Vedas 14 - The Atman Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Vedas 14 - The Atman

Rating: 5.0


‘Atman' is the Great
Unborn Soul,
Undying,
Unaffected,
Eternal and Enlightened!

‘Atman' just like
The ‘Brahman', defined by
The Upanishadic philosophers as the
The world ground, emphasising the fact that
Brahman and Atman as not different or separate.

Like the oil in sesame seeds,
Like the butter in the milk,
Like the water in river beds,
Like the fire in the wood,
So is the Self realised in the Self.

'The Atman is Self- conscious
Brahman is identical with
The Atman -The Self consciousness!
Upanishadic philosophers establish Reality
On the firm footing of Self consciousness.'

'God to them is not God, unless
He is identical with Self consciousness!
Reality is not reality, if it does not express,
Throughout its structure,
The marks of pure Self consciousness.'

Thursday, June 21, 2018
Topic(s) of this poem: philosophy,scriptural
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
When a man sets out in search of Truth, through austerity and discipline, seeks to realise the Supreme Reality, the invisible becomes visible. Without intense effort, invisible shall for ever, remain invisible.The last two verses of this poem are exact words of the scholars who have unitedly and untiringly worked on this subject. Let us not doubt them. Let us study together this esoteric subject with utmost faith and trust. Those who seek further explanation, may refer to books on Upanishads.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Robert Murray Smith 21 June 2018

A very good write Geeta. So interesting.++10

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Thank you Robert for your blessed words. You start my day on a positive note.

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Unnikrishnan E S 22 June 2018

Hi Geeta, The Katha Upanishad explains Atman as immanent and transcendent innermost essence of each human being and living creature, that this is one, even though the external forms of living creatures manifest in different forms. As the one fire, after it has entered the world, though one, takes different forms according to whatever it burns, so does the internal Ātman of all living beings, though one, takes a form according to whatever He enters and is outside all forms.

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Glen Kappy 30 June 2018

And another thought so much related to the idea of the Self revealed in or by the Self, St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians says, The things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned; one cannot know or recognize the Spirit except by that Spirit. So those of us who do know can only come to this knowledge by grace. It’s all by and from God—may He be praised in your life, Geeta, and mine, this God who is Love. -Glen

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Glen Kappy 30 June 2018

Hi, Geeta! In response—how different the meanings and experiences of self-consciousness and Self-consciousness. The one to awkwardness or strutting or projecting a mask or persona. The other to a forgetting of the small self or ego because it’s lost in, enthralled by, the Self which is God—the I Am that I Am or I will be who I will be—which are alternate renderings of the Hebrew as God spoke to Moses as recorded in the book of Exodus. -Glen

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Rajnish Manga 24 June 2018

I will have to read it a couple of times more to understand the finer details. I agree with you when you say that through austerity and discipline, the invisible becomes visible to a true seeker. Without intense effort, invisible shall for ever, remain invisible. This part about Atman- It's so profound. Thanks, Geeta ji.

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The subject of Brahman or Atman, is highly esoteric, mystical, that immediate grasping is very difficult. It requires a lot of 'Sadhana' or austerity to get a glimpse of it. Yes, truly, it is so profound! Thanks a lot Rajnish ji. Stay blessed always.

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Unnikrishnan E S 22 June 2018

Hi, Such is the knowledge contained in Vedas and Upanishads. The knowledge attained by the holy souls through life long penance and search. Thank you for acquainting us with this knowledge. And, knowledge is power, the power to know oneself, through which, to understand the world and the Supreme Being. Wonderful poem. You have contained the meaning of the concept elaborated in the scripts, including Bhagawat Gita in just a few simple word. Brilliant write.

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Thank you so much for your kind support through elaborate explanation of the subject. I feel happy and comforted to know that you are walking along with me in search of gaining Vedic knowledge and what can be better than sharing this powerful knowledge with our dear poets of Poem Hunter.. Stay blessed Unni. :)

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Unnikrishnan E S 22 June 2018

Part 3 Brihadaranyaka Upanishad describes Atman as Brahman (universal absolute; supreme soul) , and associates it with everything one is, everything one can be, one's free will, one's desire, what one does, what one doesn't do, the good in oneself, the bad in oneself.

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