Sunday, July 15, 2012


Sri Guru Vaani: What is the right understanding of the world?


The first view (that is, world is mithya) helps when one is in the initial stages of exploration of Self. Once when one has got a glimpse of the omnipotent and omnipresent nature of Self, one experiences that the world is a play of Consciousness. It is filled and pervaded with Chiti (Universal Consciousness). Chiti pervades everything, everyone and every place. Upon Self Realization, one is permanently established in equality-consciousness, that is: Everything is inside Brahman and Brahman is inside every thing and every one.

Even when one experiences that Brahman is inside every one, one needs to use common sense and buddhi (intellect) while living in this phenomenal world. Here HE mentioned about a story about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's devotee:

Devotee heard the saint telling him that Brahman is in every thing and every one. While the devotee was walking outside, he saw a wild tusker approaching him and the mahout who is sitting on top of the tusker was requesting everyone to move out of the tusker's way. But the devotee thought that the Brahman is inside elephant as well and hence it won't harm another Brahman (who is inside himself). With this understanding, he stays put on the way of the tusker, which lifts the devotee and throws him at a distance. The devotee suffers severe injuries to his body. Later when the devotee revealed his story to the saint, the saint asked him why he didn't listen to a TOP BRAHMAN (referring to the Mahout sitting on top of the elephant) who is sitting on top of DOWN Brahman (referring to the elephant). The moral of the story is that even after the realization of Unity Consciousness, one needs to employ common sense in life.

I hope I was able to convey Sri Gurudev's Vaani exactly. If there are many mistakes, they are mine.

My Notes:

Following are some Slokas that deal with understanding of the World:
  • Sarvam Brahma Niraabhaasam (Sri Guru Gita): Everything is pervaded by BRAHMAN
  • Mamaatam Sarva Bhutaatma (Sri Guru Gita): My Self is the Self of all beings
  • NaaShivam vidyate kvachit (Svacchanda Tantra): Nothing exists that is not Shiva
  • Svecchayaa svabhittau vishvam unmeelayati (Pratyabhijanahridayam): By the power of HER own free will, Chiti (universal consciousness) unfolds the universe on HER own screen
  • Chaitanyam Aatma (Siva Sutras): Self is Consciousness. I remember referring to this sloka many times

1 comment:

  1. All Shlokas mentioned are full of meaning.
    Copied to my Desktop for record.

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