How Does Atma 'See''?

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“It has also been mentioned that the Atma 'sees' the thoughts. In other words,

it is performing the work of 'seeing'. In this world, if anyone is working,

there will be some effort behind it. Affinity or aversion will be invariably

present behind all efforts. Affinity or aversion, in turn, will have ego or

selfishness in their background. We have learnt that 'Atma' does not have any

of the above mentioned aspects. How can we say then, that Atma is 'seeing'?

 

Another point needs to be considered here. What it meant by saying that it is a

'seer'? It means Atma is performing, the work of seeing. If Atma were to be a

performer of action, how can he see all the intellects and thoughts? Can

anyone see all the objects of the world at the same time?

 

Also to perform any action, there should be a desire. There should be certain

instruments to perform actions. Instruments are basically of two types. 1.

Those which are different from the performer (e.g. - knife, hammer, etc).

These are called as 'Yuta siddha karanas'. 2. Those which are present in the

performer himself (e.g. hands, legs, fingers, etc). They are called as 'Ayuta

siddha karanas'. If Atma were to be a performer, it should have some purpose

and some sort of instrument to perform actions. But we have already learnt

that Atma has none of such things. How can this be?"

 

Sri Swamiji

Lessons in Vedanta - 7 Part II

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says