Q: Why god has created this universe? What is the purpose of life? Who am I?
- Vaibhav, Bangalore
A:
1. Why god has created this universe?
The notion of god "creating" something not true. Because the concept of "creation" in Hinduism is not an external creation, rather it is a manifestation of Parabrahman itself. The world as it appears is not an absolute truth, but is relative. It is called mithya or maya. The illusion, where relative truth appears as absolute reality is the cause of our ignorance - a veil of ignorance that covers ourself from reality.
2. What is the purpose of life?
Goal of human life is mOksha, the liberation from cycle of births and deaths. mOksha can happen only through true jnAna(knowledge) - the knowledge of the self. This is achieved through a 3 step process designed by our ancient rishis - Shravana, Manana and Nididhyasana. But to attain Jnana, you must satisfy some prerequisites. You must have one-pointedness of mind (Ekagrata). Ekagrata comes through Upasana. Upasana comes through purity of heart (Chitta Suddhi). Chitta Suddhi comes through Nishkamya Karma Yoga. To do Nishkamya Karma, you must have controlled the Indriyas. The Indriyas can be controlled through Viveka and Vairagya.
Moksha is not to be regarded as a becoming into something which previously had no existence. Moksha is not something to be achieved. It is already achieved. Everything is one with Absolute or Para Brahman. What is to be achieved is annihilation of the sense of separateness. Moksha is the direct perception of that which has existed from eternity, but has hitherto been concealed from us on account of the veil of ignorance. Moksha is attainment of the Supreme Bliss or Immortality and removal of all kinds of pain. Moksha is freedom from birth and death.
3. Who am I?
This is something to be discovered, and not explained through words.
- Vaibhav, Bangalore
A:
1. Why god has created this universe?
The notion of god "creating" something not true. Because the concept of "creation" in Hinduism is not an external creation, rather it is a manifestation of Parabrahman itself. The world as it appears is not an absolute truth, but is relative. It is called mithya or maya. The illusion, where relative truth appears as absolute reality is the cause of our ignorance - a veil of ignorance that covers ourself from reality.
Goal of human life is mOksha, the liberation from cycle of births and deaths. mOksha can happen only through true jnAna(knowledge) - the knowledge of the self. This is achieved through a 3 step process designed by our ancient rishis - Shravana, Manana and Nididhyasana. But to attain Jnana, you must satisfy some prerequisites. You must have one-pointedness of mind (Ekagrata). Ekagrata comes through Upasana. Upasana comes through purity of heart (Chitta Suddhi). Chitta Suddhi comes through Nishkamya Karma Yoga. To do Nishkamya Karma, you must have controlled the Indriyas. The Indriyas can be controlled through Viveka and Vairagya.
Shravana, Manana and Nididhyasana:The definition of shravaNa is the consistent systematic learning of Vedanta from a competent live teacher for a prolonged length of a time. The teaching has to be reflected upon until there are no more doubts left in the mind, and that is called manana. I am not going to touch a wire until I know for sure (100%) it is not a live wire. Even if there is a slight doubt, I would hesitate to touch it. Similarly the purpose of manana is to insure that the mind is completely doubt-free. Contemplating on the teaching until it is assimilated is nididhyAsana.
Moksha is not to be regarded as a becoming into something which previously had no existence. Moksha is not something to be achieved. It is already achieved. Everything is one with Absolute or Para Brahman. What is to be achieved is annihilation of the sense of separateness. Moksha is the direct perception of that which has existed from eternity, but has hitherto been concealed from us on account of the veil of ignorance. Moksha is attainment of the Supreme Bliss or Immortality and removal of all kinds of pain. Moksha is freedom from birth and death.
3. Who am I?
This is something to be discovered, and not explained through words.
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