one quits his kingdom or leaves every thing! If pure bhakthi is achieved mukti or salvation becomes easy! The story of this ordinary maker of jewels is an illustration of how the Lord cares little for caste, community, creed, religion language and other trivial things! “There is only religion, the religion of Love”.

THE WORLD OF BRAHMAN

 Sage Yajnavalkya came to Janaka, king of Videha with a determination that he would not talk at all. But he had offered a boon to the king earlier according to which Janaka was entitled to ask any question that he liked. Hence, when the sage visited him Janaka seized the golden opportunity and started questioning him on his favorite topics. “ What light does a person here have?” said the king. It is sunlight through which all activities are done said the sage. After sunset it is the light of the moon by which man continues to work said Yajnavalkya replying to the king’s query. To the next question the sage replied that after the setting of both the sun and the moon fire is the light that guides man in his activities. King Janaka was happy to hear these answers. He did not stop there. When all the three are gone speech is the light leading man in his work said the famous sage.To the next question the sage replied that Self is the light  when the sun, moon, fire and speech aren't there! To the next question which is Self Yajnavalkya replies that it is ‘knowledge among the senses--the light within the heart’.

The Self remains the same and “ wanders along the two worlds seeming to think and seeming to move about. In dreams he transcends this world--all forms of death”. The same Self when inside the body mixes with evil and leaves it on dying! The Self, according to the sage, has two states, one in this world and the other in the other world. The intermediate state is the sleeping state! In this sleeping state, the Self sees both the states in the and the other world. The Self equips himself with whatever is needed for the other world and sees the evils of this world and the joys of the other world. He dreams by his own light and becomes self illuminated! The Self creates for himself roads, horses, and chariots where there are none, as well as non-existent joys, pleasures, delights, tanks, lotus ponds and rivers! The Self himself is the agent. After experiencing, he comes to the place from which he started, to dream. Then he returns to the waking state. But He is not affected by it for this person is not attached to anything. From the waking state he returns to the state of dream! The sage says that the person moves about between the waking and dreamy states like a fish moves along both banks of a river.

Like a falcon or an eagle, weary after its flight folding its wings and reaching its nest, the Self reaches a state “ where he desires no desires and sees no dreams”. Like the person, embraced by his dear wife, forgets what is within and without, “ when embraced by the intelligent Self, knows nothing that is without and nothing within! The Self is his only desire, and in which he is without any other desire and free from any sorrow”. In that state all relationships of father,mother,  worlds, Gods, Vedas, thief, murderer, outcaste, mendicants, ascetic, good and evil are totally non-existent! In that state he sees without seeing as he is the seer and imperishable.There is ‘nothing else different from him that he could see’. He smells without smelling, tastes without tasting, speaks without speaking! He hears without hearing, thinks without thinking,he touches without touching! There is no other person but the Self!

Yajnavalkya told king Janaka that “ An ocean is that one seer, without any duality. This is the world of Brahman”. He continued and declared that this is the highest goal, treasure, world, and the  highest bliss! ‘All other creatures  are a fragment of this bliss!’ Sage Yajnavalkya now compares the bliss of an ideal man to that of the Celestials. Hundreds of human bliss equals one bliss of pitris! Hundred bliss of pitris make one unit of the bliss of the Gandharvas! The hundred bliss of Gandharvas is equal to the one bliss of God's! One hundred times of that bliss is equal to one unit of bliss of gods by birth and great Vedic scholars! Prajapati’s bliss is a hundred times of the gods by birth! A hundred times the bliss of Prajapati is that of Brahmana and one without sin and desire! That is the highest bliss! Sage Yajnavalkya said that is the world of Brahman.

Yajnavalkya compares the corporeal self (Jiva) to a heavily laden creaking cart presided over by the intelligent Self as a man breathes his last! The sick and senile man separates himself from his organs like a mango or a fig or a pippla fruit from its stalk and returns to the place from which he started--to new life! Like a caterpillar at the end of a blade of grass drawing itself towards another, the Self, throwing off this body and all its ignorance reaches another body! Like a goldsmith turning gold into new and beautiful shape, the self takes a newer and more beautiful one akin to the pitris, or Gandharvas, or of gods or of Prajapati or of Brahma or of other beings! According as a man acts, or conducts himself, so does he become. Virtuous action makes him virtuous and  sinful acts make him a sinner! The attachment of man decides the type of birth he takes next. After experiencing the results of his karma totally he returns to this world for work again!not it. One without desire or who desires the Self only does not depart elsewhere. “ Being Brahmana he goes to Brahman! ”Yajnavalkya quotes a verse and declares that when all the desires are cast away from the heart completely the mortal becomes immortal and Brahman! The body lies dead and cast away like the slough of a snake on the anthill!’ The Self is incomprehensible and cannot be defined. We can only say, ‘ not this, not this’! One who knows the Brahman transcends all good and evil! He sees the Self in his own self and sees all in the Self! So saying, Sage Yajnavalkya declared that this is the world of Brahman and that King Janaka had attained it!! Very much pleased, king Janaka said that he and his entire kingdom of Videha are at the service of the Sage!!

