Basics of Vedanta Part 2

#You must have tasted different types of mangoes, Some with good shape, some with good pulp, some may be small or big in size. Each type has different fragrance and taste. Some are sweet; some are sour.

Which is the deciding factor for such peculiar  characteristics of different types of Mangoes? It is the Seed……isn’t it? What will be the size and appearance of the mango, how will be its pulp, what will be its taste and fragrance…..all these qualities are latent/ hidden/programmed in the seed. We cannot see all these at seed level. But when you sow this seed, it slowly grows into a tree. And all latent qualities get manifested and you get the desired fruit.
If you don’t have a seed to sow, you will not get the mango. Physical appearance and subtle qualities of a fruit is decided by the seed. That means seed is the cause of the fruit. Got it??
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When you desire to create a picture or a sketch, you think of the things required for it and then manage to get it. You think about what and how to draw and then start drawing it.

Be attentive– First came a desire to create something…; then the thoughts/ ideas to fulfill it….; and then came the actions to get it accomplished.

# How do you create a house or office? First you wish to get a house or an office constructed.  Then you go on thinking how and whereabout to fulfill it. Then you start acting upon the plan physically.

Thus, First came a desire, then thoughts  and then actions. Same sequence when you  desire to eat pizza. You think about which type and where to eat it, and then physically  go and enjoy it.
Have you noticed  that desire is the cause of your mental and physical activities? Be attentive– Just as the seed is the cause of the fruit, The bundle of vasanas/ impressions  is the seed or cause of human gross and subtle bodies. This ( vasana layer) is called  the causal body or कारणशरीर। In short,  subtle and the gross body in the potential form is a causal body.
There is no parallel appropriate word to describe ‘vasana’ in English.  It is said to be ‘desire’ but it is more superficial term. Vasanas are the  latent impressions or tendencies( resides in the causal body) and subtlest than subtle body which eventually give rise to desires in the mind. ( Usually the term ‘vasana’ is considered as bad desire only, but according to our scriptures,  it is not true. Vasanas canbe good as well as bad) )
Thus you are as if the fruit; ( with typical physical appearance/ gross body having particular mental thought and ideas pattern/ subtle body)     of the seed already sown….. ( Seed-the latent impressions/ bundle of vasanas that is the  causal body decided your all how and where about in this birth/ Janma. Now, listen- Do you know what gives rise to desires?? Why do we desire?? You had a very sumptuous meal with all tasty food you like. Your stomach is full and mind also got  fully satisfied with the food . Now; at this particular time, will you desire for food??  No……. you will neither think nor act to get food anymore…Got it??? Because you know you are contented.  When you  know, you have a treasure in your house,  you dont desire,  think or run to get it anywhere else. Now think, You have a treasure in your house but you don’t know it. You are not aware of it. You will surely desire, think and run to get  it somewhere else.  Be attentive– The ignorance of the treasure gave rise a desire to get it. You must be knowing   kasturi mrug/ a muskdeer.  The kasturi with its beautiful fagrance is in it’s naval. But as it is not aware of this fact,  it runs here and there to get it.
In Reality,  You are the Self/ Atman with the  nature of Sat -Chit -Anand. (Existence- Consciousness- Bliss) You exist forever….you are Self-Effulgent light/knowledge Itself…you are the Anandam/ Eternal happiness itself.   ( Three bodies are just the conditionings) But because of the ignorance of True Self nature, you identify with changing Body mind complex and  go on thinking….acting….and again desiring……birth after births to get the permanent happiness. These desires are spurts from the latent tendencies /vasanas in causal body.
Thus the causal body is made out of Avidya/ ignorance of the Self  with latent impressions/ vasanas. It is clear now, that the Self/Atman has three conditionings ( Gross, subtle, causal bodies). Vedantic term for this entity , (Atman conditioned by three bodies)  is ‘ Individual jiva’

Watch the diagramatic representation of an Individual. It is defined in चरक संहिता।

More about an individual jiva in next part.

Hari Om!