Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the
words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.
We are now studying Aatmabodha. As
always, with each week, you are encouraged to review the previous teachings and
spend some time in contemplation of the meanings as the affect your life.
Please do consider purchasing the text. Remember, also, to recite the mangala charana before each study and
review the lessons before each new one.
Having
pointed out the nature of triputi - dRshta, darshana, dRshya (seer, seeing,
seen) - and building the understanding that the knower and the known are one
and the same, the following shloka goes on to emphasise that the meditator
becomes the Knowledge and that, therefore, the 'knowing' becomes redundant.
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Xyanmwne stt< k&te,
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svaR}aneNxn< dhet!.42.
Evamaatmaarnau
dhyaanamathane satatam kRte,
Uditaavagatijvaalaa
sarvaajnaanendhanam dahet ||42||
Thus, when the lower and the higher aspects of the
Self are churned together, the fire of Knowledge which is generated shall burn
down all the fuel of ignorance.
Ignorance
is destroyed by the presence of knowledge. Once we know something, we can no
longer claim ignorance. Here, BrahmakaravRtti - the Knowledge of Self - which
arrives after sitting in contemplation and meditation, churning over all the
'book' knowledge ensures that the very state of 'ignorance' will itself be
destroyed. This is the Knowledge beyond which no
other knowledge is to be found. All ignorance is destroyed.
It's
a big statement, but one which is reiterated throughout the shaastra. This is
not a philosophy which postulates endless theory without proof; it provides the
means and tools to carry out the necessary researches and 'experiments' which,
if applied rigorously, and within the given parameters, is provable to all who
embark upon it. Spiritual seekers must be detective, scientist, logician, and
devotee; they must have stamina, determination and a desperate need to know the
Truth of truths. It is a rare few who can reach the pinnacle of these searches,
but there is much to be gained along the way, so nothing is ever lost.
The
imagery used in this shloka makes reference to the ancient system of generating
a flame to light one's cooking fire; placing a stick into a socket in another
piece of wood and then turning the first at great speed and with strength and
patience. Usually, a small wad of wool or cotton, or similar combustible fuel
is placed in the socket or very close by, to which the flame can be
transferred. Eventually, friction will result in heat, smoke and then a spark
of fire. Knowledge/Higher Self, here, is the stick, ignorance/lower self is the
cup and 'starter fuel'. Knowledge is rubbed hard against ignorance in order to
remove it, the way the flame will quickly consume the starter fuel. The Self is
used to destroy the ego self. Once gone that fuel - ignorance/ego - cannot
return. It disappears in a puff of smoke! It is likely that Bhashya-kaara
utilised his understanding of the Kaivalyopanishad for when writing this. Shloka 11
of that text reads;
"Making the Self the lower fire
stick and Aum the upper fire stick,
through repeated friction causing the heat of knowledge, a wise man burns up his bonds."
This verse
describes the sustained burning away of ignorance as a decision and commitment.
The wise one, after having cognised the
existence of the Absolute, will
willingly experience again and again the heat caused by the friction of
increasing knowledge and understanding as it rubs against the till-now-accepted
bonds of ignorance and desire
.
Significantly, each encountered
experience of the heat of truth replacing ignorance, strengthens the courage
and clarifies will.
In reaching for the Truth. one has to stand alone in the face of
judgements by others who are still based in duality. Gaining the faith to let go of one's
delusions gives rise to the heat of battle in overcoming uncertainty. The wise will have made a decision to
disregard fear and doubt to gain the Truth. The bonds of desire are burnt away
by the constant struggle towards the light of the Absolute Self, or God.
