"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Thursday, December 12, 2013

There Is No Universe

The Ribhu Gita (ऋभुगीता) forms the sixth part of Siva Rahasya Purana. It details in about two thousand verses the dialogue on the Self and Brahman between Sage Ribhu (who heard it from Lord Shiva Himself) and Sage Nidagha on the slopes of the Mount Kedara in the Himalayas. (source: wikipedia). Below are some excerpts from that holy book.
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  • The universe was neither born, nor maintained, nor dissolved; this is the plain truth. The basic screen of pure Being-Awareness-Stillness devoid of all the moving shadow pictures of name and form of the universe is the sole, eternal existence.
  • Some may argue that this universe of duality is a factual second reality, clearly seen by the senses operated by the mind. But then, are the senses anything apart from the mind? Can they function without the support of the mind in which they are embedded? What is this mind except a bundle of thoughts? What are thoughts except evanescent ripples in the still, limitless ocean of pure Being-Awareness-Self which is the sole Existence without a second? 
  • The existence of the illusion of silver in mother of pearl is not a reality apart from the reality of mother of pearl, which is the basic reality. The illusion of the universe is based on the mind, which again is an illusion based on the still Awareness-Being-Self.
From "The Essence of Ribhu Gita" by Prof. N. R. Krishnamurthi Aiyer

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सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad