SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA---14

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Hari OM

The all-pervasiveness of Atman was mentioned in previous submissions. Atman appears to be diverse or plural on account of its association with various types of equipment known as Upadhis in

Vedanta. But it becomes one on destruction of these equipment just as space is one only although it appears different . Let me put it this way. In a house we denominate some space as drawing room, some as dining room, some as bed room, bath room etc. etc. All these spaces appear different and separate because of the wall separating one room from the other. Once the walls are knocked down, there is only one space. The walls of the room can be said to be the equipment which seem to limit the limitless space. When the walls are pulled down, the different room spaces which had erstwhile individual existence merge into the one infinite or limitless space. In Vedanta this is referred to by the example of ghatakasa (space within a pot) and mahakasa (space outside the spot).

 

Likewise, the gross equipment viz., body, mind and intellect which are Upadhis are responsible for the manifested world of perceptions, emotions and thoughts projected upon the Atman. The pluralistic phenomenon is nothing but the one Atman appearing manifold because of its association with these three equipment mentioned above. When these equipment are transcended, the plurality merges into the subtle Atman which is the Supreme Reality. In either case, the manifold conditionings are only illusory in as much as the gross can not condition the subtle.

Both Atman and space are subtle in relation to the equipment of body mind and intellect as well as walls of a room respectively which are gross.

(to be continued)

G.Balasubramanian