Drg Drsya Viveka 12 Trans/Notes

DDV12

The subtle body is the material cause of ego and mind. It is one and insentient in nature. It is born, cycles through its three states for a time, and dies.

~A

Mano’haṅkṛtyupādānaṁ liṅgamekaṁ jaḍātmakam, avasthātrayam-anveti jāyate mriyate tathā.

 मनः-अहंकृति-उपादानम् – constituted of mind and ego; लिङ्गम् – subtle (body); एकम् – one; जडात्मकम् – insentient in nature; अवस्था त्रयम् – the three states; अन्वेति – goes through; जायते – is born; म्रियते – dies; तथा – and

The one insentient subtle (body) which is constituted of mind and ego, goes through the three states, and it is born and it dies.

~T

मनोऽहंकृत्युपादानं the material cause of mind and egoism एकं one जडात्मकं of the nature of insentiency लिङ्ग subtle body अवस्थात्रयं the three states अन्वेति attains तथा similarly जायते is born म्रियते dies.

The subtle (1) body, which is the material cause of the mind and egoism, is one (2) and of the nature (3) of insentiency. It moves (4) in the three states and is born and it dies.

~N

Notes

The subtle body is also called the liṅga śarīra, ‘Liṅga’ – to know. That by which something is known, symbolised, or indicated is called a ‘liṅgam’. For instance, smoke is the liṅgam of fire, Śivaliṅga, a symbol of Lord Śīva. SOS signals trouble and singing in the bathroom indicates a good mood. The subtle body is the indicator of life in the body. When the senses, prāṅas and mind function, we say the man is alive. He is certified dead when the pulse, breathing and heart beats stop.

~T

Here the author adds an incidental information which is required for further development. Until now the mind that has the substantial and the thought portions had been discussed. This two-fold mind is a part of the parent body called subtle body, which is the material cause of the mind. The subtle body is the invisible body behind the visible, live physical body. The subtle body consists of the five organs of knowledge, five organs of action, five-fold physiological systems called prāna along with the mind and thought. All these together is one unit. So it can also be said that the subtle body has three states of experience. Previously it was said that the three states of experience belong to the mind and here it is said that the three states of experience belong to the subtle body.

The cycle of birth and death has been going on from beginning-less time and will go on endlessly unless the individual gets jñānam. With this verse, the author concludes the discussion of the formation and function of the three seers. Hereafter the author gets into the main topic of the text, namely the cause of saṃsāra and its remedy.

~P

I have come to understand from the tvam-pada analysis, by examining the word tvam, that it means ātmā aham, sākṣī dṛg eva natu dṛśyate. This is what I understood, nothing more. How this ātmā is jagat-kāraṇam brahma? How? It is only sākṣī. How can there be an equation? Therefore, the whole nature of sṛṣṭi has to be talked about. That is the next topic. Therefore, although it looks as if the next topic śakti-dvayaṁ hi māyāyāḥ vikṣepāvṛti-rūpakam iti is coming from nowhere, it is not nowhere. It is the other side of tat-tvam-asi; tvam asi meaning ‘you are’ is one side of the equation and tat meaning ‘that’ is the other side. That is being brought in here.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

It's Maya

Having established that the absolute ground called Brahman is unborn, undying, and changeless consciousness-existence, what is one to make of this world which is all about birth, death, and change? It’s Maya.

There’s nothing else to say. In fact, there is nothing one can say. Maya is as indescribable as Brahman. As there’s no describing the Christ in anti-Christ, there’s no describing the Brahman in not-Brahman, or Maya.

Metaphors use words to describe the indescribable. In this way, metaphors aren’t words. A rope is seen as a snake. Mirages appear in the desert. And it feels real because it’s not unreal like the horns of a hare. All is Brahman.

a. Four Viewpoints of Japan

I swear I saw Mount Fuji while looking west on the train to Narita Airport but I’ll never really know.

