Thursday 3 December 2020

Vivekachoodamani Sri Shankaracharya Virachitham – The body is not Athman

 


Chapter 15 – Vivekachoodamani  151 – 160

 

The preceptor speaks “ The algae removed from the pond,  reveals the crystal clear water in it, likewise, when the stain/Maya caused by the Panchakosha disappears, the Jeeva perceives the supreme Bhramam which is Nithyanandha and Swayamjyothi/self-illuminating. The intelligent ones strive to achieve the Sacchidhanandha Swaroopa, Paramamthma Parambhrama resides as soul, with the constant association of Sathsanga/ Mahathma, noble-souls, saintly men, learning scriptures, Shastra, Purana Ithihasa, following strict austerities, etc. understands the knowledge of Athmavasthu/Paramathma, indestructible Purusha and Anathmavasthu/ destructible Prakrithi, material matters, wealth, richness, possession, money, fame, people, etc. They choose Prayakgathmaroopi, as  Asanga, Athmaswaroopa, Paramathma, and constantly engages in meditation and contemplation upon it, engages in ‘Athmavichara’ and discussion on it, like the painter, chooses appropriate brush to bring out excellence in his creation. The Sthoolashareera/human body is addressed as ‘Annamaya Kosha’/  is the storehouse of Anna/grains, was created with it/food is essential for the growth, and get destroyed in the absence of it. I shall describe the difference between the human body and the soul, 1) the body is the mass of meat, is impure by nature, with the collection of Thvak, Charma, Mamsa, Rudhira, Asthi, secretes, etc. therefore it is not Nithyanandhaswaroopa Paramathma Parambhramam.  2) The body achieved in this birth was not present before or not going to exist after death as well, cannot say that it is ‘present’, because the human body undergoes constant transformation, like aging, illnesses, and finally death, therefore the human body cannot be compared with the Sacchidhanandhaswaroopa Paramathma.  3) The mud pot created out of mud has to merge in the mud after a period of time. In the same manner, the human body created and preserved with these essential five elements/air, earth, water, fire, meets destruction after a certain period of time and merges in the five elements; hence the Sthoola Shareera/body is not Athman.  4) The limbs/hands, legs, eyes, nose, ears, tongue, mind, and intellect, etc cannot be Athman/soul.  5) The Vilakshanaswabhava of Athman as a sole witness in the Jeeva cannot compare with the body, because the body has to undergo three states of sleep, awakening, and dreaming, it meets growth, Janana, Marana, Ashramadharma, etc. 6) The Sthoolashareera represents Annamayakosha, is skeleton fixed in secrets, further covered with meat and skin, therefore it cannot be Sookshmashareera/Athman. The Mooda/ignorant, dull-minded misinterpret ‘body as Athman’ and take pride in it, the human body is a collection of the skeleton, muscles, blood, secrets, that has impermanent nature. The intelligent one perceives the Paramathmaswaroopa Parambhramam resides as a soul in Jeeva, and remain serene.  Alas! 1) The dull-minded, ignorant, consider the body as the whole thing and spend a good life in taking great care of  it, without the knowledge that it has to undergo a constant transformation, aging, illnesses, and finally meet death.  2) The learned with the deep insight in the Shastra, and association with the Mahatmas, take pride in the body as well as soul/Paramathma. 3) The flawless Bhramajjyani/Mahathma enriched with Viveka and Vijjana take pride in the Paramathma within, consider “Aham Bhramasmi’/achieves union with it following the austerities and Tapasya.”

 

Panchanamapi Koshanamapavadhe  Vibhathyayam Shudhdha: | Nithyanandhaikarasa: Prathyakroopa: Para: Swayamjyothi: ||

 

Athmanathma Viveka: Karththavyo Bandhamukthaye  Vidhusha | Thenaivanandhi Bhavathi Swam Vijjaya Sacchidhanandham ||

 

Munjjadhisheekamiva  Dhrishyavargath | Prathyanjjamathmanam Asangamakriyam | Vivichya Thathra Pravilapya Sarvam | Thadhathmana Thishtathi Ya: Sa Muktha: ||

 

Dhehoayamanna Bhavanoannamayamasthu Koshashchannenajeevathi Vinashyathi Thadh Viheena: | Thvak Charma Mamsa Rudhira Asthi Pureesha Rashirnnayam Swayam Bhavithumarhathi Nithyashudhdha: ||

 

Poorvam Janer Apimritharepi Nayamasthi | Jathakshana: Kshanagunoaniyatha Swabhava | Naiko Jadashcha  Ghatavath Paridhrishyamana: | Swathma Katham Bhavathi Bhava Vikaraveththa?

 

Panipadhadhiman Dheho Nathma  Vyangoapi Jeevanath | Thaththacchaktheranashcha  Na Niyamyo Niyamaka: ||

Dheha Thadh Dharma Thath Karmathadhvasthadhi Sakshina: | Satha Yeva  Swatha: Sidhdham Thadhvailakshanyamathmana: ||

 

Kulya Rashir Mamsaliptho Malapoornnoathikashmala: | Katham Bhavedhayam Veththa Swayamethadhvilakshanam?

 

Thvak Mamsa Medhoasthi Pureesharashavahamathim Moodajana: Karothi | Vilakshanam Veththi Vicharasheelo Nijaswaroopam Paramarththa Roopam ||

 

Dhehoahamithyeva Jadasya  Budhdhir  Dhehe Cha Jeeve Vidhushasthvahamdhi: | Viveka Vijjanavatho Mahathmano Bhramahamithyeva Mathi: Sadhathmani ||