TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0238 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

|| 3.04 | UNITY BEHIND DIVERSITY ||

Becoming the object seems to be the aim of the subject in its processes of desireful knowledge .

The greater the proximity of the object to the subject , that is , the lesser the distance between the subject and the object , the greater is the happiness derived ; whereby we are able to deduce that the least distance , nay , the loss of distance itself in a state of identity , a state of infinite oneness , where things lose their separateness , where perception and relatedness are no more , where the subject and the object coalesce and mere " Be "-ness seems to be the reality , should be the abode of supreme bliss .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0239 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

This consciousness-mass is the one integration of knowledge where it is no more a means of knowing but the essence , the existence and the content in itself .

The Upanishads are keen about turning our attention to this truth .

" Arise ! Awake ! Obtaining persons of wisdom , know ( it ) . " ( Katha Up , III . 14 )

" Those who know this become immortal ; but others go only to sorrow . " ( Brih . Up , IV . 4 . 14 )

Therefore , the imperative " Know Thyself " .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0240 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

The Svetasvatara Upanishad is emphatic that only

" when humans roll up space , as if it were a piece of leather , will there be an end of sorrow without the knowledge of the Divine Being " ( VI . 20 ) .

It further affirms that there is nothing more to be known than this essence of the Self , nothing is there higher than this , nothing greater ever existent .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0241 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

There is no other way for going over there — na anyah pantha vidyate ayanaya — than to know that Purusha who shines like the sun beyond the realm of the darkness of ignorance .

To know It is to be saved . Not to know It is death .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0242 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

The ordinary person of the world has one's mind and senses turned extrovert .

Childish , one runs after external pleasures and walks into the net of death which pervades all created things .

The wise , however , knowing the Immortal , seek not that Eternal Being among things fleeting here .

Some blessed one turns one's gaze inward and beholds the glorious light of the Self .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0243 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

This Self is dearer than the dearest of things , this Self is nearer than the nearest .

If one would speak of anything else than the Self as dear , one would certainly lose what one holds as dear .

One should adore the Self alone as dear .

One who adores the Self alone as dear does not lose what one holds as dear .

The Self is Imperishable .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0244 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

It is further suggested that by going to the source of things we know the essential nature of things , even as by grasping the drum or the beater of the drum we grasp the sound produced by the drum .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0245 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

The turning back from the network of name and form to the original Truth-Consciousness is what is instructed about through various similes and illustrations .

" This is the Veda that the Brahmanas know . Thereby I know whatever is to be known . " ( Brih . Up , V . 1 . 1 )

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0246 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

Many of us are mere childish wiseacres who are sunk variously in the manifold nescience and proudly think that we have accomplished our aim ( vide Mund . Up , I . 2 . 9 ) !

The person of the world , busy with the play-toys of one's insane dream , forgets to look within into the Antaryamin-Atman which controls all the manifested forms outside .

TROTA | CHAPTER 3 | SEL0247 | SWAMI KRISHNANANDA

This Atman is the great Unity , and therefore the highest Freedom , for

" Verily , from duality arises fear " . ( Brih Up , I . 4 . 2 )