In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of Sage Paraashara’s important answer to Sage Maithreya’s intriguing questions. Hes starts with a pin-pointed and a straightforward answer that the entire creation of this world is carried out by none other than Bhagawan Vishnu Himself! The creation encompasses all the living and non-living beings that exist in this world. We’ve also witnessed in due course of yesterday’s episode that this is the concept which sets apart our Sanaatana Dharma from every other religion. While other religions around the world believe that “Brahman” is something that exists outside of this world, our Sanaatana Dharma propagates the important fact that “Brahman” is within every living and non-living being in this world. This is why we emphasize that we shouldn’t hurt any living being whatsoever – Be it a human being or any animal or plant or a tree. While few religions (one in particular) believe that they can attain “Moksha” only by hurting others, it is a huge disgrace for mankind to have such religions in existence and the world is unfortunately reeling under the pressure of such barbarians. Thus, as ardent followers of our Sanaatana Dharma, we should clearly understand why does our Sanaatana Dharma propagate peace and harmony amongst all living beings, just like as we have the famous “Manthra” – “Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu”, which means, “May all living beings in this world live happily and in peace”!
Moving on further with Sage Paraashara’s answer, he explains how the concept of “Shareera-Atma Bhaava” is of prime significance. Now what is this “Shareera-Atma Bhaava”? As we’ve witnessed till now, the entire world is “Brahman”, now we’re going to understand that as the world is “Brahman” in its full entity, all of us, living beings are the various parts of the “Shareera” of “Brahman”. This might be a little complicated for readers to understand. I shall explain it in simpler terms. Now that we know how “Brahman” encompasses all living beings in this world, it is imperative that all of us are integral parts of a huge “Shareera” called “Brahman”. As the huge “Shareera” would have several body parts, all of us constitute each of the body part of the “Brahman”. This is called the “Shareera-Atma Bhaava” and this is exactly what Bhagawad Ramanuja has vehemently propagated throughout His tenure of incarnation in this world. As many of us might know, Bhagawad Ramanuja was the propagator of the entire sect of Sanaatana Dharma, referred to as the “Vishishta Dvaitam”, which stresses upon the important difference between the “Atman” and the “Deham” or “Shareeram”, and how the bonding between the “Atman” and “Shareeram” is going to be instrumental in attaining “Moksha”. This is where we’ve to understand that we are all part of the larger “Shareera” of the ultimate “Brahman”, who is none other than Bhagawan Vishnu Himself! Thus, in lay man’s terminology, we can understand that Bhagawan Vishnu is omnipresent and He encompasses everything in this world.
If we recollect from our previous Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana project, we had witnessed the same concept during the “Prahlaada Charithra” as well. We’re going to discuss “Prahlaada Charitra” in this project under Shri Vishnu Puraana as well. But the important point here is that, when Hiranya Kashibu asks little Prahlaada as to where is Vishnu, Prahlaada replies the same. He says that Bhagawan Vishnu is there everywhere in this world, and that, he can find him even inside the pillar that was right in the front. It is only upon this reply from Prahlaada, did Hiranya Kashibu break open the pillar. Once the pillar exploded, we witnessed Bhagawan Vishnu emerging out of the pillar with a ferocious form of Bhagawan Narasimha! This is where Bhagawan Vishnu proves to the entire world that He is omnipresent, and that, one needs to have the fullest and innocent devotion (Bhakti) to experience His divine presence.
Thus, the point here is that we should understand how we constitute the “Shareera” of Bhagawan directly, and with this, our responsibility only increases. If we proudly proclaim that we’re an integral part of Bhagawan, we should also make sure that we behave responsibly isn’t it? We cannot do some crap and say that we’re part of Bhagawan. If we’re doing so, it not only brings down our reputation, but also Bhagawan’s reputation is at stake! Hence, we’ve to be all the more careful here. If we’re claiming that we’re part of Bhagawan, we should make sure that we follow whatever Bhagawan Krishna has elucidated clearly in the Bhagawad Gita!
So for today, let us understand the importance of this “Shareera-Atma Bhava” and let us make sure that we follow the needful, so as to gratify Bhagawan for the opportunity that He has given us! We shall wait till the next episode to continue further on this! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 