The Electronic Edition

Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part…

Subtler than the Subtlest Mind

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Mahatá param Avyaktam avyaktá puruśa; Puruśamgam parama kiiṋcit sá kastá sá parágati.

shloka translation to be added

* The superior one is called [i]Paramátman[/i] and the inferior one is called [i]Átman[/i].** Some portion of the Cognitive Faculty undergoes metamorphosis.

Then the metamorphosed portion of the Cognitive Entity is called [i]Apará Brahma[/i].

And the pure cognitive portion, the portion that remains unassailed, unaffected, by the [binding principles] is called {i}Pará Brahma{/i}.

* A sentence following this [i]shloka[/i] was inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

** A word or two here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

[i]Mahatá param Avyaktam[/i].

Now when the Cognition comes under the binding influence of the Operative Principle, that is, when the Operative Principle becomes [dominant],* in that case that metamorphosed portion of Cognition is called {i}Mahat{/i}.

It is the subtlest mind.

* A word or two here were inaudible on the tape.

The meaning seems to have been “dominant”. –Eds.

[i]Mahatá param Avyaktam[/i] – “[i]Avyaktá[/i] is subtler, superior to, the subtlest mind.”

That is, the Operative Principle is subtler, is superior to, the subtlest portion of mind. [i]Mahatá param Avyaktam – Avyaktaḿ mahatá param[/i].* Here, [i]Avyaktá[/i] means the Operative Principle.

Because cognition, or the Cognitive Entity, is metamorphosed into “I” feeling by** the Operative Principle.

That's why the Operative Principle is superior to pure mind or “I” feeling.

* A Sanskrit word or two here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

** A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

[i]Avyaktá puruśa param[/i].

Now this [i]Avyaktá,[/i]* the Operative Principle, is inferior to [i]Puruśa,[/i] the Supreme [i]Puruśa,[/i] the Supreme Consciousness.

Why?

Now, [i]Puruśa[/i] is the shelter of the Operative Principle.

The Operative Principle is not the shelter of [i]Puruśa; Puruśa[/i] is the shelter of the Operative Principle.

And that's why [i]Puruśa[/i] is called [i]Náráyańa[/i]. [i]Nara[/i] means the Operative Principle, and [i]ayana[/i] means “shelter”. [i]Parama Puruśa[/i] is the shelter of the Operative Principle,** is the shelter of [i]Avyaktam[/i].

And that's why [i]Parama Puruśa[/i] is superior to, is greater than, [i]Avyaktam,[/i] the Operative Principle. [i]Parama Puruśa[/i] is the Transcendental Entity, and the Operative Principle is His inner principle.

* A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

** A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

[i]Puruśamgam parama kiiṋcit.[/i] And “[i]Puruśa[/i] is the Supreme Entity.”

There is no other entity superior to the [i]Puruśa[/i].

Why?

Because He is the Transcendental Entity, that's why He is the sublimest, He is the subtlest, entity.

And that's why [i]Sá kastá sá parágati[/i] – “[i]Puruśa[/i] is the Supreme Desideratum of human life, Supreme Goal of human life.” [i]Sá kastá sá parágati[/i] – “He is the terminus of all movements.

He is the Supreme Goal of each and every entity of this expressed universe.”

A [i]sádhaka's[/i] sadhana, the sadhana of a spiritual aspirant, is for this [i]Puruśa[/i] and for nobody else and for no other entity.

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