Siva-Jnanamrita Upanishad
Siva-Jnanamrita Upanishad
OM bhadraü karõebhiþ ÷çõuyàma devàþ
bhadraü pa÷yemàkùabhiryajatràþ |
sthirairaügaistuùñuvàüsastanåbhiþ
vya÷ema devahitaü yadàyuþ ||
OM ÷àntiþ ÷àntiþ ÷àntiþ
Om! O gods! may we, with our ears, hear what is auspicious! O ye, fit to be worshipped! May we, with our eyes, see what is auspicious! May we enjoy the life allotted to us by the gods, offering our praise with our bodies strong of limbs!
Om Peace Peace Peace!
Mantra 1
yadetatràmaråpàtmakaü jagat tadàbhàsamàtram |
na tad brahmaõaþ purastàt pratitiùñhati |
rajjusarpanyàyena brahmaõi jagato.adhyàsaþdehàdhayàyasa÷ca || 1 ||
1. This world of names and forms is a mere appearance. It has no independent existence apart from Brahman. Just as a snake is superimposed on the rope, this world and body are superimposed on Brahman.
yathà rajjuj¤ànàt sarpabhrantirnivartate saha tanmålena bhayena tathà
brahmaj¤ànànnivartate.avidyà sahaiva janimaraõabhayena || 2 ||
2. Just as knowledge of a rope removes the illusion of a snake in the rope and the consequent fear, so also the knowledge of the Self (Brahman) removes Avidya or ignorance and the fear of birth and death.
tad brahma tat saccidànandasvaråpaü svayaüjyotirnityaü anàdyantaü
nirvikàraü amçtaü abhayaü niraüjanam || 3 ||
3. Brahman is Sat-Chit-Ananda Svarupa. It is self-luminous (Svayam-Jyoti). It is eternal (Nityam), beginningless (Anadi), endless (Ananta), changeless (Nirvikara), deathless (Amritam), fearless (Abhayam) and spotless (Niranjana).
nirguõaü niràkàraü nirvi÷eùaü akhaõóaü nirupàdhikaü ekamevàdvitãyaü svatantraü nityamuktaü paripårõam || 4 ||
4. Brahman is attributeless (Nirguna), formless, (Nirakara), without special characteristics (Nirvisesha), without parts (Akhanda), without any limiting adjunct (Nirupadhika), one without a second (Ekam eva Advitiyam), independent (Svatantra), ever free (Nitya-mukta) and all-full (Paripurna).
÷arãratrayavyatiriktaü, pa¤cako÷ebhyaþ pçthak,
avasthàtrayasàkùibhåtaü, triguõàtãtaü, dvandvanirmuktam |
saccidànandàtmakaü, sarvatrasàrabhåtaü,
antaþkaraõasya yoniþ tathaþ pràõendriya÷arãràõàü asya ca jagataþ || 5 ||
5. Brahman is distinct from the three bodies and five sheaths (Koshas). He is the silent witness of the three states. He transcends the three Gunas and the pairs of opposites. He is an embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda. He is the essence or Swarupa. He is the source or womb for the mind, Prana, Indriyas, body and this world.
omityeùa praõavo brahmaõaþ pratãkaþ | vãryavaccaitasyoccàraõaü
oükàràdeùa prapa¤caþ saüvçttaþ | oükàre pratitiùñhati | oükàre ca
pralãyate mahàpralaye | oükàre pratitiùñhati | oükàre ca pralãyate
mahàpralaye | oükàra÷caturõàü vedànàü sàrabhåtaþ || 6 ||
6. Om or the Pranava is the symbol (Pratika) of Brahman. It is the word of power. From Om this world is projected; in Om it exists and in Om it is involved during cosmic Pralaya. Om is the essence of the four Vedas.
yo.asau prayatamànaþ sàdhanacatuùñayasaüpannaþ nirastacittadoùaþ
sthirãkçtacittavçttiþ sàttvikaguõavi÷iùñaþ sa eva j¤ànayogamarhati || 7 ||
7. That aspirant who is endowed with the four means, who has removed impurities and tossing of the mind, who is equipped with Sattvic virtues is only fit for the path of Jnana Yoga.
jàgratayà prayatnasàdhitena dãrdheõàvicchinnena dhyànena yathàkramaü
bhåmikàþ samàrohet | apràpya ca bhåmànaü nàbhiyogàdviramet | savikalpasamàdhimàtreõa santoùàbhàsamupalabhya na
sàdhanamapahastayet || 8 ||
8. By careful, diligent, protracted and unceasing practice of meditation gradually ascend the steps (Bhumikas). Do not relax the efforts till you attain the Bhuma (Highest). Do not stop the Sadhana when you get some false contentment from the Savikalpa Samadhi.
sànubhavaü sàrthànusaüdhànaü ca praõavamàmreóayan |
adhyàtmamàrge tarati sarvanantaràyàn | hrasvaþ praõavaþ
sarvapàpanodanaþ | dãrdho muktipradaþ | pluto.akhilamiddhihetu || 9 ||
9. Repetition of Om with meaning and Bhava will remove all obstacles in the spiritual path. The Hrasva (short) Pranava destroys all sins. The Dirgha (long) Pranava gives Mukti, the Pluta gives all Siddhis.
..
'tattvamasi'-mahàvàkyasya
lakùyàrthanusandhànamàtmabodhasyàtitvaritaþ panthàþ || 10 ||
10. Meditation on Lakshyartha (indicative meaning) of Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art) Mahavakya (great sentence) is the direct means for attaining Self-realisation.
sàdhanacatuùñayasaüpanno mumukùuþ ÷rotriyàd brahmaniùñhat adhãtya
÷rutãþ ùaóligapratipattyà brahmavicàraü kçtvà dhyànasamàdhã
anupravi÷et || 11 ||
11. That aspirant who is endowed with the four means, should hear the Srutis from a Brahma-srotri—Brahmanishtha and enquire into the nature of Brahman through the help of Shad Lingas and then reflect and meditate.
sàdhanacatuùñayasaüpannasya sàdhakasya mumakùoþ
sàttvikabhàvaprabhavà brahmàkàravçttiþ aj¤ànàvaraõaü vibhidya
svayamapi na÷yati || 12 ||
12. The Brahmakara Vritti that arises from the Sattvic mind of the aspirant who is equipped with the four means destroys the veil of ignorance and dies by itself.
mana÷càpi jaóam | sattvaguõakàryabhåtam | brahmaõo målabhåtàt
svaprakà÷amàdatte | tadetat sàdi ca sàntaü ca || 13 ||
13. Mind also is Jada. It is an effect (Karya) of Sattva Guna. It borrows its light from its source, Brahman. It has a beginning and an end.
tisro bhàvanàþ, nidrà, cittavikùepo, viùayàsaktiþ, cittàvasàdo,
manoràjyaü, vyàdhirityàdayo nityamàtmasàkùàtkàrasyàntaràyàþ || 14 ||
14. The three Bhavanas, sleep, tossing of mind, mind running towards objects, depression, building castles in the air, diseases, etc., are the chief obstacles in the attainment of Self-realisation.
sàkùàtkçtaparipårõasvarupo j¤ànã sarvapràõijàtamàtmani, sarvasminnapi
pràõijàte càtmànaü pa÷yati | tasmai brahmaõo.anyat kimapi na vidyate |
sa niþ÷aükaü loke saücarati || 15 ||
15. The Jnani who has full Self-realisation sees all beings in the Self and the Self in all beings. There is nothing other than Brahman for him. He moves about fearlessly in the world.
svasaükalpamahimnà j¤ànã sarvamicchàvidheyamadhigachati |
yadanusaüdadhyàt tasya tadevàvirbhavati |
sa mahàmahimnàmàkaraþ || 16 ||
16. A Jnani gets anything he likes through the power of his Sat-Sankalpa (perfect will). A Jnani wills and everything comes into being. A Jnani has tremendous powers.
j¤ànàdhigame karmaõàü pravilayaþ | j¤àninaþ pràrabdhakarmàpi
na vidyate || 17 ||
17. When one gets Jnana, all Karmas are destroyed. There is no Prarabdha (fructifying) Karma for a Jnani.
jivata eva j¤àninaþ turãyàtãtada÷àyàü videhamuktirbhavati || 18 ||
18. Videha Mukti comes when a Jnani is living. A Jnani gets disembodied salvation (Videha Mukti) when he enters the state of Turiyatita, the Absolute.
*
traikàlikaü j¤ànaü sarvato nirbhayatà, sarvathà niùkàmatà,
kathaücidapi pãóànadhigamaþ, samatàdçùñiþdvandveùu samatà, atyànanda÷okàdyagocaratà, ityàdãni ligàni jãvanmuktasya || 19 ||
19. The chief marks (Lingas) of a Jivanmukta are knowledge of the past, present and future, absolute fearlessness, absolute desireless, absolute painlessness, equal vision, balanced mind, freedom from exhilaration and depression, etc.
na janmamçtyå na bandhamokùai na sàdhanasamàdhã na dhyàtçdhyeyau
na mumukùumuktai ityetadeva pàramàrthikaü tattvam || 20 ||
20. There is neither birth nor death, neither bondage nor freedom, neither Sadhana nor Samadhi, neither meditator nor meditated, neither seeker after liberation nor liberated—this is the ultimate truth.
Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti!
Introduction
The purpose of life is the realisation of one’s own essential nature. It is to know that you are the pure ever-free Atman. The Vedanta expounds the great truth that Atman alone is real, the phenomenal world is unreal. You are Atman, but you forget your real Svarupa due to identification with the body. This is called Deha-Adhyasa. This is the greatest obstacle to Self-Knowledge or Atma-Jnana. To get over this delusion of identification with body the Vedantic Seers have made a detailed analysis of the different bodies, gross and subtle, and systematically proved that the Jiva is not the body but is identical with the Paramatman. The study of the three bodies, the five sheaths and the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep, helps man to understand that he is different from all these diverse modifications and that he is the unchanging, constant, witness of all these. This helps him to feel that he transcends the three states, the three bodies and the Panchakoshas.
Constant remembrance of this and meditation on this knowledge will lead him to the realisation of his Atma-svarupa. Therefore, the study of the Panchakoshas is a valuable aid in the process of disassociating yourself from the bodies and the sheaths. It enables you to rise above body-consciousness, to feel that you are the Atman and thus remain quite unaffected and unattached amidst all distractions and tribulations of life.
I. The Three Bodies
Their Enumeration
(The individual experiencer is a consciousness-centre enveloped by several layers of matter existing as the factors causing objective awareness in it. The analysis of these layers or bodies is necessary to ascertain the nature of the true Self.)
Hari Om. Om Sat-Guru-Paramatmane Namah.
Disciple: How many bodies are there in an individual (Jiva)?
Guru: There are three bodies in every individual (Jiva).
Disciple: Please name them.
Guru: The physical body or the gross body (Sthula Sarira), the astral body or the subtle body (Sukshma Sarira or Lingadeha) and the causal body or the seed body (Karanasarira) are the three bodies.
Disciple: Please illustrate them.
Guru: The shell of a tamarind corresponds to the physical body. The pulp represents the subtle body. The seed corresponds to the causal body. Ice represents the physical body. H2O represents the subtle body. The Tanmatras or root-elements correspond to the causal body.
The Gross Body
Disciple: What are the components of the physical body?
Guru: The physical body is composed of five elements, viz., earth (Prithvi), water (Apah), fire (Tejas), air (Vayu) and space (Akasa).
