INTRODUCTION.
Who Is God?
Aham Brahmasmi. I am Brahman.(God)
Where is God?
Sarva vyapinam. He is all pervading.
Why is God?
He is the only Absolute Truth.
Why the humanity is not aware of God?
Because the intellect is covered with Maya. (Ignorance,/Avidya)
It may take several years or births (janmas) to come out of Maya and get liberation or moksha depending on his prarabdha, God’s grace and free will. To get liberation, one need to follow the spiritual path or Devotion, (Bhakthi) which involves various steps.
Initially every one starts with work with a desire (‘Sakamya karma’)
and moves towards ‘Desire-less work,(Nishkamya karma’)or perform all actions as offering to God, without expecting any results and receive them as God’s gift. (‘Bhagavad Prasadam’)
Next step is to practice meditation,(Upasana) on God with a form of his preference.(‘Eka roopa’ or ‘Istadevatha’ Upasana.) Gradually expand the vision to consider the entire Universe, including you as God (I.e Viswa roopa Upasana.) and meditating upon that Viswa roopa Iswara. This practice will give the required purification of mind.( Chitta Suddhi,) Now he is ready to receive the knowledge, (Jnanam) of Brahman or, God without form ( Arupa Iswara) which alone can give freedom or moksha.
Process involves Sravanam, Mananam and Nidhi Dhyasa, of Prasthan Trayam i.e. Bhagada Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. It is essential to learn the scriptures (sastras) by listening (sravanam) to a competent teacher. Mananam involves removing all logical doubts by thinking and analyzing the subject matter. Nidhi Dhyasana is a process where the knowledge is consolidated, internalized and all habitual doubts are removed. As this knowledge is beyond the scope of instruments of knowledge (Indriyas,) scriptures cited above alone can provide the knowledge of Brahman. In this process, secondary scriptures,(Prakarana grandhas) like ‘Atma Bodha’, ‘Tatva Bodha’ and Vivekachoodamani are helpful.
Though Science and logic can not provide this knowledge, if properly used they can support and help in understanding this knowledge.(Brahma Vidya). As this subject is very subtle and difficult to understand, several authors have taken pains in explaining the subject from various angles and view points.
The present work is one such good attempt. The author has taken several portions from Bhagavad Gita to explain the basic concepts and then from Mandukya Upanishad to expand and establish his views. He has also presented and analyzed some scientific and modern views, and showed how they can be utilized in supporting the scriptures. He has also presented the views as given by various well known personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Stephen Hawking, Kamili baba, Somanatha Maharshi and others.
While going through these portions, the cultural and spiritual background of the audience and the situation under which they have delivered their views must be kept in mind. Otherwise we may land in seeming contradiction. While going through the views of Swami Vivekananda, it should be remembered that he is addressing people from a different cultural and spiritual background. Similarly one should not forget that Kamili Baba and Somanatha Maharshi are addressing common man without any spiritual background. Their views are quite useful if we go through with an open mind. They can certainly help us in our spiritual growth.
This book is quite useful for those who have interest and some spiritual knowledge. It offers solutions to many logical and scientific doubts and serves as a ‘Manana Grandha’.
Hari Om.
Dr. A. Narasimha Rao.
Retd. Professor of Mechanical
Engineering, Anna University
Madras.
Recent Comments