The Highest Knowledge of वेदांत (Vedanta)
My Understanding:
ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा
Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells beautiful and knowledgeable short stories while he teaches Vedanta. Examples in the form of anecdotes are instrumental in understanding a complex idea. The following is one such short story.
I must admit that I am unable to find a better word than "Highest". A word which is beyond "Highest". Because just "the Highest" cannot describe the significance of the knowledge in this blog post. This knowledge surely deserves better adjectives.
Acharya Ji was explaining the negation way of teaching in आत्मबोध (AtamBodh) class. According to our scriptures, the discourse way of teaching came in at a very later stage. In the beginning, there was only the negation way of teaching. Ancient Gurus used नेति नेति (Neti Neti) as an instrument of negation. Neti Neti means not this not this.
The reason behind this unusual way of teaching is, let's take an example of a senior doctor explains something like a patient's case to a junior doctor. Because both are doctors therefore their conversation is quite concise and without much explanation. But if a doctor is talking to someone like us, he will explain untill we understand the issue correctly.
Similarly, if a student is seeking the highest knowledge then assumption is he is an advanced level student. Like if someone is pursuing Ph.D. Then his guide will not teach him how to form a sentence or words. The knowledge in उपनिषद (Upnishads) is the highest knowledge and it is quite direct, concise and to the point. Like, the concept that is exaplined in ईशावास्य उपनिषद् (Ishavasya Upanishad) in just one small मंत्र (Mantra) श्रीमदभगवतगीता जी (ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji) talks about the same concept in the entire 3rd chapter. So, Upanishads are for advance students and ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji is for beginners.
An interesting fact about this short story, it is based on the 3 महावाक्य (MahaVakya) or ideas which talk more or less about the same concept and Upnishads rarely repeat any idea unless the idea is very important. So, one can imagine the importance.
The main thought process or the idea behind the negation way of teaching was to negate everything, the negation of the physical body, negation of desires, the negation of worldly objects, negation of emotions, and negation of ideas & aspirations. When the final is negated then pure consciousness prevails. That is what we really are. We can take the example of a shiny brass plate to understand this idea. By nature or by make brass plates are shinny, but with time and dirt it's shine fades away. If someone cleans the dirt by properly rubbing the brass plate then it will shine once again. The important thing here is we didn't make the brass plate pure or shiny, it was shiny by make. We just cleaned the dirt.
Acharya Ji further talks about the source of this story. This story is a collection of ideas from various उपनिषद (Upnishads), so I don't think this story will be in Upnishads in this form. One can imagine the significance of something just by the length of its introduction. Acharya Ji gave a little information on वेद (Veda), the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. There are 4 Vedas, ऋग्वेद(Rigved), सामवेद(Samved), यजुर्वेद(Yagurved), and अथर्वेद(Artharved). Each Vedas have 4 subdivisions, which are संहिता (Samhita), अरण्डीक / कर्मकांडः (Arandika or Karamkand), ब्राह्मण (Brahmans), and Upnishads. Upnishads are also known as वेदांत (Vedanta). Ved means knowledge and Vedanta means the highest knowledge or culmination of knowledge.
Acharya Ji then explains the reasons why we are studying Upnishads or ancient scriptures which were written 5000 years ago. The main reason is the CHANGE that we observe in the knowledge of Object, Body & Mind. Knowledge of objects like science and technology has changed the most over the years. If we analyze the change or technological advancements just in the last 20 years, then the difference observed is nothing short of magic.
Then, If we analyze the change in the knowledge of our physical form or body then it has changed a little in comparison to technological advancements. Then comes psychology, the knowledge of mind and behavior. Although the understanding has increased, more or less it is the same. We had anger, greed, fear, attachment, etc. 5000 years back and we will have anger, greed, fear, attachment, etc. 5000 years from now.
The common factor in all 3 is they all are changing with time and the important thing is their knowledge will become obsolete after some time. Like at one time the knowledge of VCR repair had great value and now millennials may not even know what VCR is. Vedanta is the study of आत्मन् (Aatman) which is changeless hence the knowledge and study of it is changeless as well. Again Vedanta is the culmination of knowledge. The value of it never recedes or diminishes. After 5000 years it is valid and we are still studying it.
