Summary:

Discourse 1 looks into word word Vedanta. What is “veda” & “anta”? What is ultimate goal of Veda? How to prove Vedas? Are Vedas matter of belief? What are two portions of Vedas? Who pursues first portion (rituals)? Who pursues second portion (Upanishads – leading to liberation)?

Source: Tattva Bodha (by Adi Shankara)

Tattva Bodha Summary Notes:

• Tattva Bodha is name of text we're going to study. It is preliminary/foundational text of Vedānta.

• • For example:
    • Basic addition/subtraction is foundational to anything related to number calculations.
    • Basic walking is stepping stone to winning a triathlon.
    • Basic words in any language is means to communicating many things. A billionaire knows less then 2% of total language vocabulary. Yet changes lives of millions and successfully conducts transactions.
  • Meaning nothing lasting can get accomplished without first mastering the basics.
  • What use is a house with the best books on life, if it’s bottom foundation (which no one ever thinks about nor sees) is badly planned, thus cracked and sinking – jeopardizing the entire house of knowledge.

• What does Vedānta mean? It has 2 words: veda & anta. What are they?…

• WORD: Veda

  • Every word has a root/core/essence behind it.

• • • EG: Greek root word “archy”, makes up:
      • Anarchy: absence of government rule)
      • Monoarchy: state ruled by single person.
      • Hierarchy: rulers in rank.

• • What is root of word “veda”? √vid: To know.

• • • • EG: Vidyā (knowledge) comes from √vid.
      • So “Veda” means: to know (OR) to attain.
      • Formula: Know + attain = That by which we attain knowledge.

• • Additionally, we also have senses/mind-intellect by which we attain knowledge.

• • • • Senses (plural): Indriyāni: sense instruments.
        • Indriya – is single.
      • Mind-intellect: antaḥ karaṇa: Inner instrument.
      • EG:
        • Eyes are instrument-of-knowledge > form.
        • Ear > sound.
        • Skin > tactile feedback / touch.
        • Mind/Intellect > Emotions/thoughts

• • If senses, mind & intellect is also means of knowledge, then why do we need Veda? Firstly let’s define function of senses, mind-intellect:
    • SENSES: indriyāni
      • What kind of knowledge gives? External.
        
      • However has limits. EG: Can an eye see mitochondria/nucleus, inside white blood cell? No.
        • What is solution? Use microscope instrument. Gives us knowledge beyond eye’s limits.
        • Thus microscope/telescope called: Exceptional means of knowledge.
          • Because adds another layer of knowledge to our eye-sense, previously unknown.
        • Meaning microscope/telescope are BOSS (supreme authority) in their OWN field.
    • MIND/INTELLECT: antaḥ karaṇa
      • What kind of knowledge give? Internal (reference to individual).
      • Meaning it is limited to domain of mind-intellect.
        • EG: Emotions, epiphanies, understandings, etc.
    • SUMMARY: Senses can perceive external world. Mind can perceive internal world.

• • • • • But what are both restricted to perceiving?
          • Reality which is BEHIND them.
            • What is behind them?
              • Advanced students: Can't say Ātman, because a new student wouldn’t know yet.
              • To answer “BEHIND”, let’s look at word “Veda”…

• • VEDA: Means of knowledge for BEHIND
    • Veda is an EXCEPTIONAL means of knowledge, which gives knowledge of REALITY which is BEHIND the senses, mind & intellect.

• • • • Meaning Veda gives knowledge of consciousness which illumines the senses/mind. Consciousness because of which one has a sense of “I AM”.
        • EG: Suppose sight/hearing is lost, does one lose their “I AM” sense?
      • Can microscope/telescope reveal this “am-ness”? No.

