Fwd: Clarifications pertaining to Brahma Loka

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advaitin , " subrahmanian_v "

<subrahmanian_v wrote:

 

Srigurubhyo NamaH

Namaste sadhakas,

 

Here are some clarifications pertaining to Brahma Loka.

 

The Bhagavad Gita VIII.16 says that all lokas upto and inclusive of

the Brahma loka are not eternal, that is, the jivas that attain to

those lokas are subject to return. As this point requires a

clarification, some commentators have taken the pains to provide the

same:

 

The Nilakanthi commentary clarifies: Those who have reached

Brahmaloka by performing dahara-vidya upaasana will attain Atma

Jnanam there and become finally liberated along with Brahma at the

end of that kalpa and therefore will not return to this samsara.

But

those who attain Brahmaloka by performing panchaagni-vidya, having

not performed the upasana on Parameshwara, the Supreme God, will

return to acquire some birth or the other, without attaining

liberating knowledge.

 

This has been clarified in the Ratnaprabha gloss at the end of the

Brahmasutra bhashya on the last Sutra. Thus the norm is: Meditation

on God brings about knowledge of saguna Brahman which takes that

meditator to Brahmaloka and qualifies him for Atma jnanam to be

received from Brahma Himself and thereby liberates the meditator.

 

This is certainly not on par with Jivanmukti that is had here

itself. The difference between an aspirant after moksha here itself

and the one who is engaged in saguna upasana is vast. While the

former transcends the three gunas and acquires Atma jnanam by

extraordinary effort, after graduating from saguna upasana as a

stepping stone, the latter does not put efforts to transcend the

saguna- brahma upasana and reach the Nirguna Jnanam.

 

Again, the one who has gone to Brahma loka leaves this world as an

ajnani and remains there as an ajnani till he gains the Atma

Jnanam.

On the other hand, the jivanmukta attains liberation from samsara

and

rebirth here itself, immediately upon attaining the sakshatkara,

and

remains as a jnani till the fall of the body.

 

It would be pertinent to see what the Acharya says in the commentary

for the Kathopanishad mantra 2.3.5:

 

Only in brahmaloka is the vision (of the Atman in one's intellect),

very distinct as in the case of shade and light. But that world is

difficult to attain, being the result of many special kinds of work

(karma) and knowledge (upasana). Therefore, efforts should be made

for the realization of the Self here itself. This is the idea (of

this mantra).(unquote)

 

May all aspirants attain the Liberating Realization Here Itself.

 

Pranams to all,

Subbu

Om Tat Sat

 

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