Disciple: What are the seven primary essences (Sapta-Dhatus) of the physical body?
Guru: Chyle (Rasa), blood (Asra), flesh (Mamsa), fat (Medas), bone (Asthi), marrow (Majja) and semen (Sukla), are the seven primary essences of the physical body.
Disciple: What are the Shad-bhava-vikaras (six modifications of the body)?
Guru: Asti (existence), Jayate (birth), Vardhate (growth), Viparinamate (change), Apaksheeyate (decay), Vinashyate (death), are the six modifications or changes of the body.
Disciple: What are the links with which the body is connected?
Guru: The body (Deha), action (Karma), love and hate (Raga-dvesha), egoism (Ahamkara), non-discrimination (Aviveka) and ignorance (Ajnana) are the seven links of the chain of Samsara (world-experience). From Ajnana (ignorance), Aviveka is born. Aviveka is non-discrimination between the real and the unreal. From Aviveka is born Ahamkara or egoism; from egoism is born Raga-dvesha (like and dislike); from Raga-dvesha Karma (action) arises; from Karma the body or the Deha is produced. If you want to free yourself from the pain of birth and death, destroy ignorance (Ajnana), the root cause of this Samsara (world-experience), through the attainment of the Knowledge of Brahman or the Absolute. When ignorance is removed, all the other links will be broken by themselves. This physical body of yours is the result of your past actions and is the seat of your enjoyment of pleasure and pain.
Disciple: Why is the body called Sarira or Deha?
Guru: Because the body decays (Sheeryate) on account of old age, it is called Sarira. Because it is cremated or burnt (Dahyate) it is called Deha.
The Subtle Body
Disciple: What is the composition of the subtle body?
Guru: The subtle body is composed of nineteen principles (Tattvas), viz., five Jnana Indriyas or organs of knowledge, five Karma Indriyas or organs of action, five Pranas or vital airs, Manas or mind, Buddhi or intellect, Chitta or the subconscious and Ahamkara or the ego. It is a means of enjoying pleasure and pain.
Disciple: When will this subtle body get dissolved?
Guru: It gets dissolved in Videha Mukti or disembodied Liberation.
The Causal Body
Disciple: What is the causal body (Karana Sarira)?
Guru: The beginningless ignorance that is indescribable is called the causal body. It is the cause of the gross and the subtle bodies.
Disciple: How can I transcend the three bodies?
Guru: Identify yourself with the All-pervading, Eternal Atman. Stand as a witness (Sakshi) of all experiences. Know that the Atman is always like a king—distinct from the body, organs, vital breaths, mind, intellect, ego and Prakriti—the Witness of their attributes.
II. The Five Sheaths
Disciple: What is meant by a Kosha?
Guru: Kosha means a sheath.
Disciple: Kindly illustrate these sheaths.
Guru: Just as a pillow-cover is a covering or a sheath for the pillow, just as a scabbard is a sheath for the sword or the dagger, so also this body, Pranas, mind, intellect and the causal body are sheaths that cover the Atman or the Soul.
There is the singlet close to the body; over this there is the shirt; over the shirt there is the waist-coat; over the waist-coat there is the coat; over the coat there is the overcoat. Even so, the Atman is enveloped by these five sheaths.
Disciple: How many sheaths are there in the body?
Guru: There are five sheaths.
Disciple: Please name them.
Guru: Annamaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha are the five Koshas or sheaths.
Disciple: What is Annamaya Kosha?
Guru: Annamaya Kosha is food-sheath. It is the gross body made up of the five gross elements.
Disciple: Why is it called Annamaya Kosha?
Guru: It is called Annamaya Kosha, because it lives on account of food, it is made up of the essence of food, and, finally, it returns to food (earth or matter).
Disciple: What is Pranamaya Kosha?
Guru: Pranamaya Kosha is the vital sheath.
Disciple: What is the Pranamaya Kosha made of?
Guru: It is made up of the Pranas or the vital airs and the five Karmendriyas or organs of action.
Disciple: How many Pranas are there?
Guru: There are ten Pranas five Mukhya or chief Pranas, viz., Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana, and five Upapranas or sub-Pranas viz., Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta and Dhananjaya.
Disciple: What is the function of Prana?
Guru: Ucchvasa and Nihshvasa (inhalation and exhalation) are the functions of the Prana.
Disciple: What is the function of Apana?
Guru: Excretion of faeces and urine is the function of the Apana.
Disciple: What is the function of Vyana?
Guru: Circulation of blood is the function of Vyana. Disciple: What is the function of Udana?
Guru: Udana helps deglutition or swallowing of food. It takes the Jiva to rest in Brahman during deep sleep. It separates the astral body from the physical body at the time of death.
Disciple: What is the function of Samana?
Guru: Digestion of food is the function of Samana. Disciple: What is the function of Naga?
Guru: Belching and hiccough or eructation and vomiting are the functions of Naga.
Disciple: What is the function of Kurma?
Guru: Closing and opening of eyelids are the functions of Kurma.
Disciple: What is the function of Krikara?
Guru: Causing of hunger is the function of Krikara. Disciple: What is the function of Devadatta?
Guru: Yawning is the function of Devadatta.
Disciple: What is the function of Dhananjaya?
Guru: Nourishing the body, decomposition of the body after death and ejection of the child out of the womb in women are the functions of Dhananjaya.
Disciple: What are the two divisions in Prana?
Guru: Gross Prana and subtle Prana are the two divisions in Prana.
Disciple: What are the functions of these Pranas?
Guru: The gross Prana does the functions of breathing, digestion, excretion, circulation, etc. The subtle Prana generates thought.
Disciple: What is Manomaya Kosha?
Guru: Manomaya Kosha is the mind-sheath.
Disciple: What does the mind-sheath consist of?
Guru: The mind-sheath consists of the mind (Manas), the subconscious (Chitta) and the five Jnanendriyas or the sense-organs of knowledge.
Disciple: What is Vijnanamaya Kosha?
Guru: It is the intellectual sheath.
Disciple: What does the intellectual sheath consist of?
Guru: It consists of the intellectual and the ego working with the help of the five Jnanendriyas or the sense-organs of knowledge.
Disciple: What is Anandamaya Kosha?
Guru: It is the bliss-sheath.
Disciple: Why is it called Anandamaya Kosha?
Guru: Because through it the Jiva or the individual soul experiences bliss during deep sleep and at the time of experiencing the effect of a Sattvic deed.
Disciple: What does the bliss-sheath consist of?
Guru: It is a modification of Prakriti and consists of the Vrittis called Priya, Moda and Pramoda.
Disciple: How many Koshas are in the physical body?
Guru: One Kosha—Annamaya Kosha.
Disciple: How many Koshas are in the Linga-shareera or subtle body (Astral body)?
Guru: Three sheaths, viz., Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya.
Disciple: How many sheaths are in the causal body or Karana Sarira?
Guru: One sheath, viz., Anandamaya Kosha.
Disciple: How many sheaths operate during the waking state?
Guru: The five sheaths function during the waking state.
Disciple: How many sheaths function during the dream state?
Guru: Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Kosha function during dreaming state. Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Kosha function partially.
Disciple: How many sheaths function during deep sleep?
Guru: Only one, viz., Anandamaya Kosha.
III. Gunas
Disciple: What Guna is found in the physical body?
Guru: Tamoguna.
Disciple: What Guna is found in the Pranamaya Kosha?
Guru: Rajoguna.
Disciple: What is the Guna found in the Manomaya Kosha?
Guru: Sattva mixed with Tamas.
Disciple: What is the Guna found in the Vijnanamaya Kosha?
Guru: Sattva mixed with Rajas.
Disciple: What is the Guna found in the Anandamaya Kosha?
Guru: Sattva, technically called the Malina-Sattva (mixed with Rajas and Tamas) in contrast with Suddha-Sattva of which Maya is the embodiment.
Disciple: Where are the Karmendriyas located?
Guru: In the Pranamaya Kosha.
Disciple: Where are the Jnanendriyas located?
Guru: In the Manomaya Kosha.
Disciple: Where does Jnanasakti rest?
Guru: In the Vijnanamaya Kosha.
Disciple: Where does Iccha Sakti rest?
Guru: In the Manomaya Kosha (mind).
Disciple: Where does Kriya Sakti rest?
Guru: In the Pranamaya Kosha.
Disciple: Please illustrate the function of Jnana Sakti, Iccha Sakti and Kriya Sakti.
Guru: You get knowledge of milk through intellect. You come to know that milk nourishes the body. This is the work of the Jnana Sakti of the Vijnanamaya Kosha. Then a desire arises in the mind to possess milk. This is the work of the Iccha Sakti or the Manomaya Kosha. Then you exert to obtain milk. This is the work of the Kriya Sakti of the Pranamaya Kosha.
Disciple: What are the attributes of the Anandamaya Kosha?
Guru: Priya, Moda, Pramoda.
Disciple: What is Priya?
Guru: The joy you experience when you look at an object you like.
Disciple: What is Moda?
Guru: The great joy you feel when you possess the object you like.
Disciple: What is Pramoda?
Guru: The greatest joy you experience after enjoyment of the object you like.
Disciple: What are the Vikaras (modifications) of the Annamaya Kosha?
Guru: Existence, birth, growth, change, decay and death.
Disciple: What are the Dharmas of the Pranamaya Kosha?
Guru: Hunger and thirst, heat and cold.
Disciple: What are the Vikaras of the Manomaya Kosha?
Guru: Sankalpa-Vikalpa (thinking and doubting), anger, lust, Harsha (exhilaration), Soka (depression) and Moha (delusion), etc. There are sixteen modifications of the Manomaya Kosha.
Disciple: What are the functions of the Vijnanamaya Kosha?
Guru: Discrimination and decision or determination (Viveka and Adhyavasaya or Nischaya), Kartritva and Bhoktritva (agency and enjoyership).
Disciple: What is the Dharma of the Anandamaya Kosha?
Guru: Experience of happiness.
Disciple: Please give the order of subtlety of the Koshas.
Guru: The Pranamaya Kosha is subtler than and pervades the Annamaya Kosha. The Manomaya Kosha is subtler than and pervades the Pranamaya and Annamaya Koshas. The Vijnanamaya Kosha is subtler than and pervades the Manomaya, the Pranamaya and the Annamaya Koshas. The Anandamaya Kosha is subtler than all the other four Koshas and pervades all of them.
IV. Adhyaropa Apavada
Disciple: What is the relation between the Kosha and the Atman?
Guru: Anyonya-Adhyasa.
Disciple: What is Anyonya-Adhyasa?
Guru: Anyonya-Adhyasa is mutual superimposition. The attributes of the five sheaths are superimposed on the Atman. The attributes of the sheaths, e.g., change pain, etc., are falsely attributed to the pure soul or the Atman. The attributes of the Pure Atman such as Existence, Knowledge, Bliss, Purity, Consciousness are transferred to the five sheaths.
Disciple: What is Adhyaropa?
Guru: Adhyaropa is superimposition. Just as the snake is superimposed on the rope, the five Koshas are superimposed on the Atman.
Disciple: What is Apavadayukti?
Guru: It is sublation or negation of the five sheaths through “neti-neti” doctrine.
Disciple: What are the Shad Urmis?
Guru: Birth and death (for the physical body), hunger and thirst (for the Pranamaya Kosha), grief and delusion (Soka and Moha) for the Manomaya Kosha.
Disciple: Why are they called Urmis?
Guru: Just as there are waves in the ocean, these Shad Urmis are the waves in the ocean of this Samsara.
