Yajnavalkya describes Brahman

Yajnavalkya narrates Brahman (Atman) to his wife Maitreyi with the use of several analogies (Brihadaranyakopanishad-iv).

“My Dear Maitreyi!  I would like to narrate the process and state of realization of Brahman.  This should be helpful for you to get much needed clarity on the subject.   

“How does a student know about Brahman?  May be from a teacher or by going through scriptures.  If this interests a student, he then may like to reflect on Brahman while using logic and reasoning.  The student can enter into a discussion on Brahman with a teacher.  Once intellectually convinced, one then can undertake the practice of meditation. This is how one realizes that everything is pervaded by Brahman. 

“My Dear Maitreyi! How can Brahman be described?  It can be done by using analogies.  

“Just as the various sounds of a drum being beaten is produced. Yet one may not be able to distinguish one note of sound from the other even though they are different. In absence of any distinction, all numerous sounds are taken into one general sound.

“Or, take an example of a conch being blown. In this case also it is impossible to make a clear distinction between two different sound notes being produced by different kinds of blowing.

“Or, take an example of various sound notes being produced while a Vina is being played. It is impossible to make a clear distinction between two different sound. All sounds are taken together as one.

“My Dear! Here is an example of fire to make the matter clear. From a kindled fire various kinds of smoke issue out.  Similarly, from Brahman the Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, Atharvangirasa, history (Itihasa), mythology (Purana), arts, Upanishads, verses (Shlokas), aphorisms (Sutras), elucidations (Vyakhyanas), explanations (Upa-Vyakhyanas), sacrifices (Yajnas), oblations (Ahutis) in the fire, food, drink, this world, the future worlds, and all beings issue out just like the breath of Brahman*.  All are like the breath of the Supreme Self.

* Brahmano nihsvasitam etat sarvam.

“My Dear!  Let me explain it a little more. Just as ocean is the goal for water, skin is the goal for touch, nose is the goal for odor, tongue is the goal for taste, eye is the goal of all colors, ear is the goal for sound, Manas is the goal for deliberations, intellect is the goal for knowledge, hands are the goal for work, organ of generation for enjoyment, anus is the goal for excretion, feet are the goal for motion, speech is the goal for the Vedas, in the same way, everything is heading towards, coming out and also remain in Brahman.   

“Here comes one more elaboration, my Dear! A lump of salt is without exterior or interior, is in its entirety, complete in itself, it is purely saline in taste. In the same way, the Self is without interior or exterior and is Pure Intelligence.*

*When through knowledge all the effects have been merged, the one Atman remains like a lump of salt, without interior or exterior, entire, and Pure Intelligence. Formerly, it possessed particular consciousness owing to the particular combinations with the elements. When that particular consciousness and its cause, the combination with the elements, have been dissolved through knowledge—after attaining (this oneness) it has no more (particular) consciousness.  This is what Yājñavalkya said.

How ‘a lump of salt’ is dimensionless and its taste is absolute? This does not appeal.

Here is an explanation. On a first look a lump of salt has a dimension and its taste is not absolute. The taste can change as one consumes another object.  But as one stares at the lump of salt for a long time, one can see that the lump of salt disappears. What remains is absolute. All its boundaries vanish into the thin air.  The taste lasts forever.

This is possible to experience through the Hatha Yogic technique of Trataka.  Though the sage does not refer to this Yogic technique, but it can be inferred. More importantly, bringing out the experience that the sage is talking about is invaluable. 

“(The self) comes out (as a separate entity) from these elements, and (this separateness) is destroyed with them. After attaining (this oneness) it has no more (particular) consciousness. This is what I say, my Dear Maitreyi”.

Yājnavalkya said all this. He became quiet.

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