ON ANANDAM OR BLISS

We have heard the word “Ananda” several times and in fact use it on many occasions. We are so familiar with this word that we fail to realize its true significance! We take the word and its meaning very casually. What is the meaning of this word “Ananda”? Does it mean enjoyment? Does it signify happiness or does it point to pleasure that we very often feel? The enjoyment, happiness and pleasure that we have is transitory, momentary, and ephemeral! They remain for the time being and vanish after the experience is over. They are material pleasures and hence they cannot continue for ever. “Ananda or Bliss”is entirely different! It has nothing to do with the ordinary day to day experiences. It is a kind of indescribable divine elation beyond the comprehension of the common mortal. It cannot be narrated or explained in normal words. One has to experience to realize it. We mistake the usual pleasures and happiness  as “Ananda”. Is it possible for the ordinary mortal to experience this rare kind of divine experience? It is surely  not Impossible but requires  spiritual practices and a concerted effort on the part of the aspirant. Any thing, good and great cannot be obtained just like that!

“Ananda” or bliss is an inner treasure, won by detachment and discipline” remarks Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Vedas and the Upanishads call this as Brahmananda- the Ananda of the Brahman! The tapas or penance and the discipline required for the attainment of Ananda is wonderfully brought out in the Bhrigu Valli of the Taittiriya Upanishad.The renowned sage Bhrugu approached his father Varuna with a desire for the knowledge of the Brahman. Pleased with his approach, Varuna instructs him on the six main gateways to the knowledge of the Brahman. They are food, Prana or soul, eyes, ears, Manas or mind, and speech. He explains to Bhrugu that Brahman is that object by which all the created beings live and thrive on and finally  merge into IT during the deluge. Varuna asked his son to “obtain this Brahman through these six gateways. Accordingly, Bhrugu performed tapas and found Annam or food as the Brahman since all living beings grow and thrive on annam alone and merge into the same Annam. But he did not accept it as Brahman as Annam is created by the Brahman and it is ephemeral whereas the Brahman is ‘nitya’ permanent and everlasting! “ annam brahmeti vyajanath”............................

“prano brahmeti vyajanath”......Asked by his father to perform penance again, Bhrugu found Prana as the Brahman since as creation, protection and destruction of the universe are dictated by it. But Prana is 'jada’- inert, without awareness while the Brahmin is full of awareness or chaitanya. Hence Prana cannot be equated with the Brahman! Varuna sent him back to do tapas once again and Bhrugu now found that Manas is the very Brahman as through its sankalpa all creation, protection and destruction take place. Once again doubt cropped in him and he could not equate Manas with the Brahman! Rigorous tapas he did again and thought vijnanam or knowledge is the Brahman since everything is done through vijnanam! His doubt did not leave him and he rejected it as the Brahma. Through Vijnanam bodies can be created but not elements like the sky or akasa. So Vijnana cannot be the Brahman! ”Vijnanam brahmeti vyajanath”........

“Anando brahmeti vyajanath”........In this manner sage Bhrugu, the pure souled, performed penance and found that  Anna, Prana, Manas, and Vijnana do not fully qualify themselves to be called the Brahman. At length, through his penance, he recognized the all inherent Ananda or Bliss as the real Brahman! One who performs tapas similarly and rejects Anna, Prana, Manas and Vijnana as Brahman is fixed in the Brahman! He becomes the Brahman himself!  “Brahmavid brahmaiva bhavathi”. This Ananda is thus the inner treasure and a serious attempt has to be made to attain that stage of Divine bliss! Jnanis and great yogis who meditate on the Supreme Reality always and forget everything in the world are those who are entitled to Ananda!

There are three dolls made of salt, cloth, and stone respectively. When they are immersed in water, the first, of salt, dissolves completely and loses its form; the second, of cloth, absorbs a large quantity of water but retains its form and the third, of stone, is impervious to water! The first doll represents the man who merges his Self in the universal and all pervading Self and becomes one with it after losing his identity! He is the liberated man! The second doll stands for the Bhaktha or devotee full of true love of God and knowledge! The third doll, of stone, is an example of the worldly man who will not admit even a true particle of true knowledge! Like the ant that tastes the sugar candy and loses itself in enjoying the sweetness, the aspirant loses and  merges himself into the Divine! The Jiva merges into the Deva and becomes Deva himself!  This rarest of the rare states where every mundane thing and all attachments are totally forgotten in the wonderful union with the Absolute Brahman is called “Ananda” and “ “Brahmananda”! Where is the comparison between our mortal enjoyments and pleasures and Ananda which is eternal Bliss!

