Pranam to Parampoojya Parameshwar Sadguru Swami Anilji Maharaj
Atmadhnyan Shighra Sadhana… 23
(English Translation of the series in Hindi by Brahmatmaikdhnyani Sant Swami Anilji Maharaj)
Grasping, comprehending Parmatmtatva (Parmatma’s Quintessence) truly; in the intellect, with utmost trust is the implicit goal of all the practices (Sadhana) in Hindu Religion.
Why it is so?
Tamev viditwati mrutyumeti nanya: pantha vidhyate…yanay।। (shwetashwar Upanishad 3/8)
“By understanding Parmatma only, man transcends death (becomes immortal). Except Atmadhnyan, there is no other way in this world.
Maharaj, is there no attainment of God through karmakand, penance, devotion to God, devotion to Guru, ashtang yog etc?
All these are traditional, scripture accepted means for emancipation, however these are external (supportive) means. These are not directly useful for actual emergence of the knowledge of oneness of Atma and universe (non-duality). With these means the precondition necessary for attainiment of the knowledge, called Purification is achieved. The practice for attaining Brahmavidhya or Atmadhnyan is implicit, bestowing the direct unification with Parmatma.
Maharaj, Atmadhnyani is immortal means does he never die?
Shruti does not mean such worldly interpretation! It is Spiritual! Atmadhnyani understands the secret of life and death. He firmly believes that he is not a mere body that dies time and again, but is an immortal Atma. One who understands that in fact spiritually he is not born at all and his body is also illusory, how can he die? This immortality is bestowed through Dhnyan (Knowledge).
Sage Yadhnyavalkya while telling Maitrei that, Seeking Emancipation is the only beneficial path; advised her to adopt shravan (listen), manan (deep thinking), nididhyasan (continuous practice, self imbibing ). We have studied shravan and manan.
Scriptures have told many ways of doing shravan-manan. However while adopting faster pace for Knowledge attainment, we have to concentrate on Vedant statements depicting Brahmatmaikya (oneness with Brahma) and jagatmithyatva (falsehood of the world). We must keep on studying the similar sentences told by Guru. This is shravan. Many facts are understood with shravan and some doubts also get generated.
Manan is advised for removing doubts. Manan means deep thinking with concentration that how Vedant and Guru’s statements are only true; even if it is contrary to what senses are informing.
Nididhyasan is advised to clear any doubt relating to oneness, that remains even after manan.
Today We will study Nididhyasan. Brahmatmaikya-dhnyani Guru imparts the process of Nididhyasan. Some Knowledge Seekers with sharp intellect carry out the process of Nididhyasan simply by observing being with Guru and they attain Vivek.
This gigantic universe, worldly knowledge- vast informations- news pouring in, in the unlimited ways from all the quarters, massive numbers of all the beings, man, animals, and other creatures, infinite ideas, modern research, knowledge of modern sciences and technologies, different, different new items of convenience comforts and enjoyments, different arts and artifacts, numerous attractive scenes and sights, so many ways of entertainments, multiple channels of enjoyment satiation, husband – wife, children family relationships, etc sorround the life of a person.
The person gets so much involved and busy, he does not get a moment to reflect upon Adhyatm (spirituality.) Self inquisitive thoughts do not occur to even the persons who routinely worship God, and do yog etc then how it can arise in the minds of people who wish to live their life in enjoyment. Very rarely are seen the People, having done saintly deeds in earlier lives and with the sacred orientation by Guru and parents start with acute Inquisitiveness the practice of Atmadhnyan.
When such Knowledge Seekers study Vedant or take learnings from Guru, they do not believe for a considerable time that the nature and all the matter of the nature by which they are surrounded, all that is false, illusory, nonexistent. It is not that they do not have faith! Faith on Vedant statements and Sadguru who imparts the understanding is known as Shrdhha. However the infected reality about this gigantic universal affairs right from the birth makes the Seeker look outwardly for time and again.
The six distinctions to be overcome are
- Swagat Bhed (Distinction within same thing (like one body has hands, legs etc., sea and waves)
- Sajatiya Bhed (Distinction between the things alike (differences among men, differences among similar trees etc)
- Vijatiya Bhed(Distinction among different kinds of things, species etc)
- Desh Bhed (refers to place)
- Kal bhed (refers to time)
- Vastu Bhed (refers to the distinction between the material things ). The seeker is unable to get rid of
the illusions relating to these six distinctions,because the worldly routines are dependent upon the assumptions of these distinction. Seekers have to go through these routines, otherwise how the life will proceed? This nature comprising of several colors, forms, names, properties, activities, is Atma alone, the distinction is illusory, merely sensed by the senses is not easily realised by him. Even Many Superior Yogis and Devotional Acharyas accept this distinctive illusions ( duality) as a reality, then how much intellectual streching would be required to understand the underlying
non-duality for Atmadhnyan Seeker?
In the next Chapter of Nididhyasan , I would like to share my own experiences.