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A look back on ( Simhāvalokana)-Taittriya Anandavalli Bhashya classes 4-21

 



A look back ( Simhāvalokana)

Pramānā has has to be unique with a purpose

It has to be meaningful like Śastrā propose

Our vision was totally blindfolded 

During the classes Śastrā is unfolded

Week after week compassion was overflowing 

Let us revise the classes that were mind blowing 


Adjectives are words with strings 

They differentiate and distinguish things

Brahman is not an adjective or additive 

Brahman is a noun, this has to be known 

Laksanā is the term used for definition 

Brahman is the one only that is unlimited edition 


Animals are programmed, so no confusion 

Humans have free will, so lot of superimposition

'I' is hidden under multiple layers of wrong notions

Indicatory definition clears these commotions 

That which accommodates is 'Space'

To understand this we need lot of grace 



'Blue' is the adjective used for a lily

So it can be differentiated fully

Blue, Big, Fragrant Lily is very descriptive 

This is an example for multiple adjectives

Satyam Jñānam Anantam is a Vedic verse

Deep and profound for us to immerse 

The abstract nature of these nouns together

Explains the Brahman as a crimson feather


Satyam - comes from the dhātu अस् (as)

That means  'To be' - that which exist

In the past, present and future 

That which exist through all lectures

That which exist in all objects and space

That which exist beyond this  place


Jñānam - comes from dhātu ज्ञा

And a special lyut (ल्युट्) pratyayā is added

This gives it an abstract meaning 

“Knowingness”  is the truth without leaning 

Remove  the knower, 

Remove the known, 

Remove the means of knowledge

That is the truth to acknowledge 


The consciousness stays as the basis

Upon which all knowledge takes place

That which lends its presence is Jñānam

The ‘ er’ status is merely a superimposition 


If we say  Brahman is only a creator,

It creates room for an argument 

World that is created is also destroyed 

That which changes is Mityā

Then Brahman is understood as Mityā 

If we say Brahman is only the material 

Then it is equivalent to a Jada vastu

This provides room for wrong understanding 

Bhashya clears these doubts freestanding 


Brahman is 'As though' the intelligent cause

It is also 'As though' the material cause

Sugar is sweet and it is its nature

You are the truth and that is the feature

That is why we need both the words 

Satyam Jñānam together is a beautiful hybrid 


Objection from Purvapakśi

If negation is the purpose, 

Brahman is nothing on the surface

It is like the unreal son of sonless woman,

Taking a bath in the unreal mirage 

Wearing a flower plucked from Akasha

And holding a bow made from rabbit horn


Adi Śankara replies

These are not adjectives

These are definitions

Give up the regular meanings of these words

These meanings are limited 

Limitations by time, space and object

Shared ignorance creates these limitations

Shake it  out the to know the truth


Mind has to enter through the back door 

After being hit by a hammer

This hair splitting exercise

Takes us beyond the grammar

This is very helpful to get more clarity 

Enjoy the beauty of this rarity 


Swamini Svatmavidyanadaji classes 4-21 (A summary- Simhāvalokana)
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Comments

  1. AdisaktiMay 4, 2022 at 10:08 PM

    This has come out quite well. I would use the expression 'as though' when writing about Brahman being the intelligent and material cause. -Om Swaminiji

    ReplyDelete

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