While on northernmost Honshu IsIand, I saw Hokkaido from Oma Point but didn’t know it. Looking at the photos later, I saw its landmass filtered through the mists of Tsugaru Strait.

On the bullet train from Tokyo to Hachinohe, we tunneled underneath the Shirakawa Barrier, which Basho had to cross when entering the deep north of his Oku no Hosomichi.

During the Neputa Festival in Hirosaki, I see large illuminated fan-shaped floats depicting fantastic images of mythic warriors parade through the city accompanied by taiko drum and flute bands one after another over and over like crimson and cherry blossoms.

b. On Mayasakti

Maya does not preserve and protect; Maya veils and projects.

Maya veils the metaphorical rope with a beginningless ignorance of my true nature.

Maya projects it all, from the inner astral body to the furthest reaches of the universe.

c. Maya 321

Maya is everything. Brahman is no thing. All things are Brahman.

Maya is the universe. Avidya is hell.

Enlightenment is in Maya but not of Maya.

d. Om Maya

Strictly speaking, Aum is Maya. The silence surrounding and pervading Aum is Brahman.

Also strictly speaking, Aum is the waking and sleeping dream states, and the deep sleep dreamless state.

In Isvara's Trinity, Brahma wields Maya, Vishnu pervades Maya, and Shiva shatters Maya.

e. grateful tao

yellow forsythia

blossoms blossoming in april

right now and right here

f. seaing

reality is all there is.

samsara is neither reality nor unreality.

although a wave is not the sea,

the sea pervades the wave.

Drg Drsya Viveka 11 Trans/Notes

 DDV 11

Thought modifications of the inner mind identifying with the reflection of consciousness project various ideas in the dream state, and in the waking state imagines objects outside with the eyes.

~A

Antaḥkaraṇa-vṛttiśca citicchāyaikyam-āgatā, vāsanāḥ kalpayet svapne bodhe’kṣair-viṣayān bahiḥ.

अन्तःकरणवृत्तिः – the thought modification of the inner equipment; च – and; चितिः छाया ऐक्यम् – identity with the reflection of Consciousness; आगता – having attained; वासनाः – impressions; कल्पयेत् – project; स्वप्ने – in the dream; बोधे – in the waking state; अक्षैः – with the eyes (sense organs); विषयान् – objects; बहिः – outside

The thought modifications of the inner equipment having attained an identity with the reflection of Consciousness in the dream state, project impressions, and in the waking state imagine objects outside with the eyes (sense organs).

~T

अन्तःकरणवृत्तिः च the inner organ that is nothing but a modification (वृत्तिः) चितिच्छायैक्यं identity with the reflec- tion of Consciousness आगता having attained स्वप्ने in dream वासनाः ideas कल्पयेत् imagines बोधे in the waking state अक्षैः with respect to the sense-organs बहिः external विषयान् ob- jects (कल्पयेत् imagines).

The inner (1) organ (mind), which is itself but a modification (वृत्तिः), identifying (2) itself with the reflec- tion of Consciousness imagines (various) ideas (3) in the dream state. And the same inner organ (identifying itself with the body) imagines (4) objects external to itself in the waking state with respect to the sense-organs.

~N

Notes

We remember our dream experiences in the waking state. The dream experiences, which have the same nature as the waking ones, are known to be internal only in the waking state. The waking experi- ences are also mere ideas or thoughts of the perceiving mind.

~N

The phenomenon of dream fascinates man. It is of special importance to a seeker of Truth as it is the best example to understand the falsity of the waking world. The majority of people, however, are preoccupied in trying to know the meaning of objects seen in the dream. It is as meaningless as inquiring why one saw a pigeon, instead of a crow, perched on a tree in the waking state. Vedānta inquires into the mechanism of a dream.

