Upadesa Saram - Post 36

Verse 30

(Continued…)

अहमपेतकं निजविभानकम् |

महदिदं तपो रमणवागियम् || ३० ||

 ahamapetakaṁ nijavibhānakam |

mahadidaṁ tapo ramaṇavāgiyam || 30 ||

Free from “I,” the innate Light,

This is great tapas; this is the saying of Ramana.

            

1) Self-enquiry

Enquiry is possible only when the reality is heard from a person who has realized the reality. This is the first step towards enquiry – this is hearing about the scriptures from a Guru or from the scriptures directly. Once the reality has been heard about, then starts mental reflection on the reality – the various doubts are removed through logic and arguments. This removes all the doubts and intellectual conviction is gained.

2) Transcending the ego - Avidya or ignorance (of one’s own real identity)

The Self is ever-realized but it is ignorance of one’s own real nature which obstructs the ultimate reality 'I am the Self' to be known. And as a result of this ignorance, sorrow and sufferings are caused.

This ignorance itself has no cause. It is only an illusion which seems to exist due to lack of knowledge of the reality.

The individual sees himself as the limited Ego, but in reality he is the Self which is one without a second and of the nature of Existence, Consciousness and Bliss absolute. Once intellectual conviction is present, then through contemplation on the reality or holding on to the real “I” – the ignorance veil is removed. The ignorance is present only because the Self has been forgotten.

3) The Self luminous Atman shines 

Maharshi tells that it is the Self alone which is self-luminous and shines of its own. As Maharshi Himself proclaimed in the 23rd shloka that there is no other object which illumines other than Consciousness (Consciousness alone illumines everything in the world). 

Through the Pancha Koshas path and through the States of Consciousness path, we learnt that the Knower or the Drshta who knows or who is aware of all the 5 koshas and the same Knower who is witness to all the three states of consciousness, yet, He/That Knower is not limited to the 5 koshas/three states of consciousness and is the one who is the Eternal Knower. And, How He KNOWS?? Because He is Chaitanya, He is Self illumined. He does not need any means of knowledge to know. He/That is Jnanam itself. 

Thus, this SELF is of the nature of Existence, Consciousness and Bliss absolute. Thus, Maharshi has pointed out that by knowing or realizing the Self alone one can get eternal bliss.

This ultimate reality can be realized only through knowledge but many people are not suitable or eligible to directly follow the path of knowledge. Even if it is followed, those who are attracted towards the worldly sensual pleasures cannot realize the Self and know the meaning of the subtle scriptures. Hence, the various other means or paths are propounded in the Vedas. These are the paths of devotion, action and yoga. These various paths also lead to the ultimate reality of oneness of the individual and Brahman or God or Ishwara. Thus, these are the various paths alone and the end is the non-dual reality and its knowledge.

In all the blog themes, especially in the following themes,

    - Purpose of Human birth

    - Creation of the universe

    - Karma

    - Atma Bodha

    - Veda and Vedanta

and now, in this Upadesa Saram, the author of the blog has tried to drill in the essence of Vedanta, the one Truth,

It has to be understood very clearly that Vedanta or the Upanishads is not a school of knowledge. It is the way of life. It is the ultimate Truth.

Ultimately what one would aspire for when he takes up Sadhana?? 

Answer is - Peace, Bliss, tranquility, eternal happiness. 

Author is 100% sure that there can be no two opinions about this.

And here, our Shrutis (Upanishads) bestow all these things wholly and eternally.

All the agitations, all efforts, all hatred, all attachment we suffer are due to one single factor - WE FEEL WE ARE INCOMPLETE AND WE WANT MORE COMPLETION. 

And, here, Vedanta, as sufficiently understood by readers of this Upadesa Saram verses with commentary that,

“I (the SELF) AM PURE, I AM SELF ILLUMINED, I AM BLISS”

What more completion is required? How can the whole world give you this completion when you realize, 

"Mayi eva sakalam jaatham mayi sarvam pratishtitham

Mayi sarvam layam yaathi tad brahma advayam asmi aham"

"Everything is created from Me, everything is supported or exists in Me, everything gets destroyed into Me – that Brahman of the nature of non-duality (one without a second) that I am."

Prostrations to Sai - the Eternal Charioteer, to Ramana, to all realized Masters and to all of you, revered beings, who, whether you have realized or not, are ever the pure essence, the pure existence, the “DIVYA ATMA SWARUPAS”!!

With this, we come to the end of this matchless treatise by the matchless Master - Ramana.

Love.