Atma Bodha - Post 7

Dear All,

Let us get deeper into the meaning of the first verse.

The Spiritual Meaning:

Purifying oneself through Austerities / Tapas

Tapas is any Sadhana which is undertaken to make the mind turn inward, to make it introspective and thereby suitable for inner reflection. 

This definition clarifies the popular meaning of the word which is taken to mean severe austerities. 

It is not what we DO that describes Tapas, but with what attitude we do it. This is an important distinction. 

Much of what passes as Tapas could in fact be pure expression of the ego wanting to gain acclaim in this manner.

Understanding the word to mean as defined above, such Tapas purifies one of all impurities. To purify oneself is the object of undergoing any Tapas. 

Having undergone Tapas, one gets the necessary purity of mind or Chitta Shuddhi to begin the path of Jnana Yoga or Vedanta that is to follow in the rest of the text.

Forms of Tapas:

The study of the Shastras is itself a Tapas, for it removes much of our impurities. The study of the Shastras never goes in vain. 

Austerities involve some form of self-denial. There are numerous kinds of Tapas. As already mentioned the common feature of true Tapas is that it must turn the mind within towards contemplation of the Self. The initial fruit is Chitta Shuddhi. This is the criterion for gauging the benefit of Tapas.

The term “kshee” is used to indicate that our sins have to be “decayed”. By decaying they will die off. They will, of course, be removed totally only through Jnana, which is still to come, but the bulk of the gross impurity is cleared by Tapas.

Sin is not an action in itself as explained earlier. It is the tendency to live and think negatively, which is left over in our mind as a result of our own wrong actions.

These sinful tendencies become week (Ksheena) whenwe practice self control over a period of time

Shanti or Peacefulness

Tapas eventually renders the mind calm and peaceful. Shaantanaam refers to those who are peaceful. Only such persons can see the defects of cravings; they are the persons described by the word Veetaraaginaam. 

Mumukshoonaam

When cravings for the objects of the world is removed by seeing the defects in them, then the desire for liberation grows in direct proportion. Persons with such desire for God are called as Mumuksh00naam in the verse.

Sadhana Chatusthaya is implied indirectly in this verse: Veetaragi is Vairagya, which comes from Viveka. 

Shanta sums up all the virtues under Shad Sampati. 

And Mumukshutwa is, of course, the fourth item that completes the Sadhana Chatushtaya.

(As much as 10 posts have been taken to explain "Sadhana Chatushtaya" in the theme "Vedas and Vedanta". Link for the first of the 10 posts is given below

https://journey-deep-within.blogspot.com/2017/06/introduction-to-vedas-and-vedanta-part.html

After reading this post, readers may proceed to read all its subsequent 9 posts to get a clear insight of sadhana chatushtaya which is a prerequisite for a spiritual seeker in the path of Jnana.)

This verse does not disqualify those who have not cleansed themselves of their sins, have developed a serene and peaceful mind, who have taken up the sadhana chatushtaya and have developed intense craving for liberation.

It rather motivates a reader to start looking inward, to know where he is, as per the requirements specified so that he starts improving himself, starts moving away from negative tendencies and makes efforts to be worth enough to take up such a treatise sincerely.

Love.

Atma Bodha - Post 6

Verse- 1 

तपोभिः क्षीणपापानां

शान्तानां वीतरागिणाम् ।

 मुमुक्षूणामपेक्ष्योऽयमात्मबोधो

विधीयते ॥ १

TAPOBHIH KSHEENAPAAPAANAAM

SAANTAANAAM VEETARAGINAAM

MUMUKSHOONAAM APEKSHYOYAM

ATMABODHO VIDHEEYATE

(I am  composing the Atma Bodha, this treatise of the knowledge of the Self [Atman], for those who have purified themselves by austerities and are peaceful in heart and calm, who are free from cravings and are desirous of liberation.)

The text starts with the word ‘Tapas’ – an auspicious start in the context of this subject. The entire Ramayana was begun with this word, and what a great book that is! Tapas is an auspicious word. It is Tapas that opens the door to all auspiciousness. It cleans us of all the ‘dirt’ and impurity in our heart and makes us ready to receive divine knowledge.

