The Hindu : Different methods to realise truth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 21, 2002

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Different methods to realise truth

CHENNAI NOV.21. The scriptural texts resort to different ways of teaching spiritual knowledge, as all do not have the same level of understanding. For one who has insight, the Absolute Reality (Brahman) can be realised in its essential nature— knowledge, infinite and bliss. But as all cannot adopt this the texts teach the same through easier methods. It is similar to giving an address to someone to locate a house. This is the direct way but if the person does not know the locality one has to give him further directions with which he is familiar so that he can find it. The Taittiriya Upanishad resorts to this procedure in its exposition of the truth.

First the Upanishad adopts the direct method by positing the Reality as the cause of this manifold universe, which has to be realised as infinite bliss. There are three functions with respect to the universe— creation, sustenance and dissolution. And, the Supreme Reality is responsible for all these functions. As the cause He is both the intelligent and material cause of this creation. The other way of approach is by tracing the cause from the effect, which is comprehensible. In the case of the Absolute, the world is the effect, which is familiar to experience. It is akin to the understanding that an ornament like bangle is ultimately gold. Such examples given to elucidate philosophical concepts must not be taken literally but only figuratively. In this case, for instance, the gold undergoes modification in form when it is made into a bangle, while the Supreme Being who is the material cause of this universe remains changeless.

Spiritual enquiry could proceed from the known to the unknown, said Swamini Satyavratananda in her discourse. The Upanishad applies this technique in the third chapter. Bhrgu, son of Varuna, approached his father and requested him to teach him the Absolute knowledge. The father assumed the role of the spiritual teacher then and instructed him, "Crave to know that from which all these beings take birth, that by which they live after being born, that towards which they move and into which they merge. That is Brahman." And he reflected on this and concluded that matter is Brahman for the whole life process originates from and merges into it. But soon Bhrgu realised that matter was constantly changing and hence could not be the Absolute. So he went back to his father for elucidation. He asked him to reflect further and thereby steered his enquiry from the gross to the subtlest level of existence till he grasped the truth.

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