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ON DETACHMENT

“Practice detachment from now on; for a day will come when you have to give up all that you hold dear.” counsels Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Can detachment come all of a sudden? It is impossible! Life on earth starts with attachments! The moment the the child sees the light of the day, all types of attachments crowd in! Mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grand mother, grand father and a host of connections attach themselves to the child! Even as the child grows up friends and companions join and attachments increase! As the boy grows into youth and takes up a job, colleagues, managers, officers and others come into the picture! In other words life is a series of associations and connections that one cannot avoid despite himself! Apart from these attachments the attachment to house, property, wealth and various other possessions maintain a stranglehold on man and make him their slave! Wife and children complete the missing connections and the poor man is inextricably entangled in the shoreless sea of samsara! Caught in this web of family and children, property and wealth, man has no

thought of extricating himself from these attachments! He finds indescribable pleasure and happiness in the company of these transitory and mundane connections and imagines that he is perfectly happy!

“ Kimva putra kalatra mitra pasubhir dehena gehena kim jnathvai tat kshana bhanguram”  Of what use are your son, wife, friend, pets, your body and home that vanish in a second? asks a devotee.Fully involved in Samsara, full of ups and downs and its little pleasures, man  thinks that this is all real and everlasting! He forgets that it is all due to the illusion created by Maya! He enjoys for a while but suffers more on account of associations and attachments. There is no escape for him as at every step his attachments drag him down and make him more and more miserable. An eagle caught a prey in its beak and flew into the sky. Many crows and other birds chased it and the eagle didn't know what to do. It tried its best to avoid them but they pursued the eagle. Finally the eagle let the prey down and lo, all the birds disappeared in a moment!  The more you are attached the greater is your suffering!

Arjuna is the victim of “moha”or attachment on the battlefield of Kurukshetra! He, for a moment, is sad at the thought of killing his own kith and kin and his teachers! He even puts down his great bow Gandiva and the arrows! He decides to  take up sanyasa instead of killing all and eat the bloody meal! Krishna explains that the curse of attachment has made him think like that! One should not feel sorry for the body that dies one day or other! Even so he should not weep for the Soul that is indestructible and eternal! But it is very difficult to get detachment because our associations are too long to be detached!! Man earns money by hard work. He tries hard to save it. When it is spent he feels unhappy. When it is lost he feels miserable! Why this money that makes you sad and miserable says a poet!

Attachments should be light, not strong! A father should do his duty just as a father, not more, not less! Catering to the needs of children, bringing them up, getting them married is quite enough! He should not involve in the affairs of his children too much! They may not like it! Desire, one of the six formidable inner enemies, is another reason for attachment! No desire is satiated totally and one is totally attached to the object of his desire! “ Aasa aasa paramam duhkam nirasa paramam sukham”---more and more desire leads to more and more sorrow, no desire leads to great happiness! It is not as if man doesn't know these truths. But he is too attached  to get himself released from the the shackles of samsara and its entanglements. What is the panacea for the sufferings of the ailing man?

When man leaves the world he cannot take any of the attachments dear and near to him! The so called material things have to be left behind however close they might be! There are instances of people who, on their deathbed, do not breathe their last because of their attachment to something or other! it is a sorrowful sight to see such people! Detachment can be developed by starting early in life. Curbing desires, not attaching too much of importance to many things, associating with devotees and saints, reading scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita and the Bhagavata Purana, the lives of famous saints like the Azhwars and Nayanmars, shall surely inculcate the spirit of detachment in any individual! In order to get detached you should think of God. It is too difficult to think of him in the final moments of life!The Bhagavata Purana tells the story of Ajamila who, by calling the name of his son Narayana, went to Vaikunta! Hence let us be prepared to shuffle our mortal coil easily by developing non attachment to things during our short stay on this planet!!

ASATOMA SAD GAMAYA( Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

The three well known and very popular quotations from the Upanishads are “ Asatoma sad gamaya, Tamasoma jyotir gamaya, Mrutyorma Amritam gamaya from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.2.28). The meaning of these statements, respectively is “ Lead me from falsehood to truth, Lead me from darkness to light and Lead me from death to immortality!”. These three statements are referred to as the three Pavamana mantras originally meant to be recited during the introductory praise of the Soma Sacrifice by the patron sponsoring it. What is the significance of these profound mantras? What do the terms ‘ asat, sat, tamas, Jyoti, mrityu, and amirtam’ stand for? Can we take these terms in their casual or ordinary sense or is there any special and esoteric meaning? Coming from one of the great Upanishads, the statements cannot offer any mundane interpretation. They enshrine great philosophical truths which we have to try to understand. The Upanishads speak of “Brahma Vidya” and this is the purpose of all the Upanishads.The Vedantic and Advaitic principle of unreality of the world is implied in the statement!

