Post by Amritha Varshini on Feb 6, 2014 17:35:47 GMT 5.5
Tatawa Bodham of Sri Adi Shankaracharya - Commentary by Sri P.K. Venkatachalam
2. TATWA VIVEKAM
Aathma Sathyam Thadhanyathu Sarvam Ithyethi
Whatever is not changing in the past, present and future is called TRUTH. That which is seen but changes in the three periods is called Mithya. The world and all its contents are going on changing at all times. Therefore, Sankarachaarya has declared Brahma Sathyam Jagat Mithya. All that is visible will come under two groups (1) I or Aham (2) This or Idham. "I" is related to Atman. All others are Idham. When the "I" gets attached to the Body, Mind or Intellect it considers itself as the Body, Mind or Intellect (EGO). If the one understands that all other things attached to me are not "I", then he will be able to attain the SELF. Tatwa Vivekam refers to this analysis and understanding that I am not the Body, Mind or Intellect and they are my vehicles, but the knower "I", which is different from the known (the objects). Then the Ego also will disappear and the question "Who am I" will arise.
Sthoola Sookshma Kaarana Sareeradh vyathiriktha: Pancha Kosaatheetha: San
Avasthaathraya Saakshi Sachithaanandha Swaroopa: San Yasthishtathi Sa Aatma
That which is beyond the Sthoola Sookshma Kaarana Sareeras (The outer and inner bodies) and Pancha Kosaas (the five sheaths) and that which shines as Saakshi (Witness) during the three Avasthaas (stages) and which is having the Sachithaananda Swaroopa is called AATMA. Body, Senses, Praana, Mind, Ego, Happiness, Sorrow etc. , all the sense objects, the five sheaths, the state of Avyaktha (unconscious) and the entire world that is seen are all Anaatma - not part of Atman.
2.1. Pancha Kosam
Human beings are having five sheaths known as Pancha Kosaas. They are:
2.1.1. Annamaya Kosam - The Physical body consisting of bone, marrow, nerves, flesh, blood, skin etc. As this physical body is borne out of food and is being nourished by the food that we intake, it is called Annamaya Kosam.
2.1.2. Praana Maya Kosam - The Praana (air) that we inhale goes into our inner body and helps all the organs to live and work in co-ordination. This is called Praana Maya Kosam.
2.1.3. Mano Maya Kosam - That sheath which holds our feelings and attitudes is called Mano Maya Kosam.
2.1.4. Vignaana Maya Kosam - With the faculty of the Intellect, one understands one's own actions and knowledge. This faculty of knowledge is called Vignaana Maya Kosam.
2.1.5. Aanandha Maya Kosam : We understand some things and do not understand others. In deep sleep stage, there is no thought, desire, feeling etc. and at that time we are in a peaceful state which is a happy state. This is because the Body, the Mind & the Intellect do not function and are at rest. This shows that where there is no action at Body, Mind and Intellectual level, there arises the happiness or peace. Thus, as this is experienced in deep sleep it is known as Aanandha Maya Kosam. However, in the deep sleep state, though there is no activity, feeling or thought and the Ego is also inactive and absent, still we experience a happy state. That means there is some one other than these bodies, who is the EXPERIENCER. Therefore, "I" cannot be the body, mind and intellect or Ego. Therefore, "I" am the witness of these bodies and all the states Waking, Dream and Sleep states, during which I exist and know what is happening. This is the SELF.
2.2. Sareera Thrayam (Three bodies) : These five sheaths are combined into three bodies. They are :
2.2.1. Sthoola Sareeram (Outer Body - visible) : The physical body, which is outside and seen by us is called Sthoola Sareeram - Annamaya Kosam.
2.2.2. Sookshma Sareeram (Inner Body - not visible) : The Praanamaya Kosam, Manomaya Kosam and Vignaanamaya Kosam together is known as Sookshma Sareeram (Inner Body - unseen).
2.2.3. Kaarana Sareeram (Deep Body - not visible) : As these Pancha Kosaas are not "I", so also these three bodies are not "I". "I" is beyond these bodies and stay as Saakshi (Witness) to these. This is also known as Kaarana Sareeram, because, these bodies are the result of (Kaaranam) Vaasanaas, from which they arise.
2.3. Avasthaa Thrayam (Three stages): Our existence is covered by three states. They are:
2.3.1. Jagrat Avastha (Waking State) : In this stage, I am aware of my body, mind and intellect, with the help of which I come to know about the sense objects (world outside), my feelings, thoughts etc. Thus, in this state I am aware of these things and hence it is known as Jagrat Avastha (Conscious).
2.3.2. Swapna Avastha (Dream State) : In this state, I have no knowledge of my Sthoola Sareera (physical body). But I associate myself with my Mind and create a new world and delve upon my memories and past experiences. How the Physical body is considered as real by a Waker, so also the Dreamer considers this dream body as real. Here also I am aware of what is happening in the Dream Body. This is known as Swapna Avastha (Dream).
