SELF-REALISATION or GOD- REALISATION. Part 4.

                                         SELF-REALISATION  or  GOD- REALISATION.  Part 4.

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                                     By,       Dr. K. ESWARA DUTT.

I,  the ‘ SELF’   am the  ‘SEER.’  Everything   else is ‘ SEEN by me.’   If  I am seeing  something ,    that is  something  ‘Other than me.’   If I am  perceiving something,   that object can never illumine me,   ‘The Subject.’  Hence,  I am the  ‘SEER’.   I am the   ‘SELF’. 

To realize ‘the SELF’,   we need to      abandon   ‘DESIRES’.  Total abandonment of desires   is called  ‘ Shama’.

Because,    Desires   hide   ‘DIVINITY’ in us. Desires  beget Desires and that leads to vicious circle.  One desire leads to another and that gets perpetuated.   Desires will   lead to   ‘VASANAS’.   Vasanas   need  to be exhausted.  For that, we need to take different   ‘BIRTHS’.   Hence,   ‘Desirelesness    alone can lead to  ‘Vasanalessness,    which alone can lead to purity of mind.’  Without purity of mind, unconditional worship   and  unflinching  devotion is not possible. Conditional worship leads to ‘GOD’ as an ‘OBJECT of WORSHIP’,   something other than me.  Hence,   the importance of ‘Purity of mind’ is emphasized in GEETA and Upanishads. Hence,   ‘SHAMA’  is very important in  ‘GOD-realisation’. 

Restraint of the external functions of the organs is called   ‘DAMA’.  Meaning,   restraining the  ‘senses’.   ‘Shama   and  Dama’   are essential for unconditional worship of the LORD  with   ‘ANANYA YOGA’,  Yoga of non otherness   (GEETA).   Because,   Worshipper’s goal is none other than   ‘the WORSHIPPED’.  We all worship  GOD’  with ‘ANYA YOGA’,   Yoga of otherness,  which can only lead to repeat  ‘Birth-death- rebirth cycles’ ,  as we worship ‘GOD’  with desires  and desires beget desires ,  which will lead to more ‘Vasanas,   tendencies, temptations’  for which ‘JEEVATMA’ has to come back to this finite world with different  ‘BODY GOWNS’  as  ‘Man,  animal  or plant,  depending upon the ‘ VASANAS’.  Hence, the importance of   ‘Shama  and DAMA’  in ‘ SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT’,  as emphasized in GEETA and Upanishads.

Shama   and  Dama  lead to ‘VAIRAGYA’.  “VAIRAGYA’’ does  not  mean  renunciation  out of dejection,  despair and frustration.  ‘True VAIRAGYA’ is: intelligent,   mature   and discriminative renunciation of Power, pleasure and wealth out of realized knowledge that these things are  ‘ finite,    ephemeral  and transient’.   Out of  realized   knowledge that everything is phenomenal and perishable, one   worships the LORD  with ‘ANANYA YOGA’  to realize that he is none other than the LORD in his or her true nature.  Because,   GOD alone is   ‘REAL and everything else is unreal’. 

Then, GEETA says:   ‘ KALENA’,  meaning in due course, he ,  the ‘JEEVATMA’,  realises    that he is none other than ‘ THE PARAMATMA’.  He becomes   ‘GOD-REALISED SOUL’.   That is  ‘ BRAHMIC STATE, GOD HOOD, SELF HOOD’.   That is LIBERATION, NIRVANA’.    Sankaracharya  did that.  Ramana maharshi  did that.  We  can too.  LORD Krishna   emphasizes   that   “none can be eternally condemned”.  We too,   can rise up to the   ‘higher, nobler, diviner SELF’   that we are.

So, let us  arise, awake  and become aware of our true nature, The ‘GOD-HOOD’. 

                                                                      To be continued.

                                                                    Dr. K. ESWARA DUTT.

SELF-REALISATION   OR  GOD-REALISATION.  ( Part  Three.)

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                      By    Dr. K. ESWARA  DUTT.

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All of us are  ‘Nothing but  Atman,  the SELF’.     WE are the ‘SOUL with a BODY’.  We need  to  directly  ‘COGNISE  THAT  ATMAN’.   The  ‘ ATMAN’    is ever present. To deny the   ‘ATMAN’   is to deny our own existence.   Unconditional   worship, unswerving devotion alone can ultimately lead to   ‘ SELF REALISATION’.   The  SELF  is a mere ‘ WITNESS’. SELF is the illuminator. This body is illumined.  Illuminator  (the SELF) and Illumined  (the body) are different.   In  deepest   meditation ,  the ‘Jeevatma’   realizes   that he is none other than  ‘PARAMATMA’.   The knower and the known  become  ‘ONE’.  Hence, ‘Knowing the SELF is being the ‘SELF’.  GOD cannot be known as  separate  from  you , as emphasized  in Bhagavad Geeta.

