152. Facets of Paramatma

Krishna says, “I am the Vedic ritual; sacrifice; oblation offered to the ancestors. I am the medicinal herb; the mantra (chant); ajya (clarified butter); agni (fire) and the act of offering (9.16). Of this universe, I am the father; I am also the mother, the sustainer, and the grandfather. I am the purifier, the goal of knowledge, the sacred syllable Om. I am the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, and the Yajur Veda” (9.17).

“I am the ultimate goal, the upholder, Lord, Witness, Abode, Shelter, and Friend. I am Origin, Pralay (cosmic end), and the Foundation, Treasure house, and Eternal Seed (9.18). I radiate heat and give or withhold the rain. I am Amrit (immortality) as well as Mrityu (death). I am the ‘Sat’ (real or being) as well as ‘Asat’ (unreal or illusion)” (9.19).

If the all-inclusive existence had to describe itself for our understanding, it would sound like this. The context and words used are of the times when the Gita was delivered to Arjuna.

Krishna earlier told Arjuna to understand ‘sat’ and ‘asat’ (2.16) like the proverbial rope and illusory snake which is the approach of sankhya yoga. Now Krishna says that He is both ‘sat’ as well as ‘asat’ which is bhakti yoga. It is the attainment of the ability to distinguish between sat and asat, and to subsequently realise that both are ultimately Him alone.

These facets help us ascertain that we are firmly on the path towards realizing Paramatma if we remember Him whenever we get a glimpse of any one of these examples. It is as simple as remembering Paramatma when we see rain; remembering Him when we see birth as well as death; when we see fire. Essentially, it is developing an attitude to see Him in everything around us.