THINKING ALOUD:
I have no
particular subject or issue to write in this Blog. As a
person who had walked the distance of life for eight decades, I intend posting all that pass through my mind time to time.
I would like to start my writing with the words of that great Greek
Philosopher, Socrates “
True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you smartest of all“.
When you pass through The Three phases of Life
, “Childhood, Youth and Married Life”
you feel that you have completed your busy life of taking care of your
so called responsibilities, your mind and body gets the rest that you
yearn for. When the
“Mind” is at peace, you start seeing the purpose of Life clearly. The purpose of Life is
“Nothing”,
yes Sir, we have not
done anything
in the world to add or subtract from the Creator's intentions of this
world. What ever anybody claims to have done is only the re-arrangement
of what was and is there.
I am moved and encouraged by the Comments from young
friends who had taken the trouble of reading my maiden attempt in
Blogging. Yes I think I may be one of the older generation who try to
use this wonderful medium called Blog to share their ramblings . To
Continue further. A friend has asked " Are you sure that a God exists
?". Honestly I do not know. But I do accept that there must have been
some great activating force or power behind every thing what we see
around us. Then to start with we have to go into the meaning
of the word "God" first. If the word means simply by its attributes
like God is " all pervasive, Omni potent, Omnipresent and omniscient",
then it becomes a Concept. an abstract idea or a mental expression. It
looks too simple. No, certainly I do not want to restrict that Great
Power within a mental expression. To go further we may have to browse
the writings of great seekers and sages who had also done honest search
to find the answer for this question, from time immemorial. We may or
may not get a convincing answer . But it will certainly activate our
thinking. To begin with why not we find what our own treasure trove of knowledge "Vedas" say about Creation.
As you may know that the word Veda in Samskrit is coined from the root
"Vid - to know". Thus "Veda" means" Knowledge". Let me quote the literal
translation in English of Hymn relating to "Creation" from "The Rig
Veda" as under:
The Rig Veda: Book 10:HYMN CXXIX:
Creation
1. THEN was not
non-existent
nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond it . What covered in, and
where? and what gave shelter? Was water there, unfathomed depth of
water?
2. Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no
signwas there, the day's and night's divider. That One Thing,
breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart from it was nothing whatsoever.
3. Darkness there was: at first concealed in darkness this All was indiscriminated chaos. All that existed then was void and formless: by the great power of Warmth was born that Unit.
4. Thereafter rose Desire in the beginning, Desire, the
primal seed and germ of Spirit. Sages who searched with their heart's
thought discovered the existent's kinship in the non-existent.
5. Transversely was their severing line extended: what
was above it then, and what below it? There were begetters, there were
mighty forces, free action here and energy up yonder.
6. Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence
it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this
world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
7. He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed
it all or did not form it, Whose eye controls this world in highest
heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps, he knows not. ============
As this is a literal translation of original
text in Vedic Samskrit, it may or may not convey the real thoughts of
the Sages, who expounded it. But if we study this Hymn a number of times
we may slowly understand the meaning better. It is my belief a seeker
of truth should develop patience and real interest in the subject.
Well, to continue, I always believe that the discussion of any
Subject of Serious nature should be done on equal level, like
conversation among friends, to obtain positive results.. Otherwise it
will turn to be a debate. Any debate will be the death of conversation.
Even the Great "Bhagavat Geeta" was declared as "Samvada" (discussion at
equal leval ) between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Now to continue the
discussion of the subject, let us go to another source, "Upanishads".As I
have
admitted,
my knowledge on the subject is elementary,mostly gathered from Books
and Lectures available to me. Nothing in this I can claim as original
from me. In that I am like a tiny ant which tried to nibble a little
here and little there on a big sweet to enjoy the taste. The subject is a
vast ocean. For generations, many Great Sages and
Prophets
had spent their whole life to find " Who is behind all these Creation
and for what purpose?" And they have left a lot of material to guide the
future generations. "Upa-nishad" literally means "to sit near / down".
otherwise "Upanishad" is to be learnt at the feet of
learned
Acharya or Guru. "Upanishads" form the part of "Vedas" and they are
considered "Vedanta" or "ultimate of knowledge".They mainly deal with
origin of Universe, the nature of "Brahman" and the "jeevatma", the
relation between mind and matter. The exposition reaching to the highest
metaphysical state. By their unique characteristics of univerality and
total absence any dogmatism," Upanishads" are considered highest
philosophy ever conceived by human mind. Let me give a sample how "Kena
Upanishad" belonging to "Sama Veda" tries to approach the subject
Kenopanishad:
CH: I(1) The disciple asked: By whose will directed does the mind
proceeds to its object? At whose command does the prana (life force),
the foremost, do its duty? By whose will men utter speech? who is the
God that
directs the eyes and ears?
CH: I(3-4) The eye does not go thither, nor speech, nor mind. We do
not know it, we do not understand how any one can teach it. It is
different from the known, It is above the unknown. Thus we have heard
from the preceptors of ancient who taught it to us.
