Class Notes by Sharmila

Bhagavan Krishna lived in Gokula, where “kula” means family and “Go” means cows, but it also means senses. Gokula became vibrant when Bhagavan Krishna came. The same applies to us, our senses become vibrant only with the touch of life.

We should feel Devi when we feel space, feel the wind, see the sun, when we groom (using water), and when we walk — because the elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) are present because of Devi.

Aparokshanubhuti shared with us the macro look at the means and ends. Drg Drsya Viveka is giving us the same look from the micro. We go from the elevated perspective to the practical perspective through Vichara. By reflecting, one stops taking for granted one’s senses and elements. When we stop taking for granted, then we stop generalizing — particularly the general understanding of enlightenment and joy.

In chapter 2, verse 11 of the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavan Krishna tells Arjuna “Na anushochanti PanditaaH”, which means that the wise do not grieve, that is — ‘the wise smile’. In order to do this (smile) we should contemplate on the Truth.

The first verse in Srimad Bhagavatam ends with “Satyam Param Dheemahi”, meaning ‘contemplate on the Truth (Existence)’. In order to do this (contemplate on Truth), we should know that we are not what we are seeing.

The first verse of Drg Drsya Viveka says “Na tu Drshyate” — meaning you are not what you are seeing.

Once we strengthen ourself with ‘I am not what I am seeing’, then we become contemplative on the Truth and then we can smile.

Recap: In verse 2, Acharya Shankara takes us from the articles to our eyes. In verse 3, He takes us from eyes to thoughts. In verse 4, He takes us from thoughts to awareness. This is a “if-then” model. If there are thoughts then there has to be awareness.

Verse 5: “Na Udeti” means there is no rising and “Na Astam” means there is no setting. When we say rising and setting, then we think of the Sun. The Sun here is indicative of ‘articles’. Only articles rise and set. These articles are seen by the eyes. Throughout Drg Drsya Viveka there is a poetry vibration on ‘seeing’. Seeing should be interpreted as depending. We tend to depend on all that we see. But this is not the nature of awareness. Awareness is independent.

If we feel everything we see is a dream or Brahman (infinity), then we can get out of the trap of dependence. If we have any other relationship with articles other than being a dream or Brahman then we are tricking ourselves and we are trapped.

“Vriddhim” means growing and “Kshayam” means shrinking (aging). Growing and aging makes us think of the body (or the eyes). The Spirit does not grow and age. In Srimad Bhagavatam, the body is described as Gandharva Loka. Gandharvas are special musicians who never stay in one place (like Rishi Narada). Our bodies are the same way, like the moving clouds, and so cannot be the Spirit.

We think our thoughts have their own light. Our thoughts are constantly changing, and we know they are changing. We cannot depend much on that which is changing. Awareness is not changing, awareness is what allows us to know the thoughts and our thoughts are not immediate. In the Ramayana, when Sugriva is directing all the monkeys to look for Devi Sita, millions of monkeys go east and north and west. Only a handful of them go South. The last one to go seek Bhagavan Rama’s blessings was Hanumanji. Symbolically, all these monkeys represent thoughts and they go in every direction. The Southern direction here really means ‘within’. The last one to go is Hanumanji — and He is the thought “Aham Brahmasmi”. When Hanumanji comes back, Bhagavan Rama embraces Him , so now the “Aham Brahmasmi” is no longer a thought and is one with awareness.

Awareness shines without any medium (Sadhana). If we are at the ends (Sadhya), then we don’t need the means any more. Awareness is the ends. If there is the illumined, then there has to be illumination. If there is illumination, there does not have to be the illumined. The “I” does not rise or set, does not grow or decay, it does not need help ! Divya means to shine. The one who knows that is a Devi. When one re asserts themselves as a Devi, knowing illumination, one becomes dependable. Bhagavan Krishna is one who is most dependable and so is the most lovable. The details help us with the specific understanding from the general understanding so that we love the Self.