Man is considered to be the chip of the same block! The Supreme Spirit or Brahman or Atma is embedded in the innermost recess of heart! Without that energizing force man cannot survive and he would be a mere bundle bones and nerves! This chip of the block is called the Jiva or Jivatma or the Individual Soul. What is the relationship between the two? Can the Individual Soul exist independently? It is absolutely impossible. Like the chip of the wood exhibiting all the properties of the main block, the Jiva possesses all the qualities of that Atma. Thus Jiva cannot exist in the absence of the Divine spirit. Like the ciphers attaining value when the digit One is placed before them, it is imperative that the Jiva clings to Deva lest it loses its value totally. The driving force in man is the Atma the cause of all actions, physical as well as mental. A lamp cannot burn all by itself. It has to be filled with oil to illuminate the surroundings. Thus God is indispensable for the existence of man. Why is man not attracted by God? Iron, the base metal is full of dust and other impurities. How can a magnet attract such impure material? If the impurities are removed, when man is free from Maya or illusion of the world, there will be tremendous attraction between Jiva and Deva!
“ The union of the Jivatma with Paramatma is like the union of the hour and the minute hands of the watch once in every hour” says Sri RamaKrishna. “They are interrelated and interdependent and though usually separate, they may become United as often as favorable opportunities occur.” Outwardly it appears that there is no relationship between the Jivatma and Paramatma. It is the effect of Maya or illusion. When we place a plank of wood against a current of water, it appears to be divided. The same water is divided into two parts. The indivisible appears divided into two! Take the example of the bubble. It is born in water, floats on it and finally merges into the water. Similarly the Jivatma is born of Paramatma and after its life on earth merges into Paramatma. The difference between them is is only one of degree! Is there no difference between the two? The Jivatma is finite and limited while Paramatma is Infinite! The former is dependent while the latter is independent.
Ultimately, traveling through the cycle of birth and death, the Jiva is shorn of all its karma and impurities. It then merges into the ocean of Brahman and gives up its limited existence in the same way as a piece of lead thrown into a basin of mercury becomes an amalgam. How can the Finite Jiva grasp the Infinite Deva? They seem to be irreconcilable. It is similar to the attempt of a doll made of salt to fathom the depth of the ocean. In that serious attempt the salt doll is dissolved into the sea and totally lost! The Jiva in its craving for God loses its separateness and becomes one with Him! God is often described as “ Leela nataka sutradhari.” It is His Divine Sport to create the universe and beings and enjoy the parts they play! As Lord Krishna tells Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, we are all instruments in the Divine Hands.” Nimitta matram bhava Savyasachin.” He is the Juggler or the magician Creation, protection and destruction are in His hands! The Juggler is true and real while jugglery is totally unreal and false!
It is the power of Brahman or Paramatma that drives every thing in the world! The Upanishads declare the glory of the Atma or Brahman in countless ways. He is the smallest of the small and the greatest of the great.” Anoraneeyan mahato mahiyan.” It is His light that illuminates everything in the universe including the specific qualities of the immortals! “ Na tatra suryo bhati na Chandra tarakam nema vidyuto bhanti ku toya magnihi tameva bhanti manubhati sarvam tasya bhasa sarvamidam vibhati.” The sun, moon,lightning, and fire do not exhibit their natural qualities independently! It is only after they are illuminated by Your radiance they shine with brilliance!
Indra, Agni, Vayu and other Immortals had a bitter experience and were humiliated once because of their arrogance and ego. They were gloating over their victory over the asuras when they heard a voice. Surprised at this, they wanted to know who the person was. The voice challenged the Gods to exhibit their power. Placing a blade of grass in front of them, the Spirit bade Agni, to burn it. The fire God tried his best but failed miserably! Then Vayu, the wind God was called upon to move the blade of grass. He tried with all his might but failed and was humiliated! Indra, watching this utter powerlessness of the Gods, was amazed and wanted to see the unseen Voice. Uma, the Goddess made Indra realize that it was Her grace and power that enabled them to achieve victory over the asuras! All the Gods felt sorry for their ego and arrogance. In short, it is power and energy of the Brahman that moves every thing in the world and heaven!!
“ The union of the Jivatma with Paramatma is like the union of the hour and the minute hands of the watch once in every hour” says Sri RamaKrishna. “They are interrelated and interdependent and though usually separate, they may become United as often as favorable opportunities occur.” Outwardly it appears that there is no relationship between the Jivatma and Paramatma. It is the effect of Maya or illusion. When we place a plank of wood against a current of water, it appears to be divided. The same water is divided into two parts. The indivisible appears divided into two! Take the example of the bubble. It is born in water, floats on it and finally merges into the water. Similarly the Jivatma is born of Paramatma and after its life on earth merges into Paramatma. The difference between them is is only one of degree! Is there no difference between the two? The Jivatma is finite and limited while Paramatma is Infinite! The former is dependent while the latter is independent.
Ultimately, traveling through the cycle of birth and death, the Jiva is shorn of all its karma and impurities. It then merges into the ocean of Brahman and gives up its limited existence in the same way as a piece of lead thrown into a basin of mercury becomes an amalgam. How can the Finite Jiva grasp the Infinite Deva? They seem to be irreconcilable. It is similar to the attempt of a doll made of salt to fathom the depth of the ocean. In that serious attempt the salt doll is dissolved into the sea and totally lost! The Jiva in its craving for God loses its separateness and becomes one with Him! God is often described as “ Leela nataka sutradhari.” It is His Divine Sport to create the universe and beings and enjoy the parts they play! As Lord Krishna tells Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, we are all instruments in the Divine Hands.” Nimitta matram bhava Savyasachin.” He is the Juggler or the magician Creation, protection and destruction are in His hands! The Juggler is true and real while jugglery is totally unreal and false!
It is the power of Brahman or Paramatma that drives every thing in the world! The Upanishads declare the glory of the Atma or Brahman in countless ways. He is the smallest of the small and the greatest of the great.” Anoraneeyan mahato mahiyan.” It is His light that illuminates everything in the universe including the specific qualities of the immortals! “ Na tatra suryo bhati na Chandra tarakam nema vidyuto bhanti ku toya magnihi tameva bhanti manubhati sarvam tasya bhasa sarvamidam vibhati.” The sun, moon,lightning, and fire do not exhibit their natural qualities independently! It is only after they are illuminated by Your radiance they shine with brilliance!
Indra, Agni, Vayu and other Immortals had a bitter experience and were humiliated once because of their arrogance and ego. They were gloating over their victory over the asuras when they heard a voice. Surprised at this, they wanted to know who the person was. The voice challenged the Gods to exhibit their power. Placing a blade of grass in front of them, the Spirit bade Agni, to burn it. The fire God tried his best but failed miserably! Then Vayu, the wind God was called upon to move the blade of grass. He tried with all his might but failed and was humiliated! Indra, watching this utter powerlessness of the Gods, was amazed and wanted to see the unseen Voice. Uma, the Goddess made Indra realize that it was Her grace and power that enabled them to achieve victory over the asuras! All the Gods felt sorry for their ego and arrogance. In short, it is power and energy of the Brahman that moves every thing in the world and heaven!!
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