01 Apr 2023
[Ms. Thrylokya asked: Swami, in the previous question, I have taken rope and snake as example. In the Advaita Philosophy, there is another example which is superimposition of silver on conch shell in twilight. In this example, based on this superimposition-knowledge, one is approaching the conch shell taking it directly as silver shell. In this example, there is no use of lamp-light. Please explain.]
Swami replied: In the previous example of rope and serpent, there is fear for the serpent. The mind thinks that if by chance the serpent is real, it will be dangerous. In this example, the silver shell is not dangerous and also attracts as a financial benefit. In this example, the superimposition is continuing with ignorance. Unless the conch shell is also tested under clear light, the true clarification is not coming. Here also, light is necessary for removing the superimposition-knowledge. In any example, light is essential for realising the truth.
When a human being superimposes God on self-awareness, this problem is results. When God is superimposed on an ordinary human being thinking it as a true human incarnation, the same problem results. Superimposition of God on a human being like Krishna is not resulting in a problem because in this case, Krishna has really transformed into God when God Datta merged with Him homogeneously. In the above examples, this case results when the rope is really transformed as serpent and the conch shell is really transformed into the silver shell. This example can be more extended into the first example assuming that the serpent is acting inactive like the inert rope. Now, you will superimpose the rope on this inactive snake. This is an example of the true human incarnation. It was originally an ordinary human being and really transformed into God since God Datta perfectly merged with it. But, the human incarnation of God is still looking like an ordinary human being only (for the purpose of mixing with ordinary human beings). With the help of some contexts, you can recognise the inactive serpent as real serpent but is looking like a rope. For example, if you move it with a stick, it will hiss. Similarly, in certain contexts like preaching true divine knowledge and doing some miracles, you can recognise the true human incarnation who is looking like an ordinary human being. If you select a false human incarnation thinking it as the true human incarnation, you will end in loss just like the person picking up a conch shell thinking it as silver shell ends in loss of time and effort.
The knowledge of Shankara shall be applied with the help of the above examples. Shankara was real silver shell and disciples misunderstood Him as conch shell because even though He is the true incarnation of God, He is looking like an ordinary human being only. Then they realised Him to be a true silver shell based on His preached true spiritual knowledge. When Shankara preached that every conch shell is true silver shell, the disciples who were really conch shells thought themselves also to be real silver shells. This preaching of Shankara was for the sake of converting atheists into theists and not for the disciples who were already theists. Therefore, when Shankara drank wine stating that He was God, the disciples also drank the wine stating that they were also God. Shankara wanted that the disciples should separate themselves from the atheists converted into theists. Then, He drank molten lead telling the disciples that He alone was the real silver shell. The disciples could not swallow molten lead by which they themselves realised that they were conch shells only and not the real silver shell. They fell on the feet of Shankara realising that Shankara was conch shell like them but was transformed into real silver shell and that they were conch shells not transformed into silver shells. This is the true knowledge that we have to understand from the true human incarnation, called Shankara and this is the essence of the Advaita Philosophy.
Every conch shell (soul) can be transformed into silver shell (God) provided the silver shell (God) wishes so for the sake of some benefit to the world. Hence, no conch shell (soul) shall try to become the silver shell (God) due to some attraction. Such thinking will disqualify the conch shell to become silver shell (God) at any time in the future because the silver shell (God) will never wish to transform such a conch shell (soul) into silver shell (God). If the conch shell (soul) remains in dualism serving the silver shell (God) as servant, there is a chance for that conch shell (soul) to become silver shell (God). We should learn this point from the life of Hanuman, who is also a true human incarnation of God Shiva like Shankara.
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