The story begins with the seeker of the highest knowledge leaving his village in south India in search of a Guru who can teach or guide him. Now nothing against people from South India, The South represents poor or low in knowledge and the North represents high or enlightened in knowledge. He walks toward the land of the enlightened the ancient mountains of Himalaya in the North. The seeker knew only one fact that if he walks along the bank of river Ganga then he will reach the Himalaya. He walks for months in search of a Guru.
Following a rigorous search, the seeker finally finds a Guru. He observes the tradition of समिधा (Samidha) or गुरुदक्षिणा (GuruDakshina) or fees. In a normal scenario, fees is given after the education but in this case before. Because after the understanding of the highest knowledge, the student will not return to the teacher even to say thanks.
The Guru then accepts the seeker as a student. The student starts his spiritual journey by asking his teacher a series of questions. To explain the highest idea, the all-knowing teacher uses the negation way of teaching and says the 3 महावाक्य (MahaVakya) as follows.
MahaVakya #1 लक्षण वाक्य (Lakshan Vakya): प्रज्ञान ब्रह्मा (Pragyan Brahma). Which means The Brahman is consciousness. In simple words, the pure consciousness inside us is the परमात्मा (Paramatma) and, that is the only truth. The student began to think what is Pragyan Brahma, as per Acharya Ji he dwelled on each idea each MahaVakya for years. After good amount of time student went back to his teacher and asked if Pragyan Brahma means this or this or this. To which the teacher says Neti Neti.
MahaVakya #2 उपदेश वाक्य (Updesh Vakya): तत् त्वम् असि (Tat Tvam Asi). Which means You are that. In simple words, Brahman is within us in the form of Atma. One must understand that we are not rich, poor, educated, or illiterate all of these are just attributes of a being. If everyone around us becomes poor then we are rich and if everyone becomes rich then we are poor. Similarly, if everyone is healthy or unhealthy around us then there is no distinctive attribute, it is relative to others. It will always be comparative to others. Pure consciousness the Atma inside us is the same no matter who we are. On the river banks of Ganga Ji, the student further dwelled on the teachings Tat Tvam Asi and Pragyan Brahma. Again after spending a good amount of time and gathering some ideas the student went back to his teacher and asked him if Tat Tvam Asi and Pragyan Brahma means this or this or this ?? To which his teacher said Neti Neti.
MahaVakya #3 अभ्यास वाक्य (Abyas Vakya): अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म (Ayam Atma Brahma). It means I am this Atma this self is Brahman. In simple words, The Atma within is Brahman. This statement strengthens the last 2 statements. Validates that Atma is Brahman. This statement is called Abyas Vakya or the practice statement. The student practiced on all 3 MahaVakya Pragyan Brahma, Tat Tvam Asi, and Ayam Atma Brahma. Finally, the penny dropped, and the student finally understands. With the newly found enlightenment and the resultant of the knowledge and his work, he says the 4th MahaVakya himself.
MahaVakya #4 अनुभव वाक्य (Anubhav Vakya): अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि (Aham Brahma Asmi). It means I am Brahman. In simple words, I am God.
After the absolute realization, the student never went back to his teacher. Not even to show his gratitude. To understand why to let us assume a tiger attacks you in your dream. Due to which you wake up. Now when you are awake would you go back to sleep to say thanks to the tiger ?? And if you do think strongly about thanking the tiger then you are still in the dream world. GuruDakshina was given before the teachings due to this reason.
Acharya Ji concludes the story here. He further emphasizes that no idea is beyond or higher than this idea, no idea is bigger, no idea is superior to Tat Tvam Asi. If one understands this idea, really believes in it, lives it then one will be fearless, he will be without any worries or tension. To dwell on the idea given in this post is the real ब्रह्मविद्या (Brahm Vidya) or divine knowledge. rest everything is just a facade. Control your thoughts, mind, anger, relationships, harmony stress, etc. are topics that are taught to children in Kindergarten. Ph.D. student seeks something advanced such as Tat Tvam Asi. This blog post is for such people. And very few people will read it till the end.
As a thumb rule, the more subtle or deeper a subject is fewer people will appreciate it and the more gross or lewd a subject is more people will appreciate it.
Upnishads made no compromises in sharing the highest knowledge, negation is the method to teach the highest knowledge. Very few people will come and very few people will read this post till the end. Hence the belief: Only the worthy will get it.
In the end, Approximately 5 million fought in the war of Mahabharata and only one heard Shrimad Bhagwat Gita Ji, Bhagwan Shri Krishna could have invited more people, but he didn't.
