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adhyAsa Bhashyam
shankaram shankarAchAryam keshavam bAdarAyaNam
SUtrabASykrtau vande bhagavantau punah punaha
SrutismrtipurANAnAm Alayam karuNAlayam
NamAmi bhagavdpAdam shankaram lokashankaram
SUtrabhASyapraNetArau vedAntAbjaprabhAkaru
Vande parasparAtmAnau bAdarAyaNashankaru
Introduction
In the canon of vedanta litarature, the Brahma Sutram occupies a unique position as the
oldest systematic commentary on the Upanishads. Of commentaries on the Brahma Sutram,
Shankara's commentary stands pre-eminent in elaborating advaita vedanta according to his
tradition, or sampradaya. Whilst there is doubt regarding authorship of some of the works
attributed to shankara, there is universal agreement in the tradition that the bhAsyam on
brahma sUtram was compsed by Adi Shankaracharya. This is evidenced by the fact that the
genesis of post shankara schools arises from sub-commentaries on primarily his brahma
sutra bhASyam. In these sub- commentaries (of which the so-called bhAmati and vivaraNa
schools are most recognised), the authors profess to be elaborating on shankara's system
of advaita, and clearly identify shankara as the author of the bhASyam.
His astonishing introduction to his Brahma Sutra Bhashyam (BSB), often called the adhyAsa
bhASyam, is, in my view, one of the greatest texts written on vedanta, and holds the
status for me of a Sruti. For in it, we find no quotation from other shastra in this
introduction to support his statements. They are simply outpourings from anubhava, or
experience, of an enlightened sage, and which appeal to that sArvatrika-anubhava, or
universal experience, that belongs to each and every one of us.
Shankara's adhyAsa bhASyam fully serves the purpose of an introduction. He succintly
manages to summarise all the key points that will unfold in his Brahma Sutra Bhashyam, and
connects them to the central underlying theme. The them of is work is: " My
commentary will explain how the brahma sutram identifies the fundamental obstacle to
knowledge, and how the it explains the method used in the Sruti to remove this obstacle,
so that ultimate knowledge (which will be defined), is acquired". At one stroke he
covers the aim of the work, its purpose, and what the answer is to the basic question
above.
In summary, Shankara clarifies for us that the obstacle to enlightenment is a
misconception on our part, which superimposes (mixes up) up the real and non-real, which
drives an empirical view of the world as an apparent duality of subjects, objects, and
means of knowing these objects. The misconception is innate to us, and tradition gives the
technical name adhyAsa to this superimposition. Shankara further defines the avidyA in the
Sruti as this adhyAsa. Once this avidyA is removed, what is left is vidyA or knowledge
that is the experience of brahman, the Ultimate Reality. Therefore, shankara says, the
purpose of the shastra is to reveal brahman by identifying and removing avidyA or
misconceptions, so that brahman can shine of its own accord.
In so doing, in his adhyAsa bhASyam, shankara sows the seed for all the important aspects
of his tradition of advaita:
1) What knowledge gives us knowledge of Ultimate Reality?
2)What is the obstacle to knowledge?
3) What is the nature of this obstacle?
4) How is knowledge of brahman attained? What are the means of knowledge, and why is Sruti
the ultimate means of knowledge?
5) What is the role and purpose of shastra in revealing this knowledge?
6) What is the method used by the shastra to reveal brahman?
If one had the time, one could take each statement in the adhyAsa bhASyam and unravel it
to reveal all of shankara's tradition of advaita. In this article I will simply give a
guided tour of the contents of the adhyAsa bhASyam line by line, and highlight the key
messages. My rendering of the bhASyam will be as literal and transparent as possible, so
the readers scan judge themselves the true meaning for them.
adhyAsa bhASyam is a short text, and one can read it in about 10 minutes or so. I have
found it invaluable committing it to memory, so it constantly flows through all my
thoughts. I hope by the end of the article the reader has the same feeling about this text
as I.
I have referred in brief to the portions of the bhASya discussed at the start of each
section. I have followed the bhASyam in the order it was written.
2) The nature of confusion
yuSmadasmat pratyaya….adhyAso mithyeti bhavitum yuktam
In a manner that is classic of shankara's style, the author of the bhASyam begins with an
objection. The objection runs as follows: Atman is real, and is the eternal subject I .