2.3.3. Sushupthi Avastha : (Deep Sleep State) : In this state, I am not aware of the outer world and sense objects, nor any experience of any kind like dream state. Here the Body, Mind and Intellect and Ego are at rest and hence I experience a calmness - enjoyable experience. This is called Sushupthi Avastha.
2.4. Sachithaananda Swaroopam (AHAM or AATMA): During waking state, there is no dreamer, during dream state, there is no waker and during deep sleep state, there are no waker and dreamer.
Thus, these three are different from "I", because all these states are functioning separately, of which "I" is aware of. When I wake up from dream or deep sleep, I have the feeling that I have dreamt or I have slept.
Unless some one witnesses these states during those states, how can one know what has happened when I come to Waking state.
Similarly, when I am in Samaadhi or Meditation, none of these three states are present and still I exist and I am aware of during the Meditation and when I come back to waking state.
Thus the "I" is the Saakshi (Witness) in all states. To understand this clearly, let us see an example. A glass ball appears in different colours due to its contact with different coloured objects kept close to it.
A person, when he acts on stage in different characters and presents himself differently, so also "I" (Aatma) , when projects itself through these Sthoola, Sookshma, Kaarana Sareeras, it appears as Waker, Dreamer and Sleeper.
However, "I" only projects through and is not associating itself with these bodies. The appearance is subjected to the qualities or nature of these Waker, Dreamer and Sleeper and these qualities do not bind the "I" (SELF).
If these five sheaths, three bodies and three states are not "Aatma", then what is "Aatma" ?
The one who knows these five sheaths, the three bodies and the three Avasthaas, that which is existing as witness (Saakshi) in all the three states, is known as CHIT. It never changes during the three states and during the changing times, because it is changeless and time does not affect it and hence beyond time. Therefore it is also SAT (Truth). Aatma is beyond the Body, Mind and Intellect (and is not influenced by them), which project the changes in place, time etc.
Aatma is beyond all these states (avasthaas) and always remain as the BLISS.
Therefore, Aatma is SATCHITAANANDA, which is said to be omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Thus the basic nature of each Jeeva is SATCHITANANDA SWAROOPAM.
All these are dealt with in detail in the chapters 3, 4 & 5 - Sareera Thrayam, Avasthaa Thrayam and Pancha Kosaas.
Article by Sri P.K. Venkatachalam (achalam38@gmail.com)
2. TATWA VIVEKAM
Aathma Sathyam Thadhanyathu Sarvam Ithyethi
Whatever is not changing in the past, present and future is called TRUTH. That which is seen but changes in the three periods is called Mithya. The world and all its contents are going on changing at all times. Therefore, Sankarachaarya has declared Brahma Sathyam Jagat Mithya. All that is visible will come under two groups (1) I or Aham (2) This or Idham. "I" is related to Atman. All others are Idham. When the "I" gets attached to the Body, Mind or Intellect it considers itself as the Body, Mind or Intellect (EGO). If the one understands that all other things attached to me are not "I", then he will be able to attain the SELF. Tatwa Vivekam refers to this analysis and understanding that I am not the Body, Mind or Intellect and they are my vehicles, but the knower "I", which is different from the known (the objects). Then the Ego also will disappear and the question "Who am I" will arise.
Sthoola Sookshma Kaarana Sareeradh vyathiriktha: Pancha Kosaatheetha: San
Avasthaathraya Saakshi Sachithaanandha Swaroopa: San Yasthishtathi Sa Aatma
That which is beyond the Sthoola Sookshma Kaarana Sareeras (The outer and inner bodies) and Pancha Kosaas (the five sheaths) and that which shines as Saakshi (Witness) during the three Avasthaas (stages) and which is having the Sachithaananda Swaroopa is called AATMA. Body, Senses, Praana, Mind, Ego, Happiness, Sorrow etc. , all the sense objects, the five sheaths, the state of Avyaktha (unconscious) and the entire world that is seen are all Anaatma - not part of Atman.
2.1. Pancha Kosam
Human beings are having five sheaths known as Pancha Kosaas. They are:
2.1.1. Annamaya Kosam - The Physical body consisting of bone, marrow, nerves, flesh, blood, skin etc. As this physical body is borne out of food and is being nourished by the food that we intake, it is called Annamaya Kosam.
2.1.2. Praana Maya Kosam - The Praana (air) that we inhale goes into our inner body and helps all the organs to live and work in co-ordination. This is called Praana Maya Kosam.
2.1.3. Mano Maya Kosam - That sheath which holds our feelings and attitudes is called Mano Maya Kosam.
2.1.4. Vignaana Maya Kosam - With the faculty of the Intellect, one understands one's own actions and knowledge. This faculty of knowledge is called Vignaana Maya Kosam.