ॐ
ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा
Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells beautiful and knowledgeable short stories while he teaches Vedanta. Examples in the form of anecdotes are instrumental in understanding a complex idea. The following is one such short story.
I must admit that I am unable to find a better word than "Highest". A word which is beyond "Highest". Because just "the Highest" cannot describe the significance of the knowledge in this blog post. This knowledge surely deserves better adjectives.
Acharya Ji was explaining the negation way of teaching in आत्मबोध (AtamBodh) class. According to our scriptures, the discourse way of teaching came in at a very later stage. In the beginning, there was only the negation way of teaching. Ancient Gurus used नेति नेति (Neti Neti) as an instrument of negation. Neti Neti means not this not this.
The reason behind this unusual way of teaching is, let's take an example of a senior doctor explains something like a patient's case to a junior doctor. Because both are doctors therefore their conversation is quite concise and without much explanation. But if a doctor is talking to someone like us, he will explain untill we understand the issue correctly.
Similarly, if a student is seeking the highest knowledge then assumption is he is an advanced level student. Like if someone is pursuing Ph.D. Then his guide will not teach him how to form a sentence or words. The knowledge in उपनिषद (Upnishads) is the highest knowledge and it is quite direct, concise and to the point. Like, the concept that is exaplined in ईशावास्य उपनिषद् (Ishavasya Upanishad) in just one small मंत्र (Mantra) श्रीमदभगवतगीता जी (ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji) talks about the same concept in the entire 3rd chapter. So, Upanishads are for advance students and ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji is for beginners.
An interesting fact about this short story, it is based on the 3 महावाक्य (MahaVakya) or ideas which talk more or less about the same concept and Upnishads rarely repeat any idea unless the idea is very important. So, one can imagine the importance.
The main thought process or the idea behind the negation way of teaching was to negate everything, the negation of the physical body, negation of desires, the negation of worldly objects, negation of emotions, and negation of ideas & aspirations. When the final is negated then pure consciousness prevails. That is what we really are. We can take the example of a shiny brass plate to understand this idea. By nature or by make brass plates are shinny, but with time and dirt it's shine fades away. If someone cleans the dirt by properly rubbing the brass plate then it will shine once again. The important thing here is we didn't make the brass plate pure or shiny, it was shiny by make. We just cleaned the dirt.
Acharya Ji further talks about the source of this story. This story is a collection of ideas from various उपनिषद (Upnishads), so I don't think this story will be in Upnishads in this form. One can imagine the significance of something just by the length of its introduction. Acharya Ji gave a little information on वेद (Veda), the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. There are 4 Vedas, ऋग्वेद(Rigved), सामवेद(Samved), यजुर्वेद(Yagurved), and अथर्वेद(Artharved). Each Vedas have 4 subdivisions, which are संहिता (Samhita), अरण्डीक / कर्मकांडः (Arandika or Karamkand), ब्राह्मण (Brahmans), and Upnishads. Upnishads are also known as वेदांत (Vedanta). Ved means knowledge and Vedanta means the highest knowledge or culmination of knowledge.
Acharya Ji then explains the reasons why we are studying Upnishads or ancient scriptures which were written 5000 years ago. The main reason is the CHANGE that we observe in the knowledge of Object, Body & Mind. Knowledge of objects like science and technology has changed the most over the years. If we analyze the change or technological advancements just in the last 20 years, then the difference observed is nothing short of magic.
Then, If we analyze the change in the knowledge of our physical form or body then it has changed a little in comparison to technological advancements. Then comes psychology, the knowledge of mind and behavior. Although the understanding has increased, more or less it is the same. We had anger, greed, fear, attachment, etc. 5000 years back and we will have anger, greed, fear, attachment, etc. 5000 years from now.
The common factor in all 3 is they all are changing with time and the important thing is their knowledge will become obsolete after some time. Like at one time the knowledge of VCR repair had great value and now millennials may not even know what VCR is. Vedanta is the study of आत्मन् (Aatman) which is changeless hence the knowledge and study of it is changeless as well. Again Vedanta is the culmination of knowledge. The value of it never recedes or diminishes. After 5000 years it is valid and we are still studying it.
