What is a Mahavakya?
Mahavakya is a compound of words mahat, meaning “great”, and vakya, the form of the root vac, “to speak”. Mahavakya compound means “that which is great and which is a sentence”, a major sentence that is great because of its important subject content.
Any sentence that reveals the identity between jiva, the individual and Isvara, the Lord, is considered a mahavakya.
Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi”
In the mahavakya “tat tvam asi”, the immediate meaning of the word tvam is “you”, the jiva ,I take myself to be. The meaning of the word tat is “that”, Isvara. That I, the jiva, am separate from Isvara is experientially true. As a created being, I find myself bound and limited, and Isvara is the creator of the whole cosmos. To say that this limited jiva is that omniscient Isvara leads to confusion. The immediate meaning of mahavakya tattvamasi “that thou art” appears to be contradictory, implying that it is not an ordinary sentence.
Through an understanding of the implied meaning, contradiction is negated and commonality is proved. Creating the proper context, the rishis and gurus wield the words with grace to reveal the common factor between tvam and tat, jiva and Isvara, which is Brahman. Brahman viewed as total creation is Isvara; viewed as individual, Brahman is jiva. In the implied meaning of tvam and tat, there is no difference-Brahman is the truth of both. The verb of being reveals this identity: That Isvara thou art.
A mahavakya is a great equation. If one can see that all that is created-in spite of differences-is ONE Brahman, then all the differences are resolved.
Mahavakya “ Ayam Atma Brahma”
Ayam Atma word refers to this “I” the Awareness. A simple word like “speaker” means the one who speaks and also the thinker is one who thinks. Similarly “Awarer” reveals an “I”, an individual with reference to a function. What is the function here? I am aware of something, hence I am called an “Awarer”. The awarer is aware of all objects around him or her. If the objects are removed, the content of “awarer” will remain. When objects come, I become an awarer. When objects are gone, I am the the content of the awarer “Awareness”. In awareness all objects and thought exist. Even when thoughts are gone, awareness remains.
The space is in awareness. The space is, awareness is. Space is not-as we are not aware of space in our sleep, where there is no space-awareness is. Similarly time is, awareness is, time is not, awareness is. Does awareness have form? The awareness has no form. All forms are objects of awareness. Awareness itself has no form. Awareness is formless, it is spatially limitless. Space is, awareness is. Therefore star is, awareness is. The limitless awareness is, space is. Space is, the limitless awareness is. Now between limitless awareness and the space, what is the distance? And also, between space and stars what is the distance? There is no distance. Between space and the moon, what is the distance? There is no distance. The moon is in awareness because I am aware of the moon. Between awareness, you and the moon in awareness, what is the distance? There is no distance. Between I the awareness and the moon in awareness, if there is any distance what should it be? Space. And where is the space? In awareness. Between awareness and space there is no distance. Therefore, in awareness is the space, in the space is the moon, in space is the sun, in space are the stars, in space are all the planets. The whole physical universe is in the awareness. Therefore between awareness and any object in the world, what is the distance? There is no distance between awareness and this physical world.
The Limitless Brahman
This physical body is in space. In the awareness is space, in space is this body, in space all bodies exist. All the bodies exist in space and space itself is in awareness. And therefore, between awareness and this body or any other body that exist, there is no distance. Therefore where am I? There is no location for I. Awareness is not located. The body is located in space and space itself is located in awareness. And where is awareness located? The question does not arise. The awareness is not located any where. In awareness is located space. With reference to space we say ‘here’ and ‘there’, and so on. And therefore in awareness is space, in space is this body and everything else. So where is awareness? Where the Akasa ( space) is. Where Akasa shines, there the awareness is. Awareness is not located in space. In awareness is space. Therefore awareness is called all pervasive.
There is only one limitless awareness. There is no second limitless awareness. Therefore awareness is rightly called Brahman. Aham Atma Brahma. Atma, the self is Brahman.
Nature of Awareness
Awareness is not subject to time, nor does it have a beginning or an end. It exists at all time and is referred to as Sat in Vedanta; and the same awareness is also called the Cit, consciousness.
Note: This article is based on Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s ( Arsha Vidya Pitham, Saylorsburg, PA) book “Who am I?”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Giving up -- A Mature approach
Just merely giving up things like smoking, eating non-veg., anger etc does not imply maturity. One has to to grow out of them with clear understanding of the value of things.
If you give up something, the taste or value for that object or thing still remains in the mind. That is why the person still talks about the things he/she has given up. The given up object still has some lingering tempting value for you and its is subdued desire.
Growing out of a thing means that you no longer have neither any longing nor hatred or desire for them.
Mearly giving up is escaping from a situation. Giving up makes you weaker from inside and not stonger.
