simile of the cloud

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In SataSlokI SrI Sankara gives a beautiful simile. The translation of

this particular verse is given below:

 

The cloud which appears to conceal the sun which is much bigger than

itself did not exist before the rainy season and is not seen after the end

of that season. That cloud, which exists only in between these two periods,

cannot really conceal the sun. It only obstructs the sight of the person who

tries to see the sun. If the cloud really concealed the sun, the cloud

itself would not be visible, because it becomes visible only because of the

light of the sun. In the same way, the universe, which is illumined and

enabled to function only because of the supreme Self, conceals the Self from

the intellect of human beings.

 

Note: The cloud owes its origin to the sun's heat. We are able to see the

cloud only because of the light of the sun. It is this same cloud that

obstructs our view of the sun. Similarly, the universe which has its origin

in brahman (Self) and which is illumined by brahman, presents itself before

us and prevents us from knowing brahman. brahman can be known only if the

intellect and the sense organs are withdrawn from the external

universe.

 

 

S.N.Sastri