SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA-----33

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SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Atma is said to be endless or infinite (Anantham). Waves in the ocean emerge out of the ocean, exist for a while and ultimately merge into the ocean. The waves have a temporary existence but the ocean is permanent. Similarly, all the world of objects and beings which are perisheable and finite emerge out of Atma(Brahman),exist for a while in Brahman and ultimately merge in Brahman. The world of objects and beings have a beginningand an end. The substratum upon which the world appears and disappears viz., Atma(Brahman) is beginningless and endless. Hence it is infinite or unlimited. Etymologically, Brahma means 'to grow without limit'. This gives the significance to the term Anantam which means unlimited or endless.

 

The scriptures tell us to realise that to be Atma(Brahman) which is across, above,below,all-pervading existence-knowledge-bliss and which is non-dual, infinte,eternal one. We experience Atma on the destruction or transcending of our limited equipment. That is the absolute state of perfection beyond which there exists nothing, declare the Vedas. Our mind is attached to the joys of the world and hence can not conceive the infinite glory and bliss of Atma(Brahman). Unless the mind is lifted up from the lower values in life, the intellect can not pursue the higher Truth. Atma fills in all quarters above, below and everywhere as the all-pervading Reality. It is the 'within' and 'without' of things . " The indwelling Divine(Narayana) exists pervading all things,externally and internaly

(Antar Bahischa Tatsarvam vyaapya Naraayana sthithah) as the Purusha Sooktam declares. " The Divine Reality envelops everything in this changing universe (Isavaasyam Idam yatkincha Jagatyaam Jagat)

" , as the Isa Upanishad declares. The Upanishads want us to look deeper so that we can see the " deathless in the midst of death, the changeless in the midst of changing,the one in the midst of many " . This is the message of the Upanishads ,the message of about the immortal and imperisheable Self behind the the mortal and perishable. As the Katopanishad says, " The Inteligent and heroic who perceive Atma

(Tam Atmastam ye anupasyanti Dheerah) as the eternal among non-eternals (Nityah Anityaanaam), the inteligence among the inteligent ( Chetanah Chetanaanaam), who though one fulfills the desires of many

(Eko Bahunaam Yo Vidadati Kaamaan), to them belongs eternal peace and to none else (Teshaam Santhi Saaswati Na Itareshaam). What has been made known to us is that eternal happiness and eternal peace belong to that heroic soul who realizes the Atma, which is the very Self of all.

 

(to be continued)

With Loving SAI RAMs,

G.Balasubramanian