Siva Sutra S1.1, S2.1, S3.1 - Interrelated Tautologies

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In a message dated 3/27/02 3:52:19 PM Eastern Standard Time,

sgadkari2001 writes:

 

> atma, often means what I identify myself with (among other things).

> For example Shiva Sutra chapter 1, says chaitanya atma and

> chapter 3 starts with chitta atma (I have glanced through the

> other two chapters). So probably, chapter 1, is applicable for

> a person whose conviction is chaitanya atma, and chapter 3 for

> someone whose state of mind makes him/her identify self with

> chitta.

 

Yes, agreed, unless âtma is considered simply transcendental consciousness,

at which time it well may be called krishna or brahman etc, it must be

identified and/or associated with one or more qualities of duality.

Otherwise, there is truly is nothing to speak about.

 

The first verse of each of the three books of Siva Sutra are fascinating

interrelated tautologies, no doubt. The titles of each book can add to the

associated meanings also. Consider:

 

Siva Sûtras - Book 1 - Sâmbhavopâya - the means of becoming

 

S1.1 Self is pure consciousness (being).

"caitanyam âtmâ"

pure-consciousness self

 

 

The Siva Sûtras - Book 2 - Sâktopâya - the means of divine power

 

S2.1 Mantra is mind (consciousness).

"cittam mantrah"

mind mantra

 

 

The Siva Sûtras Book 3 Anavopâya - the means of refinement

 

S3.1 Mind (consciousness) is self.

"âtmâ cittam"

self mind

 

The three seen together are:

 

Self is pure consciousness (being)

Mantra is mind (consciousness)

Mind (consciousness) is self

 

Now, it doesn't take much more than the first couple of weeks into any Logic

1.01 course anywhere, or a mere touch of Algebra 1, to figure out that self,

being, mantra, consciousness, and mind are all pretty much entangled, indeed,

if not the very same thing. In fact, just a little common sense will figure

this out; never mind elementary Logic or Algebra. Note: This translation

has used the English words: self, being, consciousness, and mind to

correspond to the associated Sanskrit words. Other folks may find similar

synonyms that are more useful in their own habituated Sanskrit usage, but the

overall content will be quite similar or identical. The dictionaries will

find cross references for all of the chosen English words among all of the

indicated Sanskrit words. So we are not saying much here, to suggest that

these three sutras are interrelated tautologies, as the dictionary meanings

alone imply the same.

 

Nevertheless, this is quite a dynamic idea, that mind, self, being,

consciousness, and mantra are all one and the same thing, having ever so

slight a difference in attributes as we initially fall out of transcendental

consciousness. The differences in qualities go this way or that way

according to the nature of other recently occurring and/or simultaneously

occurring thought forms.

 

The three sections are concerned with creation and becoming -- bhava, with

divine power -- sakti, and with subtle refinements -- anava pâ (literally

'fine-drinkings'). These are three categories of âtma that closely resemble

the creation, maintenance and dissolution aspects of the three gunas.

Fascinating indeed. How do these concepts interrelate and how to we become

aware that there is an interrelation? In short, how does this mind,

consciousness, mantra, self, and being phenomena interrelate, and why? I

think that the rest of Siva Sutra touches beautifully on coming to solutions

of such profound questions. Really quite amazing.

 

jai guru dev,

 

Edmond