Level of awareness By Mani Dravid Sastri Courtesy- The Hindu
The abstract quality of the ideas and the difficulty of interpreting sacred texts such as the Upanishads pose a challenge to a spiritual aspirant. But the enlightenment of the Self is possible only with a study and understanding of the Upanishads. This knowledge leads us out of the bond of ignorance that is strong and feeds on the Maya enveloping this world. The Isavasya Upanishad is a small Upanishad but is rich in content, philosophical thought and comprehensive sweep of ideas. It leads us step by step into a grasp of the Atma Jnana. The method of gaining this Jnana in addition to the benefits that accrue when this Jnana is gained is clearly spelt out in this Upanishad.
The opening mantra of this Upanishad dramatically captures the paradox inherent in creation, where because of ignorance, there prevails a general inability to distinguish between what is real and apparent, The mantra states that the universe is hidden by Isa or Iswara. It follows that all what we see in the world are hiding the Lord though all of this is Iswara Swaroopam. One’s level of awareness makes possible both interpretations — either the universe we perceive is hiding the Iswara or the universe is hidden by Iswara. An ignorant person sees the apparent reality as real while the realised soul sees the truth behind the apparent reality. If the universe is true are we falsely trying to impose the Iswara on it? Or is the universe unreal and exists only as a manifestation of the Supreme Being?
This is similar to the subjective approach of an adult or a child in viewing a wooden elephant, when the former knows it to be merely wood, while a child recognises only the elephant.
The perception that the universe and individuals exist in their own right distracts one’s attention from the cause of the universe. The irony is that though Self (Atma) is responsible for our existence this awareness is lacking. Probing the cause makes it clear that the universe and individuals are all a manifestation of the Supreme Cause. Such an understanding leads to the perception of the Lord in all aspects of creation, without being carried away by the infinite variety and glitter of worldly existence.
The abstract quality of the ideas and the difficulty of interpreting sacred texts such as the Upanishads pose a challenge to a spiritual aspirant. But the enlightenment of the Self is possible only with a study and understanding of the Upanishads. This knowledge leads us out of the bond of ignorance that is strong and feeds on the Maya enveloping this world. The Isavasya Upanishad is a small Upanishad but is rich in content, philosophical thought and comprehensive sweep of ideas. It leads us step by step into a grasp of the Atma Jnana. The method of gaining this Jnana in addition to the benefits that accrue when this Jnana is gained is clearly spelt out in this Upanishad.
The opening mantra of this Upanishad dramatically captures the paradox inherent in creation, where because of ignorance, there prevails a general inability to distinguish between what is real and apparent, The mantra states that the universe is hidden by Isa or Iswara. It follows that all what we see in the world are hiding the Lord though all of this is Iswara Swaroopam. One’s level of awareness makes possible both interpretations — either the universe we perceive is hiding the Iswara or the universe is hidden by Iswara. An ignorant person sees the apparent reality as real while the realised soul sees the truth behind the apparent reality. If the universe is true are we falsely trying to impose the Iswara on it? Or is the universe unreal and exists only as a manifestation of the Supreme Being?
This is similar to the subjective approach of an adult or a child in viewing a wooden elephant, when the former knows it to be merely wood, while a child recognises only the elephant.
The perception that the universe and individuals exist in their own right distracts one’s attention from the cause of the universe. The irony is that though Self (Atma) is responsible for our existence this awareness is lacking. Probing the cause makes it clear that the universe and individuals are all a manifestation of the Supreme Cause. Such an understanding leads to the perception of the Lord in all aspects of creation, without being carried away by the infinite variety and glitter of worldly existence.
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