Digital Blackboard - October 07, 2004

What is it that existed prior to the universe? It is "I." It's possible that one can see all of the Gods while meditating, but it is Mahadeva (Shiva), the Greatest of all Gods, who is supreme above them all. Who is He? He is "I," the Self. This "I," the Consciousness which resides in the body, is not a concept. That which remains after relinquishing everything, is Consciousness, and that alone, is "Brahman." The state of ignorance can best be described as the feeling that nothing remains after everything is forgotten. Yet, it is the one who forgets, who remains, and "He" alone who is real. That is our very own nature, our "True Form" (Swaroopa). That which is called by the name "you" is you, and "That" alone is your true nature. You are "That" from which the sound "I" emanates.

The non-conceptual (Nirvikalpa) state is that which remains after all concepts are given up. Knowledge devoid of any concept is called Nirvikalpa knowledge. The "Realized-one," a Dnyani, possesses this non-conceptual knowledge whereas the individual (Jiva) possesses conceptual, or Savikalpa knowledge. Unlike that of an individual, who possesses objective knowledge, the knowledge of the Dnyani is not contaminated by any specialized objective knowledge. The Dnyani possesses the "Knowledge of Brahman," while the individual possesses worldly knowledge. The Dnyani always lives in a spontaneous and natural state, but the individual is always affected by the material world and lives in a specialized, particularized state. The knowledge of the individual is motivated by desires, whereas the knowledge of a Dnyani is devoid of them. The knowledge of a Dnyani is the Consciousness common to all living beings while that of the individual is tinged with some particular objects. He who is prior to the universe is steady, ever present, ever manifest, ever shining, and ever so brilliant. He is pure, enlightened and beyond the realms of meditation. He, who is conscious of all, is the only "True God."

All objects can be seen with the help of a lamp, and this is how the lamp acquires the status of greatness. Likewise, it is due to the light of the sun that all objects including with the lamp are visible, and now it is the sun, which has a status greater than all objects including the lamp. Furthermore, it is Consciousness that helps to see not only all objects and the lamp but also the sun. Hence, it is Consciousness, which turns out to have the greatest status of all.

Consciousness is aware of all, but no one is aware of this Consciousness. As it is "He" who resides within the hearts of all beings, and is called the brilliance behind the "inner-consciousness" (Antahkarana*).

Saint Dnyaneshwar says: "The sun can only shine; It is God who endows the sun with luminosity."

The one who is beyond the inner-consciousness is God. He quietly exists in all. Existence itself is His true form. He is devoid of delusions. In fact, His existence is characterized by the absence of delusion. He who forms the base of the stateless state most certainly exists. His existence is beyond all doubt.