‘SELF’ alone is :  ‘SAT  CHIT  ANANDA’.  Meaning: EXISTENCE, CONSCIOUSNESS AND BLISS. SELF alone was,   is,  and will be.  ‘BEYOND ME THERE IS NAUGHT’,   Says  LORD KRISHNA. SELF alone is ‘EXISTENCE’ and ‘REAL’.  Everything  else  is nonexistent  and unreal.  Because,   that which  was,  is  and will be  is  ‘REAL’.  SELF alone was,   is  and  will be.  Hence, SELF alone is ‘REAL’.  Everything else is ‘UNREAL’.  That which  was  not there yesterday,  and seemingly present today  and will not be there tomorrow   is ‘UNREAL’.  This body was not there yesterday, seemingly present today and will not be there tomorrow, Hence ,   it is “UNREAL”.  That is, this body is a delusory superimposition upon me, ‘THE SELF’.  When delusion is gone, ignorance is gone, the same ‘ JEEVATMA’ realizes that he is none other than ‘PARAMATMA’.  When delusion Is   gone, the same snake becomes the rope. But, the snake never existed in a rope. Hence, Upanishads declare that we are ‘The SOUL with a body, which is a delusory superimposition upon us’.   That is   ‘REALISATION OF NON-DUAL BRAHMAN’.  That is when  ‘ DUALITY and FEAR OF GOD ‘  will disappear.  Why do you have to be afraid of yourselves?   Fear of GOD is because of DUALITY.  Because, as LORD KRISHNA says:  GOD or SELF is ‘AKARTARAM’,   GOD is  actionless.     This is very difficult to accept.  AS  LORD KRISHNA says:  All actions belong to ‘PRAKRUTI’.  Lord KRISHNA further states:  I, the GOD,  am not responsible for your sense of agency, for your actions, but it is your nature,  Prakruti  and  Swabhava   that is responsible. All actions belong to mortal body, mind and intellect.  Hence, we need to take responsibility for our  actions , as long as we are identifying  with our body and not blame ‘GOD’  for what happens to us.  We are responsible for our actions.   ‘ We are punished by our SINS, and not for our  SINS by  GOD’.   SINS are nothing but  ‘ VASANAS’.  Hence, the importance of ‘VASANA PURGATION’   as a pre requisite for worship  and  meditation  unconditionally.

 For unconditional worship,   we need   ‘Vairagya  (Dispassion),   Viveka   (discrimination)  and control of the mind and ‘INTENSE  YEARNING FOR LIBERATION’  , What LORD KRISHNA CALLS: ‘MOKSHA KANSHIBHIHI’.

Liberation is from the bondage of ‘IGNORANCE’.  Ignorance is delusion.

‘Vairagya’ is a very important concept in ‘SELF REALISATION’.   Dispassion is not  entertaining  desires and   then suppressing  them. That will lead to   DEPRESSION,  Dejection  and despair.  It is also, not developing  indifference to the enjoyment in this  life ,  hoping to have a  better life in the next world, ’SWARGA  LOKA’. 

This type of  ‘VAIRAGYa’   will not take ‘JEEVATMA’ anywhere.  It will  only  perpetuate  repeat  birth-death-rebirth cycles.  It will not lead to realization of ‘SELF KNOWLEDGE ‘   Which  is already there in us. True ‘VAIRAGYA’   is to develop indifference to various  sense  objects  out of realized knowledge that everything in this finite world is ephemeral,  transient  and perishable. This is  ‘TRUE  VIVEKA’  and ‘VAIRAGYA’. 

‘ATMAN’   is ‘IMPERISHABLE.’    The ‘SEER’  and  ‘SEEN’  are different.     “ I,   the SELF’  am the SEER.  I am not the ‘SEEN’.   How come, I am unable to have   ‘this discriminative  conviction?’    That is because of my ‘Delusion’.  When this delusion is gone, ‘SELF’   automatically will shine through in all its glory.  Because,   ‘SELF’   is already there in us.  “SELF’  cannot be gained or acquired  by going to different places. 

When RAMANA MAHARSHI was asked the question:  Where is GOD or SELF?   Because, I want to gain him  or acquire him or reach him or please him. His answer was   ‘God or SELF’ is you. You are it. Don’t look for ‘GOD’.   Realise   that which you already are.  LORD KRISHNA  said:  ‘ Knowing the SELF is being the SELF’.  GOD cannot  be  known as separate from you. If you want to know ‘GOD’ , you have to become ‘GOD’. There is no other way.  This is true ‘VIVEKA  or Discrimination’  as glorified in GEETA,  Upanishads  and  emphasized  by  various sages  like  Sankara,  Ramana , Chinmaya and others. Why can’t I get it?  It is my   ‘Ignorance,  Ajnana,  Avidya, Aviveka,  darkness and delusion.  I need to make an effort to understand this   ‘true concept of  HINDUISM’  as glorified in Geeta,  Upanishads and  Brahma Sutras.     

Can   ‘GOD’   be known as  an  Object,   some thing   we can see or touch?   GOD  or absolute  pure consciousness  cannot be known as an ‘Object’ .  Because, SELF or GOD is beyond space, time,  and causation. Absolute pure consciousness is beyond perception. But, sages like Ramana Maharshi say  that  you can experience what you already are. Thou art nothing but THAT. That is  Self-realisation.

‘Brahman’ is knowledge itself.  BRAHMAN is the source of all other knowledge.  Brahman is  the knower,  knowledge  and that which is known. Brahman is   ‘Omniscient’.  Hence,   SELF is beyond space,  time  and cause. Hence,  GOD  is beyond perception.  That is why  GEETA and  Upanishads emphasize that  SELF-REALISATION is Transcendental. In our deepest meditation   when we take higher and higher flights into the   ‘Infinite BEYOND’,  We realize we are none other than ‘BRAHMAN’. 

Objective Scientists may look into time and space and causation of various objects.  But, the great sages are   ‘Subjective scientists’.  They, in their deepest meditation,   annihilate  Time and SPACE to  realize their true nature,   ‘THE SELF or BRAHMAN.’   Because, Pure consciousness is beyond space and time.   Space itself is vast,   boundless    and  unfathomable.  How can one look for   ‘BRAHMAN’ , the very creator of the space ,   in the Space?  That is not possible. Hence,   Brahman cannot be found in space ,  time and causation. Hence,   great sages ,  subjective scientists,   in their deepest meditation annihilate  time and space  to realize  ‘THE SELF-The subject’ .   Hence,  the  GEETA and  Upanishads  are roaring with the concept  that  ‘GOD is not an object of perception , but, a subject  which can be realized  in one’s deepest meditation.  In deepest meditation,   when time and space are annihilated,  the  EGO-IDEA’  disappears and  Jeevatma   realises  that he is none other than  ;BRAHMAN-THE SELF’.  When delusion is gone , snake disappears in a rope.  When delusion is gone ,   Jeevatma  disappears and  ‘PARAMATMA ‘  shines in all its glory. Hence, the famous  maha  vakya:’  Jeeva brahma ekatma purnam’.  Thus,  The illumined SAGE does not know ‘BRAHMAN’,  He is  ‘BRAHMAN,  he is  SAT-CHIT-ANANDA,   he is  existence, consciousness  and bliss.’   He is knowledge absolute, vision  infinite ,  beauty absolute and Bliss infinite.