~T

There is no reflection, there is no medium or anything; because it is mithyā. It is a very important thing to note, otherwise it can be very confusing. There is one vṛtti. Citicchāyā, reflection, reflecting medium, etc can be confusing. The whole blessed thing is mithyā. Every vṛtti is but consciousness and that vṛtti-consciousness is what is referred to as citicchāyā. That is the reflected consciousness we say; that is an expression. We have to understand what citicchāyā means.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Drg Drsya Viveka 10 Trans/Notes

DDV10

In the dissolution of the ego during deep sleep, the body also becomes unconscious. The half manifestation of ego is the dream state. The full manifestation of ego is the waking state.

~A

Ahaṅkāralaye suptau bhavet deho’pyacetanaḥ, ahaṅkāra-vikāsārdhaḥ svapnas-sarvastu jāgaraḥ.

अहंकार-लये – in the absorption of the ego; सुप्तौ – in deep sleep; भवेत् – becomes; देहः – the body; अपि – also; अचेतनः – unconscious; अहंकार-विकास-अर्धः – half manifestation of the ego; स्वप्नः – is the dream; सर्वः – full (manifestation of the ego); तु – indeed; जागरः – is the waking

The body also becomes unconscious in deep sleep when the ego is in absorption. The half manifestation of the ego is dream and its full (manifestation), the waking.

~T

सुप्तौ in deep sleep अहंकारलये when (the thought of) ego disappears देह: the body अपि also अचेतनः unconscious भवेत् becomes अहंकारविकासार्ध: the half manifestation of the ego स्वप्न: dream (भवति is) तु but सर्व: full (manifestation) जागरः waking state (भवति is).

In the state of deep sleep, when (the thought of) ego disappears, (1) the body also be- comes unconscious. The state in which there is a half manifestation of the ego is called the dream state, (2) and the state in which there is a full (3) manifestation of the ego is the state of waking.

~N

Notes

Vedānta defines deep sleep as the state in which the ego ceases to function. It is not destroyed but remains dormant.

The partial manifestation of the ego is the dream state. The ego identifies only with the subtle body (mind-intellect) but not the gross body. The mind projects the dream and the dream world and the ego identifies with these thoughts.

The total manifestation of the ego is the waking state. Here the ego identifies with both the subtle and the gross body and is technically called ‘viśva’, meaning complete.

It should be noted that these states belong only to the ego and not to the immutable Consciousness. These states, therefore, enjoy the same degree of reality. To us, however, the waking appears real and the dream illusory.

~T

Now the author talks about the function of seer 2, the mind, in a little more detail.

~P

Therefore, waking, dream and deep sleep, all of them are due to ahaṅkāra’s glory. Therefore, this whole glory is for ahaṅkāra, not for ātmā. Ahaṅkāra is mithyā, ātmā is there in all the three states of experience. The states are gained only by ahaṅkāra’s movement, puratraye krīḍati yastu jīvaḥ[22]. In fact, what has anvaya in all three states, what is available in all the three states, is only ātmā. Ahaṅkāra undergoes change ardha-vikāsa, pūrṇa-vikāsa and laya. Therefore, the variable factor is ahaṅkāra. Ahaṅkāra‘s manifestation is variable and what is invariable is consciousness; eṣa citiḥ na udeti na astam eti. Now.

~D

Quantum Isvara and Maya Stuff

Which came first? The waking dreamstate, the sleeping dreamstate, or the deep sleep state.

Consciousness is of course primary and is the only one of these three present in deep sleep.

The mind appears in consciousness as the sleeping dream, and the body appears in the mind as the waking dream.

In consciousness, does the dream mind appear and project a world body to act its dreams out? Like Isvara and Maya?

~A

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

The Play of Realization

1. Quantum Isvara and Maya Stuff

Which came first? The waking dreamstate, the sleeping dreamstate, or the deep sleep state.

Consciousness is of course primary and is the only one of these three present in deep sleep.

The mind appears in consciousness as the sleeping dream, and the body appears in the mind as the waking dream.

In consciousness, does the dream mind appear and project a world body to act its dreams out? Like Isvara and Maya?

