To understand Brahman, the ONE without second, we first need to understand its changeless existence throughout the universe. Unless a theoretic and logical understanding takes place in the intellect, one cannot experience the Brahman.
The objects of the world are no other than the combination of the five elements. The elements exist both as themselves (called as tanmantras in Upanishads) and as objects. We therefore see either the objects or the elements all around us. I try to remember them as EWFAS.
These elements differ greatly in nature, qualities and powers which enable them to co-exist, combine to become objects and beings. Let us now see how these elements differ from each other in their pervasiveness. (vyapakta as in Upanishads). Pervasiveness is the inherent capacity of an object to permeate the space when left unrestricted. Each object occupies a certain space for existence in the space depending on the nature of the element or the gross vs. subtlety of the element.
A gross object will require less space than the subtler object. On this basis, earth is the grossest element with a solid form. The earth cannot spread into space any more than its actual size. This quality of earth distinguishes the earth from other elements.
The water is the next element. Being subtler than the earth, we can see that its pervasiveness is higher than the earth. It can spread in all four directions. It also has the power to penetrate earth. This pervasiveness of water into the earth reveals that the subtler an object is more the pervasiveness is, thus resulting in their co-existence. The difference in their pervading nature is due to their nature earth being solid (ghanatva) and water being liquid (dravatva)
The third element is the fire. The pervading capacity of fire is much greater than the previous two elements. It can also spread upwards. Water and earth, when treated with fire becomes hot thus proving that the fire can penetrate through these two elements. The presence of fire in water enables it to exist as liquid. It is 'bright' different from the other two.
You can conclude that the fourth element air will be much more pervasive. Air has the supremacy over the first three elements. It is in gaseous form, different from the three elements. Fire exists because of oxygen. A combination of two gases hydrogen and oxygen generates water. Air, earth, water and fire can interpenetrate and co-exist.
The fifth element is space. This element is superior to all the four elements in a way that it is beyond sense perception due to its most subtle. This therefore has the highest pervasiveness. (sarvavyapaka).
All these five elements have their qualities (gunas or properties), not to confuse with their nature. The quality of the earth is smell, water is taste, fire is brightness, air is touch and sound for the space. The first four elements are limited due to being perceptible by senses (vyakta) which limits their pervasiveness. On the other hand space is non-perceptible (avyakta) and therefore is all pervasive.
The Katha Upanishad compares the physical body of a person to a chariot, the senses to the horses, the mind to reins, the intellect to the charioteer and the Atman to the owner of the chariot. (3.3,4). If you can observe the picture of 'Geethopadesam' where Lord Krishna advises Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra, is a symbolic representation of the concept of the four horses representing the four elements and the fifth element is all pervading the space, which is not visible to the eye. (Non-perceivable).
Silence until next session...
Awesome Power is an organization committed to encourage, motivate, inspire, coach and support individuals to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potentially in all areas of their life.
The author of this article is a Life Coach, Changing Agent, Motivational Speaker, Professional Writer, dedicated to make a difference in other's lives. All my writings are from my direct experiences in my life.
The author is also deeply interested in spiritual studies and believes our life is the consequences of our own actions and that the spiritual study is the way for inner peace. We are on this earth to realize that all is ONE and that ONE is in all.
Your feedback is appreciated and considered valuable on the topics written.
No comments:
Post a Comment