That  Beauty absolute,  that bliss absolute,  that vision infinite  and that knowledge absolute  are not some thing  that was gained,  but realized ,   as ‘BRAHMAN’ is not some thing  to be gained or found.

It is ‘MAYA’ that disappeared. Ignorance is gone. Ignorance is the one that separates us from our true nature.  When Ignorance is gone,   THE SELF  will shine in all its glory.

Unconditional worship,   unswerving , unflinching  devotion and  deepest meditation  to go deeper and deeper  into depths of depths  is the only way to realize our true nature,  ‘THE SELF—THE BRAHMAN’.. 

So, let us arise,   awake   and make an effort to realize our true nature:  THE SELF – TH BRAHMAN—THE SUPREME REALITY’. 

                                                         To be continued.

                                                                                                                   Dr. K. ESWARA DUTT.

SELF-REALISATION OR GOD-REALISATION . (PART TWO).

                                  SELF-REALISATION  OR  GOD-REALISATION . (PART TWO).

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                                 By :  Dr. K. ESWARA  DUTT.

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Every one of us are ‘EGO-CENTRIC   PERSONALITIES.’    Meaning  :JEEVATMAS.    Jeevatmas   are nothing but   reflections  of  ‘Paramatma’.   In  other  words,   I,  the ‘GOD or SELF’ , conditioned by and functioning   and identifying with this ‘body, mind and intellect’,  became  ‘Jeevatma’.    Hence,  Jeevatma   is nothing but imposter  ‘Paramatma’.   It is out of ‘Delusion’.   Our goal is to get rid of this delusion. When delusion is gone, ’SELF’ will shine. The same  Jeevatma   has become  now  ‘Paramatma’.    As a Jeevatma,   or Ego-centric personality,  I go through all  sorts of  sufferings  and sorrows and  strive for more bondage,  because of ignorance or delusion.   ‘LIBERATION (MOKSHA)’  is  to transcend the sufferings and sorrows  and to be free of bondage.    Self-realisation   or GOD- REALISATION  is transcendental.  

I,   The ‘GOD’   am causeless cause.  Beyond   me ,   there is no other cause. This has to be properly understood.

For every effect,   there is   inevitably   ‘a CAUSE’. For example, gold chain is the effect and gold is the cause,   Silk cloth is the effect  and  Silk  is the cause.  Similarly, This gross and   subtle  body is the ‘Effect’ and ‘SELF or GOD’ is the cause.

Cause is one   and   the same,   But,   the effects are multiple in nature. For example,   the same gold  (cause) has multiple effects, like gold chain, gold ring   etc; .    Similarly, ‘SELF or GOD ‘ is the same in all of us.  But, we are all men and women,  of  different sizes, shapes and different  colours.    Purusha  is the same,  but  Prakruti  is different. PURUSHA is the cause   and  PRAKRUTI   is the effect. ‘SELF’   is the cause and   ‘body’   is the effect.

From the ‘EFFECT’, if cause is removed,    ‘Nothing   remains’.   For example,   If gold is removed from gold-chain, nothing remains.  If Silk is removed from Silk cloth, nothing remains.  Similarly, if ‘SELF or GOD’ leaves the body, nothing remains,   except a little bit of calcium, phosphorus and some trace minerals.

‘SELF or GOD’ is not the effect.   ‘BEYOND   ME ,  THERE IS NAUGHT’,  Says    LORD KRISHNA in Bhagavad Gita.  In other words,   ’GOD or SELF’ is the ultimate cause,   the   causeless   cause,   beyond which, there is no other cause.  I,   The  ‘GOD’   have  created  this  universe out of my-self,  and I can withdraw at will. LORD  KRISHNA  in  GEETA  says  : “ PRABHA VISHNU and GRAHISHNU”,  Meaning,   I created this body, I can devour this body.  That is   : This body is a  mere super-imposition upon me,  ’THE SELF’.   When I realize this in my unconditional   worship   and deepest   meditation, I become ‘BRAHMAN’.  I may be wearing this body temporarily,   but,  I am not this body. This is ‘My body’.  In other words,   this is a delusory superimposition upon me. When my delusion is gone in my enlightenment,  I realize that  I am  “ BRAHMAN”.  “AHAM BRAHMASMI”.  When delusion is gone in the presence of light, the same snake became the rope. Snake never existed in the rope. The same Ghost becomes the Post after delusion is gone.  But, the Ghost never existed in the Post.  Similarly, When  ‘Ajnana,  Avidya,  Aviveka,  darkness’ is gone,’ SELF or GOD’ will shine in all ‘JEEVAN MUKTAS, LIBERATEDSOULS,’     like Sankaracharya,   Ramana Maharshi,   Swamy Chinmayananda  Etc;.   That is “MOKSHA”.  That is ‘DUHKHANTAM’,  End of all sufferings, says LORD KRISHNA.

That is final ‘LIBERATION’.  When those great SOULS,   MAHATMAS   leave the body, there is no  more  ‘RE- BIRTH’.  They attained   ‘MOKSHA’. 