We can see the humility with which the learned Sages approach the
subject. I wish all of us should spare some time to study these
treasure of knowledge.
Kathopanishad:
When I started writing this Blog, I never thought about the subject to
write. But I was thrilled when a Friend queried in his comments " Are
you sure that a God exists?" Indeed this put the seed in my mind to
develop a subject to think. Our own Great thinker and Philosopher Jiddu
Krishnamurti (1895-1986) said "Doubt is a precious thing, it cleanses
and purifies the mind, the very questioning, the very fact that the seed
of doubt is in one, helps to clarify our investigations." I am an
ardent admirer of J.Krishnamurti. (Since J.K. was against creation of
following I do not use the word follower ). Like Bhagwan Ramana Mahrishi
and Nisrgadatta Maharaj, he encouraged the person to question himself
and find the answer. But I wish to stress that the Doubt should be
real, arising out of thirst for finding an answer, not frivolous one.
An open mind, like that of a child's, is the precious gift of birth as a
human being. As a grand father I used to watch the mind of my beloved
grand children, when they question me on various things that they
observe. Then I understood how much of muck have gathered in my mind all
these years due to wasteful exposure to unwanted things around me. Now
can I think or listen straight and enjoy good Music without comparing
within my mind.
Next I intend to nibble a morsel from another great "Upanishad" which
tells a beautiful story of charming young and intelligent boy named
Nachiketas, who queries no less a person than Lord Yama Dharma, and
drags him into a dialogue about Life and Death.
"Arise, Awake and stop not till the Goal is reached" --
The
clarion
Call of Swami Vivekananda to the people of India. These words were
taken by Swamiji from "Kathopanishad", to wake up the lethargic masses
of our Country who were in the induced sleep of false comfort at that
time.
"Razor's Edge". ---
This is the famous English
Classic by W.Somerset Maugham, familiar to the readers of English
Literature.
Mr. Maugham was interested in Vedanta and even visited India and met
Sri Ramana Mahrishi. He has also taken the name "Razer's Edge" for his
Classic from "Kathopanishad". He opens the Novel with the quotaion from
the Upanishad " The Sharp Edge of a Razor is difficult to pass over,
thus the wise say the path to salvation is hard". Interestingly both
these lines are taken from the same verse given below:-
"Arise, Awake and Learn by approaching excellent Master. The sages
describe that the path to be impassable as a Razor's Edge, which when
sharpened, is difficult to tread on". (II. iii. 14).
"Kathopanishad " is one of the major Upanishads considered important due
its detailed exposition on Eternal Truth, beautifully given in the form
of dialogue between Lord of Death Yama and young Brahmin boy
"Nachiketas".
"Kathopanishad" belongs to "Krishna Yajur Veda" and begins with a
simple story, which is also found in "Rig Veda" (X.135) and "Thaitriya
Brahmana,(III.1.8) with some variations, also in Anusasana Parva of
Mahabharatha(106). The story goes like this: Young Nachiketas after
watching his
father Sage Vajasravas gifting away his possessions to propitiate the Gods by performing an Yagna (fire
sacrifice)
asks his father "father to whom will you give me?"
The boy repeated the question second and third time. The irritated
father replied "to death I will give you". The young Nachiketas had
great love for his father, but greater love to uphold the truth. Thus
he goes to the abode of Lord Yama and waits for him three nights with
out food or sleep.
Lord Yama on his return feels guilty to see the Young Brahmin guest
waiting for him without food or sleep for three days. To attone this
lapse, offers Three boons to the boy and requests him to ask any three
wishes of his choice. Accordingly Nachiketas asks the first, to bless
peace of mind to his father when the son returns home. After getting
assurance from Lord Yama, the youngster asks the Second boon. "Teach me
that Yagna - fire sacrifice - that will take me to heaven, where I am
told there is no fear of death, nor old age, thirst, hunger or sorrow".
Lord of Death was pleased by the boldness of the boy gives in detail
of performing the Yagna. Then comes the most important portion of the
Upanishad in the form of the Third question in the following verse.
"When a man dies there is this doubt: some say that He exists' some (other) say
He does not exist. this I like to know, being taught by you. of the boons this is (my) third boon." ( I-I-20)
This is the question "what is death and who am I" occurs to every person
some time or other. This is followed by purpose of Creation, Creator
and the cause of creation etc. As a Scientist puts it "Man is thus
his own mystery!". By this question Young Nachiketas corners Lord of
Death, who was really in a dilemma whether this young boy is mature
enough to receive an answer. Thus Lord Yama tempts the boy to ask other
things instead.
But Young Nachiketas was firm in getting the answer and says:
"You say Lord of Death that even the Gods have their doubts on this
subject and that it is not easy to comprehend: but another teacher like
you is not to be found and I consider no other boon equal to this" Ii(22)
And the Young Nachiketas asks Lord Yama to stand by his words and enlighten him by imparting the highest wisdom.
