The Divinity of God (Bhagwat Tattva)

All is God (Vasudeva Sarvam)

The reality of God (the Supreme Reality) is that essence, in which there never was even the slightest bit of modification (variance) or change. It is equally and fully present, in all places, time, actions, objects, persons, states, circumstances, incidents, etc. It is an embodiment of Existence, Consciousness and Bliss (Sat, Chit Anand), and it is the innate nature of all beings. That one element being attribute-less and formless is called ‘Brahma’, and when with attributes and formless is called ‘Paramatma’ and when with attributes and with form is called by the name ‘Bhagwan’ ‒

That One Supreme Reality (tattva, Essence) manifests in various forms in this world. (Srimad Bhagwat 1/2/11).

Just as gold jewelry has different names, shapes, uses, weight, and value, and when there is workmanship of special enamel (meenakari), etc. their colors may vary, but even being so, in essence, there is no difference whatsoever in the element ‘gold’. It remains as-it-is. In this manner, whatever is seen, heard, known, in all that, the main essence is the One only Supreme Conscious Element (Paramatmatattva) that is ever present. The realization of this is called out in the Gita as ‘Vasudeva Sarvam’ (All is God) (Gita 7 । 19) ।

For attaining this reality, there are three main yogas in this world – Karmayog, Jnanayog, Bhaktiyog. In Karmayog, an aspirant becomes freed from bondage, and attains the Supreme Reality (Bhagwad-tattva) ‒

Yajnaayaacaratah karmasamagram praviliyate (Gita 4:23)

Whose mind is established in knowledge of Self, who works for the sake of sacrifice (Yagna) all action of such a man are destroyed. (Gita 4:23)

yogayukto munirbrahma nacirenâdhigacchati. (Gita 5:6)

The sage who is adept in Karmayog (discipline of action), quickly attains the Absolute. (Gita 5:6)

In Jnanayog, an aspirant comes to know the reality of Paramatma, and enters into it ‒

Bhaktyaa maambhijaanaati yaavaanyaschasmi tattvatah Tato maam tattvato gnyaatvaa vishate tadanantaram || (Gita 18/55)

‘Through that supreme devotion he comes to know Me in reality, what and how great I am; and thereby knowing Me in essence he forthwith enters into My being.

In Bhaktiyog, an aspirant through exclusive devotion, realizes the essence of God, he beholds God and merges with Him. God says in the Gita ‒

Bhaktyaa tvananyayaa shakya ahamevanvidhorjun gyaatum drashtum cha tatven pravedushtum cha parantapa. (Gita 11/54)

However, O Valiant Arjuna ! It is only through single-minded devotion, that I can be seen in this form (four-arms), known in essence and even attained/realized.

Whether an aspirant follows the path of yog (karma), or the path of knowledge (Jnana), or the path of devotion (bhakti), as per his interest, faith, and abilities, in the end, all the paths, lead to realization of the One Only Essence (Supreme Reality). That very same Essence (tattva), has been described in the scriptures by various names. After realizing That Essence (Reality), there remains nothing more to do, to know or to acquire.

If an aspirant grasps this point, then through any of the above mentioned paths, Divinity can be realized very quickly. [1] The reason being, God is present at all places, times, things, persons, etc, as-is ! Paramatma (God) has never been non-existent. Therefore there is no question about any difficulty in realizing That spontaneously realized, ever-attained Divinity (Paramatma-tattva). The main reason for perceiving difficulty in attaining That ever attained Paramatma is – desiring worldly pleasures. It is due to this, that an aspirant regards his affinity with the world and becomes distant from God. It is due to the assumed affinity with the world, that the aspirant assumes the ever-attained Divinity (Bhagwadtattva) as unattained, and regards It’s attainment to be endowed with much effort and therefore difficult. In reality, there is no difficulty in the realization of that Divinity (भगवव), rather renunciation of the world is difficult, which is constantly renouncing us. Therefore, for ease in experiencing That Divinity, it is essential to experience at present, the disunion of the assumed union with the world. And this is possible when desire for contact born pleasure (pleasure of union) is renounced.

From the perspective of Divinity, when man comes to the realization that besides That Divinity (Paramatma-tattva), there is nothing else – then he will no longer be bound by the birth and death cycle. God says ‒

Having gained the knowledge-divine (of self realization), a person does not get deluded again (Gita 4/35).

