“All this is enveloped by the Supreme Being”
(Isavasyam idam sarvam)
#SwamiTejomayananda
(Part 1)
In the traditional language of Vedanta a student endowed with the four-fold qualifications of discrimination, dispassion, self-control and so on, along with the intense longing for liberation is considered fit for gaining the Knowledge of the Self. He is called a sadhanachatushtaya sampanna adhikari.
Such seekers who have lived life, gained experiences and understood their limitations, reach a stage where they want to know the greater Truth. They then approach a Teacher established in Self-knowledge and seek to gain such Knowledge, at any cost. That Self-knowledge is indicated by the word Upanishad. Before the teaching begins, when the teacher and the disciple come together, they first recite the peace invocation (shaantipath).
The Ishavasya Upanishad is found in the Yajurveda, based on its very first word, Isha –the Lord. Sometimes it is also called Iso Upanishad.
Some Upanishads begin with a question, but this Upanishad begins with an answer - a direct statement from the teacher. It is implied that there are one or more disciples.
The student has approached the teacher and expressed a desire to live in this world, and live happily.
He says, ‘Sukhaaya karmani karoti lokah – a man performs all actions only for gaining happiness. I too strive to be happy.From the worldly standpoint I have everything, but happiness always eludes me. Why is this so? What is the cause of this sorrow? What should I do?’
The teacher responds, ‘You have performed many actions (karma), now it is time to gain Knowledge (jnana). You have done enough, now must know.’