Everything else is not real, and is perceived as a separate object you (yuSmat). How is it
possible to confuse or superimpose(adhyAsa) the distinct concepts (pratyaya) of subject
and object (the "I" and the "you"), and related attributes (dharma's),
as they are by nature as different as night and day (tamah prakAshavat)? Such confusion
should be impossible (mithyeti bhavitum yuktam). Shankara's objection simply states that,
in theory, it should be crystal clear to all what reality is, since it is so different
from the unreal, so what is all the fuss about, and what is the need to write a whole book
about reality and how to perceive it?
Shankara's reply runs as follows:
TathA'pi anyonyasmin,…naisargiko'yam loka vyavahAraha
It is, however, a matter of common experience (loka vyavahAraha), that, through lack of
discrimination (avivekena), we superimpose concepts on each other (anyonyasmin,
anyonyAtmakatAm) and their attributes (anyonyadharmAn cha adhyasa), even though they and
their attributes are utterly distinct in nature (atyanta viviktayoh dharma-dharmiNoh),
impelled by false knowledge (mithyAjnAna-nimittaha), it is an innate human error
(naisargikah) to confuse the real and the non, real or the "I" and
"mine" (satyAnrte mithunIkrtya, aham idam mamedam iti).
In other words, shankara tells us " but common experience shows us that we do it all
the time! We see duality where in reality there is none, we mistake one thing for another
every day". That we do this is not through any mystery but is innate. The mixing up
is adhyAsa. Shankara will later go on to say that this adhyAsa has always been there, and
is therefore beginingless. It is important to make an important clarification here.
Shankara proceeds on the same basis as the Sruti, which takes it as axiomatic that brahman
is the ultimate reality. We find very few instances where discussions occur to
"prove" that the correct view of the world is that there is an Ultimate Reality
called brahman. For shankara and the Sruti this was self evident that Atman is self
-established (swayam prasiddhatwaat). Viewed from this transcendental viewpoint of reality
it is clear why shankara views this mixing of the real and the non real as an error. This
is fundamental to understanding shankara's tradition of advaita. All that is required for
knowledge is to remove this error to reveal brahman, and the universe will naturally be
seen in its true light
NB: A side note for the specialists. If you want to stick to the essence of the
meaning, skip the next paragraph
In this passage we find the first divergence of opinion amongst post shankara
commentators. In the panchapAdikA sub-commentary, attributed to padmapAda, the word
mithyAjnAna is explained as "mithyA cha tat ajnAnam cha", meaning an unreal
ignorance. The other way to decompose this word is as "mithyA cha tat jnAnam
cha", meaning a misconception, or false knowledge. Using the former definition , the
sub-commentator has explained that the cause of this adhyAsa or avidyA is some other
material caus( upAdAna kAraNa) that he defines as a mysterious avidyA shakti, that is
indescribable (anirvachaneeya), and inert (jaDAtmikA). The later writers have used the
term mulAvidyA, or Root Ignorance, for this material cause, and equate it with the term
mAyA. This gives a different flavour to the nature of avidyA than a literal reading of
mithyAjnAna. The question as to whether shankara really meant just false knowledge or
something more mysterious is the subject of great debate. This is not the place to go in
to this in detail. I will be explaining the adyAsa bhASyam using the literal meaning of
simply false knowledge.
3) How is adhyAsa defined?
