In2-MeC

IBSA (ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Sadhana Asrama), Govardhana, India
2 January 2004

What the Upanisads Teach
Part Four

Brahman is Antaryami, the Inner Controller

Chapter 7 of Part III of Brhadaranyaka Upanisad is called the Antaryami Brahmana. Here Uddhalaka, the son of Aruna, questions Yajnavalkya about the antaryami, the inner controller. The sage replies:

This Self of yours who is present within but different from earth, whom the earth does not know, whose body is the earth, and who controls the earth from within--He is the inner controller, the immortal.

The sage then speaks twenty passages that repeat the themes of this one, describing how the Self is the inner controller of water, fire, sky, air, heaven, the sun, the four quarters, the moon and the stars, ether, darkness, light, all living entities, the life-breath, speech, the eye, ear, mind, skin, the individual self, and semen.

These passages of Yajnavalkya Muni are repeated in Subala Upanisad with a few changes. One significant addition is that the antaryami is referred to as Paramatma. Another addition is this line:

esa sarvabhutantaratma apahatapapma divyo eko narayanah

"He is the indwelling Self of all living entities. He is free of all sin. He is the divine One, Narayana. "

Chandogya Upanisad proclaims:

esa ma atma antar-hrdaye

He is my Self within the heart.

In the second valli of Katha Upanisad, Yamaraja tells Naciketas:

The Primeval One who is hard to perceive wrapped in mystery, hidden in the cave, residing with the impenetrable depth-- the wise, perceiving Him as God by meditating within, abandon joy and sorrow.

. . . . .

Finer than the finest, larger than the largest, is the Self that lies there hidden in the heart of a living entity. Without desires and free from sorrow, a man perceives by the creator's grace the grandeur of that Self.

This, says the Upanisad, is sarva-bhuta-antaratma, the inner Self of all living entities.

Svetasvatara Upanisad VI. 11 similarly declares:

eko devah sarvabhutesu gudhah sarva bhuta antaratma

The Lord is hidden in all beings as the inner Self of them all.

One might question whether the Upanisads mean to say that the antaryami and the individual self are one and the same. The answer is a clear no. Chandogya VI. 3. 2 teaches anena jivenatmana anupravisya nama rupe vyakaratvani iti: "Brahman enters into creation along with the jivatma in order to manifest material names and forms. " The word anupravisya indicates that Brahman associates with matter and the individual souls as their controller. Taittiriya III. 29 states, antah pravistah sasta jananam sarvatma. In his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 4. 8. 79, Srila Prabhupada notes:

In the Vedic hymns also the Supreme Brahman is described as antah-pravistah sasta. This indicates that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is controlling everything and entering into everything.

That controller of everything is the sarvatma, the Soul of All, distinct from the jivatama, the controlled individual soul. Thus when the Upanisads say, "This Self of mine," it is to be understood as meaning the Self residing alongside the soul in the same body Who is the controller of not only that vyasti body but all bodies; indeed He is the controller of the samasti body of the whole universe. Since the individual self is always controlled by that Supreme Self, he may refer to Him as "this Self of mine," which means "this Self of my self. "

To be continued, starting with Brahman is Isvara

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A Selection from Mahabharata Karna Parva

Maharaja Yudhisthira had been frequently wounded while repeatedly fighting with Karna, and at last, due to feeling severe pain, he retreated to some distance so that he could rest and recuperate. Duryodhana then went to Karna and pleaded, "O commander of my forces, now is the time for you to either defeat the Pandavas once and for all, or else attain heaven by dying on the battlefield!"

Overhearing this, Ashvattama responded to this fervent appeal by vowing, "O King, I hereby pledge to kill Dhrishtadyumna this very day without fail!"

