ATMA BODHA 27

 

                                                                        ATMA BODHA 27

                           “RAJJU-SARPAVAD-ATMANAM JIVO GNYATTWA  BHAYAM VAHETI

                            NAHAM JIVAH PARATMETI GNYATAS-CHET NIRBHAYO BHAVET”

Similar to a person who considers a rope as a snake, is overtaken by fear, one considering himself as the Ego (Jiva) is overcome by fear. Our individuality, which is ego-centric, become fearless by realizing that It is not a Jiva or an Individual but is itself this Supreme Soul.

In darkness the rope is mistaken as a snake. But really there is no snake. The form of the snake is super imposed on the rope and therefore the fear.  This super imposition of a snake vision on a rope takes place only when the existence of the rope is not perceived. As soon as this misapprehension starts, it multiplies itself, in its own imaginations, into a thousand baseless ideas.  The individual under his own delusions suffers the consequences of such a perception.  He imagines the details of the snake, the pain of its bite,  the fear of the death that would ensue  by the snake on the rope.

 This results because of the non apprehension of the Self. The misapprehension of the gross physical body, mind etc are seen  as real. This misunderstanding leads the confused ego to suffer in its own illusory sorrows. We should understand that we are not ‘limited individuality’ as we imagine ourselves to be. There is a limitless experience beyond our knowledge at present and this is shut out from us because of our self-centered existence. When the realization of the true nature of Self dawns on a person, his perpetual state of fear and sorrow miraculously vanishes and he appears to wake up from his own limited existence. He rediscovers himself to be the Blissful, Eternal Self which is All-pervading.

This illustration of seeing a snake in a rope is called “rajju-sarpa branthi. Darkness and the form of the rope create the illusion of the presence of the snake. Darkness is Avidya or ignorance.  When there is light the real nature of the rope is revealed. Light stands for knowledge or illumination. In short when Knowledge dawns all illusion vanishes and the real state of matter is known.  The purpose for which man is born is to realize himself. He is under the illusion that he is the body only. Though he is aware of the Self or Atma within, he does not identify himself with It. Under the firm grip of maya or illusion, he is eternally involved in material pleasures and cannot escape from the cycle of birth and death. Sankara states that this non-realization that He is not the limited Jiva but the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and omniscient SELF or the ATMAN is the root cause of all his sorrows and difficulties. The moment he realizes that he is not the body but the Eternal SELF or ATMAN, he is in total Bliss !