The Realisation of the Absolute :2.(b).13.

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The Realisation of the Absolute :


Chapter-2.The Nature of the World


(b) .The Critique of Duality - 13.



It is further contended that even if the Atman is the sole reality, the existence of plurality cannot be denied.

If the Atman is the sole reality, it is to be accepted that it is without internal or external differentiations.

If there is thus no plurality in the Atman, and also if nothing exists but the Atman, there is no meaning in holding that existence is inclusive of plurality.

If the Atman or Brahman is non-dual, there can be no plurality, because other than Brahman anything is not.

The view that, because it is said that with the knowledge of Brahman "all" is known, Brahman-realisation does not destroy plurality but merely renders the person immune from objective attraction, and that "all" implies the existence of plurality, is a misunderstanding of this sentence.



The word "all" does not refer to the reality of the plurality of things.

It is only a symbolical expression of the Upanishads used for want of words to express unlimitedness.

When we say "all" is known, and "all" is Brahman, we do not mean that the trees and the mountains, the sky and the ocean are Brahman differently.

If they are all one, and if Brahman has no heterogeneous qualities, the assertion, "all" is known, does not imply plurality in the natural essence of Brahman.


Swami Krishnananda

To be continued  .....



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