Karna and the others also made heroic speeches, and so the Kaurava warriors became very enlivened and once again prepared to launch an all-out attack on the Pandava army. A very dreadful battle then took place, and at that time, the Apsaras showered celestial flowers, causing the cool breezes to become very fragrantly scented. But, this could hardly detract the warriors' attention from the ghastly battle scene that was permeated with blood and ghastly screams of anguish.

At this time, Arjuna became very anxious about Maharaja Yudhisthira and so he requested Lord Krishna to take him to where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were massacring each other. While going, Lord Krishna very poetically described to Arjuna the vast panorama of the battlefield as follows. The Lord said, "O son of Kunti, just see all of the bow and quiver that have fallen from the hands and shoulders of the slain warriors! Look at how many arrows, ivory-handled swords, and gold-embossed shields are strewn about here and there, as well as innumerable darts, spears, maces and axes. So many slain soldiers are still clutching their weapons, thus giving the appearance that they are still alive. "

"Thousands upon thousands of men are lying dead here, their heads and limbs having been smashed by heavy maces or else mangled by rampaging elephants. Behold all of the severed arms that are so nicely decorated with sandalwood paste, the fallen heads that are bedecked with costly earrings, and the headless trunks all smeared over with blood. How many chariots are smashed to pieces, and how many horses are killed with hundreds of arrows sticking all over their bodies!"

"Just see the elephants, as huge as hills, lying dead with their tongues hanging out. Some of the whips and goads, bedecked with glittering jewels, are strewn here and there, while others remain in the hands of the slain drivers. "

"Arjuna, the entire Earth is muddied with blood, and from out of the mire stares the faces of the slain soldiers. The ground is spotted with the sparkling of countless jewels that had fallen from the royal crowns and ornaments of slain kings, and thus it gives the appearance of the starry sky at night. Just see how many soldiers are lying wounded, crying out in pain. Many of the dying warriors are surrounded by their bitterly weeping relatives. Some of their kinsmen are running to fetch water to fulfill the dying request of those warriors that are parched with thirst, and still others have died while clutching a water glass in their hands. Some relatives have returned with water, only to find that their loved ones have already left this world for the next. Because of this, they are throwing the water aside as if deprived of their reason on account of unbearable grief. "

After describing the dreadful battlefield scene to Arjuna, Lord Krishna went to where the Pandava warriors were combating with the Kauravas. While fighting an intense duel with Dhrishtadyumna, Karna simultaneously held all of the other Pandava warriors in check with his continuous shower of arrows. Karna then released a very powerful arrow in the hopes of killing Dhrishtadyumna, but Satyaki broke it as it soared through the air. Highly enraged, Karna turned to fight with Satyaki, and so Ashvattama rushed at Dhrishtadyumna, desiring to avenge the death of his father.

After a frantic duel, Ashvattama broke Dhrishtadyumna's bow and then proceeded to destroy his chariot. Dhrishtadyumna picked up a sword and shield, but Ashvattama smashed them to pieces before he could even dismount. After that, Ashvattama pierced Dhrishtadyumna with many arrows, and yet, even though he was in such a vulnerable position, the Panchala prince remained undisturbed. Ashvattama thus concluded that his foe could not be killed by ordinary arrows and so he put aside his bow and rushed impetuously at him.

When Lord Krishna saw this, He urged on His horses while commanding Arjuna to come to Dhrishtadyumna's rescue. Seeing Arjuna approach, Ashvattama wanted to quickly put an end to Dhrishtadyumna and so he darted forward and grabbed him. Then, as Ashvattama dragged Dhrishtadyumna down from his disabled chariot, Arjuna pierced him with many arrows so that at last he was forced to release his grip. Ashvattama hurriedly remounted his chariot and picked up his bow to face Arjuna. At this time, Sahadeva came and whisked away Dhrishtadyumna, while Arjuna pierced Ashvattama in the shoulder with a very powerful arrow, making him faint onto the floor of his chariot. Then, as Ashvattama's driver took him away to safety, Maharaja Yudhisthira reentered the battlefield.

