Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 126

Upanişadic influence on...
117 based on Brahman. . Whatever breathing thing that is here, whether moving or flying, and whatever is stationary, all this is guided by selfconsciousness (Prajña ). Tbey are rooted in self-consciousness. It is the basis of the world.BC We are also told in the Katha Upan işad that there is no multiplicity or plurality wbatsoever. He goes from death to death who sees only multiplicity here. 37 The Bșhadāraṇyaka Upadişad tells us that 'as a spider moves along its threads, and as from a fire tiny sparks in all directions, even so from this Alman, come forth all organs, all worlds, all deities, and all beings, 38
Asanga also says that pure consciousness appears 89 as this manifold world of phenomena on account of ignorance. There is no subject-object. knower and known, in the absolute consciousness. This distinction is only an error.40 Phenomenal things are taken to be real by jgporant people. 41 They are only name and form. 43 Pure consciousness transcends everything but it appears as subject-object duality owing to the influence of ignorance. It is only consciousness which appears as manifold world of phenomena.44 The Reality (Tattva) or Citta (pure Consciousness ) is one only and it is by its very nature self-luminous consciousness.45 All dharmas, i.e., elements of existence, worldly experiences, phenomenal world of subject-object, etc., are merely relative, dependent. They are ultimately unreal because they are neither existence nor non-existence, nor both, nor neither. They are like that of magical figures created by a magician. They are thus, indescribable, mere appearances. The very fact that they are appearances implies that there must be reality of which they are mere appearances. The theory of momentariness applies to phenomena only. Reality is above phenomena and is indescribable absolute Consciousness.
36. Yatkincedam präņi jangamam ca patatri ca yacca sthavaram sarvam tat prajiane
tram, prajfiane pratisthitam. prajñānetro lokal), prajñā pratişthā, prajñanam brahma.
Ait. Up. II-V-3. 37. Neba Dāpästi kiñcana. Mrtyoh sah mrtyum gachbati ya iha Dāneva paśyati. Kath.
Up. II IV-11 38, Yatbornanäbhih tantunoccaret, yathāgneh kşudráh vir hulinga vyuccarapti, evam eva
asmādātmapah sarve präņāh, sarve lokāh, sarve devāḥ, sarvāṇi vyaccaranti Brh.
Up. II-I-20. 39. MSA. XIX-53 40. MSA. XI-15. 41. MSA. XIX-53. 42. MSA. XI-38, 39 and 48. 43. MSA, XI-34. 44. Cittam citräbhāsam citrakāram pravartate, MSA. X1-35. 45. MSA, VIII-19.