ATMA BODHA 35

 

ATMA BODHA 35

“AHAMAKASAVAD SARVAM BAHIR-ANTAR-GATO-ACHYUTAH

SADA SARVA-SAMA-SUDDHO NISSANGO-NIRMALO- ACHLAH”

SIMILAR TO SPACE I FILL ALL  THINGS WITHIN AND WITHOUT> I AM CHANGELESS AND THE SAME IN ALL AT ALL TIMES> I AM PUR, UNATTACHED, STAINLESS AND MOTIONLESS.”

 SaNKARA  continues and asserts the real nature of the SELF. Space or akasa envelops  all things in the world. Even this seemingly never ending Element of infinite expanse is a concept of the mind only. SELF is That which is beyond time, space and causality and cannot be localized at any given part in this body. Another specialit y of space or Akasa is that it allows things to exist in it but is never contaminated by the things present and exist in space. Similarly, the SELF, though allowing  the perceptions of the non Self in It, is not contaminated by them.

“In the nature of my existence, I am Eternal and immutable and one and the same in all and equally divine in all beings. I am the pure Self unadulterated by the layers of matter around me, unattached, ever stainless I am that All pervading Brahman.”

“And this Atman can only be described by ‘not this, not this.’ He is incomprehensible, for he can never be comprehended. He is indestructible, for he can never be destroyed. He is unattached, for he does not attach himself. He is unfettered , he does not suffer, he does not perish. O Janaka, you have indeed reached the state of fearlessness,” thus said Yajnavalkya. (Brihadaranyakopanishad)

“ He is the eternal  among the eternals, the intelligent among the intelligences, the one among the many, who fulfills their desires. He is the cause which is to be apprehended through discrimination and discipline. By knowing that God one is freed from all fetters. ( Swetasvataropanishad)

“Smaller than the small and greater than the great, the Self is hidden in the heart of every creature. A man who is free from desires beholds the glory of that Self through the tranquility of his mind and senses and becomes free from sorrow.” ( Kathopanishad)

“ The wise man who knows the Self as bodiless within the bodies, as the unchanging among changing things, as great and all pervading, will never grieve” ( Kathopanishad)