12 Dec 2008
[Datta Jayanti] Jnanam, Gaanam, Dhyanam and Daanam should be clearly understood on this day. Jnanam is the spiritual knowledge related to intelligence (Buddhi) represented by God Brahma. Gaanam is the expression of knowledge and devotion related to words (Vaak) represented by God Vishnu. Dhyanam is the devotion or meditation related to mind (Manas) represented by God Shiva. Daanam is the donation or service related to action (karma) represented by God Datta. The first three constitute the theory and the last constitutes the practice. Theory should lead into practice. This point is represented by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva becoming Datta by union before the sage Atri. It is also said that Atri got three sons: 1) Chandra, representing Brahma; 2) Dattatreya, representing Vishnu and 3) Durvasa, representing Shiva. It is further said that the middle Dattatreya or the form of Vishnu attracted Brahma and Rudra into Him and became the God representing the three forms. The concept of this story is that the middle form, word, indicates both knowledge and devotion for expression. If we understand the stories in the light of concepts, it will be useful for our spiritual effort (Sadhana). It is also said that the original God Datta is expressed in three divine forms i.e., Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is also clear in the concept because the action (karma) representing Datta is basically present in knowledge, word and devotion.
Unimaginable Background
Action means dynamism. Energy means dynamism. Even the matter is condensed energy. Therefore, the entire creation is just energy or dynamism, which means action. Action is never independent. There is no action (karma) without actor or acting material (karta). This actor is the unimaginable absolute God. We note His actions, which constitute the entire creation. Certain actions of God are imaginable and certain actions are unimaginable (miracles). A miracle is unimaginable in the sense that its background is unimaginable. Miracle is an imaginable action with unimaginable background.
A small boy called as Krishna lifts the huge mountain on His tender finger. Krishna, His finger, the huge mountain and the lifting action are clearly seen and are imaginable. The background of this miracle is unimaginable, which is the unimaginable God. When a boy lifts a small object on His finger, not only the visible external scene is imaginable but also the background, which can be explained by the laws of Physics. The background of this imaginable scene as well as its imaginable background is also the same unimaginable God. By the will of God, the background of the first scene becomes unimaginable and the background of the second scene becomes imaginable. What is the reason for the God to create both imaginable and unimaginable items? The imaginable is created only to give the relative individual identity of the unimaginable entity. The presence of night gives the relative identity of the day. If everything is made unimaginable, there is no identity of the very existence of unimaginable nature. By this, God wanted the human beings to recognize the existence of unimaginable nature in the creation, which indicates the unimaginable God. The analysis of creation in the deepest plane exhibits the unimaginable nature and this point is realized by all the scientists. This unimaginable nature forming the deepest plane becomes the ultimate basis or substratum of the Universe. Therefore, the creation is said to be supported or maintained by the unimaginable God. The boundary of this creation is beyond our vision and imagination and thus, becomes unimaginable. Such boundary is beyond our scope of the imaginable extent of the Universe. Such boundary can be concluded as the unimaginable boundary existing beyond Universe or Creation.
God: Beyond Creation
Therefore, we say that the unimaginable God is beyond creation and not at all present in the imaginable extent of the creation. Hence, the Veda discards every imaginable item of the core of the creation existing in the imaginable extent not to be God (Neti Neti…). The Gita also says the same (Mamebhyah Paramavyayam…). This unimaginable God expressed Himself as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva by entering the three created energetic forms. The three forms of the energy–medium are one and the same because the constituting material is energy only. There may be some difference in the forms. The inner absolute God is also one and the same. God is neither partitioned into three bits nor do three Gods exist. These are the problems of your imagination because your imagination is controlled by the rules of space. The unimaginable God is beyond space and therefore, these objections of imaginable range do not apply to God. There are three golden cups with different forms. The same milk exists in the three cups. The gold is also one and the same in the external cups. The internal milk is also one and the same. There may be minor differences in the forms of the cups. To explain this concept, the same absolute God once again entered into the three headed energetic form. The specialty in the form of Datta is that this concept is well explained by the three heads of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Even Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are Datta only.
Datta means the unimaginable absolute God expressed through the form of energy so that the mediated absolute God is captured by our imagination and vision. The same absolute God entering materialized human form like Rama, Krishna etc., is also Datta. Datta means the unimaginable God given to souls through the common medium so that the souls can see, talk, touch and live with the mediated absolute God. God in energetic form is related to angels or departed souls because these are souls in energetic bodies. The same God in human body is related to human beings, which are the same souls in human bodies. The theoretical part consisting of knowledge and devotion, expressed in words, should lead to action or practice. This practical part or action called as Datta alone gives the fruit. This action is sacrifice (Daanam), which may be donation of work (karma samnyasa) or donation of fruit of work (karma phala tyaga) or both together. Therefore, Datta is the final God, who gives the fruit to you because action alone can give you the fruit directly. Datta is famous for tests. Without the test, the certificate cannot be given. The knowledge learnt by you through out the academic year is jnana yoga. The inspiration or concentration in learning is bhakti yoga. The preaching forms the words. All these three constitute the part of theory. In the end of the year, writing the examination is the action. Therefore, Datta is the action through examination before giving you the fruit. He is the final and ultimate form of God to give any divine fruit. If you understand Datta in the internal sense in this way, you will really benefit in your spiritual efforts.
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