Miscellaneous - Religion   

Knowledge of the self

CHENNAI: Restlessness in individual lives is unavoidable since alternating joy and sorrow make peace and tranquillity a distant dream. To overcome this endless plight one should ponder the nature and purpose of one's existence, engage in Atma Vichara. The Upanishads are the sources of highest knowledge and it is divine grace that fosters the desire to pursue this knowledge that leads to liberation. The premise of the teachings in the Upanishads rests on the ability of human understanding to strive for enlightenment. Great preceptors such as Adi Sankara have analysed, interpreted and explained the hidden meanings in the Upanishads wherein is contained the esoteric and the useful information about life here and hereafter and of the path to liberation, said Sri Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal in a lecture.

The Aitareya Upanishad deals with the Self, its philosophical method helping a spiritual aspirant to gain the true knowledge of the Self. The teaching leads from the known to the unknown — from the beautiful and enjoyable universe that is immediately perceived to the Creator responsible for its creation, sustenance and dissolution. The Supreme Being is the inner essence of the entire creation investing the infinite variety characterised by name, form and tendencies. The Atma within is the force that pervades and activates the body. While the Atma is imperishable, the body is subject to growth, change, decay and death. It is for each individual to locate one's identity with the undying self rather than the temporary body, once the subtle relationship between the soul and the body is realised.

Awareness of the truth of one's soul clarifies that the agitations experienced during one's lifetime arise purely from attraction to worldly objects. The evanescence of life is perceived to be as unsubstantial as the passing images in a television screen.

The Mahavakyas found in the Upanishads are pithy statements carrying the highest import. This Upanishad contains one such axiom that equates the eternal consciousness as the Supreme Being (Prajnanam Brahman). This consciousness gives everything in this universe life and reality.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 8902
Solution to Puzzle 8901
Knowledge of the self
dated May 2, 1957 : Council for Eastern Zone
dated May 2, 1957 : Madras Electricity Board
dated May 2, 1957 : Length of feature films
Weather

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu