ALL IS ONE (Mar )
By Gokulmuthu Narayanaswamy
Summary
The article explores the concept of oneness in Hindu philosophy, emphasizing the unity of existence (Brahman) through both absolute (nirguna) and relative (saguna) perspectives. It begins by citing Sri Ramakrishna and scriptures like the Upanishads and Gita, which assert that only one reality (Satchidananda) manifests as the world and its beings. The analysis of "Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma" from the Taittiriya Upanishad breaks down Brahman into three aspects: Existence (Sat), Consciousness (Cit), and Infinity (Ananta). Sat, beyond all properties, is changeless, all-pervading, and the source of apparent diversity. Cit, the ultimate subject, is similarly property-less and identical to Sat. Ananta underscores the illusory nature of the finite world relative to the infinite Brahman, termed Maya. The article then discusses Saguna Brahman, describing the five sheaths (panca koshah) that constitute the individual and the universe. These sheaths—physical, physiological, mental, intellectual, and causal—are interdependent, with the individual being a conventional, inseparable part of the whole. The universe is presented as a single living, feeling, thinking, and willing entity, with all individuality being a relative, transient concept tied to ignorance (avidya). Emphasizing non-duality, the text concludes that realizing the unity of the individual with the universal whole leads to liberation (mukti).
Conclusion
Conclusion: The article underscores the non-dual reality of Brahman, emphasizing its absolute oneness (ekam eva advitiyam) as the infinite, changeless, and property-less essence underlying all existence. It reconciles the relative (saguna) and absolute (nirguna) perspectives, revealing the illusory nature of perceived diversity through Maya. By dissecting the Taittiriya Upanishad’s mahavakya and the Gita’s teachings, it demonstrates that the finite world, with its sheaths of physicality, life, mind, and intellect, is inseparable from the universal consciousness. This synthesis invites a radical shift from individualism to the realization of oneness, where liberation (mukti) arises from recognizing the universal self as the sole reality.