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A few comments are relevant at this stage. First, revelation and reason supplement each other. What scripture reveals is made intelligible by means of reasoning; and reasoning is guided by scripture. Second, inquiry (vicara) which is indispensable for knowing the truth comes to an end only when the goal is reached. Third, one will be able to follow the logic of the dialogue between Varu.a and Bh.gu only when it is closely examined against the background of the narrative contained in the previous section of the Upanişad. Fourth, matter, life, mind, and intelligence through which Bh.gu moves in his metaphysical exploration are aspects of reality in its manifested condition, in the state of becoming. Many of us are tempted to say on prima facie consideration that matter is the reality. There are philosophers who hold the view that everything can be explained in terms of matter and motion. Further inquiry reveals that life which shows a higher organizational complexity cannot be explained in terms of matter. So is the case with mind and intelligence, each of which functions as an organizing principle at higher levels. To abstract any of these principles out of the whole and consider it by itself will amount to have a fragmented view of the reality. Matter, life, mind, and intelligence--all these are the manifestations of the reality; they constitute a hierarchy with matter, which is gross, at the bottom and the Spirit, or the Self, which is subtle, at the top.
The analysis of the grades of existence, or levels of reality, from matter to Spirit is from the metaphysical perspective. We can also view them from the axiological side. The life of human beings is at different levelsmaterial, vital, mental, intellectual, and spiritual, because they are endowed with matter, life, mind, intellect, and Spirit; and the different values they pursue constitute a hierarchy. Bodily values are the lowest while spiritual value is the highest. The higher value, it is necessary to emphasize, does not annul the lower value, but fulfils it. The Upanisad says that the wise one, who has realized Brahman and who remains as Brahman, attains all desires. The liberated person is in harmony with himself and also in harmony with all. Commenting on the life of a jivan-mukta (the liberated-in-life), Radhakrishnan observes:
The enlightened one attains unity with the All. He expresses wonder that the individual with all limitations has been able to shake them off and become one with the All. To get at the Real, we must get behind the forms of matter, the forms of life, the forms of mind, the forms of intellect. By removing the sheaths, by shaking off the bodies, we realize the Highest. This is the meaning of vastrapahara.a. "Across my threshold na
ked all must pass."12 "EVERYTHING IS DEAR FOR THE SAKE OF THE SELF.”
The B.hadara.yaka Upanisad is the greatest of the Upanisads-great
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| SR No. | 007005 |
| Book Title | World of Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave |
| Publisher | Shanti Prakashan |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 1002 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 30 MB |