"Aha ko'yam adhyAso nameti"……"ekah chandraha sat dwitIyavat
iti"
Shankara now proceeds to give various definitions accepted by the tradition as follows,
and tries to identify the underlying theme:
In response to the question, "so, what is adhyAsa (ko'yam adhyAso nAmeti), shankara
replies that it is the nature of something remembered (smrti rUpah), or the impression of
something seen in the past (paratra pUrvadrSTAvabhAsah). By this he wishes to confirm that
it is a mental notion. He further goes on to give 3 definitions from tradition:
i) Some say it is simply the superimposing the qualities of one thing (anyadharmAdhyAsah)
on another (anyatra)
ii) Others say it is a a confusion of our faculty to discriminate (tat
vivekAgraha-nibandhano bhrama iti)
iii) Others further says it is the superimposing 2 things and their attributes that are of
opposite nature (tasyaiva vipareeta dharmatwa-kalpanAm Achakshate iti)
Shankara then explains that the common thread running through all definitions is that of
confusing one thing and its attributes with another (anyasya anydharmAvabhAsatAm na
vyabhicharati). For, it is a matter of common experience (tathA cha loke anubhavah), where
we all have confused one thing for another. Two examples are given: confusing silver for
nacre (shuktikA hi rajatavat avabhAsate, and when, due to a trick of the light, one moon
is seen as two (ekah chandra sad-dwiteeyavat iti)
Put simply, our ignorance is confusing one thing for another, which in the context of
vedanta, is confusing the world of duality for the real world, whereas the real world is
one where no duality exists. This confusion is an experience, and therefore its existence
does not need to be proved or disproved. Sureswara says this in his vArtikA:
Atah pramANato'shakyA'vidyA'syeti vIxitum
KIdrshI vA kuto vAsAvanubhUtyekarUpatah
Sambandha Vartika 184
In fact, one can never know ignorance as belonging to any one, neither determine its
nature nor conceive how it can possibly be at all, for it is essentially the nature of
experience itself
(by the way, this affirms that, in shankara's tradition of advaita, it is futile trying to
establish the cause of avidyA, as, once it is recognised and removed , it is seen to never
have existed at all! This is why shankara never taxes himself with detailed discussions
concerning where does this avidyA come from, and to whom does it belong, as these matters
become totally irrelevant once atman is known. Later followers of shankara chose not to
let the matter rest, hence the elaborate theories regarding the root cause of avidyA, and
various discussions of the locus of avidyA. One imagines that, should these discussions
have happened in front of shankara, he would have given them short shrift by saying
something like "its about brahman, not avidyA! Don't get distracted!")
4) Further clarification that adhyAsa is possible
katham punah pratyagAtmanyaviSaye…evam aviruddhah pratyagAnmanyapi anAtmAdhyAsah
To further clarify Shankara's statement that adhyAsa is a matter of common experience, he
next raises an objection, which is then answered. The objection runs as follows:
We can accept the superimposition of two objects in front of us (sarvo hi puro'vasthhite
viSaye, viSayAntaram adhyasyati). But, how can the atman that you claim is ever the
subject (aviSayatwam bravIshi) be confused with something that is the not Atman, expressed
as "you"!
Shankara has essentially restated the original objection in a different way. His reply is
as follows:
It is not unusual at all that such superimposition occurs regarding atman (na tAvat ayam
ekAntena aviSayah), for in empirical life the atman is referred as the object of the
"me" notion (asmatpratyayaviSayatwAt aparoxatwAt cha). Secondly, there is no
rule that says only two perceived objects in front of one can be confused (na chAyam asti
niyamah puro'vasthite eva viSaye viSayAntaram adhyasitavyam iti). For, the sky is
imperceptible, yet children confuse dirt in the sky as having made the sky dirty
(apratyakhse'api hyAkAshe bAlAh talamalinatAt adhyasysanti). Therefore, it is not
unreasonable to expect that the imperceptible atman that is the eternal subject, can be
confused with objective phenomena around us. (evam aviruddhah pratyagAtmanyapi
anAtmAdhyAsah)
5) Adhyasa is avidyA
tamatem evam laxanam adyAsam paNDitA avidyeti manyante, tadvivekena cha
vastuswarUpAvadhAraNam vidyAm Ahuh. Tatraivam sati yatra yadadhyAsah tatkrtena doSeNa
guNena vA aNumAtreNApi sa na sambadhyate.
Now we come to an important part of the bhashya. Shankara here explicitly defines that
confusing of the real and the non real, that is adhyAsa (tametam evam laxaNam adyAsam),
that results in the apparently real world of duality of subjects, objects and means of
knowledge , as being called avidyA in the shAstras by the learned (paNDItA aviyeti
manyante). In contrast, ascertaining the true nature of things though discrimination is
called vidyA (tadvivekena cha vastuswarUpAvadhAraNam vidyAm Ahuh). In addition, to
clarify, where avidyA operates, it does not in any way affect the substrate at all as a
result of the perceived acts, defects, qualities etc that avidyA may imply as being atman
(Tatraivam sati yatra yadadhyAsah tatkrtena doSeNa guNena vA aNumAtreNApi sa na
sambadhyate).
