This is in continuation of my previous blog; Brahman – Supreme Consciousness. The synonyms for Brahman & Matter can be understood as we look into the six Āstika (those who believe in the Brahman & Vedas) schools of Indian philosophy: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Uttara Mimamsa (or Vedanta). The other school is Nāstika who do not believe in the Vedas & its rituals. These schools are Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka, Ajivika & Agyana.
Different Indian Philosophies have always enquired into the mystery of life & existence, liberation from the cycle of birth & death etc.
Purusha (Self) & Prakriti (Matter/Nature):
Sankhya philosophy explains Purusha- Spirit/ Consciousness and Prakriti (Matter – a manifested material world of Nature, Matter, Gunas/characteristics & temperament). The evolution begins when Purusha impinges on Prakriti to begin the chain of evolution. Therefore Purusha & Prakriti co-exist.
Prakriti & Purusha are not necessarily two different entities. The same reality enjoys two phases of self-assertion & self- expression. As Pure Consciousness, it is ever itself and there is no modification in it. This Changeless Reality puts on the appearance of changefulness and modifications. The former phase is Purusha & the latter phase, Prakriti.
Purusha is distinct just like a gnat (insect) inside a fig. Despite being associated with the fig, the gnat does not get attached to it. The fish is different from the water it is in. Even though it is touched by water it is not attached to it. A lotus is different from water. Though it touches the water, the lotus is not attached to it as it is hydrophobic. In this way, there is always separation, even when one dwells together.
Purusha: The indweller in the Puri/Pura – in the body & looked upon as a city or fortress and is called Purusha. It also literally means “that by which everything is filled”. It comes from the root word pri, to fill. Purusha is unmanifest & without destruction.
Prakriti: Prakriti or Nature is constituted of three Gunas – Sattva, Rajas & Tamas. It is ever in the state of flux. In other words, Karma in inherent in Prakriti. Beings involved in Prakriti are therefore helplessly bound by Karma (Action). Their attempt to rid themselves of action or Karma goes in vain. It is impossible for beings to renounce Karma while being entangled in Prakriti. During Pralaya or Dissolution, when Prakriti is withdrawn, it goes to rest with Purusha!
Nirguna & Saguna Brahman:
Sometimes Brahman is also referred to as Nirguna Brahman & Saguna Brahman. Nirguna refers to the Brahman without “attributes/ qualities” or the “unconditioned” Brahman (Pure Consciousness). This is the “un-manifested” state of Brahman. The “manifested” state of Brahman is called the Saguna Brahman or the “conditioned” Brahman with attributes/qualities”. The conditioning of the Pure Consciousness is brought about by our unintelligent identification or attachment to our body, mind & intellect, which is always been our focus of attention. We are held hostage by our perception and action, emotion and thought.
Kshetra & Kshetrajna:
Kshetra (Field) is the material body in which Kshetrajna (Knower of the field) resides. Kshetrajna is the knowing principle, pure consciousness, supreme self that enlivens the body into an animate being. Kshetra is matter. Kshtrajna is spirit or pure consciousness. They combine to form a living being.
Kshetra in a broad sense means all the three bodies – Gross, Subtle & Causal – these three envelop the self. The self, functioning in these three bodies becomes the knower, the one who experiences the world.
When pure, “unconditioned” consciousness functions through the body, mind & intellect, it becomes “conditioned” consciousness. It is just like the sunlight falling on a reflecting surface (Mirror) which becomes the reflected image of the Sun. If the mirror is dirty, we get a clouded image of the sun. The image of the sun is conditioned by the reflecting medium (in this case our body), while the sun above is ever unconditioned!
Conclusion:
- A Human Being consists of Spirit & Matter.
- Spirit is the Atman or Brahman- (One that Knows- Formless) – The Supreme Self or Consciousness.
- Matter is Body-Mind-Intellect combination – (Object of Knowledge/that which is known – Takes Form). Body is made up of Gross Matter (Sthula Sharira). Mind & Intellect is made up of Subtle Matter (Sukshma Sharira or Linga Sharira).
Emotions & Feelings, Love, Anger, Hatred, Kindness, Passion, Envy, Possessiveness, Avarice etc. belong to the Mind. Beyond the Mind is the Intellect. The Intellect is our faculty to think, reason, judge & decide. These three – Body, Mind & Intellect are INERT and “insentient” by themselves. But on coming into contact with Atman (Spirit), they gain “sentiency” (ability to feel /perceive things)
Atman or Brahman is the core, pure consciousness and the body, mind & intellect envelop it. The Atman, the self is ever at rest. The wise man identifies with the inner Self and merely allows his body, mind & intellect to operate and by doing so he becomes impersonal, detached & objective. His mind becomes peaceful while his body is remains active & dynamic. This is the key to success & progress in life. (Snippet taken from the book Vedanta Treatise – Swami Parthasarathy)
