Aditya, Friday, May 26, 2017 1:13 am

Tattvabodha Summary

The text ‘Tattvabodha’ presents Vedanta in a nutshell and introduces all key definitions seen elsewhere in the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. For those who have been following previous classes over the last year – the entire text can be divided into 5 topics (i.e. this is Vedanta in a nutshell):

1)      Qualifications of a ‘Liberation-Seeker’ (adhikaritvam)

A seeker of liberation (Moksha) requires Self-Knowledge. A seeker of Self-Knowledge requires 4 mental qualities (sadhana-chatustaya) before being ready to assimilate Self-Knowledge: Discrimination (Viveka), Dispassion (Vairagya), Desire for Moksha (Mumukshutavan), 6 fold disciplines (sama, dama, titksha, sraddha, uparati, samadhana). How do we cultivate these qualities? Via Karma Yoga and Upasana Yoga, which the Bhagavad Gita explains.

2)      Analysis of the Individual (vyashti vichara)

Each individual living being (Jiva) consists of 2 parts: Conscious Part (atma) and the not-conscious part (anatma). This not-conscious part is divided into: 3 bodies (Sharira Traya = Gross Body, Subtle Body, Causal Body); or 5 Sheaths (Pancha Kosha = Food Sheath, Prana Sheath, Mind Sheath, Intellect Sheath, Happiness Sheath); or 3 states of experience (avastha traya = Waking State, Dream State, Deep Sleep State). And what is Atma, the conscious part? Atma is separate from all of these bodies, sheaths or states. Atma is not affected or limited by any of these. Atma is pure Consciousness (sat-cit-ananda). Atma is Satyam (e.g. clay pot).

3)      Analysis of the Total/Universe (jagat vichara)

The universe was never created. This means the Universe existed before it was here. In what form did it exist? In an unmanifest form. A seed form. Just like a tree existed before it was tree, in the form of a seed.  So what is the name for the ‘seed’ of this entire Universe? Maya. Hence, the universe manifests out of Maya. It is ‘created’ from Maya (although actually the Universe in not really created as nothing new is made, hence ‘manifestation’ is a better term). This manifestation process has 2 stages: From Causal Universe (Maya) to Subtle Universe (5 Subtle Elements). From Subtle Universe to Gross Universe (physical 5 elements). This detailed process of cosmic evolution is described in the famous text ‘panchikaranam’ by Shankaracharya.  It is very much in keeping with modern Physics.

4)      Oneness of Individual & Total

From the above (2) & (3), we now have two entities: Individual Body and the Total Body. When consciousness manifests in an individual body it is called ‘Jiva’ (You!). When it manifests in the total body it is called ‘Ishvara’ (God). But it is important to note that there is only 1 consciousness manifesting in both Jiva and Ishvara, not 2. Just like when the Sun reflects in 2 different mirrors, there is only 1 sunlight which appears as 2 reflections. If the mirror is small, the reflection will be small. But the Sunlight is not small. Hence the attributes of the reflecting medium are imparted upon the reflected light, without at all affecting the original sunlight. So to, your body is like the mirror and consciousness is the sunlight. You seem like a small, limited individual conscious being – but in spite of that Consciousness can still be limitless and all-pervasive. There is no contradiction. Your smallness is simply due to your body being small, not because consciousness is small. It is simply due to the reflecting medium (upadhi). Consciousness is one. Hence, Jiva and Ishvara are essentially one. This is Self-Knowledge.

5)      Self-Knowledge and it’s Benefits

Who says Jiva and Ishvara are one? The Vedas: Tat Tvam Asi. This is just a fact, it is not a belief. Facts are to be understood by us, not believed. It is knowledge about my true self, as consciousness, hence it is called ‘Self-Knowledge’. The Vedas are the instrument (pramana) by which we can gain self-knowledge. Simply sitting and meditating without Self-knowledge can certainly bring temporary peace and wonderful experiences, but it will not bring Self-Knowledge.

So what are the benefits of having Self-Knowledge? It brings liberation from all your problems. There will be no more pain, sadness, suffering, disease, separation, worry, guilt or hurt (Up: atmavit shokam tarati). You will be free from all the 3 Karmas (Sanchita, Prarabdha, Agami) hence there is no rebirth. You become liberated-whilst-living (jivan-mukta).

 

Om Tat Sat.

Aditya.

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