Atman is never tainted by the effects of Ignorance
We find in the vArtikAs and kArikAs numerous statements that describe avidyA as that which
results in a confusion of the real and non real. There are also descriptions of subtle
shades of this false knowledge (mithyAjnAna) that is avidyA (nature of samshaya, of
"I do not know") etc, but the core definition of avidyA is that given by
shankara here in the bhASyam. In upedasha sAhasrI he beautifully elaborates his
definition, to directly link adhyAsa with the world of samsAra and duality:
"Twam paramAtmAnam santam asamsAriNam samsAryaham asmIti viparItam pratipadyase,
akartAram santam karteti, abhoktAram santam bhokteti, vidyamAnam cha avidyamAnamiti, iyam
avidyA" (US II 50)
"You are the non-transmigratory self, but you wrongly think that you are liable to
transmigration. In the same way, not being a doer/agent, an experiencer, a knower, you
mistake yourself to be these. This is avidyA"
Sureshwara also beautifully summarises shankara's bhASya so far, in an unrelated verse:
AntaryAmI tathA sAkshI sarvagyashchetyavidyayA
MiththyAdhyAsaishcha tat karyaihi aprameyam prameeyate
BBV 2.3.10
"That Innner Dweller, The Witness, all knowing and un objectifiable, appears to
become a separate object through the false superimposition that is aviydA"
Anywhere the notion of "I am an agent, doer, thinker," arises, then avidyA is
there, as it implies a distinct separate doer/agent/knower, and an object that is to be
done/achieved/known. This leads perfectly to the next astonishing segment of the adhyAsa
bhASyam:
6) All secular activities that presuppose a separate doer etc are in the field of
avidyA, even the veda's!
tametam avidyAkhyam AtmAnAtmanoh iteretarAdhyAsam puraskrtya sarve pramANa-prameya
vyavahArAH, laukikAh vaidikAh cha pravrttAh sarvANI cha shAstrANi
vidhi-pratiSedha-moxaparANi
This statement can be a bombshell for those not acquainted with the subtler meaning of
vedanta . And was certainly an epiphany for me in my early vedanta studies. For, shankara
declares without hesitation that all empirical activities where separate subjects and
objects are perceived, (sarve pramANa-prameya vyavahArAH), both day to day and vedic
(laukikAh vaidikAh cha) operate in the field of avidyA (tametam avidyAkhyam AtmAnAtmanoh
iteretaram adhyAsam puraskrtya). So do all shastras (sarvANI cha shAstrANi) that pertain
to injunctions, prohibitions and discussions of liberation (vidhi-pratiSedha-moxaparANi).
In other words, all discussions of injunctions , vedic ritual including pooja havan,
meditation etc, even talk of liberation itself are in the field of ignorance. Why is this
so? shankara anticipates that this would be a question, and raises it himself next as an
objection, followed by the answer. The objection runs as follows:
Katham punaha avidyAvatviSayAni pratyakshAdini pramANAni shAstrAni cha iti?
How can all means of knowledge (pramANani) and the shAstra's have ignorance as their
locus?
The response is as follows:
Uchyate dehendriyAdiSu….pramANAni shAstrANi cha
Since a man without self identification with the body, mind and senses etc cannot become a
knower, and as such,the means of knowledge cannot function for him, (dehendriyAdiSu
ahammamAbhimAnarahitasya pramAtrwAnupapattu pramANapravrttyanupapatteh). Since perception
and other activities (of such a cogniser) are not possible without accepting the senses
etc as belonging to him (na hIndriyANyanupAdAya pratyakshAdivyavahArah sambhavati). Since
the senses cannot function without the body as a substrate (na cha adhiSTHAnamantareNa
indriyANam vyavahArah sambhavati). And, since nobody engages in any activity with a body
that has not the idea of the self superimposed on it (na cha anadhyasta AtmabhAvena dehena
kashchit vyApriyate), even though the self it is unattached and cannot become a knower
unless there are all of these above notions(na cha etasmin sarvasmin asati asangasyAtmanah
pramAtrtwam upapadyate). And since the means of knowledge cannot function without a
"knower" (na cha pramAtrtwam antareNa, pramANa-pravrittirasti), it therefore
follows that all means of knowledge, such as direct perception as well as the shastras are
in the field of avidyA, as they are based on the basic adhyAsa that one is a distinct
knower (tasmAt avidyAvadviSayAnyeva pratyakshAdIni pramANAni shAstrANi cha)
Put simply, for the means of knowledge to operate, it requres the notion of a doer, and
the notion of a doer is the result of superimposition on the unattached Atman. In other
words, as soon as one falsely identifies the self as a pramAtr, ie an agent, or doer, then
all fields that operate are in the field of avidyA. ShAstra, means of knowledge etc, since
they require a distinct doer, are therefore bound in the field of avidyA.