Having tested and Pleased with the undeterred determination of the
youngster in getting the knowledge of Self Lord of Death expounds the
path in the verses in rest of the "Kathopanishad". The Sections in this
Upanishad are called "vallis" - literally meaning "creepers" in Two
Chapters. Thus the subject in each section is continuation of the
previous one. "Upanishads" are to be learned under an eminent teacher
(Guru or Acharya) at personal level. First and foremost condition is the
person seeking this "Eternal knowledge of Truth" should make himself
Fit to receive.
In the beginning itself, Lord of Death brings out the plight of false approach by the following verse:--
"Living in the midst of ignorance and considering themselves intelligent
and enlightened, the senseless people go round and round, following
crooked courses, just like the blind led by the blind". (I.ii.5)
Young Natchiketas puts the entire philosophical quest in precise words in the following verse:
"That which is other than Dharma (virtue) and Adharma (vice), other than
effect and cause, other than time, past and future (also present), that you beholdest, please tell (me) that: (I ii 14)
Lord of Death
proceeds
to expound the great philosophical treatise in charming verses till the
end of this Upanished. Here, With utmost humility I admit my
inadequecy of knowledge or wisdom to select or leave any one of the
verses of this great Upanishad. But to maintain brevity I selected a
few verses which I thought will bring out the greatness of
"Kathopanishad" and whet the curiosity of the readers of this blog to
evince more interest to study Upanishads in depth with the help of Learned teachers or Acharyas.
Interestingly Lord Yama begins his reply with the reply with the symbol and sound "OM" and says:-
"The goal which all Vedas with one voice
proclaim, which all tapas (austerities) speak of and desiring for which people practice Brahmacharya, it is this OM" (I ii 15)
Lord of Death gives the sound and symbol of "Om" as a symbol to
communicate the incommunicable TRUTH. Many Commentators from Samkara
and other Acharyas and Mahatmas and Sages
throughout the ages till the exponants of Vedanta of Modern age have dealt with the subject of "Om" elaborately in their
writings.
Then the Lord of Death elaborates the subject more directly:
"The intelligent self is neither born nor does it die, it did not
originate from any thing nor did anything originate from it. It is
birthless eternal, undecaying and ancient. It is not
injured even when the body is killed" (I ii 18)
"The Self (Atman) cannot be attained by study of
scriptures,
nor by sharp intellect, nor by much hearing. It can be known through
the Self alone that the aspirant prays to him this Self reveals its own
(true) form" (I ii 23)
.
Very difficult indeed to understand the meaning of the verse without
proper guidance! As I told "Upanishads" cannot be read and understood by
us without the guidance of an enlightened Acharya.
Young Natchiketas pursues the subject with razer sharp intellect and asks very pertinent question:
"(Then) How shall I know that supreme, unspeakable Bliss which they
realize directly as "This"? Is it self-effulgent -- does it shine
distinctly, or does it not?" (II ii 14)
Lord Yama answers by this famous verse which is being quoted by many Vedic scholers even this day:
"There the sun does not shine, neither do the moon and the stars; nor
do these flashes of lightning shine. How can this fire? He shining all
these shine; though his lustre all these are variously illuminated." (II
ii 15)
"His form does not exist within the range of vision; nobody sees Him
with the eye. When this Self is revealed through deliberation, it is
realized by the ruler of mind, that resides in the heart. Those who
knows this become immortal." (II iii 9)
How can the ruler in the heart be attained? For that purpose Lord of Death now introduces Yoga:
"When the five senses of knowledge come to rest togather with mind, and
the intellect, too does not function, that state they call the highest."
(II iii 10)
Concluding verses of this great "Upanishad' are very important. This is
the State that which all the Realised souls talk of in every
denomination of Religous philosophy.
"The Self is (first) to be realized as existing, and (then) as it really
is. Of these two (aspects), the real nature of the Self that has been
known as merely existing, favourably disposed (for self revalation)."
(II iii 13) and
.
" When all desires clinging to one's heart fall off, then a mortal becomes immortal (and he) Attains Brahman here." (II iii 14)
This great " Upanishad" concludes with the following verse which in fact sums up the purport of the story:
"Natchiketas , having first become free from virtue and vice, as also
desire and ignorance, by acquiring this knowledge imparted by Death, as
also the process of Yoga in its totality, attained Brahman. Anyone else,
too, who becomes a knower thus (like Natchiketas) of the indwelling
Self, (attains Brahman)." (II iii 18)
"Upanishads" are called "Vedanta", end of Vedas. They contain an
impressive record of advanced metaphysical thinking in encrypited
language which was passed on by word of mouth from generation to
generation, they are called "Sruthi" ( from samskrit root "Srnu" to
hear), just as the Vedas. Others Sacred Books like Mahabharata,
Ramayana, Puranas and Law books like Manusmriti belong to the group
called "Smriti"
The subject we have taken is too serious and it needs concentration and
contemplation to understand the meaning . Thus let me give some interval for that now and continue later.