2. Vidyaranya Says

Furthermore, is avidya simply the feedback of forgetting the world is appearing in the mind and the mind is appearing in consciousness, believing instead that dreams are projections of the waking world and not vice versa?

Vidyaranya says, "The half manifestation of ego is the dream state. The full manifestation of ego is the waking state."

And "Thought modifications of the inner mind identifying with the reflection of consciousness projects various ideas in the dream state, and in the waking state imagines objects outside with the senses."

a. On Sun Mountain: Purple Mountain Majesty

Driving the highway to the summit of Pikes Peak, I see bighorn sheep, and stop the car.

They’re less than a football field away but I still want to take a closer look and get a better picture. Desire gets the best of me.

Hopping from rock to rock, avoiding the fragile surface vegetation, I find myself breathing heavy, and although it’s been but a few minutes, I have to stop and catch my breath.

It suddenly dawns on me we’re in the rarified air of 13,000 feet of altitude. This first encounter with bighorn sheep has literally taken my breath away.

For these Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (ovis canadensis canadensis) are like angels. Their summer range lies above 10,000 ft. Like gods, they walk the heavens. Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

b. Isvara and Maya are Alright

There's this tendency to look at the surface suffering of the world and get all kinds of depressed knowing it will never change. I know it all too well.

Except within this movie, there's an unintended message, a deeper truth, a freudian slip if you will.

All shall be well, says Julian of Norwich. Isvara and Maya are alright tonight.

c. See Satcitananda

The material world cannot grow consciousness. Consciousness is the ground.

This subtle astral body is reflecting pure consciousness like a mirror reflects light. (Caution, the image in the mirror is just an illusion.) The reflection of consciousness is consciousness as the reflection of light is light.

Satcitananda is the source. Plug in, turn on, shine. See I am Satcitananda.

d. Mirror, mirror

The world is this false image of individual consciousness. As if universal consciousness can be divided.

Let this mirror be a subtle evolutionary astral body. Let this mirror be so subtle, it actually reflects pure consciousness.

Within the mirror there is a bizarro consciousness. Some call it samsara. Some know it as hell.

I am not in the mirror. I am the light reflecting off the mirror.

e. nondual haiku number nine

my trinity times

your trinity

equals nine.

existence is

electricity itself.

consciousness is the light.

ananda is that seeing

of the beauty

of the truth.

Drg Drsya Viveka 9 Trans/Notes

DDV9

Between the mutually related reflection of consciousness and ego, annihilation is not possible. But through the exhaustion of karma and realization, the other two respectively disappear.

~A

Sambandhinossator-nāsti nivṛttis-sahajasya tu, karmakṣayāt prabodhāt ca nivartete kramādubhe.

संबन्धिनोस्सतो – between the mutually related which are taken to be real; नास्ति – is not possible; निवृत्ति – annihilation; सहजस्य – of the natural (identification); तु – but; कर्म-क्षयात् – with the exhaustion of karma; प्रबोधात् – with direct Knowledge; च – and; निवर्तेते – are eliminated; क्रमात् – respectively; उभे – the other two

The natural (identification) between the mutually related (ego and reflection of Consciousness) cannot be annihilated. But the other two (due to karmas and due to delusion) are eliminated with the exhaustion of karma and with direct Knowledge respectively.

~T

सम्बन्धिनो: of the mutually related (ego and the reflection of Consciousness) सतो: of those that are taken to be real सहजस्य natural (तादात्म्यस्य of the identification) तु certainly निवृत्ति: annihilation नास्ति is not possible उभे the other two कर्मक्षयात् with the wearing away of the (results of) karma प्रबोधात् च and enlightenment क्रमात् respectively निवर्तेते disappear.

The mutual identification of the ego and the reflection of Consciousness, which (1) is natural, does (2) not cease as long as they are taken to be real. The other (3) two identifications disappear after the wearing (4) out of the result of karma and the attainment (5) of the knowledge of the highest Reality respectively.