Disciple: How to develop the Vijnanamaya Kosha?
Guru: Through Viveka (discrimination), Vichara (enquiry), meditation on Atman, Japa of Omkara, etc.
Disciple: What will be the use of this purified and developed Vijnanamaya Kosha?
Guru: It will serve as a fortress to prevent coming in of sensual Samskaras from without and prevent the Samskaras of the Anandamaya Kosha or Karana Sarira from coming outside, it will help you to enter into profound meditation and Atma Vichara.
V. Avidya
Disciple: What is the cause of superimposition or Adhyasa?
Guru: Avidya or ignorance.
Disciple: What is the Adhara or Adhishthana for Avidya?
Guru: Brahman.
Disciple: How can Avidya remain in pure Brahman.
Guru: It is Anirvachaneeya. From the viewpoint of the Absolute there is neither Jiva nor Avidya nor the five sheaths. Avidya exists only for the Jiva.
Disciple: What is the other name for Avidya?
Guru: Anandamaya Kosha or Karanasarira of Jiva or individual soul.
Disciple: What does Avidya consist of?
Guru: It consists of Vasanas and Samskaras. The impression of the whole Sanchita Karma of all your past births are lodged there.
VI. Three Avasthas
Disciple: What are the three Avasthas?
Guru: Jagrat Avastha (waking state), Svapna Avastha (dreaming state), Sushupti Avastha (deep sleep state).
Disciple: What is meant by Avastha?
Guru: Avastha means a state.
Disciple: What is Jagrat Avastha?
Guru: It is the state of waking consciousness. That state in which objects are known through the senses is known as Jagrat.
Disciple: What is Svapna Avastha?
Guru: That state in which objects are perceived through the impressions produced during waking state is called Svapna or dreaming state. The consciousness of the subtle, inner, subjective Prapancha or world, which during the quiescence of the sense-organs arises in the form of the percipient and object of perception by virtue of the latent impressions of what is seen and heard in Jagrat is Svapna.
Disciple: What is Sushupti?
Guru: That state in which there is total absence of knowledge of objects is deep sleep state. It is a remembrance in Jagrat state of the kind of experience, “I enjoyed sound sleep. I knew nothing.”
VII. Moksha
Disciple: What is the nature of Moksha?
Guru: Sarvaduhkhanivritti (removal of all kinds of pain), and Paramanandaprapti (attainment of Supreme, imperishable, eternal Bliss of Brahman).
Disciple: What does Brahmajnana do?
Guru: It destroys Avidya and its effects (Karya), viz., the bodies and the whole Samsara. It frees you from the miseries of birth and death. It makes you absolutely fearless, free and independent. All your doubts like “whether I am body or Prana or Buddhi” will vanish in toto. You will become Anamaya, free from disease, old age and death. You will have no fear of death or enemies. You will shine as the effulgent, resplendent Purusha Supreme.
Categories In Vedanta
Introduction
The Prakriyas or the different categories in the Philosophy of Vedanta are the fundamental rudimentary principles with which its ethics and metaphysics are built up. They take into account both the Unmanifest and the manifest, Brahman, Maya, Isvara, Jiva and the universe. The nature of the Reality, the characteristics of the phenomenal appearance and the constitution of the individual self are the main themes of Vedantic discussion.
Sri Sankaracharya says that one must possess the fourfold qualification of Sadhana before entering into the study of Tattva-Bodha or the Knowledge of the Vedantic Categories and the Nature of the Atman. Sincere aspirants who have an ardent aspiration, faith, perseverance and purity of conscience will find a way of self-transformation through this knowledge. A thorough understanding of these different categories is necessary before starting to study the actual philosophy of the Advaita Vedanta which abounds with severe logic and penetrating reasoning over the eternal verities of existence.
The Categories
1. There are twenty-four Tattvas or Principles of the manifestation of Mula Prakriti:
The five Tanmatras or rudimentary principles of the elements: Sabda (sound), Sparsha (touch), Rupa (form or colour), Rasa (taste), Gandha (smell).
The five Jnana-Indriyas or organs of perception: Shrotra (ear), Tvak (skin), Chakshus (eye), Jihva (tongue), Ghrana (nose).
The five Karma-Indriyas or organs of action: Vak (speech), Pani (hand), Pada (feet), Upastha (genital), Payu (anus).
The five Pranas or vital forces: Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana.
The fourfold Antahkarana or the internal organ: Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (memory or subconscious), Ahamkara (egoism).
2. There are three bodies or Shariras: Sthoola-Sharira (gross physical body), Sukshma or Linga-Sharira (subtle body), Karana-Sharira (causal body).
3. There are five Koshas or sheaths covering the Jiva: Annamaya (food sheath), Pranamaya (vital sheath), Manomaya (mental sheath), Vijnanamaya (intellectual sheath), Anandamaya (bliss-sheath).
4. There are six Bhava-Vikaras or modifications of the body: Asti (existence), Jayate (birth), Vardhate (growth), Viparinamate (change), Apakshiyate (decay), Vinashyati (death).
5. There are five gross elements: Akasha (sky), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Apah (water), Prithivi (earth).
6. There are five Upa-pranas or subsidiary vital airs: Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta, Dhananjaya.
7. There are six Urmis or waves (of the ocean of Samsara): Shoka (grief), Moha (confusion or delusion), Kshut (hunger), Pipasa (thirst), Jara (decay or old age), Mrityu (death).
8. There are six Vairis or enemies: Kama (passion), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (infatuation or delusion or confusion), Mada (pride), Matsarya (jealousy).
9. Maya is twofold: Vidya (knowledge), Avidya (ignorance).
10. Vidya or knowledge is twofold: Para (higher), Apara (lower).
11. Avasthas or states of consciousness are three: Jagrat (waking), Svapna (dreaming), Sushupti (deep sleep).
12. Saktis are two: Avarana (veil), Vikshepa (distraction).
13. Jnana-Bhumikas or degrees of knowledge are seven: Subheccha, Vicharana, Tanumanasi, Sattvapatti, Asamsakti, Padarthabhavana, Turiya.
14. Ajnana-Bhumikas or degrees of ignorance are seven: Bija-Jagrat, Jagrat, Maha-Jagrat, Jagrat-Svapna, Svapna, Svapna-Jagrat, Sushupti.
15. Sadhana is fourfold: (a) Viveka (discrimination); (b) Vairagya (dispassion); (c) Shad-Sampat (six virtues)—(i) Shama (tranquillity of mind), (ii) Dama (self-restraint or control of the senses), (iii) Uparati (cessation from worldly activity), (iv) Titiksha (fortitude or power of endurance), (v) Shraddha (faith in God, Guru, Scriptures and Self), (vi) Samadhana (concentration or one-pointedness of mind); (d) Mumukshuttva (yearning for liberation).
16. The nature of Atman or Brahman is threefold: Sat (existence), Chit (consciousness), Ananda (bliss).
17. The Granthis or knots of the heart are three: Avidya (ignorance), Kama (desire), Karma (action).
18. The defects of the Jiva are three: Mala (impurity), Vikshepa (distraction), Avarana (veil of ignorance).
19. The Vrittis or modes of the mind are two: Vishayakara-Vritti (objective psychosis), Brahmakara-Vritti (Infinite Psychosis).
20. Gunas or qualities of Prakriti are three: Sattva (light and purity), Rajas (activity and passion), Tamas (darkness and inertia).
21. The Puris or cities consisting the subtle body are eight: Jnana-Indriyas, Karma-Indriyas, Pranas, Antahkarana, Tanmatras, Avidya, Kama, Karma.
22. Karmas are three: Sanchita, Prarabdha, Agami.
23. The nature of a thing is fivefold: Asti, Bhati, Priya, Nama, Rupa.
24. Bhedas or differences are three: Svagata, Sajatiya, Vijatiya.
25. Lakshanas or definitions of the nature of Brahman are two: Svarupalakshana, Tatasthalakshana.
26. Dhatus or constituents of the body are seven: Rasa, (chyle), Asra (blood), Mamsa (flesh), Medas (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow), Shukla (semen).
27. There are four states of the Jnani: Brahmavit, Brahmavidvara, Brahmavidvariyan, Brahmavidvarishtha.
28. Anubandhas or matters of discussion (themes) in Vedanta are four: Adhikari (fit aspirant), Vishaya (subject), Sambandha (connection), Prayojyna (fruit or result).
29. Lingas or signs of a perfect exposition or a text are six: (i) Upakarma-Upasamhara-Ekavakyata: Unity of thought in the beginning as well as in the end; (ii) Abhyasa (reiteration or repetition); (iii) Apurvata (novelty or uncommon nature of the proof); (iv) Phala (fruit of the teaching); (v) Arthavada (eulogy, praise or persuasive expression); (vi) Upapatti or Yukti (illustration or reasoning).
30. Bhavanas or imaginations of the mind are three: Samshayabhavana (doubt), Asambhavana (feeling of impossibility), Viparitabhavana (perverted or wrong thinking).
31. Malas or impurities of the mind are thirteen: Raga, Dvesha, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya, Irshya, Asuya, Dambha, Darpa, Ahamkara.
32. Kleshas or worldly afflictions are five: Avidya, (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga (love), Dvesha (hatred), Abhinivesha (clinging to body and earthly life).
33. Taapas or sufferings are three: Adhidaivika, Adhibhautika, Adhyatmika.
34. Pramanas or proofs of knowledge are six: Pratyaksha (perception), Anumana (inference), Upamana (comparison), Agama (scripture), Arthapatti (presumption), Anupalabdhi (non-apprehension).
35. Minds are two: Ashuddha (impure), Shuddha (pure).
36. Meditations are two: Saguna, Nirguna.
37. Muktas are two: Jivanmukta, Videhamukta.
38. Muktis are two: Krama-Mukti, Sadyo-Mukti.
39. Samadhis are two: Savikalpa, Nirvikalpa.
40. Jnana is twofold: Paroksha (indirect), Aparoksha (direct).
41. Prakriti is twofold: Para, Apara.
42. Apara Prakriti is eightfold: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether, Mind, Intellect, Egoism.
43. Prasthanas or the regulated texts of Vedanta are three: Upanishads (Shruti), Brahmasutras (Nyaya), Bhagavad-Gita (Smriti).
44. There are two varieties of Granthas or Texts: Pramana-Granthas, Prameya-Granthas. The texts are again divided into two sections: Prakriya-Granthas and Shastra-Granthas.
45. Eshanas or desires are three: Daraishana (desire for wife), Vittishana (desire for wealth), Lokaishana (desire for this world and the other world).
46. Species of beings are four: Jarayuja (born of womb), Andaja (born of egg), Svedaja (born of sweat), Udbhijja (born of earth).
47. The sentinels to the door of salvation are four: Santi (peace), Santosha (contentment), Vichara (enquiry or ratiocination), Satsanga (company of the wise).
48. States of the mind are five: Kshipta (distracted), Mudha (dull), Vikshipta (slightly distracted), Ekagra (concentrated), Niruddha (inhibited).
49. Gates of the body are nine: Two ears, two eyes, mouth, nose, navel, genital, anus.
50. Avarana-Sakti is twofold: Asattva-Avarana, Abhana-Avarana.
51. Vikshepa-Sakti is threefold: Kriyasakti, Icchasakti, Jnanasakti.
52. Satta or existence is of three varieties: Paramarthika (absolutely real), Vyavaharika (phenomenal), Pratibhasika (apparent or illusory).
