[Advaita-l] [advaitin] 'The Jiva is Mithya' - an article in English

[H S Chandramouli]

Namaste.

On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 9:50 AM V Subrahmanian <v.subrahmanian at gmail.com>
wrote:

// Namaste All,

I remember reading in the Upadeshasahasri a considerably lengthy discussion
where the unreality of the pratibimba, reflection, has been stated. It
would be of help if someone brings that part out here //,

Copying below relevant portion from Upadeshasahasri, metric part, Chapter
18, “ Thou Art That”.

मुखादन्यो मुखाभासो यथादर्शाचुकारतः |

आभासार्मुखमप्येवमादक्शननुवतेनात्‌ ॥ ३२ ॥

भर्हृकृयात्मनिर्भासो मुखाभासवदिष्यते |

 मुखवत्स्प्रत आत्मान्योऽवि विक्त तौ तथेव च ॥ ३३ ॥

32, 33. As it imitates the mirror the reflection of a face is different
from the face. The face which does not depend on the mirror (for its
existence) is also different (Note 1) from its reflection. Similarly, the
reflection of the Self in the ego is also regarded (as different from the
pure Self) like that of the face which is different from the face. The pure
Self is considered to be different from Its reflection like the face (which
is different from its own). In fact, however, the Self and Its reflection
are free (Note 2) from real  distinction between each other like the face
and its reflection (Note 3).

Note 1 ;; As a matter of fact it is the real face reflected in a mirror and
acquiring, as it were, the quality of being in it and possessing its
properties that is called the reflection. The reflection cannot be real,
 because it is not always in the mirror; nor can it be called absolutely
unreal, because it is sometimes seen there. Therefore, the reflection is
indescribable and the face is different from it.

Note 2 ;; Though there is an apparent distinction there is not a real one
between the Self and Its reflection nor between the Self and the intellect.
For as a matter of fact neither the reflection nor the intellect has an
existence independent of the Self. The conclusion is that Pure
Consciousness, reflected in Ignorance and the ego etc., its modifications,
is regarded as the individual experiencing transmigratory existence owing
to a nondiscrimination between Itself and Its reflection.

Note 3 ;;  Which has an existence dependent on that of the face.

मात्माभासाश्चयाश्चेवं मुखाभासाश्रया यथा |

गम्यन्ते राल्नयुक्तिभ्यामाभासासस्वमेव च ॥ ४३ ॥

43. The Self, Its reflection and the seat of the reflection, (i.e., the
intellect) are comparable to the face, its reflection and the mirror. The
unreality of the reflection is known from the scriptures and reasoning.

Regards


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