Conclusion - Athma Bodha

(Athma Bodha 12)

Verse 65

Sarvagam Satchidaatmaanam Jnana Chakshur Nireekshate I

Ajnaana Chakshur Na Eekshet Bhaswsorbed inwardantam Bhanum Andhavat II

Though Athma is Pure Consciousness and ever present everywhere, yet It is perceived by the eye-of-wisdom (Jnana Chakshu) alone: but for one, whose vision is obscured by ignorance he does not see It; like the blind who does not see the resplendent Sun.

Jnana Chakshu, the eye –of-wisdom, is the eye backed by a mind with Jnanam. This wise mind is intelligently withdrawn from external attractions of the world and is focussed inward to apprehend the Reality that is Brahman which it sees everywhere and also as one’s Higher Self.   On the other hand the ordinary mind is turned outward and is absorbed in the attractions of the world ignorant of the inner Reality that is Brahman. Its ignorance coupled with the preoccupation with worldly matters makes it blind to the presence of all pervasive Brahman.  This point is explained by Sri Sankara through the analogy of a blind man and shining sun.  The bright sun shines for all but a visually blind person cannot see the resplendent sun.  Similarly an ajjnani is blind to the presence of Brahman everywhere including his inner heart.

Verse 66

Sravanaadibhi Uddepta Jnaanaagni Paritapitah I

Jeeva Sarvamalat Muktah Swarnavat Dyotate Swayam II

The 'Jiva' free from impurities, being heated in the fire of knowledge kindled by hearing and so on, shines of itself like gold.

Gold, as it comes up from the gold-mines as ore, is mixed up with a lot of impurities.  When the washed gold is heated and poured in, the molten gold cleaned of impurities shines in its real beauty and brilliance. In the same way the ego-centric personality of Jiva mixed up with the impurities of vasanas and raga-dweshas and of ajjnanam has to be smelted down through rigorous sadhanas consisting of Sravanam, Mananam and Nitidyasanam over a prolonged period with patience, to shine as pure Consciousness as in the case of realized Jnanis.  Then the mind will be free from impure thoughts, vasanas and viparitha bhavana and the ego-centric personality gets transformed to Brahman-centric personality making one shine like pure gold as Jivan muktha. 

Verse 67

Hrudaakaasodito hi Athma Bodha Bhaanus Tamopahrut I

Sarva Vyaapee Sarva Dhaaree Bhaati Bhaasayate Akhilam II

The Athma, the Sun of Knowledge that rises in the sky of the heart, destroys the darkness of the ignorance, pervades and sustains all and illumines all and also Itself.

In this penultimate verse Sri Sankara recalls a few major metaphors employed earlier. They are:
 1) the luminous sun which stands for the Self, which is also self-effulgent (v41);
 2) the rising sun at dawn, which resembles the lifting of the dark veil of ignorance and the emergence of the light of Knowledge of the Self (v43);
 3) the all-pervading nature of the Self, seen in the simile of Space used to describe the heart – “Hrid-Akasha” (v 52); and,
 4) the lighting up of the intellect due to its closeness to the Self (v28).  
Heart here does not refer to the biological organ that pumps the blood but here it means the arena of the mind from where noble and humane thoughts flow.   As at the approach of dawn the darkness rolls off and the light in its own glory brings everything clearly to our cognition, so too at the Dawn of Wisdom all knowledge bursts up to our awareness.  The Sun of Knowledge, Athma, as it rises in the sky of the heart, destroys the darkness of ignorance, pervades everything and sustains all.  It shines and makes everything in the universe to shine as well.

Verse 68

Dikdesa Kaa laadi Anapekshya Sarvagam Seetadi Hrunnitya Sukham Niramjanam I

Yassvaatma Teerdham Bhajate Vinishkriyam Sa Sarvavit Sarva Gato Amruto Bhavet.II

He who renouncing all activities, worships his own Athma that is free of all the limitations of time, space and direction; that is present everywhere; that is the destroyer of heat and cold: that is Bliss-Eternal and stainless: becomes all-knowing and all-pervading and attains Immortality thereafter.

In this concluding verse Athma is compared to a holy thirtham like Prayag.  Sri Sankara says Athma is the greatest theertham as a dip in it will wash off our ajjnanam permanently.  It involves no travel and besides ajjnanam, our papam and punyam also will be washed off and also all our karmas except prarabhdha will be washed away, ensuring Videha mukthi on exhaustion of prarabhdha karma.  Until exhaustion of prarabhdha karma he continues in the body as a Jivan Muktha with the realization that the essence of everything is Brahman and as Athma that is Brahman he also:

1)    Transcends all limitations, breaking free of all upadhis that limit one to the narrow confines of experience through the body, mind and intellect, and to the limitations of time

2)    Overcomes all pairs of opposites like heat and cold and so on.

3)    Becomes a stainless person endowed with  Chitta Suddhi and Chitta Ekagrata

4)    Renounces all rajasic and tamasic activities during rest of life

5)    Turns a Muktha Purusha free of sorrow and samsara

With the above verse 68, the text Athma Bodha concludes.  While concluding the series of blogs on Athma Bodha, I wish to record my deep debt of gratitude to the writings and speeches on this subject, of:

1)    Swami Paramarthananda

2)    Swami Chinmayananda

3)    Swami Gurubhakthananda &

4)    Swami Nikhilananda  

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