Passage 8

The "I" principle is like a flowing river

Here is an example. You have a block of ice. No one terms it as water. Nevertheless the ice block is full of water. Without water there can be no ice. This means that ice is one form of water and is entirely based on it. Likewise, for the body, the mind, etc., the basis is the Chith-Shakthi (the spiritual element) known as "I." It is the Prajna-Shakthi. To give another illustration. You go to the Ganga with ten tumblers and fill them with Ganga water. All the tumblers contain Ganga water, but the Ganga is different from them. The "I" principle is like the flowing river Ganga. This infinite "I" principle appears in a myriad objects in multifarious forms. All these objects have emanated from the infinite "I." They are fragments of the Infinite like the Ganga water in each tumbler. Similarly, in the body, the mind, the intellect, etc. the Prajna-Shakthi of (the integrated awareness) "I" is present. All these have emerged from the Infinite and are manifestations of it. Today, in the modern world, there is no attempt at expounding the unity that underlies the diversity. What is the reason for this? It is because many ancient sayings are interpreted in different ways. For instance, there is the saying: "Shareeram Adhyam khalu Dharma Sadhanam" (for the achievement of righteousness the body is primary). The meaning of this aphorism is that the body is given to you for the pursuit of Dharma. Another aphorism is: "Sarvam khalu idham Brahma" (Verily, all this is Brahman). The entire creation is pervaded by Brahman (the Universal Absolute). Then there is "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am the Brahman). It means: "I am the embodiment of the Divine Consciousness." The Sastras make such pronouncements on one side. On the other, some unseemly slokas are recited at the conclusion of traditional ritual worship in Brahmin houses. "Papoham, Papakarmaham Papatma, Papasambhavah" (I am sin itself, I am a committer of sin, I am a sinful soul, I am born out of sin). This is a prayer in which the worshipper attributes sin not only to himself but even to his forebears. You may well imagine how unseemly all this is. Such prayers were devised to induce in the pious a sense of guilt and make them atone for their "sins" by making offerings to the priestly class.