ATMA BODHAM “KNOWLEDGE of the SELF” : Mantram 52 - Swami Sri Adi Sankaracharya.

 

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Sunday, 20 Aug 2023 05:30.

(68 Mantras in 9 Chapters)

D. FREEDOM FROM LIMITATIONS: (51-53)

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

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

1 Upaadhi-sthah api tad-dharmaih  =  Though living with Upaadhis and their attributes,

2 aliptah vyoma-vat munih;  =  the contemplative one is unattached to them, like Space;

3 sarvavit moodha-vat tishthet   =  though knowing everything, he may behave as a fool;

4 asaktah vaayu-vat charet.   =  or, totally unattached, he may yet move about like wind.

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Commentary:

Three similes are interwoven in this single verse – that of Space, that of a fool or 

mad-man, and that of wind.

Firstly, the inter-relationship of all three needs to be seen. The primary simile is the 

one on Space. This is intended to illustrate the attribute of non-attachment. To illustrate two 

extreme examples of this non-attachment, the other two similes arise. The first illustrates 

the non-attachment which leads one to do nothing – he is regarded by the world as a fool. 

The second illustrates the non-attachment which allows one to do superhuman work, 

moving about freely like the wind.

We now look at each one in turn.

i) Vyoma-vat: 

“like Space”; reference is again made here to ‘Space’, which reminds 

us of the Avachheda model (refer to Tattva Bodha, v15.2) of explaining the Self as appearing 

different from the ghatta or the mutta space. An ordinary person identifies himself with the 

pot, not the free space within or outside the pot. The Jivanmukta is the opposite. He 

identifies himself with the free space, and remains indifferent to the pot (the body) which 

he views as a temporary shelter. He is free to move in and out of his pot-body or mind, and 

identifies himself with all space.

Space, within which all objects are found, is never attached to those objects. Even if 

the objects transform into other objects, the Space remains the same. There are two 

extreme cases that illustrate such a non-attachment, and each of them has been ascribed a 

simile in this verse. 

They are:

ii) Moodha-vat: 

“like a Fool”; the detached sage, not being attached to any image of 

himself, has no need to display himself in society. His detachment frees him from all 

obligations to please society. Thus he is able to withdraw himself from all activity amongst 

men. Thus he opens himself to appearing as a fool by those who do not have any knowledge 

of his spirituality.

He is comfortable with that charge! He remains unconcerned with such matters, 

having risen above praise and censure. Only one who is unattached can do this.

iii) Asakta Vayu-vat: 

“free like the Wind”; the wind can move about in space freely. 

No man-made laws can control its flow. As Acharyaji said, “The U.S. Government may rule 

that Cuban airplanes may not enter its air-space, but it has no power to stop ‘Cuban’ air

from entering ‘U.S.’ airspace.”

This is the freedom allowed to Wind to move about as it wishes. In the same way a 

sage, identified with all space, may sometimes enter the Upadhis and function as ghattaspace or even go to a higher level and function as mutta-space (that is, as head of an

organisation). He is not limited by his body or mind. His detachment from them gives him 

the power to lact beyond those Upadhis and perform superhuman deeds as and when he 

likes. That is the freedom he has acquired, like wind.

EXAMPLES:

In recent history we see the case of Srila Prabhupada, who went to the west at the 

age of 66 years, having two heart attacks on the ship that took him there. Within 10 years, 

he raised the world-wide organization of the Hare-Krishna Movement. 

Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda are other classic examples of sages who 

“moved like the wind” in spreading their mission. Like the wind, a sage takes his fragrance 

wherever he goes. He is welcome everywhere because he carries such a good, healthy 

fragrance. People are enchanted by the sweet aroma of his divine personality. That power 

of attraction draws people to him. He is wanted by many just for his presence. 

*****

Next

Mantram - 53.  As Water, Space & Light Dissolve into Themselves

To be continued

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