The Nature of One's Self

Man as conscious entity is aware of his separateness from the rest of the universe. He sees the rest of the universe as his environment. The quality of his awareness determines whether he looks upon his environment with love or hostility. When the knowledge that everything else evolved from the same source from which he evolved, and that his destiny is linked with everything else, is a part of its awareness he feels connected with the entire universe. It bridges the separateness he feels and fills his heart with a sense of belonging. He falls in love with the world.

To develop the awareness in this direction the rishi explores the process that brought about the separateness of a conscious entity.

All the entities in it with their separate identities are the projections of the same divine spirit. What is the process through which these projections evolved? The answer to this question will provide the link that connects what is perceived here with the underlying unity that connects everything here. It will throw light on the true nature of the separateness perceived by the entities here.

Om

Everything started with the introduction of the concept of time. The word ‘start’ itself has meaning only when there is time. The abstract processes of becoming, being and getting consummated spontaneously came into being with the concept of time. The mantra ‘Om’ that signifies these processes boom as the primary mantra from which the entire manifested universe evolve.

Atma vaa idameka evaagre aseeta
Nanyat kinchanamishat
Sa eekshata lokanu sruja iti

In the beginning, before the process of projection is conceived, everything is dormant in the substantiality of the inner spirit. This spirit is alone and there is nothing other than this spirit. This spirit conceived in its subtle innards the creation of the worlds. In the perfect state of non-duality that transcends time, to imagine is to create. The inner spirit thus spontaneously created the world through which it express itself.

Sa imamllokanasrujata
Ambho mareechirmaramapo
Ambha parena divam dyou pratishtha/ntareeksham
Mareechayah pruthvee
Maro va adhistatta apah

The inner spirit created the various domains that constitute the manifested universe. It created the transcendental divinity that provided the point for convergence for all the lines of relevance. It created the lines of relevance that endowed movements with meaning. It created the earthiness and the mortal beings remaining entrapped in the laws of cause and effect. It created the moist flux of sensibilities for the operations of these beings here.

Thus the domain of awareness, the domain of ideals and the concepts of establishment and environment were born. The domain of earthiness was formed from the rays of relevance radiating fom the transcendental divinity. Everything in the earthy domain is ruled by the laws of cause and effect that emanate from the transcendental divinity, which remains as the primordial cause. From the mortal nature of the outgrowths at the bottom the ocean of sensibilities that sets the stage for transactions came into being.

Sa eekshate menu lokalokapalannu sruja iti
Sa adbhya eva purusham samudhrutya moorchchayat

For sustaining these domains the inner spirit conceived governing principles. Governance implies assertion based on a sense of righteousness. It implies the feeling of right and wrong and the strength to align with what is right. For performing the function of governance the inner spirit conceived the principle of virility.

Tamabhyatapa tasyabhitapasya

The principle of virility is the force that operates behind all movements in any domain. The inner spirit agitated itself by applying the principle of virility.

Mukham nirabhidhyata yatha/ndam

An incubated egg cracks at the right time to bring out a live chicken. Just like the cracking of an egg the well rounded continuity of the inner spirit that held within the potential to be cracked and definite facet developed. Words came out from this facet and through these words the fire of passion came into being. Feelings come alive by limiting view by focusing on a particular facet. Accepting limitation is a precondition for worldly existence.

Nasike nirabhidyetam nasikabhyam pranah pranadvayur

A passage opened up on this facet for the canalized flow of life forces. Life forces were inhaled through this passage. From the life forces currents of vitality came into being. The inner sky is connected to the outer sky through the currents of vitality.

Akshinee nirabhidyetamakshibhyam chakshu chakshusha aditya

Eyes opened up on this facet and through the eyes the enlightenment about the outside world flooded in. This enlightenment caused the power of discrimination. The rays of dharma reflected from everything could be clearly seen now. The principle of aditya, the celestial body of brilliance from which all rays of dharma emanate came into being.

Karnou nirabhidyetam karnabhyam shrotram shrotraddishah

Ears appeared on this facet and through the ears the myriad sounds floating about came in. The collective experience of the outside world was now available to provide a sense of direction while moving about.

Tvang nirabhidyetam tvacho lomani lomabhya oshadhi vanaspatayo

Skin appeared. It separated the facet from its environment. This separation gave rise to the possibility of major outgrowths from the facet that contribute to the infrastructure and the possibility of gentle corrective influences emanating from the facet. The principles of trees and herbs came about.

Hrudayam nirabhidyetam hrudayam mano manaschandrama

The facet developed a heart that could feel. Through the feelings of the heart mind and the reflection of aditya in mind as moonlight came out.

Nabhirnirabhidyetam nabhya apano/pananmrutyuh

The facet developed a navel and through this navel the currents of vitality flowed out for self expression. The principle of self spontaneously brought into being the principle of the annihilation of the self. Thus the principle of death came out through the navel.

