In reality, God is not the creator of this world at all. All of this is only Scientific Circumstantial Evidence. Therefore, all of this is a natural creation. In Gujarati, I call it Vyavasthit Shakti (Scientific Circumstantial Evidence). This is a very subtle fact.

What is Atma Gnan? It is the understanding of the inherent qualities of Atma (Purush, Self) and the anatma (prakruti, Non-Self). The one who knows the qualities of the Self and the non-self and has been through the process of separation, is said to have acquired Atma Gnan. When you become aware of the inherent qualities and differences of the Self and the non-self, you have acquired Atma Gnan.

It is not possible to attain Atma Gnan on your own. This is because right now you are living and behaving as prakruti and you are trying to destroy the prakruti while being in it. How can this be possible? You will only be able to scratch the surface, but you will not be able to totally destroy prakruti. If this cloth becomes dirty, you will need soap to remove the dirt. In the process of cleaning, the soap will leave behind a residue. While you remove one kind of residue, another kind will set in. Then you have to use Tinopal (name brand cloth whitener in India) in order to remove the residue from the soap. The Tinopal will also leave its own stain. I am giving you this analogy to help you understand why it is not possible to attain Atma Gnan through one’s own efforts. Unless one receives Atma Gnan, it is not possible to destroy prakruti, although it can be weakened. Once you recognize the attributes of the Self and the Non-Self, the solution has happened. The Gnani Purush can help you know all the attributes. Only a Gnani Purush can separate the Self and the non-Self for you.

For example, this gold ring contains a mixture of copper and gold. Who do you think will be able to separate the gold from the copper?

Questioner: Only a goldsmith.

Gnani: Yes, a goldsmith can separate the gold and copper because he knows the qualities of both of these elements. Similarly, a Gnani Purush knows the qualities of the Self and the non-Self and so he can separate the two.

…to be continued in next part…

–from the book shivoham

–Shikha Punjani