~N

Notes

When we understand that the various identifications of the ego are the cause of bondage, we are anxious to end them. The verse, however, says that the natural identification between the ego and the reflection of Consciousness which gives rise to the knowership notion, cannot be annihilated. Then is not all previous discussions and talks of Liberation in vain? Here, it should be understood that the natural identification goes naturally. No effort can be put forth, nor is there a need to exert in order to end it. When the Self is realised, this identification drops automatically.

One may wonder that since all karmas end on Realisation, man would die the instant he realises the Self. This is most undesirable. If such were the case, there would be no living Master to teach! However, Realisation only negates the ego and its identification with the body. Man is thereafter not bound by the body. The body may remain or drop away, just like the pilgrim is not bound by the dog on the wayside. It may follow or not follow. This is called Jīvanmukti – Liberation while living. Hence with Self-realisation, all the three kinds of identification of the ego end simultaneously.

~T

Attainment, etc. The identification of the ego with the witnessing Consciousness (साक्षी चैतन्य) is due to error (भ्रान्ति) which is de- stroyed only by the attainment of Knowledge. Knowledge (ज्ञान) destroys ignorance (अज्ञान) and its effects. Ahankara or the ego is the effect of ignorance. Therefore it is also de- stroyed by Knowledge. Hence ahańkāra can no longer identify itself with the Witness after enlightenment, when it disappears in Brah- man.

The three kinds of identifications described above disappear simultaneously when the jīva realizes itself as Brahman.

~N

There is difference and non-difference. Sākṣī is mistaken to be ahaṅkāra. Ahaṅkāra is sākṣī and that is okay. But sākṣī is ahaṅkāra, sākṣī is antaḥkaraṇa, sākṣī is a sense organ is not okay.

~D

Consciousness, Pure Consciousness, and Mind

Identifying with consciousness is natural

but identifying with pure consciousness is delusional.

Identifying with consciousness is the best the mind can do

but identifying with pure consciousness is the worst.

I am, says the former.

I am something else, says the latter.

~A

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Consciousness, Pure Consciousness, and Mind

Identifying with consciousness is natural

but identifying with pure consciousness is delusional.

Identifying with consciousness is the best the mind can do

but identifying with pure consciousness is the worst.

I am, says the former.

I am something else, says the latter.

a. Naturally I Am

Ego identifying with reflected consciousness is natural; both manifestations in the subtle body are simultaneous.

Nisargayoga is all about this natural identity of ego with reflected awareness as expressed in 'I am'.

That 'I am' is like Vidyaranya's fiery iron ball.

b. A Labyrinth in Santa Fe

We are walking the labyrinth at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.

St Francis is the patron saint of this New Mexico city. Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy oversaw the building of the church in 1869 and beyond. Willa Cather wrote the book. I am writing this with a Lamy pen. Los Alamos is 33 miles away.

I could keep on going with these interconnections forever. Here’s one: I’m walking the labyrinth with my daughter and she bought me this fountain pen for Christmas.

Some say a labyrinth symbolizes the interior journey towards Christ consciousness. The original Greek labyrinth was constructed to hide the Minotaur from sacrifice. Nothing happens in the past. Everything is appearing in consciousness now.

c. On Drg 8 and Beyond

Egoic mind identifies with three entities: consciousness, the body, and the absolute. The first is natural, the second is karmic or evolutionary if you prefer, and the third is purely delusional. Let's investigate this last one for a minute.

Individual consciousness identifying with absolute consciousness is to cry. Free will is to laugh. This ignorant ego hasn't even understood universal consciousness yet, my love.

For universal consciousness may be an illusion but individual consciousness is absolutely unrealistic. This is the key to differentiating maya from avidya: enlightenment is in maya but not of avidya.

d. Effing Antichrist

Never deconstruct anything before knowing love. If necessary, let your god be love.

Love is not a science. That should tell you something.

Individual consciousness is the Antichrist. Isn't that obvious?

e. Love is not a science

Never deconstruct anything before knowing love. If necessary, let your god be love itself.