[1] Through Karmayog one can very easily attain that Divinity (Gita 5/3)

“He who does not have aversion for anyone, nor wants anything from anyone, can be eligible to be an eternal renunciate; because the man who is free from the pairs of opposites, becomes freed from worldly bondage.” (Gita 5/3)

Through Jnanayog to easily attain that Divinity ‒

That the sinless Yogi constantly engaging himself in Paramatma (God) will attain with ease the infinite bliss of oneness with Brahma. (Gita 6/28)

In Bhaktiyog, one can easily attain that Divinity ‒

Ananyachetaah satatam yo maam smriti nityasha Tasyaahum sulabh paarth, nitya yuktasya yoginah. (Gita 8:14)

“O You Delighter of Prthaa! (the Son of Prthaa!). He who always, exclusively and constantly thinks of Me (remembers Me) with undivided mind, to that Yogi always absorbed in Me, I am easily attainable.” (Gita 8:14) i.e. I can be easily attainable by such a Yogi.

[ To understand in detail this subject please read the book published by Gita Press called ‘Gita Darpan’ the name of the article is ‘the equivalence in the three yogas in the Gita’. ]

That Divinity itself is perceived in the form of this world. But as long as our sight is not on that, till then it appears as the world and world only, not the Divinity. Like, as long as, the sight does not go towards, ‘this is Gangaji’ – till then it appears as an ordinary river. That Supreme Essence (Paramatma-tattva), can only be seen with Divine sight (tattvadrshti).

Three Types of Sights

Man’s sight is of three types ‒(1) Sight of the sense organs (Bahikaran)[1], (२) Sight of the intellect (inner senses, inner faculties)[2] and (३) Sight of Divinity (self) [3]‒ These three different sights are successively more subtle and greater.

Even though the world is unreal and unstable, perceiving from the viewpoint of the sense organs they appear to be real and stable, due to which one develops attachment for the world. Seeing from the viewpoint of the intellect, the power of discrimination is predominant. When sense pleasures (senses and objects of pleasure), are not predominant in the intellect, rather the power of discrimination is predominant, then from the perspective of the intellect, the world is ever changing and it is the kind to come into being and later perish, by which one develops detachment (vairaagya) from the world.

Insentient and sentient, permanent-temporary, real-unreal, etc. recognizing these two things as separate is called ‘vivek’ (power of discrimination). This ‘vivek’ is naturally present in all beings. In the animals and birds, there is power of discrimination to the extent of sustenance of the body (what should be eaten, what should be avoided); but this ‘vivek’ is awakened in man in an exceptional way. ‘Vivek’ is ‘beginning-less’. God says‒

prakritim purusham chaiva viddhyanaadi ubhaavapi (Gita 13/19)

Know that Prakriti (matter) and Purusha (spirit) are both eternal (Gita 13/19)

In the word ‘ubhou’ (both) that has come in the verse, it is proves that just as ‘Prakriti’ (Nature) and ‘Purush’ (Self) are both beginningless, in the same way, the difference between the two, recognized in the form of knowledge is also beginningless.

Ubhayorpi drusthontstvanayostadarshibhih || (Gita 2/16)

‘The reality of both has been perceived by the seers of truth.’ (Gita 2/16) From the word ‘ubhayoh’ in this verse too, the same is proven.

[1] The knowledge which clings to that one individual (body) that was created as if it were the whole, the knowledge that is irrational, without any real object and mundane, that knowledge is declared as Taamasika (Gita 18:22)

[2] The knowledge by which an aspirant sees one imperishable, indivisible entity (existence) in all beings, that knowledge is called Sattvika (mode of purity). (Gita 18:20)

[3] “Bahunaam janmanaamante jnaanavaanmaam prapadyate, Vasudevah sarvamiti sa Mahaatmaa sudurlabhah.” (Gita 7:19) “In the very last of all births (i.e. in the human birth) the man of realization, worships Me, realizing that all is God. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Gita 7:19).