True   worship  ,   True Bhakti  is Selfless , unconditional  worship with steadfast  and single pointed mind  ‘upon the  NON-DUAL BRAHMAN’.    Because,      ‘BRAHMAN’    is our essence.   Upanishads emphatically declare   that   ‘Jeeva  and Brahma are one and the same’.  Hence,  true  Bhakti  is  worship  upon the ‘NON-DUAL BRAHMAN’.  We all have to   introspect   and  ask  this question: Am I worshipping  GOD to gain something out of GOD?   Then,   ‘GOD’     becomes something other than me. He becomes an object.   Or,    am I worshipping   GOD with ‘ANANYA YOGA’   as LORD KRISHNA  puts it,  ‘YOGA OF NON-OTHERNESS’.   True introspection leads to  ‘unconditional  worship  upon  the  NON- DUAL BRAHMAN’. 

It is important to remember  that  anyone  can accomplish this.  Nobody can be eternally  ‘ condemned’ .   Because,   worst  Jeevatma    is also PARAMATMA in disguise. Only thing is that he has  to  work  harder .   He needs to   purify  his  mind  ,  so that he can worship unconditionally.   “GOD HATES THE  SIN ,   but NEVER THE SINNER”.   Because the SINNER is none other than    ‘Phantom  me’ .    ‘How can I hate myself?’   That is GOD’s answer. Hence,   ‘You are punished by your sins   and not for your sins by me. Because,   Sin is a mistake committed by   individual   ‘EGO’  against its own true nature.   Anything   I do that is contrary to my  true  nature,   is a ‘SIN’.   Because,   in my true nature,  I will never commit a Mistake.   Jeevatma   commits ‘SINS’.   Jeevatma   (individual Soul)  suffers.   When  Jeevatma    transcends  to  ‘Paramatma’,   in deepest worship and meditation,  all his ‘SINS’ will disappear.  Out of delusion, I see a snake in a rope. Then,   I am afraid of the snake. When my delusion is gone, snake disappears. But, snake never existed in the first place. Similarly,  Jeevatma  is phantom,  Imposter.   When delusion is gone,   the same  Jeevatma   becomes  ‘Paramatma’.  The same individual soul   becomes ‘Universal SOUL -Paramatma’.    Hence, we need  to  worship  ‘GOD’  not  to gain something out of ‘GOD’  , but, to realize  ‘our true  nature, GODHOOD,  SELF-HOOD,  BRAHMIC STATE’.   True worship is to become ‘THE WORSHIPPED’.    That is  why ,  LORD KRISHNA says  :  Worship me with  ‘ANANYA YOGA-YOGA OF NON-OTHERNESS ‘   so that you can become  ‘ONE WITH ME’.  That is ‘MOKSHA’. 

Upanishads  describe that   GOD  loves  himself.  That  means,    GOD   loves everybody.    Because ,    all Jeevatmas   are none other than me , PARAMATMA.   How can I hate them?  How can I hate myself?   Hence,   LORD KRISHNA says:  ‘The same am I to all  beings , to me there is none hateful  nor  dear . But, if you worship me  unconditionally,   then you will become one with me. Then,  I am in you and you are in me.   Again,   ‘Jeeva –Brahma  ekatma  purnam.’   Jeevatma  and  Paramatma  are one and the same.  Hence,   Worshipper’s goal is to become   ‘WORSHIPPED’.  Meditator’s goal is to become   ‘MEDITATED’.   Seeker’s goal is to become   ‘THE SOUGHT’. Lover’s goal is to become the   ‘BELOVED’.   Our ultimate goal is to identify  with  the  ‘BELOVED’.   That is what   Meerabai    did and attained  ‘SALVATION’,  ‘MOKSHA or LIBERATION’.

True Worship  and  Meditation  will make us take ‘higher and higher flights into the infinite beyond’.  To do that we need      purity   of mind  and  heart .  We need   an   ‘Iron-heart of firm resolution   ‘ to  realize our true nature  , the ‘SELF’. We need to take that  ‘noble decision’  to reach perfection.

Sankaracharya,   Ramana maharshi,   Rama Krishna parama hansa,  Vivekananda,   Swamy Chinmayananda   to name a few , realized and propagated  ‘the fragrance of divinity’ through their thoughts,  motives  and actions.  Because,   actions  speak  ‘louder ‘  than words.  Through their actions without  anxiety  for  the  ‘Fruit’  ,   for the sake of righteousness,    they uplifted the society-at-large.  Not only   they  attained  ‘Supreme  Bliss’,   they showed us the path to attain that   ‘eternal  bliss’.  Here, the important thing to   remember   is  that  ‘SELF-REALISATION’ is not a destination  far away to reach,  but    ‘Re -discovery of our own true nature’. 

The same    ‘Waker’   became a ‘DREAMER’.  The dreamer does not have to go to some place to  reach  the   waker.   He has to wake up.  The  same   ‘Jeevatma’    has to wake up,  re-discover that he is none other than   ‘PARAMATMA’.   We have to  realize   ourselves  our own  ‘TRUE  NATURE’.  That is what LORD KRISHNA has emphasized. That is what these great sages have reiterated.

Hence,   let us   arise ,   awake  and become aware of our   ‘TRUE NATURE—The BRAHMIC STATE—GODHOOD—SELFHOOD’. 

To be continued in  Part  Three.

                                                     Dr. K. ESWARA DUTT.

SELF-REALISATION OR GOD-REALISATION (part 1)

SELF-REALISATION OR GOD-REALISATION

By Dr. K. Eswara Dutt

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SELF is our true nature.  We are not this body, mind or intellect. We are wearing this body temporarily. This body is a vehicle by which, if properly utilized, we will realize our true nature, GOD-HOOD, SELF-HOOD or what VEDAS and UPANISHADS call-BRAHMIC –STATE.  We are that immutable, omniscient, all-pervading, self-luminous, imperishable, and infinite BRAHMAN or GOD or SELF. If we realize the SELF, we are GOD upon the earth.  WE are Lord KRISHNA of our life and times.

