24. etattadityanirdeshyA (part 2/2)

[Ravi Mayavaram]

[continuation from the previous part]

The word "etat" can also mean "jIvA". "jIvA" is the individual
awareness which is perceptible and known to all as the 'I' notion. It
is expressed by the word "tvam".  The word "tat" denotes "Ishvara",
the awareness which is known beyond the sense experience. The word
"iti" means 'the same only'. Hence by this name different schools of
philosophy are indicated. In the "sAmkhyamata", "prakR^iti" is the
creatrix, and  awareness "jIva" is multiple in nature. In
"sAmkhyamata" it is accepted that there is no overlord "Ishvara". In
"bhagavatamata" , according to the saying "guNi sarvavit"
[shvetAshvatAropaniShad 6-16] which means "with attributes all
knowing", it is accepted that jIvAs are impermanent. Their birth and
death are caused by the supreme Lord, viShNu, with eternal attributes
and who is the only ultimate. Since both these schools of thought are
rejected by the upaniShadic school by the author of brahmasUtras and
their commentators, SHE cannot be defined as posited in sAmkhya or
bhAgavata schools.  SHE can only be mentioned as the "devata"
mentioned in the "ChandogyopaniShad", as the ultimate reality of the
form "sat-chit-Ananda". Or as mentioned in the kaNADa  school, SHE
cannot be defined as having a constantly distinct and separate form
from jIva and the Ishvara who  is "taTastha". The tarkikAs or
logicians argue that jIvAtma and paramAtma are different, but for
vedAntins they are one. It is not possible to establish a definite
separateness between them.


AUM etattadityanirdeshyAyai namaH
>From ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU Wed Apr 22 07:39:16 1998
Message-Id: <WED.22.APR.1998.073916.PDT.ADVAITAL at TAMU.EDU>
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 07:39:16 PDT
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To: List for advaita vedanta as taught by Shri Shankara
        <ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU>
From: Laura Weygandt <mantralaura at TWAVE.NET>
Subject: Re: Reason and Experience
Comments: To: List for advaita vedanta as taught by Shri Shankara
        <ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU>, ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU
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sarvebhyo namaH,
  I don't think it is possible to practice j~naana-yoga or karma-yoga
in order to obtain realization and mokSha without bhakti. It is essential
in both paths, although j~naana with the help of a qualified guru/swaami
will lead one to realize Brahman. And that qualified guru/swaami has
already realized Brahman and certainly has bhakti.

dhanyavaadaH,
  Mantralaura

----------
> On Mon, 20 Apr 1998, Parisi & Watson wrote:
>
> >Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 19:45:39 -0500
> >From: Parisi & Watson <niche at ameritech.net>
> >To: ADVAITA-L at tamu.edu
> >Subject: Reason and Experience
> >
> >I have been very impressed with the high quality and helpful nature of
> >the responses that have been offered to my questions, but I confess to
> >being a little confused on one point. Almost everyone has reminded me
> >that an understanding of the ultimate nature of things cannot be had
> >from reasoning or the intellect alone, and yet I have been given a long
> >list of Advaita texts to read. Is there not a discrepancy here? Could I
> >not spend, say, the next ten years learning Sanskrit and studying
> >Shankara and the Upanishads, only to remain in the end as divided and
> >confused as I am now?
> >
>
> I believe that one has to have proper balance between reading the
> right books, meditation, prayer and other activities. One of the
> important things one has to bear in mind is death can snatch one away
> anytime. Lord yama needs no invitation ;-). Think of the first verse
> of bhaja govindam ( you can get copy of this Giri's ftp site with
> translation, site address was posted few days back by giri). What will
> come to one's aid whe (s)he is in deathbed? And think of it, it can be
> even few minutes from now.  I think the solution is "bhaja govindam
> bhaja govindam" Pray to Ishvara and keep HER/HIM (based on your iShTa
> deivam) on your mind. For a beginner like me, I have to remind myself
> of this fact once in while. I hope in course of time, it will become
> natural. Bhakti plays a very important role. When you are in the
> clutches of mAyA, you need a support. God is that support and refuge.
> If at all someone is keen on your release, it is God. Good books are
> great aid to one's sAdhana. But they will not replace it. Mere reading
> without practice will lead to problems, it is like eating without
> digesting.  To practice correctly, one needs to read. For instance,
> for meditation, patanjali's yoga sUtras (with vyAsa's bhAShyam and
> shankara's vivaraNa on it) is a great aid. They are coupled and they
> help each other. When one is confused, best is to pray. SHE is
> avyAja karuNAmUrtI, karuNamR^ita sAgara, out of compassion and love
> SHE will show the right path.
>
> bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
>  govindam bhaja mUDhamate!
>
>
>
> Ravi
> bhava shankara deshikame sharaNam