ATMA BODHA 36

 

ATMA BODHA 36

“NITYA- SUDH- VIMUKTA- AIKAM AKHANDA – ANANDA- MADVAYAM

SATYAM-JNANA- MANANTAM YAT-PARAM BRAHMA-MEVA THAT”

“I am verily that Supreme Brahman alone which is Eternal, Pure, and free, One, indivisible and non dual, and of the nature of Changeless Knowledge infinite.”

Sri Sankara has already asserted that the Self is entirely different from the body.It is ignorance that people identify the body with the Self or Atman. Sri Sankara repeatedly  reminds us of the difference between the Self and the body.  He points out that this constant awareness constitutes the practice of Knowledge.---Gyana Abhyasa. A true vedantin has to  bring that into his own personal experience. These stanzas of Sri Sankara are essential for purposes of meditation. The direct path of experiencing IT lies in contemplating over them and feeling them sincerely.

Who can grow more and more in spiritual strength? It is only those who constantly practice the control of the mind and retreat gradually from the dark despairs and sorrows of the matter developments. Thus, they grow more in their spiritual strength. The glow of God-consciousness is brought deep into their hearts even as the ajnana which veils the truth and the agitation of the mind,----has gradually weekened.When the self centered egoistic thoughts of passions and sense impulses  are gone we are awakened to the Knowledge of the Self. This glory in us,  ever Pure, Eternal and indivisible.This Supreme Existence Is Truth Knowledge –Absolute.

The Brahman is described as “Satyam Gnanam Anantam  Brahma” “ Tatsatyam sa Atma” asserts Chandogyopanishad  Upa;6.8. 7. Satyam is that which cannot change or be changed by any one. It is constant for all time. Jnanam or Knowledge is knowledge of the Brahman only. All other knowledge is worldly and stand no comparison to Knowledge of the Brahman. Anantam is that which has no end . It is Infinite and immortal.

The substance elucidated in Brahma Valli of Taittiriya Upanishad is that the Brahman which is the form of “Satya, Jnana and Anantam”( Truth, Knowledge and Infinite), after the creation of Akasa or sky and anna or food and other things, manifested itself through them and appears to perform the duties of material existence.( samsarika dharma) Therefore one should realize that he is the form of that “ananda or Bliss” which is beyond all actions and invisible. One who realizes the unity and non-distinction between the Jiva (individual soul) and the Brahman (Absolute Soul) will transcend all actions good and bad. These actions shall destroy the cycle of his birth and death.

“That which is Infinite…….that indeed is happiness. There is no happiness in anything that is finite. The Infinite alone is Happiness. But this Infinite------one must desire to understand.” ( Chandogyopanishad Up. 4)

“The knowing  Self is never born nor does it die. It sprang from nothing and nothing sprang from it. It is unborn, eternal, everlasting and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.” ( Kathopanishad  iii Up5) “ ajo  nityaha saswathoyam purano na hanyate hanyamane sareere”

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