Seeing this, Duryodhana and the other Kaurava warriors made a great rush at the Pandava King, in the hopes of taking him captive. Numerous warriors then came to Yudhisthira's aid, but Karna drove them all off as he proceeded toward the Pandava King. When Karna attacked Yudhisthira very forcefully, the King soon became severely wounded. While sitting down on his chariot, Maharaja Yudhisthira ordered his driver to beat a hasty retreat. The Dhartarashtras chased Yudhisthira, hoping to capture him, but Bhima intervened to check them.

Then, as Maharaja Yudhisthira proceeded on toward the Pandava camp, accompanied by Nakula and Sahadeva, Karna once again came to attack. The twins rushed to check Karna, but the Suta's son still managed to kill Yudhisthira's horses and knock the crown off his head. Karna then broke Nakula's bow and killed his horses, and so both he and Yudhisthira had to get onto Sahadeva's chariot.

Upon seeing the plight of these three Pandavas, Shalya became compassionate and said, "Karna, why are you unnecessarily wasting your arrows and tiring your horses in this way? It would be better for you to immediately go and fight with Arjuna. "

Karna ignored these words, however, and he continued to pierce Yudhisthira very seriously with his arrows, making him turn away from the fight. In fact, Karna was determined to kill Yudhisthira, but then, just as he was prepared to rush at him, Shalya pointed out how Duryodhana had fallen into great difficulty while fighting with Bhima. When Karna saw that the Kaurava King was really in a precarious position, he gave up fighting with Yudhisthira and quickly proceeded to his rescue.

Maharaja Yudhisthira then continued on, overwhelmed by shame and sorrow, and after arriving at the Pandava camp, he sat down on his bed so that the arrows sticking in his body could be extracted. Yudhisthira then ordered Nakula and Sahadeva to return to the battlefield to assist Bhima.

Meanwhile, Ashvattama returned to attack Arjuna with renewed enthusiasm, and the fighting that took place was exceedingly dreadful. Ashvattama was able to counter all of Arjuna's celestial weapons. Indeed, even when Arjuna managed to kill his driver, Ashvattama picked up the reins and continued to afflict the two Krishnas while simultaneously guiding his chariot. But, at last, Arjuna cut off the harnesses and reins of Ashvattama's horses, and because of this, the afflicted steeds carried Drona's son far away from the scene of battle. The Pandava army became greatly enlivened upon seeing Arjuna's victory, and so they proceeded to route the Kauravas, despite Karna's attempts to retaliate.

Duryodhana then went to Karna and begged him to do something that would save his faltering forces. After thinking over the matter momentarily, Karna fixed a powerful Bhargava weapon onto his bowstring, and at once, millions of arrows began to flow forth in steady streams. Within moments, thousands of Panchala warriors fell down dead onto the battlefield, while all those that survived fearfully cried out for Bhima and Arjuna to save them.

In response, Arjuna was immediately ready to attack Karna, but Lord Krishna restrained him by saying, "O son of Kunti, Maharaja Yudhisthira has been wounded by Karna and so your first duty is to find him and make sure that he is alright. After doing this, you can fight with Karna. "

Arjuna could not see Maharaja Yudhisthira anywhere on the battlefield, however, and so he went to Bhima and inquired about him. Bhima then said, "My dear brother, after being wounded in battle, Yudhisthira fled from the fight. In fact, because Karna was chasing him, I really do not know if he is still alive or not. "

Arjuna replied, "O Bhima, please go quickly and look for Yudhisthira. Perhaps he has returned to our camp. "

But, Bhima pleaded, "My dear Arjuna, you should go and search for Yudhisthira. If I were to do so, then people would call me a coward for leaving the battlefield. "

Thereafter, when Lord Krishna and Arjuna arrived at the Pandava camp, they found Yudhisthira lying down on his bed. Being overjoyed just to see that he was still alive, Lord Krishna and Arjuna bowed down at the King's feet. Seeing Arjuna before him, Maharaja Yudhisthira assumed that he must have come to tell him of how he had killed Karna. Thus, with great happiness, the King said, "O Arjuna, Karna humiliated me so greatly, right in the presence of my protectors. I am so happy that you have killed the wicked Suta's son at last!"