Just as light is not in the bulb, but it comes in the bulb (via electricity), in the same way, the proven, beginningless power of discrimination ‘vivek’ is also not born in the intellect, rather it comes in the intellect. When there is predominance of the ‘sight of intelligence’ (buddhi drishti) as opposed to the ‘sight of senses’ (indriya drishti), the discriminative power flashes in an exceptional way, by which the knowledge of the difference between the Existence of the Real and the Non-existence of the Unreal arises. By renouncing the unreal using the power of discrimination (vivek), whatever remains, that itself is the Divinity (‘Essence’, Reality or tattva). Seeing from the perspective of that Divinity (Essence, Reality), when besides the one Divinity (Bhagawat-tattva), or God, the world, body, inner-senses, outer-senses etc., nothing whatsoever has an independent existence, not in the least bit, then the One ‘All is God’ ‘Vasudeva Sarvam’‒‘Everything is only God’‒ is realized.

In this manner, when seeing the world, with the outer senses-(sense organs) it appears to be permanent and full of joy, whereas seeing the world with the inner-senses (intellect), it appears impermanent and an abode of sorrow and when seeing with the ‘Tattva’ (Divinity, Reality), it appears as an embodiment of God (Paramatma swaroop).

The difference between seeing with the power of discrimination by an aspirant, and seeing the Divinity (Reality, tattva) by a perfect soul, is that with the power of discrimination, one sees both the real and the unreal as separate, and the real is never non-existent and the unreal is never existent – this is realized. In this manner, the result of seeing with the power of discrimination is that ‒through the renunciation of the unreal, the real is attained. Where the real is attained, there the sight is one of Divinity (tattva drishti). With this Divine sight, the world never appears in the form of the reality. It means that in the power of discrimination, both real and unreal exist and in the Divine sight, only the real exists.

By giving significance to the power of discrimination, the knowledge of the senses becomes absorbed (merged)

‘Vaastavik drshti-Vastutah’ – that Divine sight (tattva drishti) is itself the real sight (true reality, vaastavik drshti). The sight of the sense organs and the sight of the intellect are not the real thing; because the element that the world is made off, that very same element makes up these sights. Therefore, these sights cannot take perfect decisions related to the world or related to Divinity (God). All these sights become absorbed and merged in that Divine sight. Just as by lighting a bulb at night, there is light; but that very same bulb if lit in the middle of the day (noon), its light though turned on, has no real significance compared to the light of the Sun; In the same way, with the sight of the sense organs and the intellect, can operate in ignorance and in the world; but on attaining Divine sight, no significance remains of these sights, compared to the Divine sight. This Divine sight is never destroyed, though it may lose its impact. Only the One knowledge Satchitanand (Existence, Consciousness, Bliss Absolute) remains; that itself is called ‘Divinity’ (bhagwad-tattva) or ‘Paramatma-tattva’ (Supreme Reality). That itself is the Pure Reality (vaastavik tattva). All else is non-reality.

Saadhya tattva (Ek Roopata)

Like eyes and the scene that is visible through eyes – both are illuminated through sun, sameway external mind, internal mind, conscience etc. everything get illuminated by that supreme Reality and eternal illuminator ‒‘तय भासा सवमदं वभात’ (वेतावतर॰ ६ । १४) । That which is actual light or ‘tattva’ (Reality), is the basis of all philosophies. All the philosophers that are there, usually there gist is in attaining that ‘tattva’ only. Philosophers have different explanation, methodologies and praying approaches but their gist is same. There is variation in the method of praying of different aspirant’s (sadhak’s) due to difference in their interest, trust and capability, but their ‘saadhya-tattva’ or supreme reality, the end goal is in fact one only.

narayan aru nagar ke rajjab raah anek,

bhaave aavo kidhar se aage asthal ek

Due to variation in directions, the ways to go into a town are also different. Someone comes in the town from east, someone from west, someone from north and some from south; but in the end everyone reaches at one location only. Sameway due to difference in the state of different sadhaks, even though there are different ways of praying, in the end, all sadhaks attain the same ‘tattva’ (supreme reality). Because of this only, saints have said ‒

Pahunche pahunche ek mat, anapahunche mat aur

Sant das ghadi arath ki, dhoore ek hi thour

Every person’s interest in food is different from another; but ‘hunger’ and ‘satisfaction’ is same for everyone, meaning absence and presence of feeling is same for everyone. Same way there is lot of difference between people’s dressing-clothes, way of living, language etc.; but ‘crying’ and ‘laughing’ is same of everyone, meaning grief and happiness happens same to everyone. It doesn’t happen that this grief or happiness is marwari, this is gujrati, this is bengali etc ! Same way despite of difference in praying approaches, the ‘grief of non-attainment’ and ‘joy of attainment’ of God is same for all aspirants.