‘Sat’ is what exists, real, including the Absolute Brahman. 'Asat’ is that which is unreal, nonexistent, and darkness is equal to death. Is the world real or unreal? It is seemingly real but as per Vedanta it is a classical example of unreality! Another Vedantic statement says, “ Brahma Satyam Jagan mithya”! Brahman is Truth, the world is illusion or Maya! How is it? Stepping upon the rope in darkness you step aside thinking that it is a snake! When you switch on the torch you know it is after all a rope!There is no snake at all! The shape and size of the rope,together with the darkness creates the illusion that it is a real snake! But when the torch is splashed, the reality is known! Darkness is avidya or ignorance.Torch or light is knowledge! So when Knowledge dawns, ignorance or avidya vanishes! So when the knowledge of the Supreme Brahman is realized, the world becomes an illusion! Until that state of realization arrives, which is extremely rare, the  world is real for all of us!

“Sat” can also mean Truth. How do you define Truth? It is always stable, changeless permanent. It does not change according to seasons and climate or position! Everything in the world changes. Nature changes according to seasons. Man changes according to stages in his life. Even the cells in the body die and are created again and again! How can, then, the ever changing world be called true or real? ‘Sat’ is imperishable, unchanging and eternal! Man is expected to discriminate between the eternal and the ephemeral.Therefore the need for moving from ‘.asat’ to field of ‘Sat’. ‘Tamas’ signifies darkness, indolence and death. Man is enveloped in darkness as there is no light of knowledge! According to the Upanishads ‘Brahma Vidya’ is the knowledge! All other branches of worldly wisdom, all sciences, arts, literature religion and philosophy are of no use. It is the realization of the Brahma that elevates man and takes him to the resplendent and radiating region of ‘Jyoti’! In fact, the very purpose of man in the universe is to realize himself, to know that he is not the body but the indestructible Soul or Atma that manifests in all creatures! “ ajo nityaha saswatoyam purano nahanyathe hanyamane sareere”.

“Jatasya maranam dhruvam” Death is certain for every birth! But death should be noble. We should not die a bad death like the other creatures in the world! We should achieve immortality through death! This is not leaving behind name and fame in the ordinary sense. You should merge into the Brahman and become Brahman itself which is real, true, imperishable, effulgent and immortal! That exactly is the goal and destiny of man. Most of us think we are living but the fact is that we are dead-- dead to the most essential aspect of the purpose of our existence viz Realization of our own Self! Hence the Upanishadic mantra, “ Mrutyorma Amritam gamaya”.

All the three portions of the mantra mean “ Make me Immortal". “ From the nonexistent, from the unreal, from the apparent, lead me to the other side of it, the Existent, the real, the Noumenon”. The mantra as well as the Upanishad reject the material world as “ unreal, dark and dead” in line with the philosophy of Vedanta. The mantra invokes a concept of transcendental reality! The prayer is for a total rise from this involved, insufficient conditioned ‘being’ to the absolutely independent unconditioned ‘being’ which is simultaneously ”Sat, Jyotir, and amirtham, Existence, Light, Enlightenment, consciousness, Omniscience and immortality! ”The Upanishad wants every human being to attain immortality by realizing himself and feel that he is the very BRAHMAN himself!

EVERYTHING IS BRAHMAN ( Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

Sage Yajnavalkya came to the court of King Janaka of Videha and was received with honor. Janaka enquired of the purpose of his visit. “Is it for the sake of  cattle or for raising subtle questions?” asked king Janaka. Yajnavalkya replied that it was for both. Janaka said that his teacher Sailini had instructed that speech was Brahman as nothing can be achieved without speech. The sage pointed out that the abode of speech and its support is the organ of speech. It should be meditated upon as intelligence. The nature of intelligence is speech itself said the great sage. It is through speech alone that all the four Vedas, Itihasas, Puranas, arts, the Upanishads, food and drink, this world, and the other world are known. As such, Speech is the highest Brahman said Yajnavalkya. When king Janaka offered the Sage “a thousand cows with a bull as big as an elephant” he refused politely saying that his father did not allow it before the disciple was fully instructed! Janaka continued and said that Udanka told him that life was Brahman. What can man achieve without life? The abode of life is Breath and space is its support said Yajnavalkya. It should be meditated as the dear. It is love of life that creates fear of death. Life , therefore, is the highest Brahman.

