Atman Should Be A 'Seer'

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“The body has five natural elements (prthvi - earth, Ap - water, Agni - fire,

Vayu - air and Akash - space). Atma does not. If Atma were to possess these

physical elements, It would have become an object.

 

Hands, legs, etc. are the instruments though which the body functions. Mind and

intellect are the instruments of Jeevatma. They can function only if the

instruments are present. Therefore, they are not self-luminous. We have

already seen that Atma is self-effulgent. Therefore, it is devoid of

instruments. Also, Atma does not have the five pranas

(Prana-Apana-Vyana-Udana-Smana). If Atma were to have the five pranas, It

would not have been independent. Also, all the above mentioned pranas are

nothing but 'vayu' (one of the five natural elements). If Atma were to possess

'vayu', it would have become a physical entity. We have already seen that it is

devoid of physical elements.

 

Because 'Atma' is devoid of all these, it has no thirst, no hunger, no grief, no

attachment, no old age and no death. All these are the tendencies of the body,

mind, and intellect. Atma does not have any of these.

 

Also, Atma should be that which, residing in the beings, is always witnessing

everything. In other words, it should be a 'seer'. Such should be the nature

of Atman."

 

Sri SwamijiLessons in Vedanta - 6 part III

 

Sri Guru Datta,Swamiji Says

 

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