Side note:
For those not familiar, the concepts of prAmtr prameya etc are defined in the nyAya
shAstra as follows:
Yasya prepsAjihAsAprayuktasya pravrttih sa pramAtA
One who is urged to get or avoid something and therefore engages in enquiry (because he
wants to know things correctly) is pramAtr
YenArtham pramiNoti tat pramANam
That by means of which he ascertains his object is prameya
Yo'rthah pratIyate tat prameyam
The object ascertainable is prameya
YadarthavijnAnam sA pramitih
The correct ascertainment of the object is pramiti
These concepts are fundamental to enquiry of reality in the Indian systems of philosophy.
We are a sea of pramAtr's in a world full of objects to be known, known as pramANa-prameya
vyavahAra. It is advaita, particularly as expressed in Shankara's school, where it is
declared that such distinction of the world into a duality of distinct subjects and
objects is an illusion, driven by the innate trait of superimposing on the atman the
concept of pramAtr-hood. Gaudapada declares elsewhere , "mAyAmAtram idam dvaitam,
advaitam paramArthatah", this world of duality is false, the supreme reality is
advaita. This process of confusing the atman as distinct pramAtr is the subject of adhyAsa
bhASyam.
7) In the matter of empirical life, human procedure is identical to all animals
pashwAdibhishcha avisheSAt….tat kAlah samAnah iti nischIyate
The world as perceived when the notions of pramAtr, prameya and pramANa are assumed to
exist is called the empirical standpoint in the shankara's bhashyas (vyavahAra drSTI).
When these notions have been abandoned, the world is in its true light from the standpoint
of supreme reality (paramArtha drSTI). It is vital always to understand in shankara's
bhashyas which standpoint is being adopted for an argument, otherwise it can lead to
massive confusion. In the next section of adyAsa bhASyam, shankara amplifies the point
that the empirical world conjured through this avidyA is a matter of common experience
that we share with all living beings.
For animals, when they hear a sound they believe is dangerous, they turn away, and move
towards that which seems safe (YathA hi pashwAdayah shabdAdibhih shrotrAdInAm sambandhe
sati shabdAdivijnAne pratikUle jAte tato navartante, anukUle cha pravartante), and they
turn towards someone holding green grass, and shie away from one holding a stick, thinking
that they will be beaten (yathA daNdodyakaram puruSam abhimukham upalabhya, mAm hantum
ayam icchhatIti palAyitum Arabhante, harita-trNa-pUrNa-pANim upalabhya tam pratyabhimukhI
bhavanti). In the same way wise humans are repelled by strong, riotous people with
menacing looks and swords drawn, but drawn to those opposite in nature (evam puruSa api
vyutpannachittAh krUradrSTIn Akroshatah kaDgodyatakarAn balavata upalabhya tato
nivartante, tatviparItAn prati pravartante). In this way, the behaviour of humans and
animals in the empirical sphere of subjects and objects is identical (atah samAnah
pashwAdibhih puruSANAm pramANa-prameya-vyavahArah)
To further clarify, shankara goes on to say that it is of course well known that animals
use their means of perception without the benefit of discrimination etc (pashwAdInAm cha
prasiddho'vivekapurassarah pratyakshAdivyavahArah). From this we can conclude that from
the empirical standpoint, the means of perception employed by the wise and animals are
identical (tat samAnyadarshanAt vyutpattimatAm api puruSANAm pratyakshAdivyavahArah
tatkAlah samAnah iti nischIyate)
So, what is the point of the above? Simply to say that the instinctive behaviour of humans
in the empirical field is due to a series of misconceptions due to a non-discrimination
between the Atman and the non-Atman, and that humans share this behaviour with the rest of
the animal kingdom. Now humans, apart from their faculty of discrimination, must be
different somehow, and therefore not subject to avidyA? Shankara deals with this objection
in the next section.
