By : Ramaswamy Seshadri
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji took us to Alaghar Kovil in the outskirts of Madurai in Tamil Nadu and explained the different icons in a contemplative mood. The nature of Consciousness is a seminal theme at the heart of Upanishadic thought. The Taittiriya Upanishad explores the fivefold sheath of human consciousness, the koshas — annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vijnamaya and anandamaya, that is, the physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and causal layers of human individuality. The Mandukya Upanishad lays down the four states of consciousness — jagrat, svapna, susupti and turiya, that is, our waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep state and pure consciousness. In the same vein, the Aitereya Upanishad outlines how Brahman itself may be defined as Consciousness.
Reflecting deeply upon the nature of human and transcendental consciousness, the Aitereya begins by stating that Atman is the only reality. In the beginning was the Atman only, the first cause and principle, before creation itself. The Aitereya outlines how this First Principle created the universe in stages, beginning with space, then-time and crystallizing its essence in the shape of the human being, finally. The Aitereya draws attention to how the human body is the prime manifestation of Atman, alluding to the fact that we need to understand our inner cosmic nature.
“Who Am I?” The classic question of the Upanishads is first asked in the Aitereya, urging us to realize that we are more than merely our sensory organs and mind, for we are Atman, actually. We must penetrate the crust of ego to reach our deepest core. We then, come face-to-face, ‘re-look’, see and experience the singular Self that pervades one and all.
Once Mrs. Khaparde came with a tray of food covered with a cloth as an offering for Baba after the noon prayer. On seeing her, Baba yelled with pain – “O mother, I am dying, I am dying.” He started rubbing his right shoulder and leg as if someone had beaten him up. Mrs. Khaparde kept the tray aside and started massaging Baba’s leg with care. After some time, Baba said – “Mother, I went to eat curds and had thrashing on my shoulder and leg.” Baba had not even moved from the mosque. How then could he have gone to eat curds? He pointed at a Brahmin in the crowd and said – “Well brother, are you happy? You have beaten me on my shoulder and leg for no fault of mine!” That Brahmin was frightened! He spoke nervously – “How will I ever beat you Baba? It is unthinkable.” Baba raised his gown and showed fresh swollen marks on the shoulder and right leg.
Baba spoke to that Brahmin – “Listen, did I not come to you sometime back? To eat your curds?” The Brahmin wept – “Oh God, it was you, Baba, in the form of a cat?” He recollected the entire episode. He was suffering from Asthma and Baba had advised him not to use curds. But the Brahmin was fond of curds. So, he prepared curds every day. But a cat used to come and eat the curds. To prevent this, he kept the vessel in a hanging sling. Even then the cat ate away the curds. He laid a trap and when the cat came that particular day, he trashed it on its shoulder and right leg! Baba did not want his devotee to eat curds and ruin his health. But he missed Sai Baba in the cat!
Seeing this great ‘Leela’ Mrs. Khaparde recollected what happened a while ago. On her way, she came across a pig. She offered a chapatti to it mentally considering it as a form of Sai Baba. Baba referred to this and told Mrs. Khaparde – “Mother always remember me! I am in every living being – whether animal or human? Just as you love me here, love everybody else everywhere.”
Consciousness as defined in this concept reminds us to see the empirical world as it truly is, as only one relative part of a larger Consciousness and the seeker is to strive for that state of Pure Consciousness where one would experience the immanence of Brahman and not just intellectually grasp it.
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