Lord KRISHNA in BHAGAVAD GEETA  says : ‘ eternal portion of my-self came down to earth as JEEVAS in the world of JEEVATMAS’ . All Jeevatmas   (Individual –souls) are nothing but, Imposter GOD , or Phantom Paramatma.  Jeevatma  is our false nature. GOD-HOOD or PARAMATMA is our true-nature.  JEEVATMA’s goal is ultimately to realize that he is none other than GOD ,  PARAMATMA.

: JEEVA  BRAHMA  EKATMA  PURNAM  :

Jeevatma and Paramatma are one and the same.  One is an imposter and other is real.

Mahavakyas  (great statements) of VEDAS are glorifying this concept:

1.      AHAM BRAHMASMI:   I am BRAHMAN.

2.      TATVAM ASI:   Thou art that.

3.      AYAM ATMA BRAHMA:   This individual ATMAN is BRAHMAN.

4. PRAJnANAM BRAHMA:   Pure consciousness is BRAHMAN.

These four   MAHA-VAKYAS,   great aphoristic and visionary statements are  roaring  with the concept that JEEVATMA (individual Soul )and PARAMATMA (UNIVERSAL SOUL) are one and the same.  GOD   cannot be known as separate from you. If you want to know   GOD, you have to become GOD.  As, Lord Krishna in Bhagavad  Geeta   says:  Knowing the ‘SELF’  is being the  ‘SELF’.  If one wants to know the ‘SELF’ ,  one has to become the ‘SELF’. If GOD is separate from you, he becomes an OBJECT. An object of my perception can never  illumine  me ,   ’the SUBJECT’. Hence, GOD is SUBJECT. That is why,   GOD and man are one and the same. Again, GEETA says,  ’GOD  ‘ forgetful of his own glory, became a deluded man.  Hence, man awakened to the glory of the ‘SELF’ is ‘GOD’. So much so, man and GOD are one and the same. Man has to be awakened to the higher ‘CONSCIOUSNESS’.   Dreamer has to become ‘the WAKER.’ Worshipper has to become ‘THE  WORSHIPPED’,   Meditator’s goal is to become ‘The MEDITATED.’ Dreamer’s goal is to become ‘The WAKER’. Because, the WAKER is none other than  the  DREAMER.  Similarly,  JEEVATMA  (individual  soul) is none other than  ‘PARAMATMA  (universal soul).

Usually we live turning our attention to the external world. We need to reverse the direction of our attention inward. In other words we need to contemplate and meditate. True contemplation and meditation is for   ‘ self-discovery’ ,  because self is our true nature. To identify with our true nature, we need to turn within.   We  need  to turn our mental attention inward.  Because,   spiritual seeking  and searching is for what lies behind our mind and intellect.  Swamy  Sankaracharya in  Drig-drishya viveka   sa ys:   Eyes cannot see without the mind and mind cannot see without the intellect and Intellect cannot see without  ‘The SELF’. Without the ‘SELF’, or ‘GOD’,   the senses, the mind and the intellect cannot function.  Prakruti cannot function without ‘PURUSHA’ illumining the  ‘Prakruti’.  Man in his true nature, is That ‘PURUSHA.’  The ‘SELF’ or ‘PURUSHA’ is our true nature and we need to realize that, as  glorified in the great   Maha vakya:  TATVAM ASI,  ‘THAT THOU ART.’ BHAGAVAD GEETA is based on this Maha vakya.   This  SELF can be achieved only by constant contemplation and meditation and unconditional worship.  In other words, one has to practice   constantly.  Turning inward to see what lies behind our   mind and  intellect  requires withdrawal of our attention from the outer world of objects, emotions, and thoughts during contemplation and meditation and unconditional worship.  The mightiest   power called “the SELF” is beyond the comprehension of  the  senses, mind and intellect. Hence, meditation is to transcend the mind and intellect and to realize the self, our true nature.

‘Self-realization’   is  transcendental.   Vishnu  Sahasra   namas  are emphasizing on this.   ’APRAMEYAH’-means, I am not amenable for your sense perceptions. Why not?  Because,   I am  illumining ,your sense perceptions.  Hence,  you cannot perceive me.  meaning,   illumined can never apprehend the illuminator.  ‘Self or GOD’   is illuminator. Senses   are illumined. Hence God realization is beyond the senses. Meaning, one cannot see, hear, touch, taste or smell God. Through meditation, one can transcend the senses to realize the   ‘ SELF or GOD’.

Can we apprehend God through mental feelings or, intellectual thoughts?  Another   Vishnu   Sahasra   nama  says,  ’NO’.  ‘AGRAHYAH’-meaning you cannot apprehend me through mental feelings or intellectual thoughts. Why not?  I,  the ‘ GOD’  am  illumining  your mental feelings, hence you  cannot feel  me. I   the  ‘GOD’   am illumining your intellectual thoughts,  hence you cannot think of me. Illumined can never apprehend the illuminator. But,   through   unconditional  worship, intense meditation and concentration one can transcend the mind and intellect to realize ‘  GOD-HOOD or SELF-HOOD’ .  Hence, self-realization is transcendental. One has to use the senses, the mind and intellect to go deeper and deeper into the depths of depths ,    in unconditional  worship, intense  devotion to transcend  them  all.  Because, ultimately, in our deep   meditation ,   we have to realize that we are the ‘SOUL’ with a body and not the other way round. In other words, we are wearing this mortal garb temporarily. We have to use the same mortal garb, body gown to transcend it in intense   meditation and unconditional worship.  Meditation is to become the   ‘MEDITATED’. Worship is to become  the  ‘WORSHIPPED’.  Seeking is to become the ‘SOUGHT’. Loving is to become the ‘BELOVED’. Ultimately, we are the ‘WORSHIPPED, MEDITATED, SOUGHT   and   BELOVED.’ That is our  ‘TRUE NATURE.’ WE are “BRAHMAN”.