Giving up is effortless (sukham) if done with maturity.
If you give up something, the taste or value for that object or thing still remains in the mind. That is why the person still talks about the things he/she has given up. The given up object still has some lingering tempting value for you and its is subdued desire.
Growing out of a thing means that you no longer have neither any longing nor hatred or desire for them.
Mearly giving up is escaping from a situation. Giving up makes you weaker from inside and not stonger.
Giving up is effortless (sukham) if done with maturity.
Perception of the World
In the world we do not see things as they are, but we see things the way we want them to be, colored by our minds past impressions.
Friday, June 26, 2009
My Philosophy
There is nothing wrong or right in this world. The perception of right or wrong is only a superposition of past impressions (samaskara) in our mind. Gracefully (iswara arpan buddhi) accept the past without any self judgment or resentment. Appreciating the TRUTH about the self (aham brahma asmi) and accepting the changing nature of the whole creation (including the body, mind and intellect), live at peace with oneself in the present moment. Living in the PRESENT also implies not worrying about the future.
All suffering at physical level are only a manifestation, whose real cause is the mind-the non appreciation of our true nature (Sat, Chit and Ananda/Ananta or limitless existence and limitless awareness). Each one of us can ease our suffering if not completely eliminate them at the mental plane. The only remedy in my firm opinion is meditation, satsang and seva. Meditation being the most important element in the healing process. Meditation can be a very simple process of appreciating the TRUTH.
Drop the past impressions (samaskaras), clean the mind and appreciate the TRUTH in the very present moment. The past is over and gone for good, the future has not happened, PRESENT is the only reality. Observe the changing nature of time. Become fully aware of the changes. Every second WAS, IS and GONE. Everything existing in space and time is changing. Change is the very nature of things perceived by the five senses. Know that behind every change is the CHANGELESS, the very basis (adhara). The CHANGELESS is nothing but the very self ( The I).
The CHANGELESS I is aware of the changing body, mind and intellect. It is the substratum that supports the changing world of duality.
When faced with difficult situation in day to day life, we have one of the two choices:
1) Accept gracefully every result coming from Iswara and be happy knowing very well that you (body , mind & intellect) are not the controller of results and happening around you . Everything is given and provided to you by HIM. Everything in this world is in perfect harmony. Become aware of this wonderful balance in the world outside and within, be thankful to HIM for this peace and harmony.
2) React to unpleasant situations and be miserable and unhappy.
The choice is in our hands. Let us pray to HIM to give us that intellect (Gaytri mantra) to make the right choice and be at peace with our own SELF.
Our problem in life:
We center most or all of our activities and time with ourselves and family.
Solution:
We have to spent some part of our time doing selfless service for others, without expecting anything in return (physically or mentally).--- Seva
All suffering at physical level are only a manifestation, whose real cause is the mind-the non appreciation of our true nature (Sat, Chit and Ananda/Ananta or limitless existence and limitless awareness). Each one of us can ease our suffering if not completely eliminate them at the mental plane. The only remedy in my firm opinion is meditation, satsang and seva. Meditation being the most important element in the healing process. Meditation can be a very simple process of appreciating the TRUTH.
Drop the past impressions (samaskaras), clean the mind and appreciate the TRUTH in the very present moment. The past is over and gone for good, the future has not happened, PRESENT is the only reality. Observe the changing nature of time. Become fully aware of the changes. Every second WAS, IS and GONE. Everything existing in space and time is changing. Change is the very nature of things perceived by the five senses. Know that behind every change is the CHANGELESS, the very basis (adhara). The CHANGELESS is nothing but the very self ( The I).
The CHANGELESS I is aware of the changing body, mind and intellect. It is the substratum that supports the changing world of duality.
When faced with difficult situation in day to day life, we have one of the two choices:
1) Accept gracefully every result coming from Iswara and be happy knowing very well that you (body , mind & intellect) are not the controller of results and happening around you . Everything is given and provided to you by HIM. Everything in this world is in perfect harmony. Become aware of this wonderful balance in the world outside and within, be thankful to HIM for this peace and harmony.
2) React to unpleasant situations and be miserable and unhappy.
The choice is in our hands. Let us pray to HIM to give us that intellect (Gaytri mantra) to make the right choice and be at peace with our own SELF.
Our problem in life:
We center most or all of our activities and time with ourselves and family.
Solution:
We have to spent some part of our time doing selfless service for others, without expecting anything in return (physically or mentally).--- Seva
Thought of the week #1
If you do good to people, you are doing it purely because it is your nature ( svabhava). Don't worry how they behave or react towards you. Leave it to them to carry their grudges. You focus on keeping your mind free.
My first blog
This is my first blog. Just posting a picture from my recent trip to LA with my wife and daughters.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)