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Gita Lesson - 0404: Nature of Reality

Bhagavad Gita
Unit - 04
Lesson - 0404: Nature of Reality
By Raja Subramaniyan

The moon is not real for the blind. Since they do not see the moon, it does not exist for them. However, the wise among the blind listen to others and figure out what the moon is, based on the description given to them. Once they understand, the moon becomes a reality to them.

In general, only what we experience is real to us. What we do not experience is not real to us until we enquire. If the blind person does not enquire, the moon is not real for him.

Enquiry is more important than experience. Sometimes, enquiry will show the reality while the experience will show just the opposite as in the case of sun moving across the morning sky. On enquiry, if we find that the reality is different from our experience, we need to accept the result of the enquiry and not hold on to our experience.

An enquiry may show a reality that we do not experience (like the moon of the blind) or it may show that what we experience is not a reality (like the sun of the morning sky). In either case, we need to trust our enquiry and dismiss our experience so that we are aware of the reality.

When the enquiry proves that our experience is wrong, we do not call the experience as unreal or false because the experience continues in spite of the right knowledge. For example, the sky appears to be blue. On scientific enquiry, we find out that the space above is colorless. Our experience of the blue color cannot be declared as unreal or false. It is an illusion.

To be declared as real, an entity has to meet three conditions.

1. It should be present all the time. (Past, present and future)

2. It should remain changeless.

3. It should be independent. (To exist it must not depend on some other entity)

An entity is an illusion if it meets the following three conditions.

1. It is present now. There was a time in the past when it did not exist. There will be a time when it will not be present.

2. It keeps changing.

3. It depends on something else for its existence.

If we examine any entity that is experienced by us, we will find that it is an illusion. The consciousness, which enables us to experience, alone meets the conditions of reality.

This is explained with the example of a rope that is seen as a snake at twilight.

The rope was there in the morning, it is there in the evening and it will be there in the night. It remains changeless all through the day. Even if one does not experience the rope (and sees the snake instead), the rope is real. That means the existence of rope is not dependent on anything. Thus, in relation to the snake, rope meets all the three conditions. Therefore, rope could be stated as real.

The snake was experienced during twilight. Prior to the experience, it was not there and once the truth is learnt, it disappears. The existence of the snake depends on the existence of the rope.

The snake is not real since it did not meet the essential conditions for us to declare that it is real. However, the person who sees the snake in the rope, experiences it and therefore he cannot conclude that it is unreal.

That, which is experienced, but on enquiry fails the test of existence is neither real nor unreal. It is called an illusion. It cannot be said to be unreal, because it is available for experience (during twilight). It is not real, although it is experienced.

Teaching 6: You are the only reality. The universe is an illusion.

From this teaching, we can derive the following:

1. I am the only reality and I will never die.

2. The universe is an illusion and it will keep changing.

3. I am not affected by the changes in the universe.

4. Objects, situations and events in life will change and I am permanent.

5. The universe depends on me for its existence and I do not depend on anything for my existence.

Weather keeps changing (from hot to cold etc) and therefore it does not stand the test of reality. Weather changes can affect our body since both of them belong to the realm of changes and therefore are part of the illusion. I am the only reality. The real is not disturbed or affected by the illusion, just as the mirage water does not wet the sand.

Thus, even though the universe is experienced, on enquiry, it does not stand the test of reality and therefore it is nonexistent. However, since it is experienced, we cannot say that it is false. That which is not real but appears to be real is an illusion. Therefore, the universe, which includes our body mind complex, is an illusion. The real is not disturbed or affected by the illusion, just as drowning in the dream does not physically affect the one who is sleeping.

Chapter 2: Wisdom is the solution [Verse: 16 2.16]

There is no existence for the unreal. There is no non-existence for the real. This truth is understood by the wise studying the nature of both.

Gita Lesson - 0403: Meaning of Atman << Home >> Gita Lesson - 0405: Beyond Time and Space

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