Self or   GOD  is not an object.   Self  is not something that one  can reach in a particular place or time. Because,  self  is  our true nature.   We  are it.  SELF   is not far away from us.  Self   is not an object of our perception. Self cannot be perceived or felt. IF self or GOD is an object of my perception, it can never illumine me ,    the subject. Hence, God and man are one and the same. The concept of a Vedanta is –‘Jeevatma  ( Individual soul ) and  Paramatma (GOD or Universal soul) are one and the same. Out of delusion, we have identified with our   false  nature.   When that delusion is gone, true nature will shine through in all its glory. Out of delusion, I may see a Rope and think that it is a snake.  When   the delusion or darkness is gone, the same snake becomes a rope. But, the snake never existed in a rope. Here   Jeevatma   is a snake and    PARAMATMA OR  GOD  is a rope. Our problem is Delusion or ignorance.     When ignorance is gone, SELF or GOD will  shine  through  in all its glory.. Just as when darkness is gone, we don’t have to invite the light. The light will shine automatically.

It is important to understand that actions have consequences. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. But actions done without anxiety for the fruit will not cause any reaction. In other words,  if we do all actions without anxiety for the fruit and accept whatever comes to us with   equanimity,  that will not leave any indelible impressions on the shores of our mind. Indelible impressions left in our minds are called ‘VASANAS’.   These   ‘VASANAS’  lead to   impurities   of the mind. Actions have to be without anxiety for the fruit. Worship has to be without anxiety for the fruit. If you worship GOD with anxiety for the fruit, you are asking from somebody to give you something.   That may or may not happen, depending upon your   ‘Prarabdha   Karma.   ‘GOD’   is not  something   or  somebody.  ‘GOD’ is you.   ’AHAM   BRAHMASMI’.   WE need to realize that through unconditional worship and Meditation.

You may attribute   ‘PRARABDHA KARMA’   to GOD.  But, Lord Krishna has emphasized again and again –‘AKARTARAM’   Meaning ‘I do nothing of that sort’.  That is: you are   punished   by  your  ‘SINS’,  and not  ‘FOR YOUR SINS’ by me. Besides, If I give you something,   that is something   other than you. If I give you my GRACE, how long does it last? In other words, if I bless you today, I will take it away tomorrow. In other words,   Grace or blessing cannot be gained or lost. If you   gain  something  from me , you are going to lose it  in time. Wealth you can gain today and lose tomorrow. Health you can gain today and lose tomorrow. That is why, Lord Krishna has emphasized in   Geeta    that ‘SELF’ is you. Don’t try to gain it or acquire it or reach it.   Realise    it.  In other words, re-discover what you already are.  Hence, Worship only to become ‘The WORSHIPPED’, to become ‘The MEDITATED’ and nothing else. Hence, worship without anxiety for the fruit, and do actions without anxiety for the fruit, thereby, you   ‘Incur no SIN’,   meaning, incur no   ‘Vasanas’.

The more actions we do with anxiety for the fruit,   the more  ‘Vasanas ‘ we develop.  ’Vasanas ‘   beget ‘Vasanas’.  It becomes a vicious circle. ’KARMA begets ‘KARMA’. Good karma leads to   good  Vasanas. Bad karma leads to bad  Vasanas.  Ultimately,all  ‘KARMA’  has to be gotten rid off   to exhaust   Vasanas  and to purify the mind. Without purification of the mind, self-realization (GOD realization) is not possible.  Hence,  the importance of getting rid off  Vasanas.  Lord Krishna has emphasized the importance of  ‘Vasana  catharsis’  or  ‘VASANA PURGATION’.    He emphasized that without desirelessness,    Vasanalessness   is not possible. Without  Vasanalessness,  purification of the mind is not possible. Without purification of the mind,   unconditional , unswerving devotion and worship is not possible. Without   unconditional  worship  and  meditation, SELF-REALISATION OR GOD-REALISATION is not possible.  Hence, The importance of purification of the mind is emphasized in   Bhagavad  geeta   and Upanishads.  Most of us do not have purification of the mind. Hence, we find it difficult to   worship  ‘GOD’  unconditionally.  Conditional   worship   leads to more  ‘vasanas’.  To exhaust those ‘vasanas’,   we need to take repeated    ‘birth-death- rebirth cycles’.  LORD KRISHNA says:  millions of people try to reach me, but only a handful of people succeed.  Because,    most of us do not have the purity of mind for unconditional   worship.  For this to happen, we need to have ‘True Knowledge’.

Lord  Krishna   in the chapter 4, stanza 37 says:  as the blazing fire reduces fuel to  ashes, O   Arjuna,   so does the fire of knowledge reduces all actions to ashes.

Meaning, all actions, all Karmas, whether good or bad get burnt up in the ‘fire of knowledge.’ For every action, there is a reaction. Actions with anxiety for the fruit,   will leave   reactions.  These   reactions are called ‘Karma.’ Three types of  ‘ Karmas’  are described in Upanishads. ’  Prarabdha   Karma (Operative), Sanchita  Karma (Not  yet operative),  Agami   Karma (To be operative in the future.)’

The fire of knowledge destroys all actions to ashes. Meaning, knowledge teaches us, that actions with anxiety for the  fruit ,  will leave reactions. These reactions will force us to come  back  to  this  finite world again and again in different birth-death-rebirth cycles. Hence  the importance of getting rid of   Vasanas,   to ascend in Spiritual ladder.

