The Hindu Article - Different methods to realise truth

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Date:21/11/2002 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/21/stories/2002112101010900.htm

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Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Different methods to realise truth

 

CHENNAI NOV.21. The scriptural texts resort to different ways of

teaching spiritual knowledge, as all do not have the same level of

understanding. For one who has insight, the Absolute Reality

(Brahman) can be realised in its essential nature— knowledge,

infinite and bliss. But as all cannot adopt this the texts teach the

same through easier methods. It is similar to giving an address to

someone to locate a house. This is the direct way but if the person

does not know the locality one has to give him further directions

with which he is familiar so that he can find it. The Taittiriya

Upanishad resorts to this procedure in its exposition of the truth.

 

First the Upanishad adopts the direct method by positing the Reality

as the cause of this manifold universe, which has to be realised as

infinite bliss. There are three functions with respect to the

universe— creation, sustenance and dissolution. And, the Supreme

Reality is responsible for all these functions. As the cause He is

both the intelligent and material cause of this creation. The other

way of approach is by tracing the cause from the effect, which is

comprehensible. In the case of the Absolute, the world is the effect,

which is familiar to experience. It is akin to the understanding that

an ornament like bangle is ultimately gold. Such examples given to

elucidate philosophical concepts must not be taken literally but only

figuratively. In this case, for instance, the gold undergoes

modification in form when it is made into a bangle, while the Supreme

Being who is the material cause of this universe remains changeless.

 

Spiritual enquiry could proceed from the known to the unknown, said

Swamini Satyavratananda in her discourse. The Upanishad applies this

technique in the third chapter. Bhrgu, son of Varuna, approached his

father and requested him to teach him the Absolute knowledge. The

father assumed the role of the spiritual teacher then and instructed

him, "Crave to know that from which all these beings take birth, that

by which they live after being born, that towards which they move and

into which they merge. That is Brahman." And he reflected on this and

concluded that matter is Brahman for the whole life process

originates from and merges into it. But soon Bhrgu realised that

matter was constantly changing and hence could not be the Absolute.

So he went back to his father for elucidation. He asked him to

reflect further and thereby steered his enquiry from the gross to the

subtlest level of existence till he grasped the truth.

 

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