Page 36 - November Cover 2017.pmd

that she has it already around concept of videha-mukti – libera-
her neck. All sädhanäs lead to tion without the body (after
jïäna, and jïäna alone can give death) is accepted by almost
liberation by pointing out: You everyone. In deep sleep, I have
are already that! no idea of body, time, space or
The scriptures describe creation – I am free. In the same
sädhanä as three-fold: ätmä vä are way, videha-mukti is liberation
drañöavyaù çrotavyo mantavyo when there is no physical exist-
1
nididhyäsitavyaù – ätmä is to be ence.
known (by) listening (çravanam) However, if we posit that
to the scriptures, contemplation liberation is possible only when
(mananam) on what is heard, the physical body drops, it will
and then, if the feeling of fini- mean that the moment the
tude continues, by meditating student realizes the Truth, he
(nididhyäsanam) upon it. Çravaëa will drop down dead! If he
begins with descriptions of continues to live, then he is not
creation, païcékaraëa, païcakoñas liberated, implying that he is
etc. and culminates with the still ignorant (ajïäné). Further,
mahäväkyas like ‘That thou art’ the Guru who imparts the
and ‘This ätmä is Brahman’. knowledge will be an ajïäné by
When this knowledge is inter- virtue of being alive!
nalized, one recognizes one’s This is unacceptable. Now
own infinite nature. we will examine jévan-mukti,
liberation while the physical
Types of Liberation body is still alive. The word

In advaita-vedänta, liberation jévan indicates an entity, which
means total freedom. So the is alive and the word mukti
denotes a sense of liberation.
1 Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 4.5.6 Jévan shows that there is transi-

In memory of Thoughtless action and actionless
Smt. SAVITRI KOHLI thought – both cause sorrow and
suffering. So act thoughtfully.
Texas, U.S.A.
Swami Chinmayananda

Tapovan Prasad 36 November 2017