Miscellaneous - Religion   

Process of understanding

CHENNAI: The reality presented in the scriptures relates to the universe, the individual and the Supreme Being and the underlying relationship between them. The Upanishads describe the Supreme Brahman in many ways but also state that it is not possible to describe His never ending greatness and magnitude. They state that He is wrapped in mystery and resides within the impenetrable depths as if hidden in a cave. The Lord is called by the term Bhagavan which includes knowledge (Jnana) energy (Shakti), strength (Bala), opulence (Aishwarya) heroism (Virya) and effulgence (Tejas) — the best of all qualities that makes Him the Supreme owner and master of the entire universe. The set of beliefs thus put forth by the Upanishads are subject to verification.

In a lecture, Swami Dayananda Saraswati pointed out that all the knowledge an individual acquires only helps to remove the ignorance with reference to the object. No new knowledge is created and all knowledge is already present. The human mind merely tries to probe this and in this attempt discovers some of the laws of nature. The magnitude and subtlety of creation is vast, deep and unfathomable and is always there, whether one discovers it or not. In addition, the process of understanding varies with each individual’s capacity and this leads to multiple interpretations, beliefs, etc.

It is important that a Jivatma understands the role, position and purpose of its existence in the scheme of universal laws so that it will be able to deal with the material world and its attractions.

While caught in this worldly cycle, the Jivatma forgets its moorings and imagines itself to be an individual with an identity. Liberation from the cycle of birth is not a physical destination to be sought through an actual journey but implies an inward looking search for the true Self that is connected to the Supreme Being.

Realising this connection is the process of enlightenment. Only the wise who gain by inner contemplation the insight of His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, are able to transcend the joys and sorrows of this world.

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