• • • Therefore, Veda is an instrument by which am-ness is revealed. It is a guide HOW to discover “I AM” behind the mind/senses.
      • We are NOT talking about:

• • • • • • Body: because body growth hasn't affected your “I AM”.
            • EG: Machine with 4 motors, 2 lights, 1 speaker, CPU. Suppose 1 light breaks. That doesn’t affect electricity in any way.
          • Mind: because even when mind is forgetful (eg: old age), it does NOT mean “I AM” forgets itself. Because if it did, then who would be left to know, there is forgetfulness in mind.
      • Who is this “I” which is BEHIND senses/body-mind? That is what Veda uncovers.

• • • • • This “I” we’re speaking of, is NOT behind senses/mind because it chooses to be behind, but because it EMPOWERS everything.

• • • • • • • EG:
              • Electricity is behind the speaker. Battery behind the torch. Both enjoy their function because of that which is “behind” them.
              • Fan thinks it’s doer of spinning hence cooling. Other appliances congratulate it for being so useful. Fan becomes proud! In reality, fan is not the doer. Because it’s dependent on electricity. Neither is electricity doer, because electricity is simply a presence that enlivens the appliance according to appliances body.
        • Meaning, because of “I AM”, everything functions. But we cannot know this “I AM”, because it is BEHIND senses/mind instrument.

• • • SUMMARY SO FAR: Vedas is exceptional means of knowledge. Because it gives more then what senses/body-mind can unveil.
    • What does Veda unveil? Reality/truth which is BEHIND everything; consciousness / ātman (self).
    • IN SHORT: Veda gives knowledge of ātman.
  • VEDA: Means of knowledge for BEYOND
    • What else does Veda show us? Knowledge which can’t be known through any means, including biology, physics, science, chemistry, etc.
      • For eg: Mind is different from brain:
        • When body/brain physically stops one day, what happens to mind? What happens to this mind/intellect AFTER body death? If the body/brain physically dies, does the mind die?
          • Answer is no. Why not? Veda shows this logically. For example…
            • EG1: Suppose person is in coma after physical brain injury. Upon waking, most life memory is absent. In time, as brain recovers… memory and habits all of a sudden come back.
              • So brain is like a TV/satellite dish. When it’s off, or damaged, it’s unable to receive mind-program fully.
            • EG2: Person has no response to stimuli. Yet body/brain is alive.
              • Meaning mind/intellect can't function because brain has insufficient functioning.
              • Upon recovery in months/years, person resumes functioning.
            • EG3: Near-Death experience. Person’s heart stops for minutes. Brain ceases neural-activity.
              • Yet upon resurrection, person reports seeing/hearing room or other worlds.
            • EG4: Fish frozen into ice. When warmed, fish comes alive, resumes fish-ness.
        • CONCLUSION: Mind is different from the brain/body.
          • Thus the mind survives the death of the body.
    • Examples where Vedās becomes an exceptional means of knowledge for BEYOND:
      1. What happens to jīva (mind/intellect), after fall of body.
         • NOTE: Jīva can refer WITH body, mind-intellect. OR without body, mind-intellect.
      2. Inescapable phenomena of action-reaction. Cause-effect. Law of Karma.
    • DOUBT: How can I PROVE this?
      • ANSWER: One can only know AFTER going through the logic of Vedas. For example…
        • Microscope unveils the existence of mitochondria. Suppose, I refuse to use microscope to find out for myself.
          • Can I discover mitochondria, unless I FIRST use the microscope? No.
          • Meaning, microscope remains the final authority as means-of-knowledge for revealing mitochondria.
          • How long does microscope remain authority? Until I use microscope, and find out for myself.
          • Meaning, microscope doesn't care whether I doubt it’s ability to reveal. It’s my loss.
        • Similarly, Vedas remains authority as means-of-knowledge, to reveal Ātman.
          • In same way, Veda doesn't care if person rejects it’s authority. It’s person’s loss.
        • Therefore, jīva discovers Ātman by treating Veda as authoritative means-of-knowledge. For how long? Until Ātman is discovered.
          • Using how? Just how science learner needs (1) Guide to show (2) how to use microscope…
          • Similarly, jīva needs (1) ācārya to help (2) unveil Ātman through Veda.
    • SUMMARY SO FAR: Vedas only job is to reveal Ātman.
    • Definition of Veda in sanskrit: alaukika viṣaye vedāḥ pramāṇam:
      • Pramāṇam: Means/instrument of knowledge.
      • Viṣaya (m.): area, topic.
      • Alaukika:
        • Laukika: World which is seen by senses/mind.
        • Alaukika: What cannot be seen by senses/mind.
      • Translation: Veda are means of knowledge for all things beyond senses & mind.