The very thought of Brahma Jnana or knowledge of the Self brings auspicious thoughts to our mind. 

In itself it is an invocation to merely utter the name “Atma Bodha”. This is thus to be taken as an Invocation or a Mangalacharan to begin this unique text on Self-knowledge.

Anubandha Chatushtaya:

It is the usual practice to give the Anubandha Chatushtaya at the outset of the text. This verse serves that purpose. 

The fourfold “Prospectus” announcing the purpose and eligibility for the study of this book is given as follows:

(i) Adhikari: The opening words state for whom this book has been written: “Those who have purified themselves with austerities, who are peaceful in heart, free from cravings and....

Sankara has made it clear in the first invocation verse that "one who has undertaken intense austerities in spiritual path and has purified one's mind, with a peaceful heart, free from desire for worldly pursuits" is the actual Adhikari, the one who deserves to get the full benefit of this treatise.

(ii) Vishaya: The subject is given by the title of the book, Atma Bodha. It is stated at the very beginning that the subject is Knowledge of the Self, the true inner Self, not the self which is ignorant and deluded.

(iii) Prayojana: The benefit to be obtained from the study of this book is given in the term “Mumukshoonaam”, which tells us that the goal here is Self-Realization. That is the benefit offered by this book. Liberation is guaranteed for those who are Adhikaris.

(iv) Sambandha: Indicated by the word Vidheeyate, meaning “is being composed”; we have the promise that this book will fulfill the expectations of the student who is seeking Liberation. It says explicitly that the book is connected with that particular goal. 

We will get deeper into the meaning of this verse in the next post.

Love.

Atma Bodha - Post 5

O Atma Swarupas, 

Like any upanishad chanting / commentary starts with a shanti path or an invocation prayer, Atma Bodha usually has the following invocation prayer composed by Adi Sankara.

प्रातः स्मरामि हृदि संस्फुरदात्मतत्त्वं

सच्चित्सुखं परमहंसगतिं तुरीयम् ।

यत्स्वप्नजागरसुषुप्तिमवैति नित्यं

तद्ब्रह्म निष्कलमहं न च भूतसङ्घः 

PRÁTAH SMARÁMI HRUDI SAMSPHURAD ÁTMA TATTVAM

SAT CHIT SUKHAM PARAMA HAMSA GATIM TURIYAM

YAT SVAPNA JÁGARA SUSSUPTAM AVAITI NITYAM

TAD BRAHMA NISKALAM AHAM NA CHA BHUTA SAÑGHA.

At the early hours of the day, I meditate upon the essential SELF, clearly experienceable in the heart cave AS THE ESSENCE (TATWAM),

-That which is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss in nature,

-That which is the supreme goal, the Parama hamsa state,

-That which is the fourth state of consciousness (Turiyam),

-That which illumines all experiences in all the three state of consciousness, waking, dreaming and deep sleep.

- That which is that part less Brahman, not this assembly of matter envelopments!

Commentary

Like my heart throb every moment, along with every heart beat, let me experience clearly in my heart, the reality:- That is SATH (Pure Existence), CHIT (Pure awareness) SUKHAM (Pure Bliss).

That is Parama hamsa, the goal of all sages. (Parama saham Aham)

(Parama hamsa is also explained in the context of the Hamsa Bird, which has the capacity to segregate water from milk, takes in only the milk and discards the water. That is, the attainment of the state where, one is clearly able to discriminate between the real and the unreal and discard the real and embrace only the real)

That which is the Turiya state or the 4th state of consciousness, as clearly explained in mandukya upanishad, the state of pure awareness, existence, consciousness.

That which illumines all the other three states of consciousness - waking, dream state and deep sleep.

(The three states of consciousness and the fourth state, Turiya, have been dealt with elaborately in this blog under the theme "Vedas and Vedanta". The link to that post is given below

https://journey-deep-within.blogspot.com/search?q=states+of+consciousness

Readers may please use the above link and read about the 2 states of consciousness explained in a simple manner)

That is part less, indivisible Brahman and not the mere matter which my body, mind appears to be, at the surface level!!

What a positive, wonderful prayer in the early hours even before we start our day, asserting with conviction, what we really are, so that, we remember the same through out the day and not end up believing about ourselves what we really are not!!

Love.