Introduction to Vedas and Vedanta - Part 11

Dear All,

Let us know the fundamental of Upanishads or the essence of vedanta in this post.

Introduction

Vedanta is a very popular philosophy based on the realisation of Indian Enlightened Rishis documented in Upanishads. 

It is the only philosophy across the world describing the absolute reality in a logical manner. It consists of six major concepts / truth – Jiva (Individual), Jagat (Creation), Isvara (Creator), Bandha (Bondage), Moksha (Liberation) and Sadhana (Path). 

(1) Jiva or Individual

Vedanta approaches Jiva or an individual through the analysis of its internal nature. It says Jiva consists of three –(a) physical body, (b) mind and (c) consciousness. After death the physical body is destroyed, but the same mind travels to find a next body – this is called rebirth. Consciousness part of Jiva always remains pure and it does not travel. Whereas mind experiences the various type of enjoyments and miseries through the physical body and preserves impressions within it. After the fall of physical body, mind carries those impressions with it to the next life.

Vedanta instructs Human to do enquiry on a basic question – “Who am I”? It says – ‘I’ am not the five elements, nor the sense-organs, nor the mind, nor the intelligence, nor the ego. I am beyond all these cosmic principles. I am pure consciousness or Brahman. Upanishads declare it as – “Aham Brahmasmi – I am pure consciousness”

(2) Jagat or Creation

Vedanta analyses the nature of this cosmos or creation around us through generalization. 

It says the perceived cosmos is available to us while we are awake in day time. In our dream while sleeping we have another creation – the individual dream world. 

In our deep sleep there is no such perceived creation. This waking cosmos is constantly changing – it is Anityam or temporary. It also does not exist eternally. Vedanta says – It is not really created, rather it is projected from Pure Consciousness. 

It is like another dream creation which continues for a long time in a consistent way through cause-effect relation – known as Karma theory. 

We have dealt with the theme CREATION in many posts in the blog. All possible concepts / philosophy / inner truth on Creation have been covered in the blog posts which can be read and absorbed by readers who have not yet read the same.

(3) Isvara or Creator

Isvara is defined as that from which the origin, sustenance and dissolution of this world proceed. Vedanta says the Pure Consciousness is the God itself. 

People also say it as Brahman, Supreme Self, Isvara, Bhagawan etc. Its nature is described as Sachidananda – Sat (Existence), Chit (Knowledge or awareness), Ananda (bliss) – The Blissful Conscious Existence.

Pure Consciousness ‘projects’ the cosmos out of its own. Isvara is both the intelligent cause and material cause of this cosmos. For example – Spider projects the web from its own body. Similarly, the Pure Consciousness, the greatest magician projects this cosmos. And swallows it when required. 

People call it as Maya creation. To sustain the creation, it manifests the qualities like – omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience. Even though it projects this cosmos like a dream projection, still it is not attached to it. 

It remains in its pristine state even while associating with this creation. Though it is unqualified and impersonal principle in real sense, still it appears to be qualified with infinite attributes and acts as personal God who can be related to through Upasana. It is both with attributes [Saguna] and without attributes [Nirguna].

From highest stand point, the consciousness of Jiva and consciousness of Isvara are one and the same. So we call this consciousness as Non-dual or Advaita. People also call it as ‘Oneness’ principle.

We had dealt with Jiva, Jagath, Iswara earlier also in the blog posts.

Since we have our identity as Jiva, we need to know more about JIVA.

Our  identity as  JIVA is relevant only in the context of the people around us, the society in which we live, the world comprising of many society, many beliefs, many faiths ETC. Hence, in this context, the importance of CREATION, the world around us, is important.

Jiva and Jagath has become important in the above context. But a question arises now. What is the principle, the power, the energy which has caused this Jagath and then we the Jiva in this jagath??? Who is the Supreme Creator?? In this context, the need/ relevance of ISWARA arises. 

In the next post, we will touch upon the remaining 3-Bandha (Bondage), Moksha (Liberation) and Sadhana (Path). 

Love.

“Embodiments of Love, Students!

Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?

Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vēdas. That is why the Vēda is extolled as sarva vijñāna sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain sākṣhātkāra. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.”

Bhagavān Sri Sathya Sai Baba – Discourse on 19 October 2004