Holistic Science of Life and Living

Author(s): Vitrag Vignan Charitable Research Foundation
Publisher: Vitrag Vignan Charitable Research Foundation

Page 17

Of course many learned pandits have commented on this mantra and its interpretation. But I,
as one familiar with the quest of modern science wish to offer you my own interpretation. The first question concerns the working and perhaps the very purpose of the mind or to stretch a little, of consciousness. This certainly is the frontier area of research for scientists today. It involves physicists, biologists, psychologists and even mathematicians and information science. The wording of the question is some three thousand years old and appropriate to that age. But I hope my interpretation is more appropriate to our age. The second question concerns an equally deep problem. It is about the origin and functioning of life itself. This is also a problem of great interest to modern science, as you all know. The third question is about the speech. I interpret the word "speech" as basically communication not only between humans but also between all forms of life. How do we communicate is the subject of the science of linguistics which again attracts many computer scientists, biologists and psychologist. Communication between men and machines is a frontier area of research. Finally the last question talks about eyes and ears. This again I interpret as a mode of acquiring information or cognition. How do we know? We want knowledge of the external world and how it impacts our senses and through our senses our brain and mind. The development of quantum theory in the last century has brought to the fore the question of the relationship between the observed system and the observer. I do not go into any details here. I only wish to emphasize the point that scientists (natural philosophers) and religious philosophers follow similar paths of inquiry.
The answer to these questions occupies the rest of the "Kena Upanishad". Basically, if I understand correctly, it says that behind all these objects and processes, there is a single universal element to understand which Rushis and Scientists struggle alike and knowing, which releases one from all bonds. The element is almost incomprehensible and to describe it one has to use lots of "not this", "not that" etc.
I find the answer given in the "Nirvan Ashtakam" most beautiful.
अहं निर्विकल्पः निराकाररूपः
विभूळप्य सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम्।
सदा मे समत्वं न मुक्तिर्न बन्धः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहं ।।
17 | Holistic Science of Life & Living Vol. 1 May 2014