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It is 'I am'
A delve into Darshanas (philosophy),
which means 'seeing'. This seeing, however, is not done by the
eyes. Since the object of sight is the 'Infinite itself' physical
eye has no role to play. They say to know the 'Infinite', you should
become the 'Infinite'. Not at all controversial, nonetheless
impossible.
The sages across the Indian sub-continent
who were often men who lived with their wives and children, were not
satisfied till they arrived at the Truth, . The Vedanta, which means
'end of the knowledge', testifies the boldness and inquisitiveness
of these 'rishis' (sages). They knew that imposing the cause on
external objects would not take them anywhere. Instead a look into ones own self
brought about the transition and in turn, led to an understanding.
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Here a teacher unveils the truth (Thou Art 'It') before the disciple;
Disciple: What existed when there was ought and naught?
When darkness was hidden in darkness?
Teacher: Dear son, that which existed then still
continues. Nothing new has come. 'It' does not die, as 'It' is not
born. This life and all things you see are an extension of 'It' and
come from 'It'. Since 'It' has life, everything has life. It shines,
therefore everything else shines. It owes its existence to nothing as
all things are born after 'It'. Since 'It' was there before everything
else, what can influence 'It'? What is there that is equal to 'It'?
What can exert an influence on this uncaused cause? Son, all that you
know through your senses are relative and fleeting. The age of the
tortoise is but a few years when compared to 'It'. 'It' was there
before the birth of the first tortoise on earth. Why say the tortoise?
Even before the earth and the universe itself. Son, this Life does not
die with the death of matter, in which 'It' dwells. After one form is
perished, 'It' seeks another. It has been doing so since the birth of
the universe and will return to its original form once this universe
has perished. Where else can 'It' go? Son, can any part of the human
body cause death to the person unless the 'Life' in it decides to take
leave from him/her?
Son, in relation with what will 'It' move? Since 'It' does not move,
'It' does not change and since 'It' does not change, 'It' defies time.
The space which pervades everywhere follows from 'It'. Since 'It' has
no form, it does not need help for existence and has been there even
before the birth of the space. It is everywhere and is in everything.
He who is wise understands everything as It's manifestation. As a part
is not different from the whole, everything is 'It'. 'It' comes out of
nothing.
Son, remember, 'It' is not a word, but the tongue speaks because of
'It'. It is as small as the particle in the water and as big as the
universe itself. It has the resource to become anything. Its sources
never dry up. In fact, 'It' is everything. Besides this immortal
existence, what else can there be? Son, since 'It' owes its existence
to nothing, 'It' is the Sat. This Sat which makes
me an individual, does not die with me as it is not born with me. Son,
all the knowledge in this world come from it. They call it jhana
(wisdom). He who understands 'Him' or 'I am' (as God describes
Himself) knows everything that is in this world and everything that is
going to come. His knowledge becomes complete and He becomes the
knowledge itself. He who understands a lump of clay understands all
the clay in this world. Son, 'It' is the pure Existence; the wise men
call it 'Brahman'. Remember son, 'It' was there before they
called it 'Brahman' and it neither undergoes any change nor perishes
as 'It' does not have any qualities. Son, any quality undergoes
change: Red becomes pale after sometime and you need the help of some
other colours to get that red colour again. 'It' is neither good nor
bad. 'It' is what 'It' is; "I am what I am". It is you Thou art It.
Disciple: I understand 'It' now teacher.
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