SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA----26

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SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters,

(continued from posting number 25)

 

The Vedas point out that Atma is without attributes (Nirguna) and actions, eternal, without doubts, unsullied , changeless, formless and never impure. Sruti resorts to negative description of Atma. By attributes we mean the three Gunas viz., SATVA, RAJAS and TAMAS. All jivas are possessing these three attributes in varying degrees at any particular point of time. The degrees will vary in the course of the day depending on the level of activities etc. Satva is predominant during all forms of Upasana or worship including meditation. Rajas dominates while in action and Tamas in sleep. These three gunas manifest as thought textures. Satva Guna indicates purity, nobility, selflessness, love, Compassion etc. etc. People with Rajoguna are passionate and agitated while those with Tamoguna are dull and inactive. An individual is composed of the Self(ATMA) and the three gunas. Atma is distinct and separate from the Gunas . Atma has none of their properties. The Self has no properties. The Gita calls ATMA as NIstrigunyah , Gunatrayaateetah etc. etc. Whatever action is taking place here is nothing but the play of the Gunas among themselves and the Self (ATMA) has nothing to do with them. Atma does not act. It is like electricity causing the blades of the fan rotate though itself remains motionless. All our activities pertain to the material equiment and to the Self within. Atma is referred to as non-doer( Aneeha) in Srimad Bhagavatam. " Though living in the body, the Atman does nothing nor gets contaminated " says Lord Krishna in the Gita (Anaaditvaat nirgunatvaat Param Atma Avyayah Sareerasto api Kaunteya Na Karoti na Lipyate).

 

Atma exists entirely beyond the Gunas. It is never the doer of actions. Atma is eternal. Atma is indicated in the Vedas differently as Nitya, Sasvata, Amrutam, Sanaathanah, Avinaasi etc. etc.

Atma alone is unconditioned and free and is therefore Immortal(Amritah) as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says. Brahmaivedam Amrutam--says the Mundaka Upanishad. It is the immortal behind the mortal. Atma is imperishable

(Avyayam), eternal(Nityam) and beginningless and endless (Anadyantam) according to the Katopanishad. " That is verily pure, that is Brahman.That alone is called Immortal. It is the eternal in the midst of non-eternals " (

Nityah Anityanaam ) says the Katopanishad. Atma is imperishable(Avinaasi, Aksharam etc.). It is deathless and changeless and hence eternal. Atma is Kalaatheetha--beyond time. It is also wholly beyond space. Atma never ceases to exist. It is eternal, constant and everlasting.(

Nityah Sarvagatah Sthaanuh Achalah Ayam sanatanah) as Lord Krishna describes in the second chapter of the Gita.

(to be continued)

With Loving SAI RAMs,

G.Balasubramanian