ATMA BODHA 60

 

ATMA BODHA 60

“ANANWA-ASTOOLA-MAHRASWA-MADEERGHA MAJA-MAVYAYAM

AROOP-GUNA-VARNA-AKHYAM TAD- BRAHMETI-AVADHARAYET”

“REALISE THAT BRAHMAN IS NEITHER SUBTLE NOR$ GROSS: NEITHER SHORT NOR LONG: WITHOT BIRTH OR CHANGE: WITHOUT FORM,QUALITIES, COLOUR AND NAME.

In the previous stanza Sankara emphasizes the fact that all objects are pervaded by Brahman. He elaborates the point, and states here that BRAHMAN is neither gross nor subtle. Everything is pervaded by IT. It is the bedrock and substratum for everything. Even when an atom is split the presence of BRAHMAN is definitely felt.

Finite objects bound by limitations of time and space are either gross or subtle. But BRAHMAN which is timeless time and spaceless space, the Infinitude of the Infinite cannot be bound by space-time- causation. Hence IT can only be defined in negative terms such as “neither gross nor subtle etc’.

What is born is the body, mind and intellect and the objects of the outer world; not the BRAHMAN. This infinite Reality is irreducible, formless, without quality, or caste or name. Hence it is indescribable. It is beyond perception, feelings or thoughts. This is the description of the Infinite in the language of negation.

We have to understand the limitations of language. It can describe only themes that have qualities (Guna) or function ( kriya) or name (Nama)or qualifications ( Visesha) or relationship with others  (Sambandha). None of these are for the Eternal Infinite, substratum for everything. Therefore It has to elude language and remain indescribable. Our scriptures make use of this technique of describing the Infinite by the process of negation. These terms are to be considered as so many arrow marks

indicating  Truth. They are not in themselves positive definitions of THAT. KNOW THAT TO BE THE BRAHMAN.