The story begins with the seeker of the highest knowledge leaving his village in south India in search of a Guru who can teach or guide him. Now nothing against people from South India, The South represents poor or low in knowledge and the North represents high or enlightened in knowledge. He walks toward the land of the enlightened the ancient mountains of Himalaya in the North. The seeker knew only one fact that if he walks along the bank of river Ganga then he will reach the Himalaya. He walks for months in search of a Guru.
Following a rigorous search, the seeker finally finds a Guru. He observes the tradition of समिधा (Samidha) or गुरुदक्षिणा (GuruDakshina) or fees. In a normal scenario, fees is given after the education but in this case before. Because after the understanding of the highest knowledge, the student will not return to the teacher even to say thanks.
The Guru then accepts the seeker as a student. The student starts his spiritual journey by asking his teacher a series of questions. To explain the highest idea, the all-knowing teacher uses the negation way of teaching and says the 3 महावाक्य (MahaVakya) as follows.
MahaVakya #1 लक्षण वाक्य (Lakshan Vakya): प्रज्ञान ब्रह्मा (Pragyan Brahma). Which means The Brahman is consciousness. In simple words, the pure consciousness inside us is the परमात्मा (Paramatma) and, that is the only truth. The student began to think what is Pragyan Brahma, as per Acharya Ji he dwelled on each idea each MahaVakya for years. After good amount of time student went back to his teacher and asked if Pragyan Brahma means this or this or this. To which the teacher says Neti Neti.
MahaVakya #2 उपदेश वाक्य (Updesh Vakya): तत् त्वम् असि (Tat Tvam Asi). Which means You are that. In simple words, Brahman is within us in the form of Atma. One must understand that we are not rich, poor, educated, or illiterate all of these are just attributes of a being. If everyone around us becomes poor then we are rich and if everyone becomes rich then we are poor. Similarly, if everyone is healthy or unhealthy around us then there is no distinctive attribute, it is relative to others. It will always be comparative to others. Pure consciousness the Atma inside us is the same no matter who we are. On the river banks of Ganga Ji, the student further dwelled on the teachings Tat Tvam Asi and Pragyan Brahma. Again after spending a good amount of time and gathering some ideas the student went back to his teacher and asked him if Tat Tvam Asi and Pragyan Brahma means this or this or this ?? To which his teacher said Neti Neti.
MahaVakya #3 अभ्यास वाक्य (Abyas Vakya): अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म (Ayam Atma Brahma). It means I am this Atma this self is Brahman. In simple words, The Atma within is Brahman. This statement strengthens the last 2 statements. Validates that Atma is Brahman. This statement is called Abyas Vakya or the practice statement. The student practiced on all 3 MahaVakya Pragyan Brahma, Tat Tvam Asi, and Ayam Atma Brahma. Finally, the penny dropped, and the student finally understands. With the newly found enlightenment and the resultant of the knowledge and his work, he says the 4th MahaVakya himself.
MahaVakya #4 अनुभव वाक्य (Anubhav Vakya): अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि (Aham Brahma Asmi). It means I am Brahman. In simple words, I am God.
After the absolute realization, the student never went back to his teacher. Not even to show his gratitude. To understand why to let us assume a tiger attacks you in your dream. Due to which you wake up. Now when you are awake would you go back to sleep to say thanks to the tiger ?? And if you do think strongly about thanking the tiger then you are still in the dream world. GuruDakshina was given before the teachings due to this reason.
Acharya Ji concludes the story here. He further emphasizes that no idea is beyond or higher than this idea, no idea is bigger, no idea is superior to Tat Tvam Asi. If one understands this idea, really believes in it, lives it then one will be fearless, he will be without any worries or tension. To dwell on the idea given in this post is the real ब्रह्मविद्या (Brahm Vidya) or divine knowledge. rest everything is just a facade. Control your thoughts, mind, anger, relationships, harmony stress, etc. are topics that are taught to children in Kindergarten. Ph.D. student seeks something advanced such as Tat Tvam Asi. This blog post is for such people. And very few people will read it till the end.
As a thumb rule, the more subtle or deeper a subject is fewer people will appreciate it and the more gross or lewd a subject is more people will appreciate it.
Upnishads made no compromises in sharing the highest knowledge, negation is the method to teach the highest knowledge. Very few people will come and very few people will read this post till the end. Hence the belief: Only the worthy will get it.
In the end, Approximately 5 million fought in the war of Mahabharata and only one heard Shrimad Bhagwat Gita Ji, Bhagwan Shri Krishna could have invited more people, but he didn't.
ॐ
