The Fifth Adhyaya of Swetaswatara Upanishad reverts to the use of the word “ Brahman” instead of “Rudra”. It points out that the imperishable, infinite and highest Brahman are hidden in the two--knowledge and ignorance! While ignorance is perishable, knowledge is immortal and both are in the control of another. It is the fiery seer that rules over every form, source and cause! Manifest in every living and non living form, that God withdraws all of them into Himself! He creates a number of chiefs and rules over them. He is the Lord of all creatures born from the womb! He is like the sun that illuminates everything above and below! It is He that ripens everything according to time! It is this ruler of the world who allots qualities to all creatures! What is that which is hidden in the Vedas and the Upanishads? It is Brahma being the source of itself! The seers and gods, realizing its source became immortal!
Who can enjoy the fruits of his actions? The Upanishad says that only those endowed with qualities and actions that can fructify shall enjoy the fruits of their actions! He, the lord himself, follows three paths led by three qualities assuming all forms! Of the size of the thumb and brilliant like the sun, He has the will and self consciousness! This may be called a ‘ living soul’ which is infinitesimally small! The Upanishad calls it “ a part of the hundred thousand part of the point of hair divided a hundred fold!” Yet it is the chip of the same block--potentially Infinite. What is its nature and sex? The Upanishad asserts, “ It is neither female nor male, not yet is it neuter.” It merges with whatever body it takes!
What qualities does the Soul exhibit when it takes up a body? Its birth and development is dictated by the thoughts, contacts, sights and passions as well as by the food and drink taken by the body. The soul assumes various forms in different places according to its past deeds, good or bad. The embodied soul can take any form, gross or subtle. Though the soul is responsible for joining the body, it is seen as a separate entity! This is because of the qualities and acts of the body!
He, the Brahman has no beginning or end! Out of chaos he has created everything! His forms are many but He pervades the entire universe alone! It is through the knowledge of this Brahman that one is freed from the fetters of mortal existence! He is said to be grasped by the mind. To Him existence and non existence is one and the same.Those who have realized Him have achieved eternal salvation!
The Upanishad presents a three fold Brahman-- Atman, ‘all part of Infinite highest Brahman and contained in oneness. First theme is of default state of ignorance inhuman beings. The second is realized state of knowledge and the third of elevated, eternal, omnipresent Brahman that embraces both. The Upanishad states that ignorance is perishable and transient while knowledge is eternal and everlasting. Knowledge delivers everyone. It liberates the individual. The Swetaswatara Upanishad is noted for the mention of the word ‘ Kapila’ (in verse 5.2) the founder of Sankhya School -- atheistic of Hinduism. The word Kapila' may also mean red color. In verse 5.10 a reference is made to the genderlessness of the Brahman- Atman ( soul, self) present in every Being! Lola Iwe find similar echoes in Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas!
No comments:
Post a Comment