The Witness 'I' is Sachchidananda

04-24-2002, 10:39 PM

Jaya Guru Datta,

Here is today's saying:

“Who is he who is asserting time and again as 'I' 'I'?

He asserts himself as 'I' in the waking and dream states. In the deep sleep
state, there is no such assertion. Who is that who observes the coming and
going of the above I?

Who else can reside in me other than I? 'I' am the witness to my ahankara (the
faculty which asserts 'I', 'I'). Therefore, between the above two types of 'I'
(namely the witness 'I' and the assertive 'I'), the assertive 'I' is the boss of
prana, etc.

But then, this 'I' comes and goes. Therefore, this 'I' is being 'seen' by the
witness 'I'. Therefore the assertive 'I' experiences pains and pleasures. On
the other hand, the witness 'I' alone is of the form of Sachchidananda."

In Sanskrit:

Ahamityahamiti maam broote
Evam ko vaa yo broote

Svapne jaagrati chaahamiti
suptou naasti hi kinchidapi
Ahamaha ko vaa bahu sookshmam
yo yam pashyati gamaagamam 1

Mattah konyo mayi tishthet
ahamevaaham kriti saakshee
Tatraahamkriti vaachyo yam
praanadeenaamapi netaa 2

Kintu gamaagamavaan soyam
drishyassaakshina eva mama
Duhkee chaaham kriti vaachya
sachidaanandassakshee tu 3

Sri Swamiji
Bhajan 5
Journey to the Self (Lessons in Vedanta) Volume 1
p. 15

Sri Guru Datta,
Swamiji Says

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