Janaka said that Barku varshna told him that the eye was Brahman. A blind man cannot see anything in life.The eye is the abode and space its support said Yajnavalkya. One should meditate on it as truth. The nature of truth is the eye itself. In other words sight is the truth. The eye is the supreme Brahman. When king Janaka said that hearing is Brahman the sage replied that the ear is its abode and space its support. It should be meditated as endless. The quarters themselves are endless said Yajnavalkya. There is no end for the quarters as the quarters of space are endless. The ear is the highest Brahman! Continuing, king Janaka told the sage that Satyakama Jabala had told him that Mind was Brahman for without mind nothing can be achieved. The Mind is its abode and space its support. One has to meditate on it as bliss  said Yajnavalkya. Nature of bliss is Mind itself! It is by mind a person marries and has children. Children are a source of bliss especially a son. Hence Mind is the highest Brahman

The spiritual conversation between king Janaka and Yajnavalkya did not end there! Janaka continued and said that Sakalya had told him that the heart was Brahman. What can a heartless person achieve?  The heart is its own abode and space its support! A person has to meditate on it as the stable.The nature of heart is stability. It is the place of all things and the support of all things for all things rest in the heart! The heart is the highest Brahman! Overwhelmed at the answers of Yajnavalkya, king Janaka descended from his throne and came to the sage. He bowed down to Yajnavalkya  and requested the sage to teach him! The sage, on his part, was very happy at the knowledge of the king. He complimented Janaka on his knowledge of the teachings of the Upanishads! He said that king Janaka has prepared well like a man on a long journey securing a chariot or a ship for his travel. Thus he has become wealthy and honorable! He has learnt the Vedas and the Upanishads! Yajnavalkya then asked, “ Where then will you go when you are released from the body?” king Janaka replied that he did not know. Yajnavalkya offered to tell the king where he would go!

Later Yajnavalkya tells Janaka in figurative language the passage of man from the stage of  ‘Vaisvanara’ to that of ‘Taijasa’ and from there to ‘Prajna’ and from there to that of Atman! These stages represent respectively the waking state, the dreaming state, the state of deep sleep, or ‘turiya’ state! “Atman is incomprehensible and can be described as “not this, not this. He is unattached, unfettered. He does not suffer; he does not perish”. Yajnavalkya complimented King Janaka and said that he had reached the state of fearlessness. king Janaka wished the same to the sage and once again bowed to him with great veneration.

The conversation between Janaka and Yajnavalkya is highly philosophical and subtle. The stress in this Upanishad is always on Brahman! Every sensory organ has its use and considered as Brahman. Speech, eye, ear, mind and heart  are nothing if not Brahman! It is Brahman that radiates through these organs! When it shines all other organs become active! It is Impossible to define Brahman. We can eliminate things by saying “ neti, neti”-- not this, not this to comprehend Brahman. The conversation between Yajnavalkya and Janaka throw light on the erudition and scholarship of king Janaka who was the best disciple of the sage Yajnavalkya himself!

ON HEROISM

What is heroism? It lies in taking up challenging tasks and achieving success. It entails huge risk and the average person shudders to think of it even! It requires a sense of commitment and extraordinary determination on the part of the individual. He should be ready for the worst. If  he succeeds he corners glory for himself and if he fails he is remembered for ever as a hero who attempted an impossible and an adventurous task!  We find many types of heroes in society. People have qualified for honor and praise in the field of sports and won laurels and gold medals in Commonwealth games as well as in Olympics. Their names are etched in Golden letters in the Chronicles of sports history. Sachin Tendulkar, the God of Cricket, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu quite recently, Sania Mirza, Mary Kom, and various others have distinguished themselves in their own fields against heavy odds and crossing many obstacles in their arduous journey! They are real heroes! There are many in other fields of activity also. But this achievement is purely physical! While this name and fame is desirable in the day to day world what is it that man has done to scale heights in the spiritual field? Is it enough for him to be satisfied with what little glory he has achieved in the material world? Should he not think of  doing the same in the spiritual plane and immortalize himself?

God has created human beings to face challenges within themselves! He has hidden the six enemies - “arishadvargas”, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada', and Matsarya in everyone! It is as if God has challenged and wanted to see if man can defeat these inherent adversaries within him! It is obvious that no mortal has-been capable of challenging at least one enemy embedded in his nature! As Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba remarks, “ Heroism lies in the conquest of the senses”. The senses are responsible for all the happiness of man as well as his downfall! The Upanishad compares the body to a chariot where the Atma or Soul is seated! ‘Buddhi' or intellect is the sarathi, the driver! Manas or heart is the bridle that controls the horses which are the senses! If they are not controlled they will go in gallop and dash the rider to the ground! The hands want to do everything; the legs want to go everywhere; the eyes desire to see everything; the nose is eager to smell everything;  and the mouth wants to taste and eat every dish! Can this be allowed by the discreet and intelligent intellectual? One has to put this question to himself several times before he acts!

