ATMA BODHAM : 8 - (68 verses, 9 Chapters) - “KNOWLEDGE of the SELF”

8.

Chapter 2
Verses 2-5 (4 no.)
“Self-Knowledge”

VERSE 5: As Coagulent – Settles After Cleaning Water

"Ajnaana kalusham jeevam jnaana-abhyaasaat vi-nir-malam;
kritvaa jnaanam swayam nashyet jalam kataka-renu-vat."


1. Ajnaana kalusham jeevam = Defiled by ignorance, the egocentric self

2.  jnaana-abhyaasaat vi-nir-malam; =  is purified by constant practice of knowledge.

3. kritvaa jnaanam swayam nashyet = Upon the dawn of knowledge, it itself is destroyed

4. jalam kataka-renu-vat. = as the soapnut powder settles with the dirt in water.

The process mentioned at the close of the discussion of the previous verse, namely, the deep meditation and enquiry into the nature of the Self, is the focus in this verse. When this process is taken to its limit, all limitations are transcended. At that point ignorance ends and the means by which it ends – the Brahmakara Vritti – is also discarded.  Total purity from all defilements is attained, followed by the dawn of Self-knowledge.

Example of the “Kataka-nut” : -

The above process is compared with the effect that the powder of the kataka-nut has on a bucket of muddy water. In India, this powder, which is also ‘dirt’, is added to water which is to be used for drinking, especially during the Monsoon season, when the water sources are always very muddy. The powder has the special quality to precipitate the fine muddy particles in the water and make them settle to the bottom of the bucket. The clear water left behind at the top of the bucket is decanted for drinking. Finally the dirty mixture of mud and the powder at the bottom of the bucket is discarded, having done its job of clearing the rest of the water.

The simile applies in the following manner: The water is the Self. The adulteration with mud is the impurities embedded in our Jiva due to the lifestyle fostered in us by Ignorance. To remedy the situation, we use the kataka-nut powder of the Brahmakara Vritti, that is, the repetition of the thought of “I am Brahman”.

During Nididhyasana we have a great and indispensable need for the Aham Brahmasmi Sadhana, i.e. the effortful application of the “I am Brahman” thought. At the culmination of Nididhyasana, when one is well-established in Samadhi, this Sadhana is not required anymore.The consciousness of Brahman becomes effortless. Here we see how apt the illustration of the kutaka-nut powder is in describing this process of Sadhana.

Vidya Maya and Avidya Maya : -

Avidya Maya is the veiling power of Maya. Also in the realm of Maya is Vidya Maya, which is  Sattvic in nature and has knowledge as its basis to build up our lives. This Vidya Maya teaches us about how we can overcome Avidya Maya. When it has done that, then both Avidya Maya and Vidya Maya are discarded.

The kutaka-nut illustration ideally fits in with this view of Vidya and Avidya Maya.

NEXT : Chapter 3 : Verses 6-9 (4 no.) : “The Nature of the WORLD” : Verse -6. As a Dream Only!

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