Atma Bodha - Post 42

Verse 32

देहान्यत्वान्न मे जन्मजराकार्श्यलयादयः ।

शब्दादिविषयैः सङ्गो निरिन्द्रियतया न च ॥ ३२॥

DEHA ANYATVAAT NA ME JANMA

JARAA AKAARSHYA LAYA AADAYAH

SHABDA-AADI VISHAYAIH SANGHA

NIR-INDRIYA TAYAA NA CHA

[I am other than the body, thus not for me is birth- wrinkling, senility, death and so on. With sense objects such as sound, etc, association is nil as I (the Self) am without sense organs.]

This and the next verse are Manana on the Self, wherein we ponder carefully over what we have heard on the Upadhis. We reflect seriously about the body and the mind and negate them, that is, go beyond the limitations imposed by them. In this verse we deal with the gross body – “I am not the body,” nor all the associated transactions it has with this world of names and forms.

Notice that the emphasis is on the changeability of the body. This is true of the entire gross universe of objects, but we see the effect of that changeability more dramatically when we see it in our own body. As we grow we encounter the 6 stages or modifications which the body undergoes.

They are: existence, birth, growth, disease, decay and death. They are the six phases which our body goes through in the course of a life of normal duration. When the body’s hold on our attention is loosened, then we begin to free ourselves from six changes that it undergoes, and which are inevitable to the body.

The real “I” is seen as a constant background, unaffected by the changing foreground. By retreating into the area of constancy in life, our life no longer dances up and down to the tune of the ever changing waves of bodily experiences. We do not live with the body as our centre. The body is not viewed as the essential part of us.

It is there, and we have to take care of it; but it is not the centre-stage of my life. This is how a seeker of Truth begins to reflect and analyze his body and its associated needs. As clearly mentioned in the previous verse, this does not mean that we sneer at the body as some inferior object to be detested. No such attitude is even suggested, even in the straightforward words, “I have nothing to do with these sense objects.”

By negating the gross body, we begin to reduce all identification with it, and finally eliminate it. In this process, our link to the spiritual world within is strengthened. The negation of body includes negation of our senses and all the sense objects that interact with the senses. These would naturally receive the same treatment as the body. They cease to dominate the drama of life.

Dear All,

In Puttaparthi, there used to be a devotee in 80s, who used to keep 2 photographs of his mother - one in her 20s and then another in her 90s.

Miracles used to happen at his place and devotees used to visit his place. Author has also visited few times.

That devotee used to show to the people both photographs of his mother and say, “This is how body changes, know this and come out of attachment to Body”.

As it is explained already, one need not and one must not develop any hatred / ill feeling towards his body when he goes through spiritual sadhana.

One has to only know and conclude that this body undergoes 6 changes from existence to death and thus, one must look beyond one’s body to THAT which never is born and therefore never dies. That is Atman, the SELF!!!

It is all about realizing the rope as rope and not snake, water as water and not merely as bubble or waves, Gold as just gold and not the various designs of ornaments made out of Gold. Sankara has filled Atma Bodha with so many examples to explain clearly as to what is REAL and what is UNREAL.

The call is – “Let Body be there. Channelize your mind towards higher SELF, towards God so that the mind stops giving too much importance to your body, its beauty etc. and focuses on God, the ultimate reality!!!!”

Rise beyond Body, mind, intellect and reach to THAT WITNESS CONSCIOUSNESS which has been observing all the changes that have happened to your body, your mind, your intellect, your very existence as human with all your impressions. Who has been watching all these changes and yet remains changeless????

Think!!!!!

Love.