Jnani’s relationship with God

(adapted from a lecture by Sri Paramarthananda)

A jnani is a person who has attained Athma Jnanam, Self-knowledge. Through the Self-knowledge he has realised that his Real Self is none other than God itself, in its essential aspect as Athma.  Because a Jnani has realised his identity with God at the level of Athma he does not cease to be a bhaktha.  Rather he continues more ardently and single-pointedly his reverential love for God, bhakthi.  Lord Krishna in chapter 7 of Gita while speaking about different types of bhakthas says first in verse 17 “Jnani ever steadfast and having single-pointed devotion is the best (bhaktha)(Jnani nityayukta eka bhaktir vishishyate)”.  Then the Lord goes on to say “I am very much dear to the Jnani, and he too is dear to Me (Priyo hi jnaanino’tyarthamaham sa cha mama priyah)”.  In next verse also Lord Krishna reiterates this point emphatically as “I consider the Jnani as My very Self; for, with a steadfast mind, he is established in Me alone as the supreme goal (jnani twaatmaiva me matam; Aasthitah sa hi yuktaatmaa maamevaanuttamaam gatim)”.

  

The above revelations of the Lord imply an apparent contradiction in the relationship of Jnani with God.  As a bhaktha his devotion for God is based on bhedha sambandha, relationship with difference. But as one with Athma Jnanam, aware of his oneness with God, his relationship is one of no difference, abedha sambandha.  Though this identity at the level of Athma is true in the case of ajnani as well, ajnani bhaktha does not know this truth and feels that God is above him and totally different from him.  So an ajnani’s relationship with God is one of difference, bedha sambandha, only at all times.  In contrast Jnani’s relationship is one of abedha, non-difference, at one level i.e. Jnanam and one of bedha, difference, at another level i.e. bhakthi.

What seems to be an apparent contradiction is explained through an example in Vedanta sastra.  The example quoted is that of wave and ocean.  When one looks at them at the level of name and form, nama-rupa-drshtiya, they are very much different.  Wave is small and temporary and ocean is relatively huge and permanent. Further wave is only the effect while ocean is its cause.  But when we look at them in their essential nature both are the same as their underlying substance is water only. This is called swarupa drishti and at that level there is no difference.  So water and ocean have bedha sambandha at one level, nama-rupa drishtiya and abedha sambandha at another level, swarupa drshtiya.

In the case of a Jnani, he has the knowledge of his true nature and that of God and of the limitations of his upadhi, body, that has a form and name which he uses for interaction with the world, as an individual, and with God as a devotee.   So a Jnani is always aware of both; the difference, bedha sambandha, as an individual, nama-rupa drishtiya and his identity, abedha sambandha, as Athma, his Real Self, swarupa drishtiya.  So even while invoking bedha sambandha for conducting transactions with the world and for expressing and enjoying his devotion to God, he  is conscious of the abedha sambandha so that all his actions are performed with a sense of fulfilment and not out of want.   This awareness of abedha sambandha gives Jnani freedom from the sense of insecurity, helplessness, limitation and mortality. In short all Jnani’s transactions with the external world are with bhedha bhava which he extends to God as well to express his bhakthi and also gratitude to Guru parampara starting from Aadhi Guru.  But at no time he loses sight of abedha sambandha which is beautifully expressed in 10^th anuvaka of sikshavalli of Taittreya Upanishad as the outburst of Trisanku on attainment of realisation thus:

“aham vriksasya reriva, kirtih pristham gireriva, urdhvapa-vitro vajiniva svamritam asmi, dravinam savarcasam, sumedha amritoksitah”

I am the mover of the tree (of the world).  My fame is high like the peak of a mountain.  My source is the pure (Brahman). I am the unstained essence of the Self, like the immortality that resides in the sun. I am bright with the wealth (of knowledge).  I am the shinning wisdom. I am immortal and imperishable

So the Jnani knows and enjoys both the relationships, bedha and abedha, with God, with a fulfilled mind full of peace and happiness.

-----------------------------