Knowledge is the greatest purifier. There is no greater  knowledge  than  ‘self-knowledge’ .  Self-knowledge is not something that can  be  gained  or acquired. Anything that can be  acquired ,  can be lost. For example, wealth can be gained or lost. But,   ‘SELF’ cannot be gained or lost. Self is our true nature. Self-knowledge is   ‘ already  there in us’ .   we need to realize it. We need to re- discover what we already are. When we get rid of   our  Ajnana,  Avidya,  Aviveka,  darkness,    ’SELF’  will  automatically shine in us. This can be accomplished with intense meditation with the purified and serene mind. The ‘SELF’ is not far away from us. We need to wake up in that state of ‘pure-consciousness.’  For example, the   waker    is never far away from the dreamer. The dreamer is none other than the   waker.   As long as one is a dreamer, and continues to dream, one suffers the sorrows of the dream until he wakes up. When he wakes up, all the sorrows of the dream are gone.  ‘ The waking state is our goal’ .  The waking state is never far away. Because, even while   dreaming, you are but  ‘ the  waker’ .    It is a question of realizing the   ‘Waker-hood.’    On waking up, sufferings and sorrows of the   dream world   are wiped out.  UPANISHADS   emphasize     that  this world is a dream world.  The life is a dream. Present state of consciousness is a dream consciousness. All  our sufferings and sorrows,  sighs and sobs, our sense of limitations, our fears and the dualities, our  lack of self- confidence within ourselves, all will disappear ,the moment we wake up from the present state of consciousness  to the highest state of consciousness,  the ‘PURE- CONSCIOUSNESS’,  the ‘SELF’ ,  which is our true nature. Self-realization is not a utopian dream.  It can be accomplished through unconditional worship, intense devotion, contemplation and meditation.

SELF- REALISATION is not gaining some knowledge of some object   through sense-perception or intellectual inference.  SELF is not an object.   Jeevatma   is nothing but, PARAMATMA in   ‘Disguise’.

Pure- Consciousness cannot be divided at any time.  All   ‘GODS’   are different manifestations of the same   ‘PURE-CONSCIOUSNESS’.  I, the   GOD ,  am  ‘BRAHMA, VISHNU and    Maheswara ‘.   They are three aspects of ‘GOD.’ ( TRINITY.) .   I am the   Creater,   Sustainer  and  Destroyer. I may have different manifestations.   Pure-consciousness is one and the same at all times, in all places and under all conditions.  Individuality of   Jeevatma   is false, just as individuality of snake is false in a rope. Snake disappears when delusion is gone.  Jeevatma  disappears when delusion is gone and ‘PARAMATMA’ will shine through in all its glory. That ‘PARAMATMA’ is one and only, second to none. All ‘GODS’ are nothing but me   in   ‘different manifestations.’   ‘I   the ‘GOD’   am  one  and only,  second to none,  but my appearances maybe many.’

The Sun-light is the same at all times. It may look and feel different at   different  times. It may look different when  it  illumines different objects. But,    minus the object, sun-light is the same. Similarly, ’PURE-CONSCIOUSNES’ remains the same even though it is illumining every one of us. We may be ‘Tamasic,   Rajasic   or Satwic  people’.  But,   ’PURE-CONSCIOUSNESS’   is the same in all of us. Illumination is the same.   But,  the   ‘REFLECTION’ varies from person to person ,depending upon our mental and intellectual mirrors. In a  Sattwic  person, the reflection is beautiful, but, in a ‘TAMASIC  ‘Person, the reflection is  dull.  It is not the fault of ‘PURE- CONSCIOUSNESS’    that  the reflection is dull  but, it is the fault of the reflecting medium,  the fault of the intellectual and mental mirrors. If we purify our intellectual and mental mirrors,   then,’ THE PURE-CONSCIOUSNESS, THE SELF’ will shine beautifully. That means,   we need to dust off our intellectual and mental mirrors,   meaning, we need to purify our mind and intellect    equipments. 

The distinction between   ‘Jeevatma’   and  ‘Paramatma’  is out of fear and ignorance.  Why are we afraid of ‘GOD’?  That is because of ‘DUALITY’.   Taitreya-upanishad  says  :’  When I, the ignorant person, make the slightest difference between ‘BRAHMAN and Me’, there is fear of ‘BRAHMAN’.  AS long as ‘GOD’ is different and ‘I’ am different,   there is ‘FEAR OF GOD’.  But, GOD and MAN are one and the same, as all Maha-Vakyas   of Vedas are roaring.  Why can’t I get it? That is because of my Ignorance,    Ajnana,  Avidya  and Aviveka.  These can be gotten-rid   off    through  un-conditional  worship, intense meditation and contemplation. Then, ’FEAR OF GOD’   will disappear.  Remember   that  ‘WORSHIP’ is for you,   the Jeevatma   to become ‘PARAMATMA’.  Worship is not for ‘GOD’. Worship is for you.  If you are worshipping   GOD ,  to please him,  then, if he is pleased and blesses you with all boons,   he becomes ‘an EGO-CENTRIC GOD’.   Does ‘GOD’ have an ‘EGO’?   ‘EGO’ is another name for ‘JEEVATMA’. EGO   and   JEEVA are one and the same.  Hence, GOD cannot have  an ‘EGO.   ‘Egolessness’  is  ‘SELF-REALISATION’.    ‘GOD’  cannot  be  pleased, or satisfied.”    He is none other than you.   GOD’ can be realized.  Because ,   GOD is not an object,  but, subject.   Realize    that.  Re-discover   what   you already are.  ‘TATVAM ASI: Thou art THAT.’

In  Shloka   29, Chapter9,  LORD     KRISHNA says : ‘The same am I to all beings. To me there is   none hateful   nor dear.  But, those who worship me with unswerving devotion, they are in me and I am also in them’.

This is a stanza of par-excellence.   We need to reflect on it again and again. We need to go deeper and deeper into depths of depths to understand this stanza.