Love is not a science. That should tell you something.

Individual consciousness is the Antichrist. Isn't that fucking obvious by now?

The only thing you may truly do is love. Anything other than love is a virus.

Drg Drsya Viveka 8 Trans/Notes

DDV8

The ego identifies with the reflection of consciousness, the body, and also the witness. The first is natural, the second is due to karma, and the third is born of ignorance. 

~A

Ahaṅkārasya tādātmyaṁ cicchāyā-deha-sākṣibhiḥ, sahajaṁ karmajaṁ bhrānti-janyaṁ ca trividhaṁ kramāt.

अहंकारस्य – of the ego; तादात्म्यम् – the identification; चित्-छाया-देह-साक्षिभिः – with the reflection of Consciousness, body and the witness; सहजम् – natural; कर्मजम् – born of past action; भ्रान्तिजन्यम् – born of ignorance; च – and; त्रिविधम् – is of three kinds; क्रमात् – respectively

The identification of the ego with reflection of Consciousness, the body and the witness is of three kinds – natural, born of past actions and born of ignorance, respectively.

~T

अहंकारस्य of the ego तादात्म्यं identification चिच्छायादेहसाक्षिभि: with the reflection of Consciousness, body, and Witness क्रमात् respectively सहजं natural कर्मजं due to past karma भ्रान्तिजन्यं च and due to ignorance त्रिविधं of three kinds (भवति is).

The identification of the ego (1) with the reflection of Consciousness, the body, and the Witness are of three kinds, namely, natural, (2) due to (past) karma, (3) and due to ignorance, (4) respectively.

~N

Notes

The word tādātmya means identification. Thinking of ‘that’, ‘I’ become of the nature of ‘that’. This is called identification.

Sahajam tādātmyam:

The subtle body can by its very nature manifest Consciousness (verse 6). Consciousness is eternal and omnipresent, so its reflection too is potentially ever-present. The ego manifests itself under the influence of this reflection. There is a natural identification of the ego with the reflection, the instant the ego rises. For instance, whenever I stand in front of a mirror in a lighted room, my reflection comes into being. Sunlight cannot help but be reflected in a pool of water. This identification is expressed as the notion of knowership (jnātā). Knowing, however, is a characteristic of thought and not the Self.

Karmajam tādātmyam:

The present body too, is the result of actions performed in the past. The ego identifies with this body and says ‘I am a man’ or ‘I am a woman’. The identification is due to past actions. The ego is neither a man nor a woman. The body is only a mass of inert matter, yet I think that the body is alive.

Bhrānti-janyam tādātmyam:

Thus man falls into a vicious circle of birth and death (action-enjoyment-action), all because of the notion that he is finite. This notion is born due to the identification of the Witness Self with the ego. Ignorance of our true nature gives rise to this fundamental error. The Self is infinite Consciousness-Existence-Bliss. The ego is finite, inert and changing. The mutual superimposition of characteristics is due to non-apprehension of the Self. This delusion is the root cause of bondage. It has been in existence since beginningless time and shall continue to bind the individual till true Knowledge takes place.

~T

Ignorance of the real nature of Consciousness is called here भ्रान्ति (delusion) which is without beginning and cannot be described as real or unreal. This identification of the ahaṅkāra (ego) with the Witness (साक्षी चैतन्य) is based only upon ignorance (भ्रान्ति). It can be removed only by knowing the real nature of Consciousness. The experience resulting from this identification is ‘I am’ or ‘I exist’ (अहमस्मि).

~N

I am the sākṣī and I do not have connection with the mind but I am worried about the mind and its conditions and I say I am disturbed, I am happy, I am jealous, etc. In all such expressions I am connecting ‘I’ the sākṣī with the mind because of delusion. The whole Vedānta is about knowing that I do have no mind and that I do not have any connection with the mind. Therefore the conditions of the mind cannot make me a saṁsārī. I do not have this knowledge and so I feel connected to the mind and jumping to the tunes of the mind and throughout life I am trying to satisfy the unsatisfiable mind. It is all because I have bonded with the mind out of sheer delusion.

