Claiming Your Atma Svarupa
Claiming Your Atma Svarupa
Claiming Your Atma Svarupa
- D. NATARAJAN
Published by :
- D. NATARAJAN
In his lectures on Anubhuti Prakasa, Pujya Swamiji has dealt with this topic in a
very clearcut and succinct manner. He says that ‘brahma prapti’ is nothing but
the knowledge of Brahman which is the ultimate end of knowledge. Every other
knowledge is inconclusive, it has parts because the object of any knowledge
necessarily has attributes. Knowlegde of yourself alone is the only conclusive
knowledge possible.
How does one know this? Like one’s face in the mirror, the Consciousness that is
Atma or Brahman, being all-pervading, pervades the body/mind complex as well.
It is reflected in the mind (buddhi) because mind is made of very subtle matter
and has the capacity to reflect Consciousness. This manifestation of
Consciousness in the mind is non separate from the all-pervading Consciousness,
the Atma. The reflection and Atma are one and the same, since there cannot be a
reflection which is totally separate from the object which is reflected. When you
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stand before a mirror, it is you that is seen, even though two entities seem to be
there. Hence, the reflected consciousness in the mind cannot be different from
the all-pervading Consciousness, the Atma. So, Atma is always available for
everyone at all times. Never for anyone is Atma not present, hence, it need not
be reached or acquired. It is never unavailable, it is suprasiddha at all times.
It is not something that one has to reach or create or know through a means of
knowledge. Nor can Atma be given up by us, since the one who gives up is Atma
itself. Whatever we do, even our simple daily routine is all done for the sake of
our fulfillment –which means every activitiy has its end in Atma alone.
The fruit of this knowledge is ‘Brahma bhava’, i.e., the knower of this truth will
enjoy the nature of Brahman and he will have no hesitation to declare that he is
Brahma svarupa, amrita svarupa, suddha-nithya-poorna ananda svarupa.
We all know that creation is material in nature all objects in this world are bound
by space, time and attributes. A table is limited by its tableness within space and
time. But, Atma is free of all such limitations. That is why it is described as
‘Satyam, jnanam and anantham’.
The Sastras say that one has to know this truth and also know that it has to be
within in the mind of every human being (called ‘guha’ ) in the supreme inner
space of the heart. The body/mind is merely a medium through which Atma can
manifest itself. By itself, it cannot do so, since it is formless. Suddha Atma cannot
be recognized outside anywhere, but within oneself, the inner space inside as the
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You yourself are the proof for its existence and no other pramana is required to
prove its presence. You are that Atma, that Brahman. It is self-proven at all times
and ‘svastas-siddha’ available at all times and illuminating your body/mind, your
thoughts, your actions, and even your silence. It is self-revealing and does not
require another aid to reveal its presence.
Nothing can be away from you, the Atma. You are everything and everything is in
you. No effort is needed to know this, because you yourself are already that.
Being a ‘nithya vastu’ you are ever there, you were there in the past, you are
there now and you will continue to be in the form of eternal, ever-shining
Consciousness principle.
So, turn your mind from the anathma body/mind and the world and know that
you yourself are Brahman, the Sat-Chit-Ananda. Since Atma is totally actionless, it
can never be a kartha or bhoktha. Since Atma is You yourself, you are never a
kartha or bhoktha. So, none of the thoughts, actions of the body/mind complex,
good or bad, do not bind You or touch you in any manner.
This is the Truth that should be absorbed through Vedantic Knowledge. Once this
knowledge arises in your mind, you will have no hesitation to say you are that
Atma.
Guru. Remove all notions of duality from your mind through the various prakriyas
mentioned in the Sastras. Negate the entire world and the three sariras which
you experience as an individual as anathma and abide in your Atma svarupa.
You may continue to carry on all your worldly activities as usual, but you will do so
with a completely detached mind. Even when you are in the midst of action, your
mind will be echoing the thought that you are Atma and you do not perform any
actions whatever. They are all done by the body/mind and you always remain
unaffected by their results.