Every enemy within is formidable! Kama or Desire is insatiable! It is at the bottom of everyone's downfall! From the humble to the noble, from the saint to the common man,desire has drawn and disappointed them! One desire leads to another and that fire can never be quenched! It is adding fuel to fire.This Kama spoiled the tapas of the great sage Vishwamitra and he had to take up penance once again! Ravana, the king of Lanka is another classical illustration of how his insatiable desire and lust for other women brought his downfall! He was no doubt the greatest devotee of Lord Siva and pleased Him by his ‘Samagana’! Of what use is power, position, authority, scholarship, and devotion if lust and desire is unbridled? The second of the six, Krodha or anger is the worst! It deranges the Individual and makes him do things which he can never think of normally! Even the rishis have fallen victim to this anger despite their  penance and Sadhana. Sage Durvasa had to suffer ignominy and fall at the feet of Ambarisha an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu! He was chased by Sudarsana Chakra of the Lord for trying to destroy Ambarisha for a silly reason!  King Parikshit paid the price of his life when in anger he put the carcass of snake round the neck of the sage Sameeka! The sage’s son Srungi cursed The king to die in seven days!

Lobha or mmakes man stingy and disliked by others! Like a dog in the manger he neither enjoys the wealth he has nor allows others to do so! He is a worshipper of Mammon, the God of Wealth. His obsession for money and wealth is indescribable! He is a misfit in society! We find quite a lot of the in our modern society in the form of billionaires, crorepatis and lakhiers! We all know the story of Midas and his golden touch! The next formidable enemy is  ‘Moha’ or attachment to kith and kin and family! It is this that made Arjuna throw down his bow Gandiva and arrows and prefer monkhood to eating a bloody meal by killing his teachers and brothers! Lord Krishna explained to him the difference between the body and the Soul. He established the  transitory nature of the body and the indestructibility of the Soul! The Lord said one should not weep for the body that perishes one day or other! At the same time he should not feel sorry for the Atma or Soul that doesn't die! The Lord dismissed all doubts of Arjuna in His Bhagavad-Gita and Arjuna fought the Kauravas and killed them!  The next adversary to man is ‘Mada’ or arrogance! Extreme pride and ego is the essence of arrogance. Like those who were afflicted with pride many Devas and ordinary people were ruined because of their arrogance! One such example was Nahusha who lost his position as Indra as he nudged one of the maharshis carrying him by his foot saying ‘sarpa, sarpa’! The Sage grew angry and cursed him to become a serpent! Nahusha’s arrogance cost him his position The last but not the least enemy is 'Matsarya’ or envy, or jealousy! Many a man and Deva has suffered because of this quality!

Is it enough if one is a hero physically? Should he not become a hero spiritually and mentally?  Heroism in various activities in society is good no doubt. But  heroism in spirituality and conquering the senses and fighting the inner adversaries is much better! The happiness and bliss of spiritual  Sadhana and maintaining equanimity in all the vicissitudes of the cycle of Samsara is far greater than that man derives in being a hero in public life! It is through limiting our wants and desires and following the footsteps of our ancient sages and saints that one can have peace of mind that eludes the common man! Most of us know these inner enemies but never attempt to suppress them when it is badly needed. Let us realize the laxity in us regarding them and at least now resolve to fight these enemies tooth and nail! Then only we can have total peace and real happiness!

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PARASARA SMRITI

Parasara Gita, otherwise called Parasara Smriti or Parasara Dharma Samhita is a code of laws intended for Kaliyuga! It is similar to Manu Smriti that lays down rules for every section of society in their day to day life. Maharshi Parasara is the author of many ancient texts and considered as the author of the first Vishnu Purana before Sage Vyasa wrote it in the present form! He was the grandson of sage Vasishta whose son Shakti Maharshi, father of sage Vyasa, died young. “ Vyasam Vasishta naphtaram Sakthe putra makalmasham parasaratmajam Vande Suka tatam taponidhim” Sage Parasura is the great grandfather of both the warring factions of the Kaurava and Pandavas. In the ‘ Moksha Dharma Parva of Santi Parva, of the Mahabharata, Bhishma narrates what the great sage Parasara said about the duties or Dharma of the various classes of society. Dharmaraja the eldest of the Pandavas expresses a desire to know the  ‘Varnasrama Dharma’-the duties of every cross section of society viz Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra and how they came into existence. As we read the laws of Parasara we are amazed at the great unbridgeable gulf between those days and the present practices of various sections of society!

