Tulsi Prajna 1993 01

SR No.: 524573
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 156
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 9 MB

Page 66

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1. Self-Understanding:
TULSI PRAJNĀ
CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS
It is not the lengthly labrynth of linguistic elaborations which can clarify the comprehensive import of even small words. Prem (4) is only two and a half letter word, and so is Aatma (3). But the challenge lies in understanding the limitless significance of such two and a half letter words! The word "Atma" or SELF, carries connotations of the immeasurable depths of oceans, unscalable heights of Heaven and incomprehensible expanse of the Cosmos. The state of Selfunderstanding as visualized by saints, philosophers, or even concretized by scientists and psychololgists, may be seen as one of the highest achievements of mankind. The process leading to the attainment of this coveted state is equally challenging, and demands dedication, devotion, and determination from the Sadhak. Realization of this celestial aim. however, fills the individual with an indescribable sense of bliss.
January-March 1993
पोथी पढ़ पढ़ जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय । ढाई अक्षर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय ।।
In this eternal quest of such a bliss, man has progressively formulated several knowledge-fields for understanding his SELF. Today he is surrounded by a host of such Disciplines like Philosophy. Psychology, Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Sociology, Anthropology, and even Astronomy, Physical, Natural and Social Sciences. All the fund of knowledge contained within these disciplines. however. has not been separately adequate in his pursuit. At times, it has perhaps made the individual's requisite understanding of his SELF even more perplexing for him; his fragmented approach may have only confused him. One modern scholar, Ralph Linton, has rightly indicated this situation by observing that perhaps today we may need to develop New Discipline integrating knowledge-items from all these fields in order to comprehensively understand the SELF. It would be a global approach with an inter-disciplinary effort to accomplish this Herculian task. In just one section of this small paper, therefore, I do not profess to present such an ideal conceptual clarification of this most comprehensively meangingful term. With trepidation and utmost humility. I only propose to attempt a few general clarifications of the term, a brief reference to the vital relation of Guidance to Selfunderstanding, and the implicit integrality of both these processes in our teachereducation programmes.
(a) General Clarifications:
Attaining the state of Self-Understanding may be viewed as a Sadhana being blessed with the rays of light illuminating the dark chamber of ignorance. To start such a Sadhana, the requisite mental state is that of Consciousness. Generally, an individual's consciousness tends to function with respect to others. He tends