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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/01/stories/2002070100590800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

God can be known as existence

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JULY 1

 

.. The Absolute (Brahman or God of religion) is the subject matter of the

scriptures and the key to understanding this unknown Reality is by adopting two

approaches as consciousness and as existence. By following either of them

spiritual knowledge results when study of the scriptures is undertaken. In the

Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains the Absolute as existence (Sat) by applying

the method of superimposition, which is a way of explaining the unknown

(Brahman) by progressing from what is known to human perception. This is logical

also because a spiritual aspirant can be expected to evolve only gradually and

has to start with what is familiar to him to understand the Absolute, which is

the goal of his quest.

 

The Gita says, "The eternal Being (Brahman) cannot be described either as

existent or non-existent (in the way material objects perceived by senses are

described). His hands and feet are everywhere. His eyes, ears and mouth grasp

everything. His face is in all directions. He is the transcendent Spirit

enveloping all that exist." This can be understood with example. A noun and an

adjective have twofold functions. Both can reveal either the substance or the

property. When we say "gold chain" the adjective "gold" reveals the substance

with which the chain is made.

 

In the statement, "He is a tall man", the adjective "tall" reveals the property.

With these examples in mind, one has to approach the concept of the Absolute,

which is unknown. It is obvious that which does not exist cannot be experienced.

Hence, whatever can be experienced must have an existence. When one sees a desk

the perception of this object amounts to experiencing, "The desk is", in which

the "desk" is the noun and "is" performs the adjective function of revealing its

property. So perception of an object or the entire universe, which is

experienced by man, reveals the existence of the Absolute Reality. Instead of

experiencing "existence" per se, man experiences "is-ness". The very fact that

the "world is" points to "Absolute is". Existence hence could only be known

through a medium, said Swamini Satyavratananda in her discourse.

 

This can be appreciated with the example of asking someone to bring water. The

person brings only a glass of water, as without a container it is not possible

to bring water. Similarly existence is intangible and cannot be perceived

without a name and form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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