Ātma Jñāna Part -1

“Ātma Jñāna”

Part - 1

A young twenty-four year old seeker after spiritual knowledge had an intense longing and desire to obtain Ātma Jñāna or Knowledge of the Self. His inquiries and search led him to a reclusive being quietly living in an isolated location. So he decided to visit and see if the mahā-purusha or great being would help him with his quest for self-knowledge.

Reaching the mahā-purusha he prostrated as the Vedic Culture prescribes:

“Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth.” — The Bhagavad Gītā, 4.34.

When asked the reason for the visit he told the saintly being about his intense longing and spiritual quest. The sādhu, whose compassion knew no bounds, sat the seeker down and spoke thus: “You already know the Truth. You already possess self-knowledge. Reflect and meditate; you will certainly remember your Self.”

The seeker humbly asked for a refresher, so the sādhu spoke of the Mahāvākyas:

1. prajñānam brahma – “Prajñā is Brahman” or “Brahman is Prajñā”
   (Rig Veda, Aitareya Upanishad, 3.3.)
2. ayam ātmā brahma – “This Self (Atman) is Brahman”
   (Atharva Veda, MāMandukya Upanishad, 1.2.)
3. tat tvam asi – “Thou art That”
   (Sāma Veda, Chāndogya Upanishad, 6.8.7.)
4. aham brahmāsmi – “I am Brahman”, or “I am Divine”
   (Yajur Veda, Brihadāranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.10.)

The seeker went his way.

The next day he was back and thanked the sādhu. “That lesson was so simple and painless,” he said. “I did not have to go on a fast or perform any kind of rigorous penance or make any sacrifice. I was wandering if there was something more than what you taught me yesterday?”

“There are two more Mahāvākyas,” the sādhu said:

• So ’ham – “He am I” (also, ’Hum Sau – “I am He”)
  (Isha Upanishad.)
• Sarvam khalvidam brahma – “All of this is brahman”
  (Shvetashvatara Upanishad, 3.14.1.)

“There is nothing more to add beyond that,” the sādhu said. The humble sādhu continued, “If there is, then you should ask someone that knows.”

 

© 2016 by Swāmī Krishnānanda Giri All Rights Reserved.