~P

Sahajam means the ahaṅkāra is a conscious entity naturally. What is the problem in this? There is no problem. Some people want to remove ego. What for? If you want to remove ego, ego becomes real. If it’s real you can’t remove it. If it is not real, you need not remove it.

The second one Is tādātmyaṁ between ahaṅkāra and deha. Both have become almost one and the same. The body is conscious due to ahaṅkāra identifying with the body. This is also not a problem. This is karmajam. This association is born of karma.

Third is tādātmyaṁ of ahaṅkāra with sākṣī. The conclusion that I am as good as the body is because of this tādātmyam. The sākṣī is not recognised at all because of tādātmyaṁ. Really speaking sākṣī is always sākṣī.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Drg Drsya Viveka 7 Trans/Notes

DDV7

Of the reflection of consciousness and ego, there is an identity like that of a heated iron ball. It’s further said that ego in turn identifies with the body causing it to attain consciousness too.

~A

Chāyā’haṅkārayor-aikyaṁ taptāyaḥ-piṇḍavan-matam, tadahaṅkāra-tādātmyāt dehaś-cetanatāmagāt.

छाया-अहंकारयोः – of the reflection (of Consciousness) and the ego; ऐक्यम् – the identity; तप्त – heated; अयःपिण्डवत् – like an iron ball; मतम् – it is considered; तत् अहंकार – that ego; तादात्म्यात् – due to identification (with the body); देहः – the body; चेतनताम् – consciousness (life); अगात् – has attained

It is considered (by the wise) that the identity of the reflection (of Consciousness) and the ego is like that of the heated iron ball. That (identified) ego (in turn) due to identification (with the body) enlivens the body.

~T

छायाहंकारयो: of the reflection and egoism ऐक्यं identity तप्त-अय: पिण्डवत् is like the identity of fire and the heated iron ball मतम् opinion (of the wise) तत् that अहंकार egoism तादात्म्यात् owing to the identification देह: body चेतनताम् consciousness अगात् has attained.

In the opinion of the wise, the identity of the reflection (of Consciousness) and of ego (1) is like the identity (2) of the fire and the (heated) iron ball. The body (3) having been identified with the ego (which has already identified itself with the reflection of Consciousness) passes for a conscious (4) entity.

~N

Notes

An iron ball is circular in shape, heavy in weight, black in colour and cold to touch. Fire is formless, weightless, bright in colour and hot to touch. When an iron ball is heated for a long time, fire envelops it so completely that we no longer perceive two different entities, but only a red hot fire ball. The ball now has the shape and weight of iron and the colour and touch of fire. Fire can never have weight, nor iron heat, but their characteristics seem to have become inseparably united. This mutual superimposition of characteristics is called ‘anyonya dharma adhyāsa’. Such a fire ball can, in turn, transfer heat to objects which come in contact with it.

The reflection of Consciousness is different from the ego. The reflection of Consciousness is sentient and unchanging. The ‘I’ notion or ego is inert and changing. The ego rises with every thought. The identification of the ego with the reflection of Consciousness brings into existence the ‘sentient ego’ or jīva.

~T

Conscious entity — That is, movement, etc., are ascribed to the body on account of this identification. Consciousness (चैतन्य) imparts the appearance of sentiency to all objects from egoism to the gross body, because it is the innermost essence of all. The body includes the places where the sense-organs are located. Therefore there is no separate identification with the sense-organs.