That ‘Paramatma-tattva’ (Supreme Reality, super-soul) Itself in the form of Brahma creates everyone, in the form of Vishnu maintains everyone and in the form of Rudra destroys everyone (Gita 13/16).

Same ‘tattva’ (Essence, Reality) takes several Avatars, dramatises in different forms. This way despite of appearing in different forms that ‘tattva’ remains one only and from the view-point of tattva-drishti appears one only. This attainment of tattva-drishti has been named by philosophers as salvation, attainment of super-soul, attainment of God, tattva-knowledge etc.

Innate Divinity (tattva) in the form of Natural Dis-association (Sahaj Nivruttiroop Vastavik Tattva).

In this world, there is propensity, association, inclination (or doing) and then there is resignation, disassociation, or disinclination (or not doing). One that has a beginning and an end, that is called an activity or state. Association and disassociation – both are activities or bodily states only. It means that, just like association is activity, sameway dis-association is also activity. Association gives birth to dis-association and dis-association gives birth to association. Activity and all states are of nature only; not of ‘tattva’. With this viewpoint both ‘pravrutti’ (inclination, association) and ‘nivrutti’ (disinclination, dis-association) – are in the kingdom of nature only. Nature has its kingdom till Nirvikalp Samadhi; because elevation happens from Nirvikalp Samadhi also. Hence awakeness, walking, speaking, looking, hearing etc. equivalent sleeping, sitting, being silent, unconscious, being in samadhi etc., are also activities or bodily states only.

Beyond that state, the state of non-activity or ‘akriya’ is That ‘Paramatma Tattva’, in which both, association, or dis-association are not present. States change, but that tattva doesn’t change. That real tattva is the kind that is naturally dis-associated. All human beings are naturally situated in that tattva. That highest tattva is present, as it is, in all places, times, events, situations, circumstances etc. Hence this naturally-dis-associated Paramatma-tattva can be attained whenever and by whoever wants. The only requirement is to become free from the effects of nature influenced views (Praakrut Dirshtiyan)

‘Self’s’ assumed relationship with nature is itself called as ‘ego’. Sadhak mistakenly forgets his real existence (from where ‘ego’ rises or that is what is the basis of ‘ego’) and considers the assumed ‘ego’ (which has existence on creation) as his existence or his form. Assumed ‘ego’ keeps changing, but real tattva (self) never changes. This assumed ‘ego’ has been called by Bhagwan as (Idanta, इदंता); like – ‘अहकार इतीयम’्(गीता ७ । ४) and ‘अपरा इयम’् (गीता ७ । ५) । As long as this assumed ‘ego’ is there, till then an aspirant’s relationship remains with Nature-(association-dis-association state), and in that, Sadhak keeps giving more value to dis-association. This ‘ego’ in ‘pravrutti’ (association) lives in the form of ‘kaarya’ (activity) and in ‘nivrutti’ (dis-association), it lives in the form of ‘kaaran’ (reason, instrument). One’s natural state, which is beyond association and dis-association, is realized on destruction of ‘ego’. Then Tattvagya (enlightened) person has no relationship with both association and dis-association. When this happens, association and dis-association don’t get destroyed, rather their external image is only left. This way realization of one’s natural disposition in real tattva is only called by philosophers with names like natural-dis-association, natural-state, natural-samadhi etc.

All the assumed relationships in the world are moving towards separation, in the form of association and dis-association. The reason being that the assumed union with the world is unnatural and its separation is natural. On thinking one can see that even at the time of union, there is separation only, in other words, there is no union at all. But due to the assumed union and feeling of the presence of a connection with the world, one is unable to experience the dis-connection (lack of union). From an intrinsic perspective if it is seen, then that world which is separating from us, by way of connecting and disconnecting, it does not have an independent existence at all. Just as childhood has separated from us, now where does childhood exist ? Just as at present there is no existence of the past, in the same way, present and future too do not have an existence. The present is going, wherever the past has gone, and the future too will go there.

