ATMA BODHA 20

ATMA BODHA 20

“ATMACHAITANYAM-ASRTYA DEHE-INDRIYA MANO –DHIYAH

SWA-KRIYARTHESHU VARTANTE SURYALOKAM YATHA JANAH.”

“Depending upon the energy or vitality of Atma-chaitanya or Consciousness, the body, senses, mind and intellect involve themselves in their respective activities. It is similar to men who work depending upon the light of the Sun.”

Without Atmachaitanya  everything is dead. It is because of this Supreme Consciousness that every organ of the body functions. The energizing factor in the body is the power of the Supreme Self. Every indriya of the body senses as well as the mind and intellect acts in its own definite sphere entirely depending upon this power.The very presence of this Supreme Consciousness kindles Life in matter  and makes it  look as if sentient.  The KENA- Upanishad declares “ Impelled and directed by whom does the mind light on its objects? Commanded by whom does the first life-breath move forward?  Prompted by whom do men utter this speech? And what god directs the eye and the ear?” I(Up. I)

The power of electricity is one but its sphere of operation is different.  We may have bulbs, switches and all other connections in place but without that electrical energy  nothing works out! Similarly withoy the presense of the Atma no activity is possible in the world! Without the grace of the Atma all the objects of creation  would then be  dead matter  hanging heavily around like stone, inert dark devoid of any symptom of life and hope! It is Atma that  that makes life dynamic, gay, energetic  and attractive. The beauty is that the Atma is not at all affected by the things and happenings of life. The wonder is that It illumines everything by its divine presence!

Sankara illustrates his point by comparing the Atma to the Sun rise when all the activities of creatures in the universe start. The Sunrise is a joy for ever for all men, animals and all other creatures. The dawn is fresh and bright and dispels all darkness. It is the producer of warmth and takes away chillness and cold atmosphere. While work starts from the beginning of the day for humanity, the Producer of this warmth and activity is a mere witness and is totally unaffected by what is happening in the world below.  The Sun revels in illuminating everything that comes  within its range. The role of the Sun is to illuminate, offer warmth and life to every object in the world

 The ATma plays the same role as the sun in energizing the vital and other parts of the body.All the sleeping cells of the body, senses, mind and intellect are awakened brilliantly by the golden touch of the radiant and dynamic Atma! One should clearly understand that the Atma is only the illuminator not one who experiences or suffers !  I t is the Silent Witness to what all happens to everyone in theuniverse !

“ HE who dwells in the breath and is within the breath, whom the breath does not know, whose body the breath is, who controls the breath from within----he is your Self, the inner controller, the immortal.” “BRIHADARANYAKOPANISHAD)