Guest guest Posted June 20, 2001 Report Share Posted June 20, 2001 Namaste Ganeshji: Thanks for bringing several additional insights with the verses and the translation. I find them quite educative and important to understand the Shankara's advaita philosophy with the proper perspective. I am looking forward to read the rest of the verses. Here is a brief summary of my understanding of Verse 7 and I hope to see more discussions, comments and questions on the verses already posted by Sri Ganesh. Our learning will be incomplete without discussions because we have to change the 'wrong impressions that are stored in our mind!" I hope others follow the example of Sri Ganesh and post verses from other important works of Sri Sankara such as Vivekachudamani, Nivarstakam, etc., The silver-in-nacre analogy is similar to snake-rope example and the ghost-post illustration. Another example we can think of is the mirage that one sees while traveling through the desert. Sri Bhagavatpada beautifully articulates how the mind diverts one's attention from `reality' to absurdity. The stored image of the silver coin is the dominant force which drove the mind to superimpose the silver coin on the oyster shell. Those who anticipate to see the silver-coin will be disappointed when they see the oyster shell. Those who didn't store the image of silver-coin will not have the anxiety and will just the witness the beauty of the shining oyster shell. Essentially Sri Shankara stresses the importance of `stable mind' which doesn't get distracted by the vasanas (stored images) and those with the Stithaprajna enjoys freedom from anxieties and disappointments. They will be able to see the world with the proper perspective and will enjoy the True experience of life. The focus is not `whether the world is real or an illusion' but to develop the right attitude to see the world as it is and not as we want! Self-realization is not change the world but learn to see the world as it is! This is the hidden message of Atma-Bodha in clearer terms. Warmest regards, Ram Chandran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2001 Report Share Posted June 20, 2001 Namaste : --- ShrI Ram Chandran wrote: > The focus is not `whether the > world is real or an illusion' but to develop the right > attitude to see > the world as it is and not as we want! Self-realization > is not change > the world but learn to see the world as it is! This is > the hidden > message of Atma-Bodha in clearer terms. Very well said! To quote an oft-repeated maxim, "We don't see the world as it is; we see it as we are". The "world" perceived by an ant may not be the same as the "world" perceived by a bee. In short, the "world" is but an extension of our senses which "present" the "world" to us. A person born blind cannot see the same "world" as one with sight. Concepts such as colour does not exist for the former person. As a cognitive exercise, we must imagine what "we" would be if we were not able to see, hear, smell, taste or touch. Would we still be who we are now? Would still dream the same ( after all our dream "world" is based to a great extent on the "world" that we perceive when we are awake ). How about our desires, dislikes, affections, emotions etc.? Would they still be the same? Regards, -Vivek. PS : Please feel free to call me Vivek. Get personalized email addresses from Mail http://personal.mail./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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