the world is Brahman

[Guest guest]

Zamindarini:

Should one look upon the world as Brahman or

should one look upon one's own Self as the most

important?

 

Bhagavan:

We exist. And the world is Brahman itself.

What then is there to look upon as Brahman?"

 

She was taken aback and stood still. Whereupon Bhagavan

looked at her compassionaltely and explained further:

 

"As you know we undoubtedly exist. The world also exists

as Brahman. That being so, what is there that one could see

as Brahman? We should make our vision as the all-pervading

Brahman. Ancients say, 'Drishtim Jnanamayim Kritva Pasyeth

Brahmamayam Jagat'. The world is as we see it. If we see it as

material, it is material. If we see it as Brahman, it is Brahman.

That is why we must change our outlook. Can you see the

picture in a film without the screen? If we remain as we are,

everything adjusts itself to that attitude."

 

Overjoyed at this and fully satisfied, she came out and sat

on the step on the verandah which is opposite to Bhagavan's

couch. Bhagavan was sitting on the couch in his characteristic

pose, silent as usual and with a smile on his face. Looking at

the radiant face of Bhagavan, she said involuntarily, "Ah! How

beautiful Bhagavan is!"

A devotee who heard the exclamation approached Bhagavan

and said, "She is saying how beautiful Bhagavan is."

With a slight nod of his head Bhagavan said, "Sivam Sundaram".

(Sivam Sundaram means that which is beautiful in the form of

Atma, Satyam-Sivam-Sundaram and Sat-Chit-Andanda are

the names given to describe Atman or Brahman.)

 

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Nagamma: Letters, entry 20th Sept. 1949

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