Introducing ADVAITA by Harish Damodaran (read aloud books txt) 📖

ignorance. The soul was thinking that it was a worldly creature. But through the knowledge generated by the Vedantic text “Tat tvam asi” (that thou art) the self removes its wrong thought and realizes its true nature.

Again, positively, liberation means the attainment of perfect bliss. Once liberated, the Jiva attains unparalleled happiness. This happiness or infinite bliss is not extrinsic. It is a result of the newly attained power of the discrimination of the eternal from the non-eternal. It is of the nature of Brahman and hence, is the supreme bliss. Here, the happiness and the one who experiences the happiness know no distinctions because the knower of happiness becomes one with the happiness. That is the knower of Brahman becomes one with the Brahman.
To realize the happiness of BrahmaJnana one does not need any ideal, or any effort, since it is eternally established. What is required is the cessation of ignorance and when that is done, the self-luminous Brahman shines of its own accord.

One can achieve mukti while he is alive. This stage of release-while-living is called Jivan mukti. The soul in such a state of release is called Jivan mukta. A Jivan mukta acts as if not living in this world, but he lives in it. He is beyond the world. He does Karmas, but the Karmas are no longer attached to him since he is a released one. The purpose of his Karma is the welfare of the world or loka samgraha.

Jivan Mukta transcends the barriers produced by logic, morality and religion. He guides the world through his acts, speech and thought. He is the spokesman of the Absolute. He is the witness of all things and thoughts, but without the least interest in or attachment with them. He has no desire since he owns the most desired position of release. Though he appears to be living in the world, he is completely beyond its scope and limits.

Though knowledge of absolute reality (BrahmaJnana) removes avidya, the Jivan Mukta’s prarabdha Karmas remain. Because of this prarabdha Karma, he has to remain in this world, for the time being. He lives till he finishes off his prarabdha Karma and then leaves his body. This kind of release is called Videhamukti; because, it is the release without the body.

Unlike the Jivan Mukta, the Videhamukta cannot help society. Only the Jivan Mukta can do service for the sake of the society.

Hence, Advaita gives very much importance to the state of Jivanmukti. The Jivan Mukta, being himself liberated, can help others to attain liberation. In the world, he appears as an embodiment of true life, true love and true light. He is a fountain-head of Brahmanubhuti who can lead the aspirants towards Brahman.

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Publication Date: 11-11-2010

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