Jnana Vahini - Post 28

What exactly is Atmavichaara? Not the study of the attributes of the Atma, as given in books, but the analysis of the nature of the 'I', laying bare the enveloping sheaths, the Panchakosas, through concentrated discrimination, directed inward. 

It is not the Vichara of the external world or the outer objective world, or the academic scholarship directed towards the interpretation of texts. It is the analytical penetration of the secret of the Atma, achieved by the keen edge of intellect.

Though Brahman cannot be discovered in the Sastras, they tell you of the Pancha Kosas or the Five Sheaths and of their identification marks and characteristics and so, by the exercise of the intellect, it is possible to reach down to the Atmic Truth. 

How can one not versed in the Sastras master the process of this analysis and this consummation, it may be asked. He can learn it from a Guru, or an elder Sadhaka, can he not?

But one fact has to be emphasized again. The Atma principle is beyond the reach of even the most profound Pandit who has learned the Sastras; it can be understood only by direct experience. That is why it is said that even a person who has had the vision has to approach the Guru. 

Without guidance from such a teacher, the Atma cannot be grasped. Even Narada had Sanathkumara as Guru and Janaka had Suka, and other Saints had other Gurus. When one has the Grace of the Lord, the Guru becomes very often superfluous; He makes everything known. 

Maitreyi, the consort of Yaajnavalkya and the unlearned Leela and Choodala are examples to show that without a prolonged study of the Sastras, women in the past learnt the Atmavidya from the Guru and attained success. 

Of course, whatever else a person may have, if he is blessed with the Grace of the Lord, he can certainly have a vision of the Atma, however deficient he may be in generally accepted qualifications.

Love.

PS - With this, Jnana Vahini comes to an end. However, efforts are being made to give the Jnana Vahini in a changed sequence, matching the path to be followed in the path of Jnana, to the extent possible, in a summarized way. 

Love.