Shishnam nirabhityetam shishndreto retasah apah

The facet developed the equipment for sensual enjoyment that promoted interactions. From this the potential for productive interactions and the development of sensibilities came into being.

Ityaitareyopanishadi prathamadhyaye prathama khandah

This is the first section of the first chapter of Eitereya Upanishad

The universal inner spirit thus manifests as a particular entity with a separate identity. This entity has its own passions, currents of vitality, awareness, sense of direction, boundaries, self expression, productive involvement and enjoyment. This is the true nature of one’s self.

The Theme of Eitereya Upanishad

Bhakti is belonging. It implies a deep, comprehensive awareness that seamlessly connects one with the object of one’s worship. The separate identity is there, but it doesn’t stand in the way of identifying with the worshipped object that acts as the ideal that endows actions with meaning. The worshipper and the worshipped thus get bonded intimately.

When one wants to belong to the universe harmoniously the universe is the object of worship. To belong to the universe one has to develop one’s attitude towards identity in the right direction. Total belonging demands total elimination of separation. But this elimination should not be by the annihilation of one’s self. Annihilation is destruction by alien forces. That will create misery and not harmony. What is needed is to develop identity in a manner that eliminates all possibilities of alienation. The cultivation of the right attitude for attaining total belonging demands the knowledge about the essential nature of one’s identity and the essential nature of the universe. The set of demands that is to be met for successfully adapting to a wave of globalization is only special case of this general theme.

Inquiry into the nature of the right awareness of one’s separateness is the theme of Eitereya Upanishad. This theme is briefly stated in the dhyanasloka that forms the preamble to the Upanishad.

Om

Meditate on the pranava that contains the seeds for becoming, being and consummation. Whatever one develops in the domain of intellect, to be productive, has to converge to the harmonious blending of these primary themes.

Vang me manasi pratishthitam

I, the living being, make my presence felt by words. For a person with an integrated identity words are the means for revealing oneself. Let the words be uttered from the depths of mind so that they reflect truly one’s identity.

Mano me vachi pratishtita

But the mind itself is made of words. Mind makes use of the symbolism of words for its development. So words play a very important role in determining the quality of mind. Wrongly chosen words can cause conflicts and contradictions in the mind. Then mind becomes an inefficient tool while dealing with the universe. Let the words used for the development of mind be chosen carefully so that no part of the mind contradicts the Vedas that reflect the collective wisdom of the universe.

Maviraveer ma edhi vedasya

A living being is characterized by movements. It experiences movements in the planes of body, mind and intellect. Life itself is composed of these movements. These movements when they are in inappropriate directions can be anti-life. To contribute to the theme of total belonging they ought to be in harmony with the movements in the surrounding universe. Let no life force move in violation of the Vedas. Any movements in conflict with the collective wisdom that sustains orderliness will contribute to the development of sentiments of alienation.

Ma aanisthah shrutam me maprahaseer

Continuous learning is essential for total belonging. Compromise of learning ability by the installation of dogmas in the mind fosters the powers of alienation. A dogmatic mind cannot accept any new ideas. It keeps laughing away the words of wisdom flowing into the ears from the outside. Do not get bogged down in dogmas. One should keep the ears open for the words of wisdom.

Anenaadheetenahoratram samdadhi

A lover pays undivided attention to the object of his love. Division of attention is providing entry to the powers of alienation. Let me bear in mind the object of my worship day and night without interruption.

Amrutam vadishyami

The words one utter express his identity. Any discussion on empirical details that are affected by context is fraught with the possibility of alienation as everyone sees these details from his own point of view and agreement on them is impossible. Endless arguments on empirical details will only contribute to the growth of alienation. One can find common meeting ground with others only in the domain of eternal principles. Use words for the discussions of these immortal principles.

Satyam vadishyami

Truth is the backbone of integrity. Truth holds well in all contexts. The truth of my words is the source of my credibility. This integrity and credibility is the primary condition that is to be fulfilled before pursuing the aspiration for total belonging.

Tanmamavatu tadvaktaramavatu

Dependence on anything is a bondage limiting freedom. To depend on anything other than the object of worship is a cause of separation. All these dependencies must be given up and one should surrender to the object of worship totally. Let the object of my worship protect me. Let that protect the words through which I express my identity.

Avatumamavatuvaktaramavatuvaktaram

Let me thus protect myself in a manner that does not in any cause separation from the object of my worship. In this state of total transparency the words spoken by me as well as the words flowing into my ears convey their meanings well without any distortion.

Om shantih shantih shantih

Let me find peace in the domains of body, mind and intellect

Words are spoken by ego. Ego is the entity that causes the differentiation between oneself and the world outside. However there can be no identity without ego. So existence in this world automatically implies ego. Correct perspective about the nature of one’s place in the total scheme of things is essential to ensure that ego is put for the right use so that it aids in spiritual evolution. The development of a perspective about one’s separate identity that ensures perfect and perennial connection with the inner spirit is the theme of Eitereya Upanishad.