SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA---38

[Guest guest]

SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have been discussing about " Brahman " . We mentioned about the example of earthen pots. Let us study the analogy of the dream. The pluralistic dream world and dream experiences are nothing other than the mind of the waker. In truth there exists nothing with reference to the dream world other than the waker`s mind. The waker understands this. But the dreamer is deluded from seeing it as long as he continues in the experience of the dream. Brahman is absolute homogenuity into which even the concrete and substantial world is absorbed. This fact is far beyond human conception and hence staggering. The universe can be compared to the variety of pots, jars, vases etc. and the Brahman(Atma) to clay,the material with which they are made of. Even though the form ,size, colours etc. of the pots are distinct and different from one another, they are all in essence nothing but clay. They have no existence apart from clay. Similarly, the variegated manifestations of the Perceiver-Experiencer-Thinker may seem to have a pluralistic existence of their own but they are in essence nothing other than Brahman(Atma).

 

 

In this connection, let us recapitulate some of the Upanishadic utterances which are most pithy and majestic:-

1.Sarvam Khalu Idam Brahma from Chandogya Upanishad which means 'All this is verily Brahman " .

2.Ayam Atma Brahma. The Self(Atma) is Brahman.

3.Brahmaivedam Amritam. All this Universe is Brahman, the Immoortal.

4.Atmaivedam Sarvam. The Self alone is all this from Chandofya Upanishad

5.Aham Brahmasmi. I am Brahman, the spirit of all, the Absolute.

6.Brahmaivedam Viswamidam Varishtam. All this manifested is verily Brahman from Mundaka Upanishad.

7.Idam Sarvam yadayam Atma. All this manifested Universe is theAtma from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

8.Purusha Evedagum Sarvam. The Purusha alone is all this.

 

From the above scriptural declarations one should conclude that there exists nothing that is not Brahman. If anything other than Brahman is seen it is unreal like a mirage. A traveller sees water in a desert where there is nothing other than the expanse of desert sand. If he sees anything other than the desert sand it is an illusion. Similarly, the ignorant perceives the Universe. The non-dual, imperisheable Brahman is something other than the pluralistic perishable universe. To repeat, there exists nothing other than Brahman.

 

(to be continued)

With Loving SAI RAMs,

G.Balasubramanian