Creation of the Universe - Part 23

We kept the following question flagged, to be taken up later and the time has come now to handle this question.

Question / Doubt:

IF GOD / THAT EXISTED ALONE WITH NOTHING OTHER THAN THAT, WITH NO MIND, NO THOUGHT, THEN HOW THAT CAN WILL TO CREATE THIS WORLD?

Instead of trying to answer to this question directly, the author takes you through few selected verses from Viveka Chudamani first and then from Mandukya Karika given by Sri Gauda Pada, Guru of the Guru of Adi Sankara.

Selected Vivekachudamani verses:

227. All this universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but Brahman which is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.

228. A jar, though a modification of clay, is not different from it; everywhere the jar is essentially the same as the clay. Why then call it ajar?  It is fictitious, a fancied name merely.

229. None can demonstrate that the essence of a jar is something other than the clay (of which it is made). Hence the jar is merely imagined (as separate) through delusion, and the component clay alone is the abiding reality in respect of it.

230. Similarly, the whole universe, being the effect of the real Brahman, is in reality nothing but Brahman. Its essence is That, and itdoes not exist apart from It. He who says it does is still under delusion – he babbles like one asleep.

231. This universe is verily Brahman – such is the august pronouncement of the Atharva Veda. Therefore, this universe is nothing but Brahman, for that which is superimposed (on something) has no separate existence from its substratum.

232. If the universe, as it is, be real, there would be no cessation of the dualistic element, the scriptures would be falsified, and the Lord Himself would be guilty of an untruth. None of these three is considered either desirable or wholesome by the noble-minded.

233. The Lord, who knows the secret of all things has supported this view in the words: "But I am not in them" … "nor are the beings in Me".

234. If the universe be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false, like dreams.

235. Therefore, the universe does not exist apart from the Supreme Self; and the perception of its separateness is false like the qualities (of blueness etc., in the sky). Has a superimposed attribute any meaning apart from its substratum? It is the substratum which appears like that through delusion.

Now, the above verses do not directly answer to the question but they point out towards some essence which provides answer to the question in subtler way.

Let me take couple of verses and explain. Readers are required to apply the same basis to other verses to  be clear as to where the above verses are pointing out.

"A jar, though a modification of clay, is not different from it; everywhere the jar is essentially the same as the clay. Why then call it a jar?. It is fictitious, a fancied name merely."

None can demonstrate that the essence of a jar is something other than the clay (of which it is made). Hence the jar is merely imagined (as separate) through delusion, and the component clay alone is the abiding reality in respect of it.”

Thus, if the creation of this universe is to be taken as jar (object) and the substance / essence from which the jar (universe) is the clay, in the above verse, it is explained that there is nothing in the jar which is apart from clay. If someone who has never seen jar at all in his life is shown the jar and asked what is it, he will say, it is clay.

So, it is proven here that it is only due to delusion that we are seeing the substance made of clay and telling that it is Jar.

THE ESSENCE DRIVEN INTO OUR INSIGHT THROUGH THESE VERSES IS THAT THERE IS NO SEPARATE UNIVERSE / CREATION APART FROM BRAHMAN. IT IS ONLY DUE TO AVIDYA / IGNORANCE THAT HUMAN MIND PERCEIVES THIS WORLD AS SOME THING SEPARATE FROM THE SUPREME SOURCE, BRAHMAN.

TO THIS EXTENT, IF WE WERE TO DERIVE THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION, THE ANSWER IS “THERE IS NO CREATION APART FROM BRAHMAN, SO THERE WAS AND THERE HAS BEEN NO NEED FOR BRAHMAN, EXISTING ALONE, TO WILL TO CREATE THIS APPARENT CREATION.

In the next post, we will proceed to a more bold, perhaps the boldest declaration made by any sage on the creation, “THE CREATION WAS NEVER MADE”.

In today’s post, we do not say that the creation is not there. We say, due to our avidya, we perceive what we see to be creation. However, the next post will see Gaudapada declare that irrespective of vidya / avidya, delusion or no delusion, THE CREATION NEVER CAME INTO EXISTENCE AT ALL!!

Love.