A snapshot on Atman in Brihadaranyak Upanishad

The Atma or Brahman has been described as ‘Not This, Not This’ (Neti Neti).  Why? Because it is imperceptible. It can never be perceived. It does not decay. It is neve ever attached. It never feels pain and never suffers injury.

Yajnavalkya asks a critical question. “My Dear Maitreyi, through what can one know the Knower of all?  How can one know the subject?

“This wisdom is the means to immortality!”

Saying this, the sage Yajnavalkya took a pause.   

In all the first four chapters of Brihadaranyakopanishad, Self (Atman) has been ascertained to be the Supreme Brahman.  Various means to attain Brahman have been described. In the second chapter, Atman has been narrated (indicated!) as ‘Not this, not this’ (II.iii.6).  The same has been ascertained in the third chapter as the dialogue between Shakalya and Yajnavalkya. In this dialogue, death (falling off of head) was pointed out as the wager. At the end of the third chapter, following the dialogue between Janaka and Yajnavalkya, the same has been reiterated.

Thus, all the four chapters are exclusively dedicated to Atman alone. The conclusion is: The Atman is That which has been described as Neti Neti (Not This, Not this).  

In scores of ways the truth has been presented. In spite of that Atman remains the last word. And the same has been described as Neti Neti.

What did Yajnavalkya do? He renounced the world. This is the natural outcome of realization. Knowledge of Brahman leads one to Absolute detachment (ParaVairagya). One merges in Brahman. So there remains no need for material support. This is true application of the highest wisdom.  

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