Therefore God says in the Gita ‒

Naasato vidyate bhaavo naabhaavo vidyate satah | Ubhayorpi drusthontstvanayostadarshibhih || (Gita 2/16)

The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be. The reality of both has been perceived by the seers of truth.

On experiencing the separation in the form of association (connection) and dis-association (disconnection), one gains knowledge of the innate quint-essence ‘tattva’ and on not accepting the independent existence of the world that is constantly separating, that ‘tattva-gyaan’ (knowledge of Reality) becomes steadfast.

Means to Realize ‘Tattva’ (Reality, Divinity)

The best means to realize the ‘tattva’ is to have ‒ the one and only aim of realizing That ‘tattva’. In fact, the intent, the aim (उदेय) is first decided on, and thereafter, this human body has been received for its accomplishment. But man becomes obsessed and enamoured by sense pleasures, and forgets his aim of realizing that Truth, that Reality, that Divinity (तव-ाितके). Therefore, recognizing that aim, one has to become steadfast and firm in accomplishing that aim. The more unwavering and tenacious the decision to fulfill the aim of ‘tattva-praapti’ (realizing that Truth), that speedily an aspirant forward marches towards ‘tattva-praapti’. First and the foremost for the steadfastness of the aim, an aspirant should not give importance to the external instruments – (that which is perceived by the senses). बहःकरण-(इियिट-) and instead must give importance to the – aspect of inquiry and thought (or intellect). With the aspect of inquiry, it will be seen that all the different worldly and bodily objects that are there, were all-in-all, non-existent before they came into being and after destruction too, they will not remain, and at present too they are constantly changing. It means that all objects are the kind to have a beginning and an end. Those objects that have a beginning and an end, are as such non-existent; because it is a principle that those objects etc. that are not there in the beginning and in the end, they are not there in the present, as well ‒

In this manner, by giving importance to the perspective of inquiry and thought, knowledge of the separateness of the real and unreal, the Prakriti (Nature) and the Purusha (Absolute), can be experienced, and the intense and burning desire to realize the innate ‘tattva’ (real, truth) is awakened in the aspirant. What to speak of worldly pleasures, when not taking the support of even the pure pleasure of spiritual discipline, awakens in him the eternal anguish and longing for the Truth. Consequently, the aspirant become entirely disinclined from the world (unreal), and he attains the ‘tattva-drishti’, by which he experiences the real Divinity – ‘Bhagwat-tattva’ that is existent.

Type of Worldy Affairs and Spiritual Pursuits A mundane man, a truth seeker and a realized man understand, appreciate and experience things differently. The mundane man endorses the world to be the reality and entertains love-and-hatred driven activities. Further ahead, a truth seeking wise man operates in this world devoid of attachment and aversion (hatred) as he pursues the spiritual scriptures in strict adherence 2. The absolute discretion enlightened within lets the person operate without being infected by likes and dislikes in-spite of allowing their traces in life i.e. the activities are not determined by one’s likes and dislikes 3. Likes and dislikes become almost negligible in him. Whatever fraction of ignorance dwells in the person that much likes and dislikes remain in the person. As the wisdom rises within, likes and dislikes with the world reduces, and detachment with the same deepens. Miseries reduce as detachment becomes stronger and stronger since the root cause for the miseries is the like-dislike conflicts 4. As the wisdom blossoms completely, emotional attachments are mitigated completely. For a wise man, the worldly pleasures appear as unreal as one’s image in a mirror. As the wise man grows into realization, the whole world appears as the memories of a dream. Therefore, even though the activities appear similar, the way a wise man and a realized man experience the world differ completely.

The senses maintain importance in a mundane person’s life; analytical discretion takes that position in a wise man; one’s natural state of presence occupies the person of realization. To a mundane person, the likes and dislikes are like a solid line drawn on a rock. For a man with raising wisdom, the same likes and dislikes are like a line drawn on a sand bed to start with and becomes like a line drawn on water as the wisdom fills within. For a realized man, the likes and dislikes are like lines drawn in sky wherein the line cannot even appear and just fingers attempting to draw the line are apparent; because independent dominion of the world is not even a choice in his perspective.