A Brahmin is prohibited from eating all types of food. He Should not eat the same type of food all through the year. There is a provision that certain types of food should be taken on such and such days. He is not a brahmin who eats all varieties of food uninhibited.He should not cook only for himself. He can eat raw materials and fruits without offering to others. But he must share cooked food with unexpected guests (atithi). The money the brahmin earns through alms, the Kshatriya by winning a war, the Vysya through lawful means, the Sudra by serving the community is praiseworthy though that may be small. If a Brahmin follows the Dharma of a kshatriya to make both ends meet, he doesn't fall from Dharma!  But if he follows the path of a Sudra he becomes unrighteous. If it is not possible to serve others, a Sudra can take up business, cattle rearing, artistic activities. “ How did these differences in ‘Varnas’- classes of society originate?” King Janaka questioned the Sage Parasura. According to the Vedas one born to a Brahmin becomes a Brahmin. As every one was created by Brahma they should all be Brahmins! How is it that those born of Brahmins take to duties not belonging to Brahmins?

While accepting King Janaka's contention, Sage Parasara says that it is because the Brahmins fell from their tapas or penance! If the field is fertile and the seed too is energetic the offspring  shall be good. Otherwise it will be just ordinary or below average. Those born from the face of Prajapati were Brahmins, those from the shoulders were called Kshatriyas, those from the lap became Vaisyas and those from the feet were the Sudras! These were the original classes of society. When these classes mixed and mingled with one another,m different clans and classes came into being! King Janaka asked how the people of other castes became Brahmins.  Parasara replies that it was because of their tapas and purity of heart. Sages like Vasishtha, Rishyasringa,  Kasyapa, Drona, Matanga became great because of their penance! The original gotras were Angirasa, Kasyapa, Kanisha and Bhrigu. Janaka wanted to know the special duties of Brahmins. Accepting Dana or alms, getting yajnas performed by others, educating others in Vedas, are the distinct duties of Brahmins. Protecting the people, Parasara says is the duty of a Kshatriya. Agriculture, cattle rearing, and business and trade are the duties of Vaisyas.  Sudra Dharma is to serve the other three classes of society. The common duties for all the classes of society consist in nonviolence, alertness, sharing food with others, performing sraddhas to ancestors, hospitality to unexpected guests, absence of anger, satisfaction with one’s own wife,  cleanliness, absence of envy or jealousy and self Realization

The first three classes are called ‘dwijas’. They are expected to follow the same duties. If they fail to do so they fall. Hence every class should follow the duties fixed for them. The fourth class is an exception! The duties prescribed for other classes do not apply to him. A Sudra who follows the path of righteousness is considered as a Brahmin! Parasara points out that he considers such a person as Lord Vishnu himself! By treading this Dharma they shall be happy and blissful in this and the other world! King Janaka questions Sage Parasara whether man is spoiled by his karma-action or his caste or clan. The Sage replies that both are bad. One belonging to a low caste, despite his caste, will not commit sin. He becomes ideal by his activities. But a high caste person, if he does not perform the prescribed actions becomes polluted! Between caste and Karma or actions, it is one’s actions that pollute the Individual! Finally king Janaka wants to know by which actions man can proceed without hurting other beings or creatures. Unattached people, who do not associate with all, are calm and free from sudden emotional reactions. Through Yoga, they elevate themselves step by step and finally attain Mukti or salvation. All classes, by performing charitable deeds and treading the righteous path can reach heaven without any doubt!

As Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-Gita, the classes were created according to their  ‘guna’-character and ‘Karma’-deeds! “ Chatur varnyam maya srushtya guna karma vibhagasaha”. Mere birth in brahmin family cannot make one a Brahmin if he falls into evil ways and does deeds not prescribed for Brahmins. In the same manner one of a low caste by following and practicing the ways of Brahmins and righteous ways can be declared a Brahmin! Hence caste is not  important but deeds are!  Most of the Azhwars and Nayanmars that we worship today were not Brahmins!  That is why we say that we should not delve into the roots of rishi's and rivers!

YAJNAVALKYA'S ANSWERS ( Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

King Janaka of Videha performed a great sacrifice attended by the neighboring Kuru and Panchala Brahmins. He wanted to know which of the Brahmins was an expert in scriptures. He wanted to present cows and gold to the most learned in scriptures. He kept ready a thousand cows and to the horns of each cow was fastened ten 'padas’ of gold. He addressed the Brahmins and said the wisest among them may take away those cows! But, strangely, no Brahmin came forward to take the cows! There upon Yajnavalkya directed his pupil Samasrava to drive them away. The Brahmins were enraged at the audacity of Yajnavalkya in considering himself as the wisest! To test Yajnavalkya, Chakrayana asked him to explain “the Brahman which is immediately present and directly perceived and which is the self within all beings.” Sage Yajnavalkya replied that it is the Self which is within all beings! Chakrayana was not satisfied. Yajnavalkya further stated that He who breathes in, breathes out and breathes around and breathes up when one breathes up is the Self which is within all beings! Still Chakrayana was not impressed! He required further explanation!

