ATMA BODHA 57

 

ATMA BODHA 57

“ATAT- VYAHRUTI-RUPENA VEDANTAIH LAKSHYATE-ADVAYAM

AKHAND-ANANDAM -EKAM YAD TAD-BRAHMETI-AVADHARAYET.”

“UNDERSTAND THAT BRAHMAN IS NON-DUAL, INDIVISIBLE, ONE AND BLISSFUL> VEDANTA INDICATES IT AS THE IMMUTABLE SUBSRATUM> IT IS REALISED AFTER THE NEGATION OF ALL TANGIBLE OBJECTS>”

The process of Negation has already been explained.  It is impossible to reach the All-pervading Eternal Brahman since it is not an object –of- cognition. On the other hand it is Itself the subjective Reality that illuminates all thoughts and actions. As It is One without-a-second ( ekameva advitiyam Brahma)it does not allow of any difference from similar or dissimilar objects. This Indivisible, Immutable Self is no longer an impotent factor but a positive state of Infinite Bliss. According to the Upanishads the Self is reached  by a process of negation (neti)  of what it is not and of assertion of what IT IS--- THE SUBSTRATUM OR BEDROCK of all existence.

Our minds are totally limited and thoughts impure and ever unsteady. All our objects of cognition ever changing and perishable. What is that changeless substance in the ever changing processes? What is that LIFE FORCE responsible for the manifestation of matter? How is the inert matter illuminated? What is the secret of the vigour and vitality of Life? What is behind all this pluralistic existence? Which is the Homogeneous and all-permeating spirit in all objects? What maintains all thing in unity like the string in a garland? That is the substratum, our own SELF which cannot be objectively followed but can be subjectively experienced  as the Pure Consciousness.( Atman)

In the earlier three stanzas, Sankara has indicated the SELF with a definition “ by differentiation yet in consonance with it” technically called as TATASTHA LAKSHANA. IN the next few stanzas we have a description of the LIFE SPARK in us by the direct method called  SWAROOPA LAKSHANA.

“ The Self which is free from sin, free from old age, free from death, free from grief, free from hunger and thirst, whose desire is Reality, whose will is Truth------it is that which one has to seek, it is that which one has to know. He who has found out that SELF and understands it---he obtains all worlds and all desires.” Thus spoke Prajapati ( Lord of creatures)   CHANDOGYOPANISHAD XXI ( Up VIII. 7.12)1