Atma Has No Substratum

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“It has been mentioned in the previous lesson that Atma is present in the hearts

of all beings and that it witnesses the activities. Let us see how.

 

There are certain drawbacks to say that intellect is the substratum for Atma.

Any thing that depends on some other things for its existence is bound to have

a beginning and an end. In other words, such an object has limitations and

parts.

 

Let us consider the example of sky. Is there a substratum to the sky (space)?

Sky has no end. It has no compartments.

 

It was mentioned earlier that Atma also has such nature. If so, how can the

intellect be the substratum for Atma? (Here intellect and heart mean the

same). It can not be. But has it not been mentioned that Atma resides in the

hearts of the beings?

 

Its meaning is different. Atma shines in the intellect of each being. It

therefore seems at the outset as though it is connected with the intellect. It

is because of this that it is said that the Atma resides in the heart. It does

not mean that the intellect is the substratum for Atma."

 

Sri Swamiji

Lessons in Vedanta - 1, Part I

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says