8) The shastra's are ever bound in the field of avidyA as they must presuppose a
distinct agent
shAstriye tu …….Ashritya pravartante
Shankara says that it is indeed true, that one must have some notion of self as distinct
from this life and the hereafter to perform karma's (shAtriye tu vyavahAre yadyapi
buddhipUrvakArI nAviditwA Atmanah paralokasambandham adhikriyate). However, such a person
has not cognized the true self which, according to vedanta, is beyond hunger and thirst,
beyond the distinctions of caste, and beyond the notions of rebirth from one life to the
next (tathApi na vedAntavedyam, ashanAyAdyatItam, apetabrahmakshatrAdibhedam,
asamsAryAtmatattwam adhikAre apekshyate). In fact, the ultimate knowledge that Atman as a
non-agent is not only a useless notion for one engaged in acts to be performed, but is in
fact diammetrically opposite to it! (anupayogAt, adhikAravirodhAt cha).
So, all human behaviour, whether secular, vedic or employing means of valid knowledge are
in the realm of avidyA. Now, it is clarified that even the shAstra laying out injunctions
also operate in the field of ignorance. Shankara says that:
For, before the dawn of real knowledge, all shAstra's can never transcend the field of
avidyA (prAk cha tathA bhUtAtmavijnAnAt pravartamAnam shAstram avidyAvadviSayatwam
nAtivartate). For, in the example injunction "a brahmin should offer sacrifice",
the notion of caste, being an agent, being at a certain stage in life, etc have first to
be superimposed on the changeless, eternal Atman before such a sentence can make any
sense! (tathA hi brAhmANo yajeta ityAdIni shAstrANi Atmani
varNAshramayo'vasthhAdi-visheSAdhyAsam Ashritya pravartante)
This section can be distressing to those who have, all their life, depending on performing
japa, pooja, homa, or following injunctions as a means to secure revelation. In contrast,
such activities must presuppose a distinct notion "I am doing such and such",
which puts them in the field of ignorance. Shankara elsewhere explains that, when such
acts are performed without desire for fruit, by recognising the there is no
"doer", then they inculcate the desire for brahmavidya, which takes the aspirant
closer to realising the message of vedanta.
9) Various examples of adhyAsa elaborated
adhyAso nAma… adhyasyati.
Shankara now gives various examples of this adhyAsa, which he defines again as the
cognition of one thing as something else (adhyAso nAma atasminstadbuddhih ityavochAma).
The first example is one where, when family members are sick or well, we feel sick or well
too, because of the attachment (tadyathA putrabhAryAdiSu vikaleSu sakaleSu vA, aham eva
vikalah sakalo vA iti bahyadharmAn atmanyadhyasyati). The next example relates to
attributes of the body (tathA dehadharmAn), where we say "I am fat", or "I
am thin", or "I am fair"; "I stand, I go, I limp" etc
(sthhUlo'ham, krsho'ham, gauro'ham; tiSThAmi, gachhAmi, langhayAmi cha iti). The next
examples relate to the senses and organs (tathA indriyadharmAn), such as "I am dumb,
I am one-eyed, I am a eunuch, I am deaf, or I am blind (mUkah, kANah, klIbah, badhirah,
andho'ham iti). Finally, the attributes of the internal organ , when one superimposes the
notions of will, doubt, perseverance etc (tathA antahkaraNadharmAn:
kAma-sankalpa.vichikitsAdyavasAyAdIn).
In this way , one firstly superimposes the internal organ possesed of the ego notion, on
the innermost Atman which is the eternal Witness (evam ahampratyayinam
asheSaswaprachArasAkshiNI pratyagAtmanyadhyasa), and then in the opposite direction, one
superimposes on the internal organ that Atman which opposed to non-Atman, and is the
witness of everything (tam cha pratyagAtmAnam sarvasAkhiNam tadviparyayeNa
antahkaraNAdishwadhyasyati).