Speciality of Behavior of a Jnani (Man of Wisdom)

Till realization, an aspirant (due to assuming the mind-intellect as his own) endorses himself to be in a state as encompassing the inner senses (antahkaran). In such a state, the seeker’s activities are diverted away from the worldly affairs toward The Absolute and hence can even err in day-to-day activities. As the ‘self’ entirely detaches from the inert existence, i.e. the mind-intellect etc. (antahkaran, inertness), the subtle ego that arises from the inert body-mind cluster becomes completely lost. Then the enlightened soul remains naturally, and constantly, and ever established in the ‘self’, his natural state of presence as such. A seeker’s can potentially commit errors in worldly behavior, as he pursues his spiritual practice, due to being immersed in the innate awareness in The Absolute. However, these errors are not committed by a realized person as the innate awareness is dissolved in the equanimity naturally. On the other hand, all the activities manifested through such a pure soul remain naturally pure as an ideal example to be adapted by all others[*] The reason is simple. State of a realized person is completely disconnected from even the intrinsic awareness and is established in its absolutely natural state i.e The Truth. The mind-intellect (antahkaran) remains in its own natural state – the inert body-mind (inert) cluster. In such a state, The Essence verily remains, but the essence seeker does not. In other words, the individual identity (the ego) is completely obliterated leaving no traces. In the absence of the very identity, who is there to like and dislike and with whom? The very notion of possibly independent presence of the inert world including the thought process, that provides an intrinsic identity to an individual, is completely dissolved; and The Equanimity is established forever. Since he retains no relation of whatsoever kind with his inner awareness, you can consider that the very thought process is burnt away. As bright light is emitted from a wick burnt in gas or oil, lustrous knowledge emanates from the incinerated thought process.

Just like the absoluteness of The Truth can never be subjected to any deviation in spite of the worldly activities continuing with the inspiration for the dominion of the truth, the nature and behavior of a realized soul [†], the readiness to absorb knowledge in an ardent scholar [‡], the divine inspiration [§], and the worldly activities carried out through the body of a realized soul does not displace the realized from his natural equanimous state. The detachment is deeply established in his very presence[**] . As far as there is momentum in the bodily readiness to live continues, his external as well as internal awareness continue their worldly activities that will always be ideal for all others.

[*] Yadyadaacharati shreshstattdevetaro janah | sa yatpramaanam kurute lokastdanuvartate || (Gita 3/21) Whatever is the conduct of great men, other men do just the same, and whatever he says, others do according to what he says.”

[†] Sadrisham cheshtate svasyaah prakritergnyaanavaanapi | Prakritim yaanti bhutaani nigrahah kim karishyati || (Gita 3/33)

[‡] “Tadviddhi pranipaatena pariprasnena sevayaa Upadeksyanti te jnaanam jnaaninatattvadarsinah.” (Gita 4:34) “Understand that essential knowledge, by going to a Self Realized, Great Soul. By your obeisance and humble reverence, by serving him and with a simple straightforward heart questioning him, that great self-realized soul, will instruct you, in (that) knowledge of Truth (jnana).” (Gita 4:34)

[§] When the ego is wiped out the enlightened great soul, becomes one with God ‒‘मम साधयमागताः ’ (गीता १४ । २), that is, all the activities that take place through him, are inspired by the Lord only.

[**] Anaaditvaannirgunatvaatparamaatmaayamavyayah | Shareerasthopi kaunteya na karoti na lipyate || (Gita 13/31) “O’ Kaunteya, the self without beginning and without attributes, is imperishable Supreme soul, though dwelling in the body, it neither acts nor is tainted.”

prakaasham cha pravrutim cha mohameva cha paandava | na dveshthi sampravruttaani na nivruttaani kaankshati || (Gita 14/22) He does not hate illumination, activity and delusion when abundantly present, nor does he long for them, when absent. (Gita 14/22)

Udaaseenavadaaseeno gunairyo na vichaalyate | gunaa vartanta ityeva yovatishthati negate|| (Gita 14/23)

“He sits like a man who is unconcerned, is not moved by the attributes (Gunas) and knowing that only the Gunas operate, remains firmly established in God and is never shaken from that state”.