53. Knowledge is of two varieties: Svarupajnana (knowledge of the essential nature), Vrittijnana (psychological or intellectual knowledge).
54. Obstacles to Samadhi are four: Laya (torpidity), Vikshepa (distraction), Kashaya (attachment), Rasasvada (enjoyment of objective happiness).
55. The nature of the cosmic (Samashti) person (Isvara) is threefold: Virat, Hiranyagarbha, Isvara.
56. The nature of the individual (Vyashti) person (Jiva) is threefold: Vishva, Taijasa, Prajna.
57. Cognition is effected through two factors: Vritti-Vyapti (pervasion of the psychosis), Phala-Vyapti (pervasion of the result or consciousness).
58. The meaning of the Tat-Tvam-Asi Mahavakyas is twofold: Vachyartha (literal meaning), Lakshyartha (indicative meaning).
59. Vedantic enquiry is practised through the methods of: Anvaya-Vyatireka, Atadvyavritti, Neti-neti doctrine, Adhyaropa-Apavada, Nyayas (illustrations), etc.
60. The meaning of the great dictum Tat-Tvam-Asi is ascertained through the considerations of Jahadajahallakshana or Bhagatyaga-lakshana, Samanadhikarana, Visheshanavisheshyabhava, Lakshya-lakshanasambandha.
61. The important Vedas in Vedanta are: Vivartavada, Ajativada, Drishti-Srishtivada, Srishti-Drishtivada, Avacchedavada, Pratibimbavada, Ekajivavada, Anekajivavada, Abhasavada.
62. Vedantic Contemplation is threefold: Sravana, Manana, Nididhyasana.
Tat Tvam Asi
That Thou Art
Introduction
‘THAT THOU ART!’—Thus the Sruti emphatically and boldly voices forth the highest and most sublime truth that is the essence of all scriptures, nay, that is the goal of all scriptural teachings and assertions.
It is the greatest declaration ever made on the face of the earth. It is the profoundest teaching ever given since the dawn of creation. It is the only way of expressing and indicating the Truth that is beyond the reach of the mind and the senses. It is the one unique teaching that comforts the distressed humanity and infuses inner spiritual strength and courage into them to pooh-pooh the miseries and pains of mundane existence and soar high into the realm of non-dual, all-blissful eternal Existence.
If it be simple in the words that it employs, it requires the well-polished sharp intellect of the advanced aspirant to understand the subtlest Truth that it wishes to convey. If it be unostentatious in its expression, it is at once majestic and imperative in its utterance. If it be brief and blunt, aphoristic in its exposition of the highest Truth, it readily gets instilled deep in our hearts and minds, and from within us, it mysteriously raises our consciousness to that non-dual eternal plane of existence.
Such is the greatness of this Mahavakya, Tat-Tvam-Asi, which the Upanishadic Rishi, Uddalaka, employed to impart Brahma-Vidya to his son and disciple, Svetaketu.
The Means To Realisation
Man is essentially Divine. He is not different from that eternal, non-dual substratum, Existence-Knowledge- Bliss Absolute. He is neither born into this Samsara, nor is he ever in a state of bondage. He is ever free, Nityamukta
His present miseries and sufferings, his pains and limited pleasures, births and deaths, are all due to his erroneous identification with the five sheaths and the three bodies. And, in turn, this erroneous identification is the result of not-knowing of the truth, or the forgetfulness pertaining to it. This ignorance, Causal Ignorance, is at the root of all actions and reactions. Only the annihilation of this ignorance can lead us to our original state of non-dual blissful immortal existence.
This ignorance is not born of anything so that it can be destroyed through some action or other. It is simply a negative aspect. Just as absence of lights brings in darkness, absence of the sun brings in the night, so too, absence of Real Knowledge has brought in this Causal Ignorance.
No amount of fighting with darkness or night will destroy them. But, when the lamp or the sun is there, they disappear into nothingness, without leaving a trace. Similarly, where there is True Knowledge, there exists not even a trace of this Causal ignorance. That True Knowledge is the Knowledge pertaining to our real, eternal, immortal Self which is not touched either by the causal ignorance or the effects of causal ignorance, just like the sun is not touched by the darkness of the night.
So, knowledge alone is the means for the Realisation of the Self; Self-Knowledge alone can liberate man from the meshes of Samsara.
The Maha-Vakyas
The scriptures, the Vedas and the Upanishads, exist to impart this Knowledge to all humanity so as to free them from this evanescent and ephemeral existence. Scriptural declarations can be grouped under three heads, viz.,—Vidhi-Vakya or injunctions; Nishedha-Vakya or prohibitions; and Siddharthabodha-Vakya or the Maha-Vakya that proclaim the highest Truth, the identity of the Jivatman with the Paramatman, of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.
The first two exist to purify the deluded Jiva and make him fit to understand and assimilate the third; for, only in a purified mind intuition will dawn, and with that alone can one attain the Highest Knowledge.
There are four Maha-Vakyas, each of the four Vedas containing one of them. The four Maha-Vakyas are:
Prajnanam Brahma:—‘Consciousness is Brahman.’ This is called the Svarupabodha-Vakya or the sentence that explains the nature of Brahman or the Self. This is contained in the Aitareya-Upanishad of the Rigveda.
Aham Brahma Asmi:—‘I Am Brahman.’ This is the Anusandhana-Vakya, the idea on which the aspirant tries to fix his mind. This is contained in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajurveda.
Tat Tram Asi:—‘That Thou Art.’ This is the Upanishadic Vakya contained in the Chhandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda. The teacher instructs through this sentence.
Ayam Atma Brahma:—‘This Self is Brahman.’ This is the Anubhavabodha Vakya or the sentence that gives expression to the inner intuitive experience of the aspirant. This is contained in the Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda.
Of these four Maha-Vakyas, Tat Tvam Asi is of great importance. It is the Upadesa-Vakya or Upanishad- Vakya. The Guru initiates the disciple into Brahma- Jnana only through this Vakya. This is also called Sravana-Vakya. This Maha-Vakya gives rise to the other three Vakyas.
The Guru instructs the disciple through ‘Tat Tvam Asi,’—Thou art That. The disciple hears it (Sravana), considers it deeply and reflects over the idea contained in it (Manana), meditates on that idea (Nididhyasana) and enters into Samadhi which leads to the Aparoksha Anubhuti, signified in the assertion Aham Brahma Asmi. To this experience, he gives expression through the Maha-Vakya Ayam Atma Brahma, and also asserts the nature or Svarupa of Brahman or the Self that he intuitively experiences through the Maha-Vakya Prajnanam Brahma.
The three words contained in this Vakya have got to be carefully analysed and understood. Through Sravana and Manana of the meaning of this Sentence, indirect knowledge or Paroksha-Jnana is had, and that is enough to destroy all sins. This Knowledge helps the aspirant to disown all actions and reactions, to renounce all attributes that he has taken upon himself in ignorance. He can lead a care-free, unperturbed and detached life in this world.
Nididhyasana and Samadhi give him the direct Knowledge or Aparoksha Jnana that frees him from causal ignorance which is the cause of the successive recurrence of births and deaths.
Therefore, it is essential to study this Maha-Vakya in all its details, word by word, taken separately and all together, and understand its meaning.
The A Priori Method
Prakriti, the cause of ignorance, is made up of three Gunas, and carries with her the reflection of that transcendent Reality, Satchidananda. This Prakriti is divided into two aspects, called Maya and Avidya. Maya is Suddha-Sattva-Pradhana or that state of Prakriti in which the principle of Purity or Sattva, predominates over the other two,—Rajas and Tamas. Avidya is Malina-Sattva or that state of Prakriti in which Sattva is predominated and sullied by the other two.
When that pure Intelligence, Chit, is reflected through Maya or Suddha-Sattva, the reflected Consciousness is called Isvara. It is one only, and controls Maya. When that Chit is reflected in Malina-Sattva or Avidya, the reflected Consciousness is called Jiva. Due to the multifarious nature of Avidya, Jivas are too many, and being individualised and separated from one another, they are swayed by Avidya or ignorance. And this ignorance leads them to identification with the five sheaths and the three bodies. Thus, there is activity, pain and suffering for the Jiva.
In the sentence, Tat Tvam Asi, Tat refers to the reflected Consciousness in Maya and Tvam refers to the reflected Consciousness in Avidya. The word Asi proclaims their unity. It asserts that one Chit alone, reflected in a twofold way, goes under the names of Isvara and Jiva, when it is respectively qualified by the Upadhis of Maya and Avidya in its reflected State.
This, in short, is the a priori method of understanding the meaning of the Maha-Vakya, Tat Tvam Asi, the method arrived at from cause to effect.
The Story Of Virochana
The foregoing analysis is not enough to convince an aspirant about his real nature and make him fix his mind in meditation upon the idea ‘Aham Brahma Asmi’—‘I am Brahman.’ More often than not, men do misunderstand the real significance of the words employed to instruct them in Brahma Vidya. It will be worthwhile to recollect the story of Virochana.
Once Indra and Virochana approached Prajapati to learn Atma Vidya. They underwent the rigorous discipline of discipleship for a period of thirty-two years. Thereafter Prajapati addressed them: “Look at yourselves in a cup of water and then whatever you do not understand about your Self, come and ask me.”
After doing so they replied: “We see ourselves as we are.”
Prajapati then asked them to adorn themselves with the best of clothes and look again in the water. They did so, and reported to Prajapati what they beheld of themselves. Hearing that Prajapati said: “That is the Self, the immortal Self.”
They both went away to their respective abodes fully satisfied about the Vidya they had received. Prajapati said to Himself: “They both go away without having perceived and without having known the Truth or the Self, and whoever of these two, whether the Devas or the Asuras, will follow this doctrine will perish.”
Virochana with a satisfied heart preached among his followers: The self (body) alone is to be worshipped, and so on. But Indra, before he returned to the Devas, experienced difficulty in getting convinced about the doctrine that the body is the Self. So he went back to Prajapati and after a second period of thirty-two years’ discipleship learnt that the dreaming self is the true Self. Being dissatisfied still, he was told that the self in Sleep is the true Self, finally, after an austerity of one hundred and one years, he learnt that the real Self is above all individualistic implications.
The above story is not quoted without a purpose. Many aspirants in the spiritual path have no patience to consider deeply the significance of the words employed to instruct them. As William Cobbett puts it, words are double-edged weapons. When properly understood, they will help one in all possible ways. When wrongly understood, they will be detrimental to one’s progress. So, too, with the words Tat, Tvam and Asi. Their true significance can be well understood only after a long, detailed and careful consideration.
Vachyartha And Lakshyartha
The meaning of a word may be threefold. They are: Vachyartha or primary meaning that is directly conveyed by the word; Lakshyartha or implied meaning or the meaning it conveys through implication; and Vyangyartha or suggested meaning, or the meaning hinted at or suggested by the word through its associations.
The relationship that exists between a word and its meaning is called Vritti. This Vritti is twofold, viz., Sakti Vritti and Lakshana Vritti.
That relationship which exists between a word and its meaning, and which has the power to generate Arthajnana or a knowledge of the meaning of the word is called Sakti Vritti. The meaning that is understood through the Sakti Vritti is called Vachyartha.
That Vritti which, with the help of the Vachyartha, is able to establish a long-standing relationship between the word and its meaning not directly expressed is called Lakshana Vritti. The meaning of a word that is understood with the help of the Lakshana Vritti is called the Lakshyartha.
