Atma Bodha - Post 23

VERSE 16

वपुस्तुषादिभिः कोशैर्युक्तं युक्त्यवघाततः ।

आत्मानमन्तरं शुद्धं विविञ्च्यात्तण्डुलं यथा ॥ १६॥

Vapuh-stusha-aadibhih koshaih

yuktam yuktyaa avadhaatatah

aatmaanam antaram shuddham

vivichyaat tandulam yathaa

(Through discriminative self-analysis and logical thinking, one should separate the pure SELF from the sheaths as one separates the rice from the husk, bran etc., that are covering it.)

In this verse the connection with the sheaths and the Self is seen from a practical Sadhana viewpoint. It tells us how it is possible to separate the Self from these sheaths which disguise It.

The process is a deeply internal one, using the most refined of all the instruments of the subtle body, namely, the intellect. The verse gives us the assurance that with a purified intellect, one can “separate” the Self from the sheaths.

It is a rigorous analytical process, requiring a very pure and sharp intellect, and supported by the declaration in the Shastras of our true identity with Brahman the Supreme Reality. 

When this analysis is performed with relentless precision, the Self is beheld independent of the five sheaths which “cover” It.

“Avadhaatata Tandulam” – Rice Threshing Simile:

The husk of identification with the five sheaths is pounded away, and then the Pure Self is beheld, completely free from all the Upadhis which were associated with It. 

The process of using the sharp and purified intellect to behold the Self is compared to the process of separating the husk and the bran from the rice grain so that the pure rice is seen.

This process is accomplished in three stages: threshing, winnowing and hulling.

     i.            In the first stage, the grain with the husk is pounded to separate the husks.

  ii.            In the second stage the husk and rice grain mixture is separated by winnowing. This involves lifting the mixture up into the air in a slight breeze. 

When the mixture falls the grain falls directly into the wicker winnow, whilst the light husk gets blown away by the breeze and falls outside the winnow.  

iii.            In the third stage, the rice grain itself has to be carefully pounded in the hulling process to remove the bran that covers it, without breaking up the rice grain. This is the most delicate process.

These three processes resemble the three processes which the intellect has to carry out in revealing the Self.

They are Sravana, Manana and Nidhidhyasana. It is hard work for the intellect, but with sufficient Chitta Shuddhi and Chitta Ekagrata, it can be achieved. The Threshing, Pounding and Hulling to Reveal the Self:

Just like the husk of the rice that seems to cover the kernel of rice and appears to be inseparable, as a part of rice, these sheaths that seem to veil the ever blissful Self are but creations to ignorance alone. 

When one realizes Atman to be distinct from the sheaths he becomes detached with them, and this detachment will surely lead to knowledge.

Hence Sankara is instructing that a seeker should analyze and be discriminative, i.e. viveka is very much important for a seeker.

Through Self analysis and knowledge one must know that the Self which is ever blissful and immutable can never be any of the sheaths. 

Just as how the rice is obtained by removing the husk, bran etc. from the paddy, so too, by discrimination, by distinguishing the reality from the non-real, and by removing the various impurities superimposed upon Self, one must realize the real blissful nature of Self which seems to be veiled beneath the sheaths of ignorance.

Love.