Atman and brahman

[Guest guest]

Namaste

advaitin, "R.S.MANI" <r_s_mani> wrote:

> > Following further question has come up in my mind. What exactly

is the relation or connection between Brahman and Atma (Jeeva)?

>

> Is it any of the following:

>

> -Container and content, like banana and its peel

>

> -whole and part, Amshi and Amsha

>

> -bimba and prtibimba

>

> -Cause and Effect

>

> -gold and golden chain

>

> -or any other

>

I shall give my answers, subject to corrections by stalwarts like

Sadanandaji and others.

Container and Content? No. Because: ayam AtmA brahma.

Whole and part? No. Because, there is no whole, no part, of either.

Bimba and pratibimba? No. The confusion in the question here arises

from a mixing up between the Jiva and Atman. The Jiva when it

identifies with the body mind intellect, is different from Atman. It

is such identification that results in a samsAra for the jIva. The

Jiva when it rests in itself by itself (without any such

identification with the non-Atman) is called jIvAtman and this is the

same as the paramAtman, that is brahman.

Gold and Golden chain: No. The example of the gold and golden chain

is usually brought in to carry home the point that there is always a

phenomenal reality and and an absolute reality. 'Phenomenal'

and 'Absolute' are relative. Golden chain is a phenomenal reality

when the gold is taken as absolute. Once this example is understood

in connection with the relativeness of 'realities', there is no more

use for that example. In the case of brahman and Atman there is no

question of one being 'real' or not with respect to the other. Both

are two words for the same advaitic Absolute Reality.

 

praNAms to all advaitins

profvk