"My dear brother, for thirteen long years I could not sleep properly at night, nor could I enjoy anything freely during the day, because of great fear of Karna. Indeed, all of these years, my heart continually burned with intense hatred for Karna. Now, tell me exactly how you had managed to kill Karna, so that I can relish every word. "

Arjuna replied, "My dear Yudhisthira, up until now I have been fully engaged in fighting with Ashvattama and so I have had no time for Karna. With your blessings and permission, however, I will certainly relieve your burning heart by killing him this very day without fail. "

When Maharaja Yudhisthira heard that Karna was still alive, he became almost deranged due to extreme disappointment. Becoming exceedingly agitated, he then chastised Arjuna by saying, "What! How could you be such a coward and leave Bhima all alone to fight with Karna? Now I can see that all of the hopes that we had placed in you during our years of exile were futile because you are too afraid to face Karna in battle. It seems that even demigods speak lies, for on the seventh day after your birth, a voice from the sky had announced that you would perform heroic deeds in the future. "

"O Arjuna, if you are too afraid to fight with Karna, then you should give your Gandiva bow to someone else who can utilize it better. In fact, it would have been better if you had come out of Kunti" womb five months after conception as a miscarriage rather than a coward who has left the battlefield!"

Arjuna heatedly replied, "O Krishna, long ago I made a secret vow to behead anyone who would even suggest that I give away my Gandiva bow. It is for this reason that I will now kill Yudhisthira and thus pay off my debt to Truth. "

Lord Krishna then strongly chastised his friend by saying, "Arjuna, you speak so self-righteously but you actually do not know what is true morality. According to shastra, it is highly virtuous to tell a lie for the purpose of saving a life, especially that of a king or a brahmana. Lying is also meritorious when used to save one's wealth from danger, or for obtaining a woman's hand in marriage. Indeed, if truth is upheld at the cost of someone's life, then it is the greatest untruth and unrighteousness. "

"My dear Arjuna, in this regard I will tell you what had once happened to the learned sage Kaushika. "

Kaushika Rishi lived at a holy place that was situated at the confluence of several rivers. This great sage came to be highly celebrated for having made a vow to speak the truth in all circumstances and at all times.

One day, some people entered the forest where Kaushika lived while fearfully fleeing from a band of dacoits that were chasing them. As they searched for their victims, these criminals came upon Kaushika and so they inquired of their whereabouts from him. The truthful rishi then pointed out the path that these innocent people had taken, and so, as a result, the dacoits were quickly able to find them. After plundering all of their possessions, the dacoits killed these unfortunate people, and for the sin of telling the truth when lying would have been virtuous, Kaushika had to enter the hellish planets after death and suffer there for many years.

Lord Krishna then asked, "Now, my dear Arjuna, what do you think is the proper course of action in this case?"

Arjuna replied, "My dear Krishna, I must admit that if I were to kill my elder brother, then I would not be able to remain living in this world for even a moment longer. Therefore, my dear Lord, I request You to provide a solution to my dilemma. Kindly allow me to keep my vow intact, and at the same time save Yudhisthira's life. "

Lord Krishna then said, "Arjuna, Maharaja Yudhisthira is very tired, aggrieved and pained by his wounds. It is for this reason alone that he had spoken to you so harshly. Actually, he was only trying to provoke you to kill Karna and thus bring this ghastly war to a close. Now, because disrespect is equivalent to death for one that has always been honored, I suggest that you show some slight disregard for Yudhisthira in order to keep your vow intact. This can be accomplished if you simply address him as 'you' instead of the formal 'your honor'. "

