Testimony Of Lord Yama and Hanuman

[Guest guest]

sarasvatisindhu, Gayathry <agayathry

wrote:

 

Testimony Of Lord Yama and Hanuman

Lord Yama clearly says that the existence of Atman (God) can be

known (Astityevopalabdhavayah—Veda). If the Vedic statements that

describe the unknowability of God, had meant that no information

whatsoever can be gained about God, then it would mean that there is

no information available even of His existence. In that case there would

be no point in even talking about God. However, to avoid this

misunderstanding, it is told in the Veda, that His existence can be

known. But any further information about God such as His nature,

characteristics, etc. cannot be gained. In this matter too we have to

take the word of Lord Yama as final. In the Gita, Lord Krishna tells

Arjuna that in the beginning of creation, He had given this divine

knowledge, to the Sun-god (Imam Vivasvate). The Sun-god is obviously

far more intelligent than any human being, including an Advaita scholar.

He is in fact the god of knowledge and intelligence and human beings

pray to him to be blessed with

intelligence (Dhiyoyonah…Veda). Lord Yama is the son of the Sun-god.

If God had revealed the great secret knowledge that the inherent

characteristic (Swarupam) can be known and that it is nothing but

awareness, as the Advaita scholar thinks, then the Sun-god who

possessed this knowledge, must have certainly imparted it to his own

son. The Sun-god would definitely not keep such an important finding,

from his own son. Even if we assume that the Sun-god was attached to

his son, he might not reveal it to his other disciples but would never fail

to reveal such important information to his own son.

Among the astrological planets, Shani (Saturn) is also another son of

the Sun-god. He too is regarded as the giver of knowledge (Jnana

karaka) as per the astrology. Thus the Sun-god stands for knowledge,

and his sons also stand for knowledge. That is why Nachiketa in the

Katha Upanishad, went to Lord Yama to get knowledge. If the Advaita

claims, that awareness is the ultimate Brahman (Parabrahman), were

the truth, then the Sun-god would have definitely had this information

since he is much superior to the Advaita scholar and since the Lord

Himself had preached to him. The Sun-god would have definitely passed

it down to his own son, Yama. Yama in turn would have revealed it to

Nachiketa in the Katha Upanishad. On the contrary, we find no such

revelation in the Katha Upanishad. Lord Yama instead says that God

cannot be known and only His existence can be detected. He says that

even the angels are speculating on the real nature of God

(Devairatrapi...—Veda). He said that he

(Yama) is one among those angels, so how could he know the real

nature of God (kathametat vijaniyam)? If the Advaita-claim were true, all

that Lord Yama needed to say was "My dear Nachiketa, the real nature

of God is your own awareness. Therefore, you yourself are God; right

here and now". Why did Lord Yama have to beat around the bush so

much? Indeed if awareness were Parabrahman, the whole Katha

Upanishad need not have been written. Lord Yama could have merely

told the great statements (Tatvamasi, Ayam Atma Brahma) to

Nachiketa and Nachiketa, by merely listening to them, (Mahavakya

Shravanam) would have become Brahman!

Another important testimony comes from Hanuman. Hanuman was a

disciple of the Sun-god, and had studied all the Vedas, nine grammars

etc. from him. He was an exceptionally brilliant student. Yet we find that

he served Lord Rama (human incarnation of God) as a mere servant.

Never once did he claim that he was Brahman. He never said "So'ham"

(I am God) but instead he said, "Daso'ham Kosalendrasya" (I am

servant of Lord Rama). If the truth were as simple as "Every individual is

Brahman" or "Awareness is Brahman" then do you seriously believe that

Hanuman would not have known it? Thus even if we leave aside all the

intensive analysis and arguments, and for a brief second just use simple

common sense, it will be crystal clear that there is a defect in the

Advaita-claim. Even a common man can understand that.

Written by

His Holiness Shri Datta Swami

 

website address: http://www.universal-spirituality.org

 

e-mail address: swami

Jai Guru Datta

Gayathry