Conclusion

It was established in the preceding discussions that The Essence of God i.e. Gist of Divinity (Bhagavat tattva) or The Absolute Equanimity (Paramatma tattva) transcends the world bound by association and alienation as well as all the cognitive faculties. That is the only basis for all the spiritual perspectives as well as the only objective of all spiritual practices. One is blessed with human life only for experiencing That by which one attains everything leaving nothing to be acted upon (krta-krtya), known (gyaat-gyaatavya) or gained (praat-praatavya) anymore. One can follow any of the practices – be it Karma Yoga or Jnana (Gnyaana) Yoga or Bhakti Yoga – and attain that Absolute effortlessly. The only requirement for this is that one would de-emphasize the senses as well as their objects while emphasizing the innate experience with absolute discretion (vivek). What is required is to drop the hallucination of attaining “a real” through the perceived relations with the unreal world and experience The Real as is (in one’s natural presence).

Dominion is of two types – spiritual and worldly. The spiritual dominion is self-established as such with no taints of deviance. But, the worldly one is one that is perpetually generated (and hence can neither be independent nor be invariant). The error that is possible in a seeker is the potential confusion of perceiving the ever-variant and dependent dominion of the world as invariant and sovereign. The erroneous perception often leads to a belief that the world could be real and the belief freezes into wrong conviction that the world is the only truth possible[*] . Because of this the individual enslaves oneself into the clutches of crave (raag) and hatred (dvesh). Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the seekers nurture one’s wisdom to discriminate the falsity in the perceived world and The Truth in the spiritual presence with absolute clarity. By this, his likes and dislikes diminish drastically. As one’s discretion attains purity and completeness, the perspective shifts to the absolute perspective wherein all likes and dislikes disperse away completely and the absolute equanimity (bhagavat tattva) dawns in one’s experience.

The divine gist of The Absolute is complete in all respects at all places, times, objects as well as individuals. Therefore its attainment is not dependent on any process, strength, competence, power, position, situation, ability, caste, class, age, tradition, etc. because it is impossible to attain sentient presence through insentient means; on the other hand That can be attained only by dropping the inert.

If a man absolutely appreciates his experience, attainment of The Truth is effortless. It is everyone’s experience that the states of wakefulness, dreams, deep sleep, unconsciousness or trance are all bound to be variant and multifarious; but the knower of all these states remains invariant and whole. If the observer of the conditions is not beyond them, how can the diversity amongst the conditions, their count, their changes (incoming and outgoing), their conjugation as well as their separation be subjected to any observation? All these states are anchored in the I-ness (the insistent relation with the inert, body and mind) while the very I-ness is anchored in The Truth as such. In other words, there cannot be an independent dominion of the ego, as well as, its perceived states of existence and experience except The Absolute basis on which everything is established. Experiencing the natural presence in The Self as distinctly different from all other states as perceived by the ego takes the seeker to the absolute awareness. Upon attaining the absolute awareness the “ego” as well as “ego’s” states of existence cannot show any independence from the only independent dominion, The Truth. Just like the dominion amongst the oceans as well as their waves belong to the water and the ocean and waves can never have independent existence at any time; similarly, the “ego” as well as its modes of existence belongs to the dominion of the divine equanimity i.e. everywhere The Absolute Divinity remains as such. Bhagavad Gita refers to this as “Vaasudevah Sarvam”.

7 Asti bhaati priyam rupam naama chetyamshapanchakam | Aadyatrayam brahmarupam jagadrupam tato dvyayam || (Vaakyasudha 20) Out of the five (existential characteristics) – Asti (existence), Bhati (cognition), Priya (affinity), Rupa (appearance) and Naama (identity) – the first three belong to Brahman and the last two to the world. The world “Asti” used here represents the self-established omni-presence (changeless) of The Self; and, “Jaayate’sti viparinamate vardhate’paksheeyate vinashyati” (Nirukta 1/1/2) “being produced, taking existence, belonging to a domain, changing, expansion, reduction – these six are called Vikaara (existential distortions). The word “Asti” in the above verse also refers to the distortional nature of the world. In other words, the world is subjected to perpetual variance in its distortional existence (Asti)

Narayan ! Narayan ! Narayan !

From book – Kalyan Path by Swami Ramsukhdasji Maharaj

www.swamiramsukhdasji.net