Here, shankara comes full circle, and reiterates the opening section of adhyAsa bhASyam,
showing how the Atman, the Witness that is ever unattached, can be confused to be the
notion "me", and be confused with the non-Atman expressed as objects, or the
notion "you". The inner organ referred to by shankara is none other than the
manas, or mind (see shankara's commentary on BSB 2-3-32). It is possible that shankara had
in mind the famous verse in Swetaswatara Upanishad, which describes atman as sAkhI or
witness:
Eko devah sarvabhUteSu gUDHah sarvavyApI sarvabhUtantarAtma
KarmAdhyakshah sarvabhUtAdhivAsah, sAkshI chetA kevalo nirguNashcha (Swe 1-6)
That one Shining One is hidden in all beings, is all pervasive and the innermost Atman of
all
It is the overseer of all actions, the indweller in all beings, the Witness, Pure
Consciousness, that which is all that is left (when avidyA removed), and is beyond all
qualities.
These examples only are given to show it is a matter of common experience that we mistake
one thing for another. Elsewhere, the example of the rope and snake is given. In
particular, we confuse the Atman with that which is non-Atman. Until this basic confusion
is removed, enlightenment is not possible. This is how shankara wraps up his adhyAsa
bhASyam and sets up his commentary on the brahma sutram:
10) The purposed of the brahma sutram and shankara's commentary is to expose the
fundamental flaw that is avidyA, and remove it
evam ayam….pradarshayiSyAmah
In wrapping up, shankara re-iterates all the main elements of adhyAsa, and the results,
saying:
Thus occurs this superimposition , or adhyAsa, which is beginningless and endless
(anAdiranantah), which is innate (naisargikah adhyAsah), which is of the nature of a false
notion or knowledge (mithhyApratyayarUpah), is the basis for all notions of agentship and
enjoyership (kartrtwa-bhoktrtwa-pravartakah), and is a matter of common knowledge to all
of us (sarva-loka-pratyakshah). To eradicate this fundamental source of destruction of
true knowledge (asyAnarthahetoh prahANAya), and establish the unity of Atman
(atmaikatwavidyA pratipataye), all the vedanta's are begun (sarve vedAntA Arabhyante).
That this is the purport of all the vedanta texts, we shall begin this work on the
shArIrika mImAmsa, known as the brahma sUtram (yathA chAyam arthah sarveSAm vedAntAnAm,
tathA vayam asyAm shArIrika-mImAmsAyAm pradarshayiSyAmah).
In summarising, shankara, restates the basic nature of adhyAsa, and, more importantly that
this avidyA is the only obstacle to true knowledge. Therefore, hew declares, the purpose
of all the vedanta texts is simply to remove this avidyA, and establish Atman or brahman
as the only reality. As such the shAstra's are called the Ultimate Pramana (antyam
pramANam), because they remove misconceptions that come from Ignorance. For, once these
misconceptions are remeoved, Atman will shine of its accord, and there will be nothing
more to be done
Conclusion
In his brief introduction, shankara tells us the reason we cannot attain enlightenment.
It is because it is in our nature to mix up the real and not real, and therefore perceive
a world of duality with multiple knowers/doers/subjects and things to be
known/done/objects. In particular, we falsely confuse the eternal Atman, that is our
innermost self and is The Witness with no role in empirical life, to be acting as an agent
. This confusion is innate to us, and is a matter of common experience requiring no proof.
It is is beginningless and endless in the sphere of the empirical universe. This
confusion, or superimposition is the basic ignorance that results in this world of
duality. The world of duality fashioned by avidyA is termed to be mAyA, or illusion, as it
can only be perceived once this basic superimposition has occurred., and all activities
including the secular and vedic fall into the field of ignorance as they must presuppose a
distinct doer. The purpose of the vedanta texts is to point out this ignorance as
essentially the nature of a false mental notion, and remove all misconceptions, to reveal
the nature of Atman. A thorough understanding of adhyAsa bhASyam, therefore, is vital to
understanding the texts of vedanta and shankara's bhASyas in particular. It is for this
reason that this text is held in such high regard, and deserves to be studied by all
serious students of vedanta
Harih Om
Sri krSNArpaNamastu
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