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 Ṛig 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, Pralaya (cosmic end), and the Foundation, treasure house, and Eternal Seed (9.18). I radiate heat and give or withhold the rain. I am amrutam (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 given to Arjun. 

Krishna earlier told Arjun to understand 'sat' and 'asat' (2.16) like the proverbial rope and illusionary snake which is the approach of Sankhya Yoga. Now Krishna says that HE is both 'sat' as well as 'asat' which is Bhakti Yoga. One path to Paramatma is to attain the ability to separate 'sat' and 'asat' and another is to realise that they are both HIM. 

These examples help us ascertain that we are on the firm path towards realising Paramatma as long as we can 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.

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