The same   ‘GOD’ or   ‘Pure- consciousness’  is   in all of us.  For example, the same ‘SUN’ reflects in all surfaces. But, the reflection varies depending upon the surface, dull or bright. Similarly, the same   ‘PURE- CONSCIOUSNESS ‘  (GOD),  is illumining all of us.  The reflection   varies   depending  upon  Sattwic,  Rajasic  or  Tamasic  (Dull) minds. It is not the fault of the ‘SELF’ that the reflection is DULL, but, it is the fault of our mental mirrors.  SELF   is the same in all of us.  That   ‘SELF’  is our true nature.  Sankaracharya,   Ramana Maharshi ,   Buddha, Christ ,Mahatma Gandhi  have realized  that. WE can too, provided we can broaden our horizons and thinking and make an effort.  It may take a few birth-death-re-birth   cycles.  But, we have to start somewhere.  We need to start now. Our entire concept of   ‘GOD or SELF’   has to change. We need to   accept   the  ‘MAHA –VAKYAS OF VEDAS’  and   ‘UPANIshadic    truths’.    BHAGAVAD GEETA is nothing but, compilation of   ‘UPANISHADIC  TRUTHS’  in a nutshell.  We need to   break  the  ‘NUT’  to enjoy the   nectar    of  ‘NON-DUALITY’.  In other words,   study of UPANISHADS   is  very  essential  to  understand true concept of  ‘NON-DUALITY’. 

The  wrong   concept that ‘GOD’ blesses some people and not others has to disappear from our minds. ‘GOD’ does not   discriminate   between  worshipper  and non-worshipper. ‘The same am I to all beings’-Says, Lord Krishna. ’ Bhakti’ is not a cult.  Some narrow-minded people may think or surmise that By GOD’S grace,   some people manifest ‘Divinity’.  ‘GOD’ cannot be partial to some who worship him,   and hate others who do not worship him.  ’GOD’  does  not  know  what  ‘ hatred ‘  is.   ’GOD’ cannot be ‘HINDU GOD,   CHRISTIAN GOD or  MUSLIM GOD .  ’’GOD OR SELF OR PURE CONSCIOUSNESS’ can only be one.  Hence, LORD KRISHNA   emphatically declares:  ‘ The   same am I to all beings and to me, there is none hateful  nor  dear.’ The same   GOD  or SELF is there at all times, in all places and under all   conditions.   To GOD or SELF,   there   is  no  distinction  between  good and bad.  ‘ Good and bad are GUNAS  or  qualities’.    GOD   has no GUNAS or   qualities. It is very difficult to accept this concept.   LORD KRISHNA  has emphasized  that  he  is  : ‘NIRGUNATWAT’ ,   he has no GUNAS.  GUNAS or qualities   belong to objects.  ‘GOD or SELF is not an object.  GOD  is   subject. Subject   cannot have  GUNAS  or qualities. That is why, LORD KRISHNA has emphasized  the  visionary  statement :   ‘GUNATITAH BRAHMAVIT .’  He  said  : Transcending the GUNAS or qualities is  :BRAHMAN-REALISATION’. Even  Sattwic Gunas  have bondage,  (though minimal) ,  as enunciated by  LORD KRISHNA.

Hence,   GOD   does not bless some body or curse some body. GOD or SELF   does  not  entertain  a particular love for some body or hatred for other  people. Because,    in their true nature,  they are none other than ‘HIM’.  How can he hate   ‘HIMSELF?’ 

If we use the analogy of sunlight, it can be easily understood. Sunlight does not discriminate between bright   surface   or dull surface. Its reflection is the same.  But,   the reflection  varies  depending upon the qualities of the surface.  Similarly,   depending   upon where we are in our   ‘SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION’, our mental mirrors reflect the same  ‘SELF’ differently.  It does not  mean  that  the  ‘SELF or GOD’ has any preference for one person or other. It is the law of the universe.  Hence,’ the  same    am I to all beings’.

But, some people are coming closer to me while others are going farther away from me.  WHY?.

LORD KRISHNA immediately  answers :   Those who worship me totally, unconditionally,  selflessly, without  any strings attached, with unswerving  and unflinching devotion,  they are in me  and I am in them.   This   aphoristic   statement is  strikingly  ‘ Thought-provoking’.  This has to be properly understood with a few analogies.  If we can use the analogy of the  snake  and  the  rope, the snake is in the rope and the rope is in the snake. One is simply a super-imposition upon the other. Rope and snake are inseparable and non-dual.   But ,   separation comes  because of ‘ignorance’.  When ignorance is gone, the same snake becomes the rope. But, the snake never existed in the rope. Snake is seen because of ‘DELUSION’.   When delusion is gone,   snake, which never existed, disappears. Duality disappears. If the   Worshipper   Worships   with   unswerving  devotion,  he will soon discover that he is none other than ‘the Worshipped’.   If ‘ Jeevatma   ‘ Worships   ’Paramatma’  unconditionally, he will come to realize that he is none other  than   ‘PARAMATMA’  in due course.    .  One has to worship ‘GOD’ unconditionally. That is true devotion.  True devotion   and   worship   leads to ,ultimately,  ‘total identity  with the ‘BRAHMAN’ ,   his true nature.  The  Worshipper  becomes  the  ‘WORSHIPPED’.  He is liberated.  He becomes   ‘Jeevan mukta’    if he is still in his embodiment.   If it happens at the time of leaving the body, then, he attains ‘MOKSHA ,  NIRVANA, KAIVALYA  or LIBERATION’.  No more ‘BIRTH-DEATH-REBIRTH CYCLES’.   It does not mean,   GOD has shown any preference to the liberated ‘SOULS’.    GOD has  neither  preference  nor  prejudice  against anyone.  The great ‘SOULS’ discovered in their deepest devotion,    their   ‘ONENESS  with  BRAHMAN’,   true identity with the ‘SELF’   and became  ‘BRAHMAN’.   Sankaracharya,    Ramana maharshi,   Ramakrishna  Paramahansa,    Vivekananda  are but a few examples.

This has to be read again and again, to ingest it ,  digest it  ,  absorb it  and ultimately  ‘Assimilate the  Concept of “ TATVAM ASI’  as enunciated by LORD KRISHNA in Bhagavad Geeta  and “ UPANISHADS”. 

                                                                     Dr. K. ESWARA DUTT.