Sandeha Nivarini - Post 13

Devotee: So far, you have discussed some important things: (1) the external world, (2) the internal world, and (3) Bhagavan, the Lord. Are these separate entities, like cause and effect? Or are they connected one with the other? 

Swami: Think about it yourself! For this I have already sent the reply in Prema Vahini. It must have reached you today. Look into that. Look closely at what is said there of the relationship between “he that serves”, “he that is served”, and “the wherewithal of service”. 

Devotee: Swami, You said also perishable-imperishable (kshara-akshara), impermanent-permanent (nithya- anithya). Are there any other names too? 

Swami: These two are also known as the Supreme

(Purusha). They are said to be consciousness (chetana) and unconsciousness (a-chetana). They are also referred to as soul (jiva) and inert matter (jada). The perishable- imperishable are named in another context as higher nature (para-prakriti) and lower nature (a-para-prakriti). 

If you contemplate with a clear intelligence, you will find that only names change; the thing does not change. 

Devotee: Then, Swami, just as perishable and imperishable have as synonym souls (purushas), does Bhagavantha, the Lord, have any synonym? 

Swami: Why? Bhagavan is well known by a very appropriate name, Supreme Lord of All (Purushothama), since He is the Highest of the Supreme Spirits (Purushas). 

Devotee: Oh! How sweet! What a sweet name! Did the souls originate from the Supreme Lord of All? 

Swami: Here comes the big problem. Once before you asked, “did it originate?” We must use correct words. Otherwise, we get wrong meanings. We should not say, “originating” from the Supreme Lord of All (Purushothama). In Him they shine. I told you before that these entities (purushas) are indicated by the words higher-lower nature and soul-inert matter (jiva-jada). The word “nature (prakriti)” gives the sense of essential nature (swa-bhava) and divine energy (sakthi), right? 

Devotee: It does. I understand that the Supreme Lord of All is one, and His nature (prakriti) is the second. 

Swami: No. You are mistaken. Think again. Is there any difference between a thing and its nature? Is it possible to separate and see the nature apart from the thing? Still, you said “two”. 

Devotee: It’s a mistake, Swami. It’s wrong. No one can separate them. The two are one. 

Love.

Swami Sivananda

After every happiness comes misery; they may be far apart or near. The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains--one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Atman is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.

- Swami Sivananda