ATMA BODHAM : 19 - (68 Slokam-s, 9 Chapters) - “KNOWLEDGE of the SELF” : Swami Sri Adi Sankaracharya
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22/11/2019.
Chapter - 5 : AN ERROR OF MISAPPREHENSION (Slokam-s 15 – 24)
Slokam-s 15-24 (10 Numbers.)
B. CULTIVATING WITNESS-SHIP : (18-22)
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Slokam - 19 : As the Moon – Appearing to Run
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"Vyaa-priteshu indriyeshu aatmaa vyaa-paaree iva avivekinaam;
drishyate abhreshu dhaavatsudhaavan iva yathaa shashee."
1 Vyaa-priteshu indriyeshu aatmaa = The Atman, observed through the active senses
2 vyaa-paaree iva avivekinaam; = by the non-discriminating people, is as if active
3 drishyate abhreshu dhaavatsu = in appearance;when the clouds move in the sky,
4 dhaavan iva yathaa shashee. = it seems as though the moon were running!
In Slokam 18, the Witness-ship was focused on authority, awe and respect; it did not get into contact with the work.
#1.In this Slokam, the same Witness-ship is seen as if performing the activity, although it is in reality untouched by the activity. We have to consider the example first in this case, to properly grasp the real situation.
“Dhaavan Iva Yatha Shashee” Simile: As the Running Moon
#3-4 Acharayaji paints the scene: “It is twilight; a group of clouds are flying through the skies. In between them we see the moon. From a scooter the little boy, holding fast to
his dad, stares at the moon. He screams to dad, ‘Hey, daddy, look the moon is chasing us. Will it reach home before us? Quick, go faster, let’s beat it!’
“This is how a child would see the moon racing with his scooter!
“Sri Shankaracharya never grew up! He always remained as a child, ever amazed by what he saw in nature!” [This was Acharyaji’s loving tribute to the foremost Guru in his
Parampara.]
What does this teach us? How far away is the moon? – Never too far away to avoid taking the blame for our activities on earth!
#2. The Self is in a similar situation. Although it remains only as a witness of what is going on “under its nose”, yet in the eyes of one who has not learnt to discriminate, the
Aviveki, it appears as if the Self is acting. Due to the Self’s proximity to the scene of action, it is viewed as if it is performing the actions. There is a complete transference of doership from the Upadhis that are involved in the action, to the Self which is independent of these Upadhis and who is not affected by the actions.
The Self is Asanga (unattached), Kutastha (unaffected) and Chidrupa (pure consciousness). Yet it is seen by the unknowing intellect as being the actor itself of all the numerous actions performed by the body and mind.
To be continued ....
NEXT : Slokam - 20: As Sunlight Keeps People Busy
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22/11/2019.
Chapter - 5 : AN ERROR OF MISAPPREHENSION (Slokam-s 15 – 24)
Slokam-s 15-24 (10 Numbers.)
B. CULTIVATING WITNESS-SHIP : (18-22)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slokam - 19 : As the Moon – Appearing to Run
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Vyaa-priteshu indriyeshu aatmaa vyaa-paaree iva avivekinaam;
drishyate abhreshu dhaavatsudhaavan iva yathaa shashee."
1 Vyaa-priteshu indriyeshu aatmaa = The Atman, observed through the active senses
2 vyaa-paaree iva avivekinaam; = by the non-discriminating people, is as if active
3 drishyate abhreshu dhaavatsu = in appearance;when the clouds move in the sky,
4 dhaavan iva yathaa shashee. = it seems as though the moon were running!
In Slokam 18, the Witness-ship was focused on authority, awe and respect; it did not get into contact with the work.
#1.In this Slokam, the same Witness-ship is seen as if performing the activity, although it is in reality untouched by the activity. We have to consider the example first in this case, to properly grasp the real situation.
“Dhaavan Iva Yatha Shashee” Simile: As the Running Moon
#3-4 Acharayaji paints the scene: “It is twilight; a group of clouds are flying through the skies. In between them we see the moon. From a scooter the little boy, holding fast to
his dad, stares at the moon. He screams to dad, ‘Hey, daddy, look the moon is chasing us. Will it reach home before us? Quick, go faster, let’s beat it!’
“This is how a child would see the moon racing with his scooter!
“Sri Shankaracharya never grew up! He always remained as a child, ever amazed by what he saw in nature!” [This was Acharyaji’s loving tribute to the foremost Guru in his
Parampara.]
What does this teach us? How far away is the moon? – Never too far away to avoid taking the blame for our activities on earth!
#2. The Self is in a similar situation. Although it remains only as a witness of what is going on “under its nose”, yet in the eyes of one who has not learnt to discriminate, the
Aviveki, it appears as if the Self is acting. Due to the Self’s proximity to the scene of action, it is viewed as if it is performing the actions. There is a complete transference of doership from the Upadhis that are involved in the action, to the Self which is independent of these Upadhis and who is not affected by the actions.
The Self is Asanga (unattached), Kutastha (unaffected) and Chidrupa (pure consciousness). Yet it is seen by the unknowing intellect as being the actor itself of all the numerous actions performed by the body and mind.
To be continued ....
NEXT : Slokam - 20: As Sunlight Keeps People Busy
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