This Lakshana Vritti is divisible into three groups, viz., Jahallakshana, Ajahallakshana and Jahadajahal-lakshana or Bhagatyaga Lakshana.
Jahallakshana: When the Vachyartha of a word is totally dispensed with and only the Lakshyartha is taken into account then it is called Jahallakshana. Jahat means ‘to abandon.’
For example, consider the statement, ‘Gangayam Ghoshah’—‘In the Ganga there is the village of the cowherds.’
What the statement wishes to convey is not that the village is in the mid-stream or in the middle of the flowing river, but that the village is on the river bank. The direct meaning of the word ‘Gangayam’ (which denotes the actual flowing river) is totally abandoned and instead the implied meaning, ‘Teere’ (on the banks) is understood. The direct meaning refers to the river and the implied meaning to the bank. These two are totally different, one being water and the other earth. But, there exists a relationship between the river and the river banks.
Thus the Lakshana Vritti is that Vritti which generates the knowledge of a fit meaning (not directly had) in a word on the basis of the word’s Vachyartha. And this new implied meaning bears a certain relationship to the Vachyartha, like the relationship between the river and the river banks.
Ajahallakshana: In this case, the Vachyartha is not abandoned but at the same time the Lakshyartha also is taken into account in combination with the Vachyartha.
Consider for example the statement, ‘Sveto Dhavati’—‘The White is running.’
Say, in a race-course someone is asking his neighbour which horse is running ahead. He may get the reply, ‘The white is running.’ It is known fully well that a colour cannot run. In this case the Lakshyartha of the word ‘Svetah’ is related to a horse. Therefore, it has got to be understood that a horse is running. But it is not enough if it is simply understood that ‘a horse is running,’ for it would not answer the question of the race-goer. So, the Vachyartha of the word Svetah (the white colour) is also retained, and the Lakshyartha, that is, ‘the horse,’ is combined with the Vachyartha, and the whole is understood together as ‘the White horse is running.’
Jahadajahallakshana or Bhagatyagalakshana: In this we retain a certain portion or Amsa or Bhaga of the Vachyartha and discard the other portion.
Consider the statement: ‘So(a)yam Devadattah’—‘This is that Devadatta.’
A man saw Devadatta in the garb of a prince at Banaras. Ten years hence, he sees Devadatta in the garb of a Sannyasin at Rishikesh. It is natural for him to exclaim, “This is that Devadatta.”
The word ‘That’ is associated with the idea of remoteness in space, and time, and of the garb of a prince. The word ‘This’ is associated with the idea of nearness in space and time, and of the garb of a Sannyasin. The Vachyartha of the word ‘That’ is a princely man who lived at Banaras ten years before. The Vachyartha conveyed by the use of the word ‘This’ is a Sannyasin living at Rishikesh at that particular time.
In the above statement certain things are contradictory and certain things are not. In that case we avoid or eliminate the contradicting factors. The Sannyasin and prince are contradictory. So too, Rishikesh and Banaras, and likewise, ten years before and ten years hence. In the statement ‘This is That Devadatta,’ we take only a portion of the Vachyartha of the two words ‘This (Devadatta)’ and ‘That (Devadatta).’ From the Vachyartha of the word ‘That’ we eliminate the garb of the prince, the place Banaras, and the time ten years before, but retain the person referred to.
So, too, in the Vachyartha of the word ‘This’ we retain the person referred to and eliminate the other three factors of space, time and appearance which contradict the first set. When this elimination and retention is done, then alone we can identify that Devadatta with this Devadatta.
This is also called Lakshya-Lakshana-Bhava. The words ‘This’ and ‘That,’ after the elimination of contrary association from their meanings, stand in the relation of the ‘implier’ and the implied (with Devadatta, the person who is common to both).
The sentence ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ is to be understood only through the help of Bhagatyaga Lakshana.
Bhagatyaga Lakshana
(As applied to Tat Tvam Asi)
In a foregoing context, while, concluding the details of the a priori method, it was said:
In the sentence Tat Tvam Asi, Tat refers to the reflected consciousness in Maya, and Tvam to the reflected consciousness in Avidya, the word Asi proclaiming their unity. It asserts that the one Chit alone, reflected in a twofold way, goes under the names Isvara and Jiva, when it is respectively qualified by the Upadhis Maya and Avidya in its reflected state.
Now, that conclusion is taken for consideration.
(A) Vachyartha of the word Tat:—
Tat refers to Isvara; He has the following qualifications and associations:
(1) Undifferentiated Maya is the space for the activities of Isvara.
(2) Creation, Maintenance and Destruction (Udhbhava, Sthiti and Samhara), are the three periods or Kala for Isvara.
(3) Purity, Activity and Inertia (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), are His means for creation, Srishti-Samagri.
N.B.: Maya and the three Gunas are one and the same thing. So there exists oneness between the space for Isvara’s creation and Srishti Samagris. Of course, the body of Isvara is also to be included within that oneness. It is like this:
Earth becomes the space for the potter to do his work. Earth becomes the material for the potter to do his work. Lastly, earth itself, in the form of bones, etc., becomes the body of the potter. Thus is the unity of the three things.
(4) Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Avyakrita-Maya are three bodies of Isvara.
(5) Isvara in identification with the three is respectively called Vaisvanara, Sutratma and Antaryami.
(6) From the thought, ‘I’, the non-dual One, shall become many, till the statement ‘in the form of Jiva He entered,’ all creation forms the Activity or Karya of Isvara.
(7) Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, Being One only, Freedom (Svatantrya), Efficiency (Samarthya), Parokshattva (Remoteness), and the possessing of Maya as the limiting adjunct,—all the eight are the Dharmas of Isvara.
(8) (a) Maya in combination with all the eight categories referred to above; (b) Chidabhasa or the reflection of Chit contained in them; and (c) Brahman, the substratum for them—All of these go together to make up the Vachyartha of the word Tat.
To sum up, Maya and the rest (the gross, subtle and cosmic bodies) the Consciousness associated with Her and endowed with omniscience, rulership, etc., (by Consciousness Isvara, Hiranyagarbha and Vritti are meant here), and Pure eternal Consciousness not associated with any of the foregoing things,—when these three appear as an inseparable whole like a red-hot iron ball, they become the primary meaning of the word Tat.
(B) Lakshyartha of the word Tat:—
That Pure, unassociated Consciousness which remains after avoiding Maya and Her retinue and Chidabhasa, and which serves as the substratum of all these things, i.e., of the limiting adjuncts and of Isvara limited by them, becomes the implied meaning or Lakshyartha of the word Tat.
At this point, it will be worth one’s while to note the mutual Adhyasa (the recognition of something previously observed in some other thing, this recognition being apparent and not real) that exists between Isvara and Brahman. This Paraspara-Adhyasa is born of non-discrimination. The Real, Eternal nature of Brahman is apparently recognised in Isvara. Hence, Isvara appears as real. Because the nature of Isvara and his creatorship are apparently recognised in Brahman, Brahman appears to be the cause of the Universe. Thus there is Anyonya Adhyasa between Brahman and Isvara, and this Adhyasa can be annihilated only through knowledge born of discrimination.
(C) Vachyartha of the word Tvam:—
Tvam refers to the individual Jiva with the following qualifications and associations:
(1) The eye, throat and the heart,—these three form the Desa or place for the Jiva.
(2) Jagrat, Svapna and Sushupti-Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep states,—these three form the three periods, Kala, or time for the Jiva.
(3) Sthula, Sukshma and Karana-Gross, Subtle and Causal,—are the three bodies for the Jiva.
(4) The above three themselves become the Bhoga-Samagri or the means of enjoyment for the Jiva.
(5) Visva, Taijasa and Prajna are the three names under which the Jiva goes in identification with the three bodies.
(6) The Samsara beginning from Jagrat and ending in Moksha becomes the Karya for the Jiva.
(7) Limited power and knowledge and limitation in space (the three things opposed to Omnipresence, etc.), multiplicity, being subservient (Paratantratva), absence of Samarthya (or strength), Aparokshatva (immediacy) and possession of Avidya or ignorance as the limiting adjunct,—these eight form the Dharma for the Jiva.
(8) Avidya associated with the above seven things, Chidabhasa, the reflection of Chit in Avidya, and Kutastha the substratum for both of them,—these three together become the Vachyartha for the word Tvam.
In short, individual ignorance or Avidya (including the three bodies), Consciousness (Visva, Taijasa and Prajna) associated with limited or partial knowledge, etc., and also the Pure Consciousness which is not associated with any of these attributes,—these three, when they appear as an inseparable whole like a red-hot iron ball, become the primary meaning of the word Tvam.
(D) Lakshyartha of the Word Tvam:—
Kutastha who is the witness of the Jiva and who forms the substratum for the three bodies, etc., and who remains after avoiding the Chidabhasa combined with Avidya from the Vachyartha of the word Tvam, becomes the Lakshyartha for the word Tvam.
Like Brahman and Isvara, there exists mutual Adhyasa between Kutastha and the Jiva. The reality of Kutastha is recognised in the Jiva and hence the Jiva appears to be real. Likewise, the nature of the Jiva and his Dharmas are recognised in Kutastha who is non-attached, non-doer, non-enjoyer and eternally free, and hence Kutastha appears in the opposite way. Thus the mutual Adhyasa between Kutastha and the Jiva. This can be annihilated only through Viveka-Jnana.
(E) The inapplicability of Jahallakshana and Ajahallakshana:
In Jahallakshana we avoid the whole of the Vachyartha. If we are to apply the Jahallakshana with reference to the two words Tat and Tvam, the following absurdities result, viz.,
1) The Pure Consciousness, Transcendent Brahman, included in the Vachyartha of the word ‘Tat’ should be avoided, and,
2) as a result we shall have to take the insentient universe, or (by avoiding the entire universe along with the Pure Consciousness) we shall have to take only Sunyata or Voidness.
Because of these two, only disaster will result and Moksha cannot be attained.
In Ajahallakshana we do not avoid any part of the Vachyartha but take the entire meaning. In doing so, while retaining the full Vachyartha, for the Lakshyartha portion we shall have to take again only Sunyata. It does not help us in any way towards our goal. Thus both Jahallakshana and Ajahallakshana are inapplicable in the case of the Maha-Vakya, Tat Tvam Asi.
In Bhagatyaga-Lakshana we avoid the contradicting portions but retain the non-contradicting portion. In applying this in the case of the two words, Tat and Tvam,
(1) we avoid Maya and Avidya, the portions that contradict, from the respective Vachyarthas, and
(2) retain the Pure Consciousness that is non-contradicting.
Hence there exists a means for the goal. So, Bhagatyaga-Lakshana alone is admissible in the case of the Maha-Vakya Tat Tvam Asi.
The Identity Between Tat And Tvam
In discussing the Bhagatyaga Lakshana, it was observed that Isvara and Brahman, and Jiva and Kutastha, respectively become the Vachyartha and Lakshyartha of the two words Tat and Tvam. Now it is proposed to establish the unity that exists between the two Lakshyarthas, that is, between Kutastha and Brahman.
Both of them refer to unassociated Pure Consciousness. Both of them are of the nature of Pure Consciousness. Consciousness is Consciousness wherever it be. Therefore, they are identical. That identity can be explained through the following examples:
There is difference between Ghatakasa (ether in a pot) and Mahakasa ether in the vast expanse outside). The difference in this case is not born out of any difference in the quality of the ether present in the pot and in the vast space outside. Ether is the same everywhere. The difference is solely born out of the angle of vision. When the angle of vision is directed from the limiting adjunct, the pot, and fixed upon the ether, then the difference between Ghatakasa and Mahakasa ceases to exist, and oneness alone is seen.
