THE UNCHANGING BRAHMAN ATMA BODHA10

 

THE UNCHANGING BRAHMAN- ATMA BODHA 10

“YATHAKASO HRISHIKESO NANOPADHI GATO VIBHUH
TAT- BHEDAT- BHINNAVAT- BHATI TAT-NASE KEVALO BHAVET.”

“The All pervading AKASA or Sky appears different because of its association with various Upadhis or conditionings which are different from each other.  On the annihilation of these limited adjuncts the Sky  becomes one and clear. Similarly, BRAHMAN or Truth appears to be different due to its association with the various upadhis or conditionings. It becomes One, once the upadhis are demolished.”

Behind the seeming multiplicity of our existence and varied experiences, there is ONE eternal, unchanging substratum which is called the Brahman or the PARAMATMAN. This is also called as SACCHDANANDA SWARUPA—EXISTENCE- AWARENESS- BLISS. It is the dynamic Truth and no  differentiation is possible in the state of Absolute Reality.  It is really a wonder that we feel and experience the plurality in the world and its objects! We also consider that experience as real! If the  spirit is all pervading in the universe and all its objects, why do we experience plurality and differentiation? Why do the Vedas and the Upanishads declare: “EKAMEVADWITIYAM BRAHMA?” “Brahman is ONE. There is no Second” We cannot blindly accept whatever is described in our sastras and by the ancients and the learned. We have to enquire properly and our head and heart should assimilate any new idea before it becomes really our own.

According to BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD “ The Self is indeed Brahman, consisting of knowledge, mind, life, sight,  hearing----of earth, water, air, ether, light, and no light---of desire, and absence of desire, anger and absence of anger, righteousness and absence of righteousness. It consists of all things. This is what is meant by saying that ‘consists of this and consists of that.” The word Hrishikesa can be split as Hrishika + Isa = Lord of the indriyas or organs viz Lord Vishnu.  It can also be split as Hris +kesa meaning one whose hair is made short. This refers to Lord Krishna with his curly hair clipped on the battlefield of Kurukshetra! Our indriyas are powered by the Self or Brahman and

cannot function in the absence of that dynamic power. In other words, the Self is the Lord of the senses without which we cannot see, or smell, touch or speak.

The KATHA UPANISHAD declares:  Know that the Self is like the lord of the chariot, and the body is his chariot. Know that the intellect is the charioteer and the mind his reins.”

“The senses, they say, are the horses, the objects of the senses their roads. When the Self is in union with the body, the senses and the mind, the wise call HIM the enjoyer.”

“The eyes see not, but that by which the eyes are made to see, know that as the Brahman.”

“The ears hear not, but that by which the ears are made to hear, know that as the Brahman.”

The plurality of the All-Pervading Brahman is because of the Updhis or conditionings through which it functions. When we build a house on the plot there is space or akasa in it. We build the hall, bed rooms, kitchen, store room and others as per our wishes.   All these arrangements enclose space. But we consider them as separate. In short, one Akasa or space is considered as a multiple factor.  This aspect is described as “Mahadakasa and Ghatakasa “  ie the space or Akasa and the enclosed space in the pot. Both are the same but one is enclosed by the pot while the other is not. When the walls of the building are demolished, the room spaces have no individual separate existence. The original Akasa or space is not at all affected. The room spaces as well as the space enclosed within the pot merge into the one all space or Akasa!

Therefore, it is the effect and influence of upadhis, the various limiting factors that are responsible for  the world of plurality. When once these limitations are destroyed, the Substratum of Existence, the One dynamic truth of life is revealed in all its glory. Sankara says that without this Vibhu or Lord, no existence is possible! The Atman or Self is the same before and after Its realization. Imaginary limitations or upadhis distort the mind by super imposition. As these limitations are demolished the Self is realized and rediscovered!!