ATMA BODHAM “KNOWLEDGE of the SELF” : Mantram 51 - Swami Sri Adi Sankaracharya.

=========================================================================

Wednesday, 12  Jul  2023 05:30.

(68 Mantras in 9 Chapters)

D. FREEDOM FROM LIMITATIONS: (51-53)

Mantram - 51 - As a Lamp Placed Within a Jar :

=========================================================================

Mantram - 51 - As a Lamp Placed Within a Jar :

1 

Baahya-anitya-sukhaa-saktim  = Attachment for the fleeting joys of the outer world

2 

hitva-aatma-sukha-nirvritah; –  =  having renounced these, and contented with the bliss derived from the Self, 

3 

ghata-stha-deepa-vat shashvat  = as a lamp placed inside a jar, forever

4 

antah eva prakaashate.  = shines inwardly alone within himself.

========================================================================

1-2 

All joy is experienced within, not in the objects. However, because the joys are 

triggered by various tempting objects in the world, they are referred to as “fleeting joys of 

the world”. In truth, even that which we experience as sensual pleasure comes only from 

the Self but it is reflected via the body’s mental equipment. Giving up the external objects,

the Yogi finds his joy directly in the Self, the spring of all joy.

“Ghatastha Deepavat” Lamp in a Jar Simile.

=========================================================================

3 

The most important part of this simile is that the light is placed inside an opaque 

pot and hence cannot be seen from outside. This is supposed to teach us that the state of 

joy of the liberated sage is not something that others can know. It is deep in his heart and 

will always remain there. 

Externally, the sage may appear to be a very busy person, if his Prarabdha Karma is 

to be such, but inwardly he is always centred in his Self. That gives him the poise and 

equanimity, which are described in the Geeta as the essential qualities of a Sthitaprajna, the 

sage of steady wisdom.

=========================================================================

4 

Only the sage knows how much he is enjoying the state of inner bliss. It cannot be 

fathomed from outside. This is the special message given by this simile.

Does another Jivanmukta know that state? There is a Tamil saying, “The route taken 

by a snake is known only to another snake!” This suggests that, yes, another Jivanmukta will 

appreciate the state of a Jivanmukta. If both of them are actually conscious of everything 

else as their own Self, then surely this is not difficult to accept.

There are, nevertheless, many clues by which a Jivanmukta’s inner state may be 

deduced. His detachment, his reactions, his calmness, and his absence of any sense cravings, 

etc, all speak without words of his majestic inner state as Emperor of his inner kingdom.

========================================================================

Next - Mantram - 52: As Space, As a Fool, and As Wind – Unattached

To be continued

========================================================================