Drg-Drshya-Viveka - 19

"In this case also by the destruction of the veiling, the distinction of the Reality and the Creation becomes clear. Of the two, the modification exists in the creation, never in the Reality." - Verse 19

Excerpt From Commentary

If there is a Reality to the world apart from it, let it be. Why should one wish to distinguish between the Reality and the world? It is because of man's inborn desire to become immortal. When he identifies with a particular name and form in this changing world, he becomes a mortal being, causing him fear and grief. Being a part of the world, I am tossed around by the vagaries of time, place and circumstances. If I know myself to be different from the world I can remain free from its whims and fancies. 

For every change there must be a changeless substratum. The substratum alone lends existence to the superimposition. The substratum pervades the superimposition, like the colors and forms of the movie constantly change on the screen. The screen pervades the entire projected picture. Thus the Reality of the world is changeless and all-pervading.

In addition, the knower of the changes must be changeless and separate from the changes. Who knows the changes? I know. 'I', the illuminator of the world, am changeless and eternal. The substratum (Reality) and the illuminator (Self) are both changeless existence-consciousness. Hence I am the Reality of the world. I do not exist in time, space or among objects, but they are in me. I am not part of the world, however the world exists because of me. It should be noted that here 'I' is not the limited jiva but the witness-consciousness. This knowledge destroys the veiling. 

When we perceive changes, we should understand that they belong to the world and never to the Self. Once this idea gets firmly rooted in our mind, our anxieties are greatly reduced. 

It is illogical for us to expect conducive situations to remain permanently or unconducive situations to always stay away from us. Krishna says, "These pairs of opposites come and go, forbear them O Arjuna!"