Likewise, difference exists between Ganga water that flows in the river and the Ganga water that is stored up in a small pot. One can talk about the river water and the pot water when one’s angle of vision is directed towards the container. But, when the water, i.e., the contained, is considered in itself, in both the cases it is water and water alone that cannot be differentiated.
Similarly with an oil lamp made of clay and another made of glass. There definitely exists a difference between the two lamps. But the flame is identical when considered in its nature as fire.
The same man is addressed as the father and the son respectively by his son and his father. Being the son and being the father are two different things. This difference exists when he is respectively qualified by the relation that he bears to his son and the relation that he bears to his father. But, his nature of being a man is not affected by either of the two relationships or attributes. Considered by himself, he is a man, and man alone.
Such is the identity, the oneness, that exists between Kutastha (the Lakshyartha of the word Tvam) and Brahman (the Lakshyartha of the word Tat). Thus the identity between the two words Tat and Tvam is established by the help of the Bhagatyaga Lakshana.
This method of establishing the identity between Kutastha and Brahman is technically called Mukhya-Samanadhikarana. There is the other type of Samanadhikarana which goes under the name Badha-Samanadhikarana. This helps us to establish the identity between Jiva and Brahman.
In this case we negate the attributes and limiting adjuncts of one of the two given things, and identify the remaining (non-negated) portion with the second thing through Mukhya-Samanadhikarana.
Here, to establish the identity between Jiva and Brahman, first we negate the limiting between Jiva and Upadhis of the Jiva and then identify the Pure Consciousness left over with Brahman. This is like establishing the relationship between Jalakasa (space reflected in water) and Mahakasa (space external to water).
Inapplicability Of Viseshana Viseshya Bhava
It is open for anyone to contend that the words Tat and Tvam may be interpreted and identified through the use of either solely Samanadhikarana or Viseshana Viseshya Bhava as in the case of a Blue Lotus, without the help of Bhagatyaga Lakshana. The answer to that is that the literal meaning, as understood in the statement ‘the blue lotus,’ does not fit in with the sentence Tat Tvam Asi.
In the assertion ‘the blue lotus,’ the two words ‘blue’ and ‘lotus,’ by themselves, are two contrary ideas, but still they qualify each other so as to signify a common object. This mutual qualification is Viseshana Viseshya Bhava.
All lotuses are not blue and all blue things are not lotuses. But in this particular case, blue qualifies the word lotus and lotus qualifies the word blue. Thus they qualify each other and there exists a mutual qualifier-qualified relationship. Thus, temporarily avoiding all their distinctions, they unite together to mean that thing which we call the blue lotus, the Samanadhikarana.
This type of interpretation cannot be given to the. sentence ‘Tat Tvam Asi.’
In the statement ‘the blue lotus,’ though the word ‘blue’ and ‘lotus’ are two contrary ideas, yet, they exist on one and the same substratum, Samanadhikarana, and further stand in the mutual relationship of qualifier and qualified to denote a common basis.
In the case of Tat and Tvam, they are two contrary ideas respectively associated with remoteness and nearness. As such, their co-existence in one and the same individual is not possible. Further, it cannot be argued that after eliminating their mutual distinctions they stand in the mutual relationship of the qualifier and the qualified, on the same substratum, so as to mean that substratum.
In the sentence Tat Tvam Asi there is no effort to bring two contrary ideas in the relationship of the qualifier and the qualified, and thus to effect a unity between two contrary ideas, so as to bring out the meaning of the substratum. The true significance of the sentence Tat Tvam Asi is an absolute homogeneous Consciousness.
The inadmissibility of Jahallakshana and Ajahallakshana were discussed before. Now the inadmissibility of Samanadhikarana and Viseshana Viseshya Bhava have been discussed·
Thus, Bhagatyaga Lakshana or Jahadajahallakshana alone is admissible in getting at the true meaning of the sentence Tat Tvam Asi.
Realisation
When the true significance of the words Tat and Tvam are heard and considered through the method of refutation of superimposition and identification of the Consciousness, there arises in the mind of the aspirant an idea pertaining to that state of Absolute Oneness. There is a perfect and unswerving idea and feeling in the aspirant that he himself is Brahman. ‘Aham Brahma Asmi’ (I am Brahman), he feels He meditates over that idea continuously and enters the state of Samadhi and Self-realisation.
Now, it may be asked as to whom this Knowledge comes, whether to the Kutastha or the Chidabhasa.
Primarily, this knowledge dawns in Chidabhasa. The Chidabhasa who is associated with the Buddhi or intellect, firstly negates his Svarupa as such. Because of this negation, he knows himself as the Kutastha who is the Lakshyartha of the word ‘Aham’ (I). When once he knows himself to be Kutastha, there is no difficulty for him to know that he is Brahman, for, verily, Kutastha Himself is Brahman.
Right Significance Of ‘Tat Tvam Asi’
A Mahavakya in an Upanishad is a transcendental phrase or a great saying which establishes identity or oneness of the individual soul with Brahman. There are altogether four Mahavakyas in the Upanishads. Each Veda contains one Mahavakya. The four Mahavakyas are:—
1. Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahman): This is contained in the Aitareya Upanishad of the Rigveda. This is the Svarupa-Bodha-Vakya that explains the nature of Brahman or the Self.
2. Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman): This is contained in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda. This is the Anusandhana-Vakya or sentence for enquiry.
3. Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art): This is contained in the Chhandogya Upanishad of Sama Veda. This is Upadesha Vakya uttered by the Guru to disciple.
4. Ayam Atma Brahma (This Atman is Brahman): This is contained in the Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda. This is the Anubhava-Bodha-Vakya that gives expression to the inner intuitive experience of the innermost Self by the aspirant through meditation or Nididhyasana.
Out of the four Mahavakyas we are concerned here with the Upadesha Vakya “Tat Tvam Asi” for “Pada-Artha-Sodhana” or an examination into the real meaning of it.
In the Chhandogya Upanishad it is stated that the sage Uddalaka sends his son Svetaketu to Gurukula for learning the Vedas. Svetaketu accordingly spends twelve full years in learning the scriptures and thus returns home with the vanity of being learned. His father asks him: “My dear, why are you so conceited? Have you learnt that, by learning which the unheard becomes heard, the unknown becomes known, the unperceived becomes perceived.”
“How is it?” asks Svetaketu, and the father gives the reply: “It is just as by knowing one clod of clay all that is made of clay is known: for whatever the modifications of the effects are, they are only names, and have their origin in speech. One who knows the cause knows all its effects, since the cause and its effects are non-different.” Then Uddalaka gives various examples for ascertaining the cause of the universe. His instructions may be summed up as follows:
1. The effect is nothing but the cause. Hence the body is nothing but food, food is nothing but water, water is nothing but fire, fire is nothing but Sat. Sat alone is true, and That thou art.
2. When a man sleeps he becomes one with Sat and hence in his case it is said Svapiti, which means he attains his own Self in sleep. This Sat is the real cause of the universe.
3. When a man dies his speech is dissolved in the mind, the mind is dissolved in the Prana, the Prana is dissolved in fire, fire is dissolved in Sat. This Sat is thy Self—That thou art.
Sage Uddalaka gives nine examples and repeats the Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi,” with each of them, to bring home to Svetaketu the real significance of the great sentence. Evidently the qualifying pronoun “That” refers to “Sat” or God, the creator, and “Thou” refers to the individual soul. “Art” or “Asi” connects them both, indicating thus an identity between the two, which is the subject matter of consideration in this present essay.
Objection 1: But in what way can Godhood be attributed to an individual? They both have antagonistic qualities. They can never be identical. But as Vishnu is read in an image, or as Aditya, Agni, etc., are worshipped as Brahman, in the same way Godhood can be attributed to the Jiva.
Reply:—No, it cannot be. ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ has a totally different signification. The word ‘etc’ in the above objection signifies that Aditya, Agni, and the like are not themselves Brahman. Similarly an image itself is not Brahman. But this is not the case with the Mahavakya.
Objection 2:—This may be used in the case of Stuti or glorification, just as it is said: thou art Indra, Varuna etc.
Reply:—No, Svetaketu cannot be glorified by his father, who is superior to him in position and knowledge.
Objection 3:—It may be used in a secondary sense, just as someone may say: ‘Thou art a lion,’ meaning thereby ‘thou art as brave as a lion.’
Reply:—Secondary sense has no place here since the instruction of Uddalaka is on the knowledge of the cause, vide for example, “as by knowing a clod of earth one can know all its effects...”
Objection 4:—If Svetaketu is Sat, there is no necessity of knowing himself, and the instruction is of no avail.
Reply:—No; due to illusory identification with the body, mind, etc., the Self which is Sat is not known. When the illusion vanishes, Sat shines by its own light. The instruction that the unheard becomes heard etc. signifies that Sat is not known by the senses and the intellect. On the other hand it is known by direct perception or intuition. Thus we proceed with our enquiry into the real meaning of ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ which establishes non-duality, cutting off the tree of Samsara.
Samanadhikaranya
This is the relation of abiding in a common substratum, as for instance, the ether in a pot (Ghata) and the ether in a temple (Matha) have a common substratum. Being limited by pot and temple they differ apparently; yet by negating the limiting adjuncts, viz., the pot and the temple, we find the same ether undifferentiated.
Pot-ether (Ghatakasa) is not equal to Temple-ether (Mathakasa). But, Pot-ether minus Pot is equal to Temple-ether minus Temple. Ether is equal to Ether.
This is the case of Samanadhikaranya. The same holds good in the case of ‘Tat’ and ‘Tvam,’ which we will prove by considering their indicative meaning.
In order to know the meaning of a sentence one must know the meaning of each ‘Pada’ or word. Every word is related to its meaning. This relationship is called exposition or Vritti.
There are two Vrittis:—
(1) Sakti-Vritti (Force) (2) Lakshana-Vritti (indication)
Sakti Vritti:— It is the potency inherent in the word by which one is able to know its meaning. When the word Jar is uttered, one is able to know the roundness, its neck, etc., only by its Sakti-Vritti. But one word may have different interpretations according as they are used in different circumstances. This further specification of Sakti-Vritti by which we ascertain a possible meaning is called ‘Sakya’ or ‘Possible.’ The meaning thus ascertained is called ‘Sakyartha’ or ‘Vachyartha.’ As, for example, in the Mahavakya ‘Tat tvam asi’ we are not concerned with all the individual cases of ‘Tat’ and ‘Tvam.’ Here these are adjectival pronouns qualifying God and Jiva. We mean by them God and Jiva respectively. Hence “Vachyartha” or “Sakyartha” of “Tat” is God and that of “Tvam” is ‘Jiva.’
Without the knowledge of Vachyartha (possible meaning of a term) no knowledge of indication is produced.
Lakshana Vritti:— That which indicates or distinguishes a word is called indication. It is of three varieties:
(1) Jahat-Lakshana, (2) Ajahat-Lakshana and (3) Bhagatyaga-Lakshana.
(1) Jahat-Lakshana (non-inclusive indication): In the sentence, “There is a village in the Ganga,” if we take the Vachyartha of Ganga, we cannot make out the sense of the sentence, since a village can never be situated in the Ganga. But if we abandon the literal meaning of the word Ganga and make it to signify its bank, then the sentence has a correct meaning. Hence the Jahat-Lakshana of the Pada “Ganga” is its bank. Thus in Jahat-Lakshana the whole of the Vachyartha is abandoned and it (Vachyartha) is made to indicate a totally different thing.
(2) Ajahat-Lakshana (inclusive indication): In the sentence, “The white is galloping,” we can make out the meaning of the sentence by introducing a word ‘horse’ into it and thus meaning ‘The white horse is galloping.’ The word ‘white’ indicates a larger sense. Here the Ajahat-Lakshana of the word ‘white’ is horse. Thus in Ajahat-Lakshana the whole of the Vachyartha is retained and something more is included into it.
(3) Bhaga-Tyaga-Lakshana or Jahadajahat-Lakshana (indication abiding in the one part of the meaning while the other part of it is abandoned):
This is the combination of Jahat and Ajahat, which mean, literally, leave and take, respectively. A portion of the Vachyartha is left out, and a portion of it is taken.
As, for instance, when a thing seen in a prior period is found subsequently in another place, a person is apt to say “That is This.” A person named Devadatta, for example, seen a few years back in Calcutta may be seen today in Rishikesh, and thus we may recognise him by saying: “That is this Devadatta.” Here “That” refers to a thing seen in the past time, and in another place, and “This” conveys the sense of the present time at the present moment. Hence two adjectival pronouns referring to the past and the present apply contradictions. Therefore, by abandoning the indications of ‘That’ and ‘This’ the apparent inconsistency is removed, and as both of them refer to the same substance, their equality is identity.
To put it algebraically we have to equate:
That is not equal to This.
Considering “Vachyartha” of both the words, we find:
Devadatta plus Past time is not equal to Devadatta plus Present time. Applying Bhagatyaga in both the terms:
Devadatta is equal to Devadatta. Thus Bhagatyaga-Lakshana of “That” Pada is Devadatta, and that of “This” Pada also is Devadatta. The equality is that of identity.
Now let us proceed to consider as to which of the Lakshanas is applicable in the case of “Tat tvam” Pada.
1. JAHAT-LAKSHANA IS INAPPLICABLE:
The conclusion of Vedanta with reference to the signification of ‘That’ and ‘Thou’ is to establish the non-duality or identity of the witnessing intelligence of the individual with the Universal or Brahman-intelligence. Hence both the Padas, ‘Tat’ and ‘Tvam’ contain within themselves, ‘Brahman’ and ‘Atman,’ respectively.
If Jahat-Lakshana is applied in construing the sentence, their Vachyartha will be completely abandoned and another object will be introduced as what is to be known. This another object must be devoid of intelligence and hence the purpose of the Mahavakya remains unserved.
2. AJAHAT-LAKSHANA IS INAPPLICABLE:
In Ajahat-Lakshana, the literal meaning is wholly retained and something more is introduced into it. If the Vachyartha of ‘Tat’ and ‘Tvam,’ i.e., ‘God’ and ‘Jiva’ is retained, both being totally different, such signification is contradictory. Thus Ajahat-Lakshana, too, is inapplicable in the case of the Mahavakya.
3. BHAGA-TYAGA-LAKSHANA IS APPLICABLE:
According to Abhasavada, Maya, the reflected shadow of intelligence in Maya, and the abiding intelligence of Maya, is Isvara, with the attributes of Omnipotence, Omniscience and the rest, and that is indicated by the word “Tat”. The reflected shadow of intelligence in the distributive aggregates of ignorance as well as its abiding intelligence, is Jiva, with the attributes of finiteness, little-knowingness, etc., and this is indicated by the word “Tvam”. By applying Bhaga-Tyaga-Lakshana, we will have to abandon a part from each of the Padas, “Tat” and “Tvam”. Thus the Lakshyartha of “Tat” is Brahman or intelligence which is found by removing the Upadhi (Maya), Upadhi Dharma and Abhasa Chaitanya from its Vachyartha, “Isvara”. Similarly the Lakshyartha of “Tvam” is Kutastha or witnessing intelligence which is found by removing Upadhi (Avidya), Upadhi-Dharma, and Abhasa-chaitanya from its Vachyartha, “Jiva”.
We have to equate:
Applying Bhagatyaga
(God-Upadhi & Upadhi Dharma & Abhasa Chaitanya)
= (Jiva-Upadhi & Upadhi Dharma & Abhasa Chaitanya)
Therefore Lakshyartha:
Chidakasa = Kutastha or Pervading intelligence = Witnessing intelligence or Intelligence = Intelligence.
In the same way we can apply Bhagatyaga-Lakshana from the standpoint of Bimba-Pratibimba-Vada, Karya-Karana-Upadhi-Vada, Avachhinna-Anvachhinnavada and Avachhedavada.
In each case the non-duality of the supreme Self and the individual self is proved. Thus we have seen that Bhagatyaga-Lakshana alone is applicable. To make it clear we may take recourse to either of the following ways:—
1. Vachyartha of Tat and Vachyartha of Tvam.
2. Lakshyartha of Tat and Vachyartha of Tvam.
3. Vachyartha of Tat and Lakshyartha of Tvam.
4. Lakshyartha of Tat and Lakshyartha of Tvam.
All the former three cases are clearly absurd. Only the last case is applicable in serving the purpose.
The Method Of Connection
It has been already proved that ‘Tat’ Pada indicates the witnessing intelligence. In their Vachyarthas, ‘Tat’ Pada is marked by the mistaken conception of indirectness (Parokshata-Bhranti) and ‘Tvam’ Pada is marked by finitude or (Parichhinnata-Bhranti). To remove these two misconceptions in their Lakshyarthas we should say: ‘Tat-Tvam’ marking the significance of ‘Tat,’—subject and ‘Tvam’—predicate. This removes the first Bhranti, i.e., the misconception of indirectness pertaining to the significance of the Pada ‘Tat.’ That is to say ‘Chidakasa or Brahman is Kutastha.’ This gives direct perception, removing the misconception of the indirectness of Chidakasa.
In the same way if we say ‘Tvam Tat’ we remove the misconception of finitude pertaining to Tvam Pada. Here the significance of ‘Tvam’ is subject and significance of ‘Tat’ is predicate. That is to say, ‘Kutastha’ is ‘Chidakasa.’ Thus the misconception of finitude pertaining to Kutastha is removed. This, in short, is the examination in the real significance of ‘Tat Tvam Asi.’ One who meditates upon it, comes to know that he is not the body, not the mind, is neither doer nor enjoyer, but he is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss Absolute. He becomes full of Bliss by sacrificing the miseries of the world and attains the real nature, i.e. Brahman.
The initiation into the mysteries of ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ by a Brahmanishtha Guru alone can enable one to know the correct significance of the Mahavakya which destroys Samsara in the same way as the sun dispels darkness.
1. Means To Realisation
THE GOAL OF LIFE is Self-realisation. It is not the attainment of anything external to us, but it consists in our simply knowing or becoming aware of our eternally Free nature. If it were an impossibility to get convinced that we are Existence-Absolute and eternally Free, why should the Srutis repeatedly teach us that doctrine like an affectionate mother? On the other hand that doctrine contradicts not but asserts our own inner urge, ‘Let me ever live in a blissful state free from all pain and misery.’
How the idea of a snake is negated from a rope-snake, so too, the non-Self is negated from the Self that is eternally existing. That is done through reasoning on the evidence of Sruti passages like, ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ etc. With the dawn of true knowledge, the Self-luminous Self alone shines and the non-self totally disappears into an airy nothing like the disappearance of the snake when the rope is known as such with the aid of a lamp.
Is there a means that can be handled by the aspirant to attain realisation? Are injunctions and prohibitions on Vedic lines applicable to the seeker after Truth?
To put it in a nut-shell, the seeker after Truth cannot be subjected to Vedic injunctions and prohibitions.
The injunctive side of the Scriptures merely restates popular conceptions and beliefs when it says ‘do this,’ ‘Thou art the doer and enjoyer’ etc. It points out to a certain object for our attainment. The injunctions and prohibitions are made with sole reference to the object that has got to be attained. Hence, in that case, injunctions and prohibitions are justified.
In all Vedanta (i.e., the Upanishads), nowhere do we find a clear mention of the Self as the object to be attained. The only way by which the Upanishads point the Truth is through the words ‘Neti, Neti.’ The Self is never an object for our attainment. Sruti passages like ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ proclaim the Truth or give us the right Knowledge from the transcendent level, Paramarthic standpoint. They do not, however, point out an object for our attainment. Further, the knowledge arising out of injunctive scriptures gets contradicted by the knowledge arising out of Sruti passages like, ‘Tat Tvam Asi.’
Of the two ideas, ‘I am Existence-Absolute,’ and ‘I am the experiencer,’ both of which have the Immortal Self as the Witness, the latter which owes its origin to ignorance and which springs up from apparent evidences like sense-perception gets negated from the implied meaning (Lakshyartha) of the word ‘I’ (the implied meaning of ‘I’ is represented by the former) on the authority of the Sruti passages like, ‘Tat Tvam Asi.’
REASONING AND REITERATION AS MEANS
Some hold that one does not attain Absolute Liberation on hearing the words ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ or by knowing the literal meaning of the Maha Vakya without reiteration and reasoning. Hence they wish to enjoin these two things as essential means to the seeker after truth. They contend that on the absence of scriptural injunctions, our conduct should be deemed as non-scriptural which position is not desirable. According to them, the result ‘Thou Art That’ being stated as the end to be achieved, austerities, self-control, renunciation of things incompatible with that end, reiteration and reasoning should necessarily be accepted as the means enjoined for the attainment of that result.
It has been already stated that injunctions can be accepted provided the Upanishads particularise and define the end to be achieved. But, the Upanishads end with ‘Neti, Neti.’ The sentence ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ is not stated as a result to be attained through certain actions; the sentence proclaims the Truth. Therefore, even reiteration and reasoning cannot be enjoined as means to an end to the seeker of Truth.
THE ACTUAL POSITION
The superimposition of the ego on the eternally Free Self and transferring the ego’s actions and experiences to the actionless Self is akin to the father’s superimposing of the son’s distress upon himself (upon the father) whereas, in truth, he (the father) has none. While stating ‘Neti, Neti,’ the scriptures do negate the superimposition as if that superimposition were a reality. Injunctions, reiteration, etc., are all due to that superimposition. While the superimposition which has no real existence by itself is negated, how can injunctions, reiteration, etc., be sustained? Are they not negated along with the superimposition? So, talking of injunctions when they are negated is not reasonable.
The negation of the ego from the Self is like the de-superimposition of the superimposed (in ignorance) colour from the sky by the ignorant people. This negation is not of a real thing. If real things were to be negated, then, surely, liberation would become transitory.
A certain amount of reiteration and reasoning is necessary to grasp the truth contained in the Sruti passage like ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ and to get firmly convinced of the same to the point of experience. But they cannot be construed to be injunctions on the lines of the Vedic ones. They help us to deny perceptional knowledge that is more powerful than inferential knowledge, and to strengthen our faith in the inferential knowledge. They help us to negate ignorance, but, they do not directly and positively present us with Self-knowledge as a result of their being put to use as a means.
Self is Svayam-Prabha. It shines by Its own Light. It is known by Its Own Self. In the strict sense, there exists no means to realise the Self.
To a coward who doubts whether he exists or not what means can one suggest so that his (the coward’s) existence can be ‘attained’ by him (the coward?).
