The Truth About God
The Truth About God
Once, the great sage Uddalaka Aruni wanted to teach the knowledge of the Brahman to his son, Svetaketu. He thought of a simple device. He pointed to a big banyan tree nearby and asked his son to bring a ripe fruit from that tree. When he brought the small, red, berry-like fruit, Uddalaka said to his son, “Split it into two, dear child.”
“Here you are. I have split it into two.”
“What do you find there?”
“Innumerable tiny seeds, of course, and what else can these be?”
“Well, take one of those tiny seeds and split it again.”
“Yes, here it is. I have split a seed.”
“What do you find there?”
“Why, nothing at all.”
“Oh, dear child, this big tree cannot come out of nothing. Only you cannot see that subtle something in the seed from which springs forth this mighty tree. That is the power, that is the spirit unseen, which pervades everywhere and everything. Have faith. It is that spirit, which is at the root of all existence. That thou art, Oh Svetaketu!”
“This is something very baffling, father. But, how on earth can I realise it, even if I merely know it?”
Uddalaka said, “Just do one thing. Take a few crystals of salt and put them into a bowl of water, when you go sleep and bring it to me in the morning.”
The obedient son did as he was told and on the next morning, took the bowl to this father.
The father said, “Dear son, take out the salt please.”
Svetaketu felt exasperated and said, “Father, what do you mean? How is it possible to take out that salt?”
“All right, then just taste the water on the surface. How does it taste?”
“It is saltish and is bound to be so.”
“Take the water in the middle and at the bottom and tell me how it tastes.”
“That, too, is saltish and is bound to be so.”
“My dear child, do understand now that the Spirit I spoke of pervades all existence, like the salt in this water in the bowl. That is the Subtle Spirit. That thou art, dear Svetaketu.”
Dear father, how to go about all this? It looks so simple and yet, is so very difficult.”
Uddalaka said, “Now, I shall tell you how to go about trying to realise the Spirit. Suppose we blindfold a man and lead him into an unknown forest away from his usual residence. What would he do? How would he try to find his home? As soon as he is left to himself, he would just remove the cover from his eyes. Then, he would wander about inquiring for the region, from which he had been taken away. He would go from village to village and ultimately, he would come across someone, who would lead him in the right direction. Thus would he reach his home. That is the way to find out the spiritual home, from which we have all strayed into the wilderness. The Spirit is the one reality, towards which we have all to direct our steps. That thou art, Oh Svetaketu.”
Thus spoke Uddalaka Aruni in the Chandogya Upanishad.
Questions :
- What is Uddalaka trying to teach Svetaketu?
- What did he ask him to bring?
- What did he ask him to do?
- How does Svetaketu learn that God is all pervading?