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.
We
saw last week a directional verse from the Guru. It is followed up with another
crucial saadhana shloka - to be meditated upon.
yd!d&:q!va
napr< d&Zy< yÑuTva n pun_aRv>,
yJ}aTva
napr< }ey< td!äüeTyvxaryet!.55.
Yad-dRshTvaa
naaparam dRshyam yad-bhuTvaa na punarbhavaH,
Yajjnaatva
naaparam jneyam tad-brahmetya-vadhaarayet ||55||
Realise That to be Brahman, having seen which nothing
more remains to be seen, having become which, one is not born again in this
world, and having known which, nothing remains to be known.
At
casual glance this can appear to be a straight repetition of the previous
verse. However, closer inspection reveals some difference of focus for the
shishya to work with.
The
first of these saadhana verses more or less demanded the seeker to properly
seek and offered a 'pointer' as to what is sought. "Go there and leave
this behind", sort of thing. Now there is an assumption that one may be
approaching destination and there is more motivation provided as to what the
experience may be like. We are told that, in such a perfected state, there lies
immense tranquillity such that nothing can now destroy it. Peace perfect peace.
If, indeed, we have any idea of 'wanting' within us still, then we have further
to go, for the destination has not yet
been reached. The slightest agitation or lingering of longings in the bosom of
the seeker will disturb progress, no matter how advanced.
In
the state of Perfection, there is absolutely no desire or concept of need at
all. There may be awareness of the external, we are after all still anchored to
the BMI matrix, but the inner being no longer finds any attachment there and
therefore does not 'see' anything and, what is more, Knowledge is complete.
Aatmavidya (Knowledge of Self) shows that all other knowledges are but pale
reflections of the Consciousness attempting to find its way back to source. All
other knowledge can only shine in reflected light of the True Knowledge. All
knowledges, all objects and experiences of them melt into the brightness that
now shines.
Further,
in attaining this exalted state, we finally pay off all debts of karma. Once
the praarabdha of the body is complete, this reunited soul will not again face
rebirth.