~N

Just as the fire and the iron ball get intimately connected, the mind and the reflected consciousness get intimately connected. This is the teaching of the tradition. This mind-RC (reflected consciousness) mixture comes in contact with the inert physical body at the time of every birth and the body borrows sentiency from the sentient mind. The mind borrows sentiency from the sākṣī and the body borrows sentiency from the mind and not from the sākṣī. The body becomes sentient because of its intimate contact with that mind, which has become sentient. The physical parts of the sense-organs in the body being available, the sense-organs become the seers. Thus seer 1 is formed. Seer 3, the sākṣī, makes the mind, seer 2. Seer 2 through the body, makes the sense-organs, seer 1. Sense-organs operate through the respective physical parts in the body. Thus seer 3 creates seer 2 and seer 2 creates seer 1.

~P

The being of aham, the consciousness of aham, is perceived as consciousness of the body. This mutual tādātmyam being there, one is taken for the other. This is sahajam, it is very natural, but it is a mistake. That is natural means avicāra-siddha, that it is a conclusion arrived at without any enquiry, without any pramāṇa. There is no analysis, no viveka. And so, an incorrect understanding, like the iron is taken to have the attribute of heat in hot-iron-ball, persists, unless it Is enquired into. If we look into it, we learn that the heat in the iron belongs to the fire, even though they are together. We understand which belongs to what. Heat belongs to the fire, the ballness belongs to the iron in the perception of a fireball and hot iron. In spite of both of them being together, our understanding is with viveka. If this viveka is not there, there is confusion.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

On DDV 6: Reflections of Consciousness

Call the central nervous system, the subtle body. Call this subtle body, organic chemicals and functional compounds. Call its amplification of intelligence, a reflection of pure consciousness. Call this mind and ego complex, a superimposition of ignorance upon the self.

Do not mistake the mind’s synthesis of data for a means of knowing reality.  At best, the mind can lead you to the water. For the mind is an instrument of avidya, using all the wrong ways to drink in truth.

Pure consciousness may be indescribable, no matter what kind of mathematics are being used, but truth is not unknowable. Only to the mind is reality unknown. To nonconceptual being, that’s all that’s known.

a. Almost Mile High in the White Mountains

I never hiked Mount Washington. I might have been solo-hiking the Whites for therapeutic purposes, but I wasn't crazy. The almost mile-high (5249') Mount Lafayette would be my Everest.

It all started on a crystal clear blue June day with temperatures of 70° at the trailhead. Later it would be in the '50s on the summit where one can see for miles and miles and miles.

Somewhere where the birches disappeared, I hit the wall. Whether it was endorphins or just seeing through negative thoughts I cannot say but I broke through and soon was catching the first real view.

From then on, I wasn't hiking the mountain as much as it was hiking me. To the tree line and beyond! Where the woods become a desert and Henry David is turning into Anthony the Great.

At the summit, sitting on an outcrop facing east towards Owl's Head and the surrounding Pemigewasset Wilderness, I am taking 13 panoramic photographs with my Canon A1, later setting them in a purple mat and framing that in rosewood. Thirty years later it still hangs behind my head like a fading halo.

b. I'm Ananda When You Smile

Reflected consciousness is amplified consciousness. In other words, consciousness is foundational, and the body-mind complex doesn't produce it but only makes it louder.

Like pure consciousness is eternal music and the body-mind complex is like my Kenwood receiver. Jackie Wilson said.

Lightning strikes and the wilderness burns. Fire is fire.

c. The Happiness of Satcitananda

Appearance or not, the world exists. 

The world exists but only I am existence and consciousness. Eka jiva vada.

Knowing that is the happiness of satcitananda. Not that I know it all the time. And not that there's anything wrong with that.

e. Satcitananda Calling

Being Existence Presence Consciousness Awareness Intelligence Holistic Bliss Infinity—say it soft enough and sound precocious.

Nirguna Brahman is like the black hole. Saguna Brahman is like a sun.

Gaia is as Maya. Its people are eight billion moons. Werewolves of Brahman. Om!

f. ATTN:LOVE

Attention to thought equals attention minus thought.

Attention minus thought equals pure consciousness.

I, pure consciousness, am like the deepest sea.

Wave-particle duality is purely superficial to me.