Interpretation of Indian culture from Satyakama story

[Guest guest]

Namaskarams, I thought of presenting the following thoughts I wrote

today on how the nondual culture is permeated in India, taking the

Satyakama story from the Upanishad. It is not thorough but more like

a clue for further thinking. Any comments are welcome.

 

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" According to Shankara, that person [who has known Brahman] is happy

and cheerful, with a smile on his face all the time. His mind is

always under control, as are his sense organs. He is also free from

desires and therefore from worries. " -- Swami Lokeshwarananda's

commentary to the Chandogya Up.'s Satyakama story.

 

How is Indian culture rooted in high-tech-speaking advaita

philosophy? This is not easy to communicate or comprehend if at all I

understand. However a simple story from the Chandogya Upanishad

reveals that this " Brahma Jnana " is most near those who live a simple

self-sustaining life, becoming one with the world around them. For in

such a life, what may be seen in common folk, in villages perhaps, or

maybe more in an age bygone, there is a greater potency for human

beings to see the inner spirit in all things than in the structured

slavish lives of city-dwellers.

 

This boy Satyakama (one who loves truth) went to a Guru Gautama for

being taught Brahma-jnana. The Guru tested him and found out his

inner purity and non-hypocritical nature. Thereupon the guru instead

of asking the boy to stay in his school asked him to go away with

four hundred sick old cows, tend to them till they become some 1000

strong, then come back for his lessons. The boy *at once* accepted

and left with the cows. It was many years before he returned to his

Guru, who at once could tell that Satyakama had become a knower of

Brahman. The boy had penetrated into the oneness of existence by his

selfless service to the Guru, by the particular work of tending the

cows and becoming one with nature. The Upanishad mentions of how

various aspects of nature taught particular things regarding Brahman,

in particular how the many aspects of duality reflect the same

Brahman. And Satyakama was receptive to the Truth as revealed to him

by animals and natural forces. Finally the guru merely has to give

the theoretical-finish to complete Satyakama's studies; the

actual " cooking process " had been done through the tending of cows!!

 

While much agitations are created today by viewing India through

divisive lens, and Indians themselves unable to perceive the

underlying strength and unity of their country and nurturing self-

destructive attitudes thereby, in the above story of Satyakama's

learning of Brahman, we find an ancient message that the path to the

Self requires no show or propaganda and is available directly to the

simple and austere; in an unseen manner, the wisdom of the Vedas has

pervaded India and her spiritual culture reflects that nondual

understanding (albeit running into holes in the urban setting).

 

 

thollmelukaalkizhu