• WORD: Anta
  

  • 2 Meanings:
    1. Inside.
       • EG: Antaḥ karaṇa (Inner instrument).
    2. Final / end.
  • Veda has 2 portions:
    • 1st PORTION: Gaining better worlds: Karma-kāṇḍa (Portion dealing with Action)
      • Contains instructions for going to better worlds, with greater pleasures: svarga loka.
      • Because earth is not the only loka in the universe. And it’s mixture of pleasure/sorrow.
        • Ratio of pleasure/sorrow depends on body.
          • EG: Plants/animals have greater sorrow. Less options.
            • EG: We think birds are free. But fearful.
      • Vedas tells us about 14 lokas and action needed to enter them.
        • 14 lokas are used in Vedas to convey the entire spectrum of Existence, covering all universes/worlds. Also often referred to as “Three worlds”, “The 3 worlds”, which are:
          • 3 Worlds Model:
            • bhūḥ (7 lower), bhuvaḥ (earth), suvaḥ (6 higher). Total 14.
              
          • Names:
            • 6 Higher worlds (from subtle to most-subtle): bhuvaḥ (pitṛ/candra), svarga (heaven), mahaḥ, janaḥ, tapaḥ, satyam (brahmaloka).
            • Middle: bhūḥ (earth). Both gross & subtle.
            • 7 Lower worlds (from gross to most-gross): atala, vitala, sutala, talātala, rasātala, mahātala, pātāla.
            • More about Hindu cosmology and the 14 lokas.
      • Because so many results and actions are possible, karma-kāṇḍa is bulkier then 2nd portion.
    • 2nd PORTION: Speaks of nature of self: upaniṣads / jñāna-kāṇḍa
      • 1st portion has limitations:
        • It’s results are limited. Because the actions to attain them are limited.
          • EG:
            • How long enjoy holiday? Until money runs out.
            • Similarly, once puṇya money gone, jīva returns to Earth.
      • Whereas 2nd portion shows solution to discovering fulfillment which is permanent, limitless and unchanging.
      • Who is 2nd portion for?
        • Jīvās tired of limited results. Only interested in ONE ULTIMATE RESULT which has no second higher. “I am satcitānanda”.
        • DOUBT: I don't believe this satcitānanda!
          • ANSWER: Must follow logic of Veda in order to discover for yourself. Until then, Veda remains authoritative means-of-knowledge.
      • Meaning 2nd portion delivers ONE limitless result. Because there is only one limitless Self. Hence it’s shorter then 1st portion.
  • COMING BACK TO MEANING OF ANTA: It has 2 meanings…
    • Inside: Meaning Upaniṣads can be found throughout Veda. Beginning, middle, end.
    • Final/end: Meaning, it is the final message of Vedas. Culmination of Veda.
• Then what is Tattva Bodha?
  • It is a basic text which will help you understand the FINAL message of upaniṣads (spread throughout Veda).

Keywords: acarya, acharya, antah karana, antahkarana, atma, atman, bahih karana, bhuh, buhvah, indriyani, janah, jnana kanda, mahah, mahatala, patala, pramana, rasatala, satchitananda, satcitananda, talatala, tapah, upanisads, upanishads, vedaah, vedanta, vidya, visaye, vishaye, bhuva, pitr, pitri, mahah, janah, tapah, talatala, rasatala, mahatala, patala

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• Class slide.
• Class test.

Credit for help in Tattva Bodha to Chinmaya Mission's – Swami Advayananda & (book by) Swami Tejomayananda.

Recorded 22 Feb, 2020