But, in response, Arjuna spoke very harshly, saying, "O King, Bhima may have the right to criticize me, for he is an unretreating hero that has killed many, many thousands of warriors in battle. You have not such right, however, especially while lying here on Draupadi's bed after having fearfully fled from the battlefield. "

"Frankly speaking, I am not very enthusiastic to fight for the purpose of regaining the kingdom that you had foolishly lost by gambling. Because of your addiction to dice, you have plunged your entire family into the depths of misery. And yet, you still have the nerve to ask us to fight so that you can take back the kingdom that you had stupidly lost. And, as if this were not enough, you are such an ungrateful wretch that you want to criticize me for no reason. "

Arjuna was very softhearted by nature and thus he was afraid of deviating from the path of virtue. Therefore, after speaking to his elder brother so harshly, Arjuna became horribly depressed. Then, having become plunged into an ocean of despair, Arjuna suddenly unsheathed his sword, and so with great surprise, Lord Krishna asked, "O son of Kunti, what is it that you intend to do?"

Arjuna replied, "I am going to kill myself, for I cannot bear to go on living after having acted so abominably. '

Lord Krishna then said, "My dear Arjuna, by committing suicide, you will sink down into an even lower hell than that which you would have had to go to for killing your elder brother. Instead, I suggest that you kill yourself by boasting of your own glories, for to become too puffed-up with false pride is in itself spiritual suicide. "

Accepting this advice, Arjuna bragged, "O Krishna, I have already single-handedly killed half of the Kaurava army while my impotent brothers and allies have more or less stood aside as spectators. Now, it is my solemn promise that I will kill Karna this very day and thus prove that I am not merely a heroic talker. "

After saying this, Arjuna put his sword back into its sheath. Then, with folded hands and his head hanging down in shame, Arjuna begged forgiveness from Maharaja Yudhisthira and assured him that he would quickly return to the battlefield to fight with Karna. Finally, after touching his elder brother's feet, Arjuna prepared to depart, and at this time, Maharaja Yudhisthira got up from his bed.

While following Arjuna, the King very despondently condemned himself by saying, "My dear brother, I am such a cruel wretch and a coward. I do not deserve the association of such noble persons as you, nor am I qualified to act as the emperor of the world. Therefore, instead of continuing my false show of being a pious ruler, I will retire to the forest. After defeating the Kauravas, Bhima can be installed upon the royal throne and thus rule over the Earth. "

After saying this, Maharaja Yudhisthira actually began to leave for the forest. Lord Krishna then came and bowed down at his feet while pacifying him with sweet words. The Lord said, "O King, Arjuna spoke to you so harshly only because I had instructed him to do so. This was his way of preserving his vow to kill anyone who would even suggest that he give away his Gandiva bow. "

"My dear Yudhisthira, I promise you without a doubt that Arjuna will kill Karna today. Please give up your grief. "

Maharaja Yudhisthira became pacified by Lord Krishna's words. In fact, the Lord had fallen down at his feet and so Maharaja Yudhisthira picked Him up while saying, "My dear Krishna, both Arjuna and I have certainly acted very foolishly. But, You have saved us with Your good advice and thus once again, You have proved that You are our eternal protector. "

Lord Krishna could understand that Arjuna was still depressed on account of his offensive behavior. Therefore, He said, "O son of Kunti, do not give way to despondency. Just think about how you would feel if you had actually killed your elder brother, instead of merely insulting him. Now, go and worship Yudhisthira and then we will fight with Karna and kill him. That will certainly bring the King the greatest joy and satisfaction. "

Arjuna then went and fell onto the ground, touching his head to Maharaja Yudhisthira's feet. While shedding profuse tears, Arjuna remorsefully begged for forgiveness again and again, and in response, Yudhisthira raised him up and embraced him with great affection. Both brothers then cried aloud for some time, and in this way, they were relieved of their excessive grief.

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