Mysticism -- Hinduism; Religion; Sanskrit literature -- Translations into English
Here we see how the Absolute assumes concrete form to give
knowledge of Himself to the earnest seeker. Brahman, the
impenetrable mystery, disappeared and in His place appeared a
personal form to represent Him. This is a subtle way of showing
the difference between the Absolute and the personal aspects of
Deity. The Absolute is declared to be unknowable and
unthinkable, but He assumes deified personal aspects to make
Himself known to His devotees. Thus Uma, daughter of the
Himalaya, represents that personal aspect as the offspring of the
Infinite Being; while the Himalaya stands as the symbol of the
Eternal, Unchangeable One.
Part fourth
I
She (Uma) said: "It is Brahman. It is through the victory of
Brahman that ye are victorious." Then from her words, he (Indra)
knew that it (that mysterious form) was Brahman.
Uma replied to Indra, "It is to Brahman that you owe your victory. It is
through His power that you live and act. He is the agent and you are all only
instruments in His hands. Therefore your idea that 'This victory is ours,
this glory is ours,' is based on ignorance." At once Indra saw their mistake.
The Devas, being puffed up with vanity, had thought they themselves had
achieved the victory, whereas it was Brahman; for not even a blade of grass
can move without His command.
II
Therefore these Devas,--Agni, Vayu and Indra--excel other Devas,
because they came nearer to Brahman. It was they who first knew
this spirit as Brahman.
III
Therefore Indra excels all other Devas, because he came nearest
to Brahman, and because he first (before all others) knew this
spirit as Brahman.
Agni, Vayu and Indra were superior to the other Devas because they gained a
closer vision; and they were able to do this because they were purer; while
Indra stands as the head of the Devas, because he realized the Truth directly,
he reached Brahman. The significance of this is that whoever comes in direct
touch with Brahman or the Supreme is glorified.
IV
Thus the teaching of Brahman is here illustrated in regard to the
Devas. He dashed like lightning, and appeared and disappeared
just as the eye winks.
The teaching as regards the Devas was that Brahman is the only Doer. He had
appeared before them in a mysterious form; but the whole of the unfathomable
Brahman could not be seen in any definite form; so at the moment of vanishing,
He manifested more of His immeasurable glory and fleetness of action by a
sudden dazzling flash of light.
V
Next (the teaching) is regarding Adhyatman (the embodied Soul).
The mind seems to approach Him (Brahman). By this mind (the
seeker) again and again remembers and thinks about Brahman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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