“ Which  Self is within all beings?” questioned Chakrayana once again.  Yajnavalkya replied that one cannot see the seer of seeing, or hearer of hearing or thinker of thinking, or understand the understander of understanding! He is one’s own Self within all beings! Everything else is considered as evil. Next Kahola questioned Yajnavalkya to explain further. The renowned Sage said that “ He who transcends hunger and thirst, grief and delusion, decay and death is the Self!

He who knows this Self and rises above desire for sons, for wealth, and for world shall meditate and become the knower of Brahman.” To a series of questions by Gargi, Yajnavalkya replies that water is woven like warp and woof in air, air in the worlds of the sky, sky in the worlds of Gandharvas, and they in the worlds of the sun! Further the worlds of the sun are woven like warp and woof in the worlds of the Moon. The worlds of the moon are in the world of stars and they in turn are in the worlds of Gods! These in turn are in the world of Indra. The worlds of Indra are woven like warp and woof in the world of Prajapati! Finally the worlds of Prajapati are woven like warp and woof in the worlds of Brahman! Yajnavalkya stopped Gargi from questioning as she  had exceeded her limit!

It was now the turn of Uddalaka to question Yajnavalkya. He asked the sage if ‘ he knew ,the inner controller within who controls this world, the other world and all beings.’ He warned Yajnavalkya  that his head would fall off if he took away the cows without knowing the thread and that inner controller. The Sage said that air is the thread by which all the worlds are held together. The dweller in the earth, water, fire, sky, air, heaven, the sun, quarters of space, the moon and the stars is the Self, the inner controller and the immortal! He lives in all beings, in the breath, organs of speech, eye, ear, mind and understanding! Yajnavalkya said, “ He is the  the unseen seer, unheard hearer, the unthought thinker, and the unknown knower!” Replying to a question by Gargi, Yajnavalkya said that everything above the heavens, beneath the earth and between the two, the past, present and future across space is woven like warp and woof. People who know Brahman call that imperishable! “It is without eyes, ears, voice, mind, vigour,  breath, mouth, measure, and without inside or an outside! It consumes nothing and no one consumes it!” Everything in the universe obeys the command of the Imperishable--heaven, earth, seasons, years and months, rivers. Yajnavalkya tells Gargi that men praise those who give, the Gods depend on the sacrificer and the Pitris on the 'darvi’ offering.

To Sakalya’s question Yajnavalkya replied that according to the hymn Nivid there are three hundred and three and three thousand and three Gods. But really there is only one God! The hundred and thousand represent their various powers! In reality the thirty three Gods are the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, and the twelve  Adityas! Indra and Prajapati join to make thirty three! The whole world is the possession of these six--Fire, earth, air, sky, and heaven! Matter and Vital force are the two Gods! The wind who blows here is considered one and a half! The one God is the Vital force who is called Brahman! They call him ‘That’! So saying, The great Sage Yajnavalkya  asked the Brahmins present there to ask him any question they like. He is prepared to field a question to any Brahmin if he desires! But no Brahmin dared to question the great Sage!

There is a beautiful comparison and symbolism of man and a tree! Yajnavalkya compares man to a mighty tree in the forest! His hair are the leaves and his skin the outer bark. From the skin blood flows forth and sap from the bark. Likewise the wounded man bleeds as sap flows from the  tree that is struck! Man’s flesh is the tree’s inner bark and his nerves the tough fibers of the tree! Man’s bones are the wood within and his marrow is the pith of the tree! The tree, when felled, rises up from it's root. But what is the root for man to spring forth when cut off by death? It is not ‘from the seed’ for that is produced from the living. The tree springs up from the seed again after it is dead. When the root is pulled out the tree does not grow again! But man is born again and who is his creator? It is Brahman, says Yajnavalkya, “ that is knowledge and bliss  “Satyam  jnanam anantam Brahma”-the supreme goal of him who offers gifts and of him who stands still and knows it!” The Upanishad again and again stresses on the definition and the significance of Self which according to it is the Brahman itself! Brahman is everything!  It is “anoraniyan mahato mahiyan”. Everything shines when it shines! “ Na tatra suryo bhati na chandra tarakam nemo vidyuto bhanti ku toyamagnihi tam eva  bhanti manubhati sarvam tasyabhasa sarvamidam vibhasl” (Kathopanishad)