Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the
words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.
TATTVABODHAH.
[You are reminded that reviewing the
previous week's posts will become essential as the meanings of the Sanskrit
terms may not be repeated. There may come additional or alternative meanings,
but all should be noted. As study progresses, the technical terms must
necessarily become 'second nature' to the student. When the Sanskrit is used,
the translation will fall easily into place - or likewise, if the English is
used, the Sanskrit term must easily come forwards.]
Please revisit THIS post and chant the mangala-charana. Please use the
TattvabodhaH label to access all posts relevant to this text.
We come to the concluding suutra of the text. Here, Adi
Shankaraacharya makes a quote from shruti - the scriptures - and that it is
confirmed by smriti - the remembered histories - also. (You will note a change
of meter in this chanting clip; this is due to the quote being made from
another text.)
तथा चात्मवित्संसारं तीर्त्वा ब्रह्मानन्दमिहैव प्राप्नोति।
तरति शोकमात्मवित् इति श्रुतेः।
तनुं त्यजतु वा कास्यां श्वपचस्य गृहेऽथ वा।
ज्ञानसंप्राप्तिसमये मुक्तोऽसौ विगताशयः। इति स्मृतेस्च।
tathaa
caatmavitsaMsaaraM tiirtvaa brahmaanandamihaiva praapnoti.
tarati
shokamaatmavit iti shruteH.
tanuM
tyajatu vaa kaasyaaM shvapacasya gR^ihe.atha vaa.
GYaanasaMpraaptisamaye
mukto.asau vigataashayaH. iti smR^itesca.
"Thus the knower of the Self,
having crossed samsaara, attains supreme Bliss here itself. The shruti affirms
the knower of the Self goes beyond all sorrow; 'Let the wise man cast off his
body in Kashi or in the house of a dog-eater...at the time of gaining
knowledge, he is liberated, being freed from all the results of his actions.'
So assert the smritis too."
Kashi is a historical name for Varanasi, a hub of sacred activity,
and many of India's holy men go there to leave their bodies. However, if they
are truly Realised, it matters not where the body is left and this is indicated
by the quite marked comment that he could as easily pass away in the company of
the very lowest of society… those who choose to eat dogs. The point being that
the liberation has already taken place in terms of the jiiva, the body is now
incidental. The space was always space and was never bound by the pot at all.
In leaving the body, the jivanmukta becomes videhamukta - liberated
without body.
इति तत्त्वबोधप्रकरणं समाप्तम्
"Thus ends the praakarana called
TattvabodhaH"
The end of the first major text of teaching in Advaita Vedanta! Well
done to you for sticking with it. This may seem like a sudden sort of ending,
but bear in mind that it is only the beginning of the journey in this
philosophy. It is prakarana grantha, a beginner's text.
Sri Adi Shankaraacharya has written a wide range of literature which
appeals to people of various ages, education and levels of evolution. In
TattvabodhaH, he starts with the qualifications of the student, continues with
the discussion of the jiiva, jagat and Iishvara and established their identity.
Finally, he relates the nature of the Realised soul. The entirety of Vedantic
philosophy is provided in this text, albeit at the simplest grade. However,
serious seekers who take their time and reflect deeply even on this text alone, can
find much to benefit them. It ought never to be forgotten to revisit the basics, even as we progress to the intermediate and advanced levels. This is not about cramming for exams, or to impress another with one's intellectual prowess. It is about transformation; deep and meaningful unfoldment of our fullest and best personality.
It is the tradition of gurukula teaching that, once a text has
reached its conclusion, the mangala charana is sung once more, to bring
auspiciousness to the student and to demonstrate gratitude. Please do take time to do that.
