Samayasara OR Nature of Self

Author(s): A Chakravarti
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 72

INTRODUCTION
lxxi
to another person, who thinks of another thing, but if this subject object dualism is transcended and if we are left with one only without a second then whereby and whom one would hear and whereby and whom one would speak to, whereby and whom one would understand Naturally all objects of thinking and consciousness would cease to be because consciousness implies duality Unity cannot therefore accommodate consciousness Thus we have not only the identification of subject object into one soul but the identification of the universe with the one soul Thus we obtain an unqualified advaita, an uncompromising advaitism diametrically opposed to Aajatasatru's doctrine of the two kinds of Brahman This conflict only proves that we don't have a systematic doctrine worked out in the Upanishads but we have embodied therein the germs of all possible speculations Next we are in Janaka's court, and we meet there the great Yagnavalkya again. Janaka was going to perform a great sacrifice. Several learned Brahmins were assembled. Janaka had a desire to know which of these Brahmans was the most learned He offered a tempting prize of 1000 cows with ten gold coins tied to each horn “Oh the venerable Brahmins! Let him who is the cleverest among you drive these cows." No one came forward Yagnavalkya said to his disciple “Drive these cattle home.” This excited the other Brahmans who challenged him to a metaphysical discussion. He proved himself more than a match to these rivals Several eminent scholars tried their strength with Yagnavalkya. But no one of them would stand his cross examination Finally tuin it was the truth of a lady philosopher-Gargi. She proposes three important questions as to the nature of the Imperishable and the Ultimatė. The way in which she addresses Yagnavalkya is expressive of hei real greatness. She announces that if Yagnavalkya answers all her questions then they must all recognise and acknowledge that. they are vanquished and disgraced Three questions proposed by Gargi were all about the self indestructible both in the individual and in the Universe. Yagnavalkya answered all of them to the great satisfaction of the questioner. The whole physical universe ultimately depends upon space and space itself ultimately depends upon the atman. This is the meaning of his