2.1.5. Aanandha Maya Kosam : We understand some things and do not understand others. In deep sleep stage, there is no thought, desire, feeling etc. and at that time we are in a peaceful state which is a happy state. This is because the Body, the Mind & the Intellect do not function and are at rest. This shows that where there is no action at Body, Mind and Intellectual level, there arises the happiness or peace. Thus, as this is experienced in deep sleep it is known as Aanandha Maya Kosam. However, in the deep sleep state, though there is no activity, feeling or thought and the Ego is also inactive and absent, still we experience a happy state. That means there is some one other than these bodies, who is the EXPERIENCER. Therefore, "I" cannot be the body, mind and intellect or Ego. Therefore, "I" am the witness of these bodies and all the states Waking, Dream and Sleep states, during which I exist and know what is happening. This is the SELF.
2.2. Sareera Thrayam (Three bodies) : These five sheaths are combined into three bodies. They are :
2.2.1. Sthoola Sareeram (Outer Body - visible) : The physical body, which is outside and seen by us is called Sthoola Sareeram - Annamaya Kosam.
2.2.2. Sookshma Sareeram (Inner Body - not visible) : The Praanamaya Kosam, Manomaya Kosam and Vignaanamaya Kosam together is known as Sookshma Sareeram (Inner Body - unseen).
2.2.3. Kaarana Sareeram (Deep Body - not visible) : As these Pancha Kosaas are not "I", so also these three bodies are not "I". "I" is beyond these bodies and stay as Saakshi (Witness) to these. This is also known as Kaarana Sareeram, because, these bodies are the result of (Kaaranam) Vaasanaas, from which they arise.
2.3. Avasthaa Thrayam (Three stages): Our existence is covered by three states. They are:
2.3.1. Jagrat Avastha (Waking State) : In this stage, I am aware of my body, mind and intellect, with the help of which I come to know about the sense objects (world outside), my feelings, thoughts etc. Thus, in this state I am aware of these things and hence it is known as Jagrat Avastha (Conscious).
2.3.2. Swapna Avastha (Dream State) : In this state, I have no knowledge of my Sthoola Sareera (physical body). But I associate myself with my Mind and create a new world and delve upon my memories and past experiences. How the Physical body is considered as real by a Waker, so also the Dreamer considers this dream body as real. Here also I am aware of what is happening in the Dream Body. This is known as Swapna Avastha (Dream).
2.3.3. Sushupthi Avastha : (Deep Sleep State) : In this state, I am not aware of the outer world and sense objects, nor any experience of any kind like dream state. Here the Body, Mind and Intellect and Ego are at rest and hence I experience a calmness - enjoyable experience. This is called Sushupthi Avastha.
2.4. Sachithaananda Swaroopam (AHAM or AATMA): During waking state, there is no dreamer, during dream state, there is no waker and during deep sleep state, there are no waker and dreamer.
Thus, these three are different from "I", because all these states are functioning separately, of which "I" is aware of. When I wake up from dream or deep sleep, I have the feeling that I have dreamt or I have slept.
Unless some one witnesses these states during those states, how can one know what has happened when I come to Waking state.
Similarly, when I am in Samaadhi or Meditation, none of these three states are present and still I exist and I am aware of during the Meditation and when I come back to waking state.
Thus the "I" is the Saakshi (Witness) in all states. To understand this clearly, let us see an example. A glass ball appears in different colours due to its contact with different coloured objects kept close to it.
A person, when he acts on stage in different characters and presents himself differently, so also "I" (Aatma) , when projects itself through these Sthoola, Sookshma, Kaarana Sareeras, it appears as Waker, Dreamer and Sleeper.
However, "I" only projects through and is not associating itself with these bodies. The appearance is subjected to the qualities or nature of these Waker, Dreamer and Sleeper and these qualities do not bind the "I" (SELF).
If these five sheaths, three bodies and three states are not "Aatma", then what is "Aatma" ?
The one who knows these five sheaths, the three bodies and the three Avasthaas, that which is existing as witness (Saakshi) in all the three states, is known as CHIT. It never changes during the three states and during the changing times, because it is changeless and time does not affect it and hence beyond time. Therefore it is also SAT (Truth). Aatma is beyond the Body, Mind and Intellect (and is not influenced by them), which project the changes in place, time etc.
Aatma is beyond all these states (avasthaas) and always remain as the BLISS.
Therefore, Aatma is SATCHITAANANDA, which is said to be omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Thus the basic nature of each Jeeva is SATCHITANANDA SWAROOPAM.
All these are dealt with in detail in the chapters 3, 4 & 5 - Sareera Thrayam, Avasthaa Thrayam and Pancha Kosaas.
Article by Sri P.K. Venkatachalam (achalam38@gmail.com)
