Guest guest Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hari OM It is in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad that Atma is indicated negatively a as "not this, not this". The idea behind this is that Atma can not be described as this or that. It is not like a thing or object known to us. This technique is called the NETI NETI VAADAM or negative arguement. By grammatical rule of conjunction in Samskrit , na+ iti( not this) becomes neti, which means that which can not be described. According to the NETI NETI doctorine, first of all the world, body, mind and intellect have to be rejected and the Atma recognised as transcending classification or description through words. After achieving Self-realization, the feeling will be that the phenominal world and all creatures are also made up of the very same Atma. Atma alone is real( Sat) and permanent(Nityam). The Vedas declare Atma within, to be the same as the All-pervading Brahman. The declarations of the Vedas are contained in the four great aphorisms or commandments called Mahavakyas. Although each Veda has several great sayings or MAHAVAKYAs, only four such great Sayings , one from each Veda are very important, thought-provoking and powerful. They spell out the non-duality of the jiva and Brahman. If one meditates deeply on the meaning of these Mahavakyas , the non-duality will be experienced. The Aitareya Upanishad belonging to the Rig Veda declares that exalted actual experience alone is Brahman. Pragyanam Brahma which means "Consciouness alone is Brahman". From this Mahavakya it is to be understood that Brahman (Atma) is not something that can be talked about or described. This Mahavakya gives an objective definition of Supreme Reality. It implies that that the Atma in us is the same as the Total Consciouness( BRAHMAN). Consciouness is the common substratum for both the microcosm and the macrocosm. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Sukla Yajurveda declares, AHAM BRAHMASMI, meaning " I am Brahman". This Upanishad declares that each one of us are nothing but Brahman(Atma). Incidentally , the Taittreeya Upanishad belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda contains a slightly different Mahavakya Ahamasmi Bramhamasmi which means "I exist and I exist as Brahman". The third Mahavakya from the Chandogya Upanishad belonging to the SamaVeda contains the most popular Mahavakya,"TAT TWAM ASI", meaning "That Thou Art". "That" refers to to the all=pervading Reality, Brahman. "Thou" is the pure Self, which is the core of our personality beyond the five layers of matter( Panchakosas). This Mahavakya pronounces the oneness of of the infinite Brahman and Atma within us. It affirms that the Supreme Reality is nothing but our own Self.The fourth Mahavakya is contained in the Mandukya Upanishad belonging to Atharva Veda. It says " Ayam Atma Brahma". It means that this soul( ATMA) is Brahman. Ayam Atma refers to the Self within. The Self or Atma which activates us is the same Brahman which vitalises the entire Universe. This Mahavakya is called an Abyasa Vakya which means statement of practice. It is a practical formula given to us to practise and discover the identity between our own Self and the All- pervading Supreme Reality. This Mahavakya means that the Consciousness in us is nothing other than the Total Consciouness. It is the ultimate declaration for a seeker to realize. Incidentally, the Mundaka Upanishad declares, " Brahmaveda Brahmaiva Bhavati". It means " The Knower of Brahman becomes Brahman only" (to be continued) G.Balasubramanian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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