2. Ego And The Self
On account of its proximity to the Self, the ego appears to be conscious. Hence the two ideas or words ‘I’ and ‘Mine’ originate. As the ego is possessed of genus, action, etc., words are applicable to it. But words cannot be applied to the Self that is actionless and that is not an object for any word to point it out or signify it. A word or idea can only be applied to objects of knowledge and not to non-objects. So, Brahman or Self is not within the scope of any word or an idea.
Words that denote the ego and all the other things that reflect the Self only indirectly express the Self and by no means describe it directly. Similar to the application of words that denote the action of fire (e.g., burning) in an indirect way (never directly) to the torch etc. (e.g., the torch burns), words implying the Self (the word ‘I’ implying Existence, etc.) are applied to the ego which has the reflection of the Self in it, and further, appears to be like the Self.
EXAMPLE OF THE REFLECTION OF A FACE IN A MIRROR
The reflection of a face in a mirror is different from the face; the reflection imitates the mirror inasmuch as it possesses the property of being in the mirror and the quality of the mirror. The reflection depends on the mirror for its existence. But the real face does not. So, the real face is different from the reflection. Similarly, the reflection of the Self in the ego is different from the Pure Self.
In the case of the face, the face is real but not its reflection in the mirror. The reflection is not always there. But, at the same time, the reflection is not totally unreal since it is seen at times. Hence, the reflection is indescribable and the face is different from it. In the case of the Pure Self and Its reflection, in fact, however, both of them are devoid of any real distinction, in the case of the face and the mirror, the mirror has an existence independent of the face. But, in the case of the Pure Self, the intellect which is the reflecting medium is not having an independent existence all by itself, apart from the existence of the Pure Self. Therefore, the distinction between the Pure Self and Its reflection is only apparent and not real. Owing to a non-discrimination due to ignorance between the Pure Self and Its reflection, the Self is regarded as an individual suffering transmigratory existence.
It may be said that the reflection of the Self in the ego, as distinct from the Pure Self, is the individual soul experiencing and acting in this universe, on the authority that the individual soul is a real entity having its own properties like the shadow of a tree having the property of refreshing any one coming under it on a hot midday. That cannot be so. The refreshing property cannot be attributed to the shadow, for it is the effect of refraining from the warm things, say, the hot sun. Further, because of that, it cannot be said that the refreshing property that is seen in the shadow is ample proof for accepting the reality of the shadow. One is not refreshed by sitting close to a burning hearth under its shadow.
The reflection of the face in the mirror is neither the property of the face nor the property of the mirror. If it were the property of either of the two, then, it should continue to exist when one of the two is not there. If it can be said that the reflection is the property of both the real face and the mirror, it can be equally refuted by saying that even when both the mirror and the face are there but improperly placed, the reflection is not seen.
The example of Rahu (Node), a real thing, is quoted to prove that a real thing may be seen at certain times and may not be seen at certain other times. In that case we learn about the reality of Rahu from Scriptures before we actually see it. Secondly, according to those who hold that Rahu is but the shadow of the Earth, it cannot be a real thing, as the unreality of the shadow has already been established.
THE EXPERIENCER OF TRANSMIGRATORY EXISTENCE
Transmigratory existence cannot be predicated of the Pure Self by virtue of Its being actionless; nor can it be predicated of the ego which is, devoid of a real existence, not a conscious entity. The only plausible explanation is that transmigratory existence is due to lack of proper discrimination between the Pure Self and the non-Self. Nevertheless, transmigratory existence has always an apparent existence solely due to the real existence of the Self, and further, appears to belong to the Self owing to indiscrimination. That is like the apparent existence had by the rope-snake on the basis of the reality of the rope, of course, prior to the discrimination between the rope and the snake.
It is only the people who cannot discriminate between the real and the unreal, between the Pure Self, Its reflection and the Intellect, who hold that the eternal Self is changeful on account of the modifications in the mind pertaining to It and is the experiencer of the transmigratory existence. They have no real understanding of the scriptures. They hold or mistake the ego to be the Self.
WORDS IMPLYING THE SELF
The Vedas do imply the Self by the use of words like Knowledge, Existence, etc. There the implication becomes reasonable because the Self is of the nature of Pure Consciousness and Intellect has got the reflection of the Self in it. These words are directly applied to the Intellect carrying the reflection of the Pure Self in it and indirectly to the Pure Self.
It can be said that in words like ‘Karoti’ (He does), ‘Gacchati’ (He goes) etc., the Prakriti Artha of the Dhatu (meaning of the verb, it denotes an action) and the Pratyaya Artha (meaning of the verbal suffix, it denotes agency) belong to one and the same subject according to grammarians and laymen, whereas in words like ‘Jaanaati’ (He knows), the verb meaning and the meaning of the suffix denote two different subjects. The latter, exceptional case as it is, needs explanation.
In words like ‘Jaanaati,’ the meaning of the verbal suffix that involves an agent has reference to the reflection of the Self in the intellect and the meaning of the verb that involves an action has reference to a particular modification of the intellect. Due to indiscrimination between the reflection of the Self and the intellect, the word ‘Knows’ is wrongly applied to the Self. In reality, the intellect by itself, is devoid of consciousness and the Self is devoid of action; the word ‘Knows’ cannot be predicated of either of them on any reasonable ground whatsoever.
Knowledge construed to mean the action of knowing cannot be attributed to the eternal Self that is actionless. Knowledge in the sense of an instrument of the action of knowing can be applied only to the intellect and not to the Self. Possession of instrument implies agency and agency cannot be attributed to Self that is actionless. Neither can the word be applied to the Self in the senses of that which is the object of the action of knowing.
The Self is never knowable as an object, and is not denoted by any word directly by those who hold It to be Changeless, Actionless, Eternal and One only.
If the ego were the Self, then a word can be applied to it in its (the word’s) primary meaning, Vachyartha. But, that position can never be had on account of scriptural passages that state that the Self is free from hunger, thirst, etc. That reduces us to the position that the primary meaning of words are not applicable. That means that words having no primary meaning cannot have secondary (Lakshya) ones, too. In that case, the Vedas, too, will lose their authority, inasmuch as they will be using meaningless words; and that position is not desirable. Solving this problem will land us in a dilemma.
To accept the popular usage of words is to accept the doctrine of the Charvakas and take the body to be the Self. To accept the view of the learned is to arrive at the dilemma that a word cannot be applied to the intellect which is devoid of consciousness, and likewise, to the Self which is devoid of action. Neither can it be said that the authoritative Vedas use meaningless words.
People use words like ‘Knows’ etc. without proper discrimination between the reflecting medium (intellect) and that which is reflected (the Self). Agency is attributed to the Self in using words like ‘Knows’ etc. on account of the superimposition of the agency of the intellect upon the Self. Likewise, the intellect is called the Knower owing to the Superimposition of the Conscious Self upon it (the intellect). In short, there exists Paraspara-Adhyasa. Consciousness belongs to the Pure Self, of which action cannot be predicated. Knowledge is eternal and is identical with the Self; the intellect cannot create it. Persons who hold that knowledge is produced (and thereby predicate agency in the act of knowing etc. of the intellect) are merely deluded by the modifications of a non-conscious intellect that appears to be conscious.
To sum up, though, strictly speaking, words like ‘Knows’ etc. cannot be applied either to the intellect or the Self, their application is rendered possible owing to indiscrimination between the Self, the intellect and the reflection of the Self in the intellect.
NEED TO ASSUME A REFLECTION OF THE SELF
Certain schools of Buddhism hold that there exists no witness other than the modifications of the intellect, which modifications are, by themselves, both the perceivers and the perceived. Even if we are to accept the need for a Knower to these modifications who will be constant (Knower should be the same in respect to all modifications, as based on the evidence of recognition, on the evidence of the inherent capacity to synthesise all modifications and relate it to one individual) and who will know or witness the presence or otherwise of these modifications, some schools of Vedantins hold that there is no need to assume a reflection of the Self.
Accepting this knower cannot solve the problem, for, when once agency is predicated of it in the act of knowing, it comes under the non-conscious group. Similarly, dispensing with the reflection of the Self, it cannot be argued that these modifications are known by themselves due to their proximity to the eternal Knower, the Self. The Changeless, Actionless Knower-Self is of no utility. If proximity to the eternal Self be the sole factor in mental modifications being known by themselves, then, we should grant mental modifications to all insentient beings since the eternal Knower-Self is all-pervading.
TO WHOM IS THE TEACHING THOU ART THAT?
Who is the aspirant to whom the words ‘Thou Art That’ are addressed? Who suffers pain and misery in ignorance and stands in need of the teaching ‘Thou Art That?’ The aspirant cannot be the eternal Witness Itself since It is untouched by ignorance and its effects. The aspirant cannot be either an agent. In that case, he cannot accept the idea, ‘I am Brahman, the Witness.’ As a result, the teaching ‘Thou Art That’ becomes a falsity and that position is not acceptable. The teaching can nevertheless be accepted, provided we grant indiscrimination due to ignorance between ego and the Self to the Sruti when it declares ‘Tat Tvam Asi.’
Should the Sruti discriminate between the ego and the Self, the foregoing defect arises, namely, that an agent to an action cannot be admitted to be the Witness. If it be said, like the Samkhyas, that the word ‘Thou’ finally refers to the Witness, the relation between the ego and the Self, in the absence of a reflection of the Self, should be established so that the word ‘Thou’ can have the implied meaning referring to the Witness.
The relation cannot be one of the Seer and the Seen, for it cannot be admitted in the case of the Witness which is devoid of activity. Neither can it be said that there exists an identity between the ego and the Witness though the latter is devoid of activity; there being no opportunity for the knowledge pertaining to that identity to exist in the absence of the knowledge of the relation that my Self, the Witness exists. The relationship cannot also be known through the scriptures on the following three grounds, viz., (a) The ego cannot know the relation as it is unconscious, (b) similarly in the case of the Witness-Self because It is changeless and actionless, and (c) the non-conscious ego cannot be taught by the Sruti. Granting that there still exists a relation between the ego and the Self, the knowledge of such relation can only be one of ‘mine’ and in no case one of identity.
To accept that the non-conscious intellect appears to be conscious, is to accept that the modifications of the intellect also appear to be so like sparks of red-hot iron. It should be noted that the act of pervading the intellect on the part of the Self-Witness, like fire pervading a mass of iron, is not a change on the part of the Self; the same has been refuted in the example of the mirror and the face. Further, it should be understood that an illustration and its subject can nowhere bear absolute similarity in all respects.
Conclusion
The knowledge on the part of the people of the appearance of the mental modifications and the disappearance of the same is possible on reasonable grounds only on account of (a) the existence of the Witness-Consciousness-Self and (b) the Limit (after a certain limit, the Self alone exists when everything else is negated). And on the acceptance of the reflection of the Self, it can be admitted that the intellect may know itself to be Brahman, for words that denote directly the reflection of the Self or the ego and other things which reflect the Self, indirectly imply the eternal Self. It has already been stated that the reflection is not real.
Nowhere in the Scriptures has it been stated that intellect is conscious; in that case, if it be conscious, we should attribute consciousness to the physical body and the senses too. Then the position of Charvakas comes in and that is neither desirable nor acceptable.
If the intellect be insentient, as it is, then in the absence of a reflection, the knowledge ‘I am Brahman’ is not possible. The teaching ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ will become useless as a result, i.e., ‘in the absence of the possibility for the existence of the knowledge ‘I Am Brahman.’
Therefore, the teaching ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ is only for those who can discriminate between the Self and the non-Self and who can understand the word ‘thou’ to directly mean the reflection of the Self in the intellect and indirectly to imply the eternal Self.
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