Vivekachudamani 31 Superimpositions on Our True Identity - By Swami Tattwamayananda

Title: Superimpositions on Our True IdentityVerse: 140, 141, 142, 143                140th verse: “Due to the lack of understanding of our true nature, we mistake the physical body to be our true nature. In a reversal of the rope-snake analogy, if we mistake the snake for the rope, it can result in disaster. Similarly, when we take ourselves to be this physical body, there is no end to our troubles.”In the traditional rope-snake analogy, the reality is the rope and it is mistaken to be a snake. In this verse, Shankaracharya reverses the analogy. The real thing is a snake and it is mistaken for being a rope. If we pick up the snake thinking that it is a rope, it can bite us and it can lead to even death. Similarly, there is no end to our troubles when we forget our true identity as the Atman and think we are the physical body. It is like a billionaire who behaves like a pauper.Mind can get scattered like seeds fallen from the hand. A higher ideal is needed to keep the mind from swaying.Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of tenacity and steadiness in spiritual life in the 326th verse. “Imagine a child playing with a ball at the top of a staircase. If the ball falls, it does not stop until it reaches the bottom. Similarly, in spiritual life, we should be very vigilant and control our thoughts and emotions. A higher ideal helps here.”In the 141st verse, the teacher answers the second question: “How does this bondage come into existence?” Bondage is the feeling of incompleteness or imperfection in life that any cultured, evolved, human being feels.141st verse: “During an eclipse or due to clouds, the sun and its sunlight is veiled. Similarly, our true identity is concealed.”The 142nd verse explains the reasons why we mistake ourselves to be the physical body.142nd verse: “There are two forces at work that prevent us from understanding our true nature. Avarana shakti conceals our true nature and Vikshepa shakti projects a false identity. When we forget our true nature, we become victims of raga, dvesha, kama, krodha and other enemies.”The sun is brilliant. Clouds conceal it. Clouds are formed by vaporization of water. That vaporization happens due to the sun. Thus, the sun is the source of the clouds that conceal its brilliance. The concealing of the Atman takes in the same manner. Absence of Viveka (discerning wisdom) causes the false projection.143rd verse: “The wrong understanding of our true nature is compared to a monstrous crocodile who has caught us by the throat in a big ocean of poisonous water. We drone, re-emerge and again drown in this poisonous water.”The verse points to our miserable existence when we mistakenly identify ourselves as the physical body. The drowning and re-emergence from poisonous water refer to our identification with pain and pleasure in life.There is a practical benefit of this teaching. If we can keep the awareness that our true identity is beyond the body, mind and intellect, we can work with high efficiency but not feel fatigued or worried. Swami Trigunatitananda’s life is an example of this.Reading of scriptures plays an important role. They generate healthy samskaras and refine/purify the mind. However, there is a long road to travel to the actual experience of Advaita.