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.
