A List to Discuss Advaita Vedanta as Taught by Sri Sankara

Suresh | 1 Jul 2012 17:36

Brahman knowing itself?

Many times, I have heard this argument. Brahman created the world to know itself. The logic goes like this:
the eye cannot see itself, except as a reflection in the mirror. Likewise, the knower cannot know himself
except by studying himself in a mirror, namely the world. 

So they say the purpose of creation is Brahman&#39;s desire to know himself. 

What do you think? Is there anything &#39;advaitic&#39; about this?

Suresh

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श्रीमल्ललितालालितः | 1 Jul 2012 18:41

Re: Brahman knowing itself?

*श्रीमल्ललितालालितः <http://www.lalitaalaalitah.com/>
lalitAlAlitaH <http://dooid.com/lalitaalaalitah>*

On Sun, Jul 1, 2012 at 9:06 PM, Suresh <mayavaadi <at> yahoo.com> wrote:

> Many times, I have heard this argument. Brahman created the world to know
> itself. The logic goes like this: the eye cannot see itself, except as a
> reflection in the mirror. Likewise, the knower cannot know himself except
> by studying himself in a mirror, namely the world.
>

This is not an advaitic view. It may be related to pratyabhiGYA-school of
shaivAgama-s.
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V Subrahmanian | 1 Jul 2012 18:47

Re: Brahman knowing itself?

You can study the Br.Up. mantra 2.5.19  (along with Shankaracharya's
commentary) starting with 'idam vai tan madhu....rUpam rUpam pratirUpo
 babhUva *tadasya rUpam praticakShaNAya.*..'

 //Why did He become all this?  In order that He becomes known to all
in His true state.  In case He had not manifested Himself in all these
names and forms, His nirupAdhika nature woul never become known.....//

So, it is with a view to enable 'others' (who are Brahman alone in
truth) realize Brahman (themselves) this creation/manifestation has
taken place.  In a deeper sense, actually there has been no creation
at all.  Yet the shAstra 'validates' a creation by giving so many
details with a view to enable the aspirant to get self-realization.
In Taittiriya bhashyam Shankara says: creation is for establishing the
Anantya of Brahman - AnantyapratipAdanAt.

Regards
subrahmanian.v

On 7/1/12, Suresh <mayavaadi@...> wrote:
> Many times, I have heard this argument. Brahman created the world to know
> itself. The logic goes like this: the eye cannot see itself, except as a
> reflection in the mirror. Likewise, the knower cannot know himself except by
> studying himself in a mirror, namely the world.
>
> So they say the purpose of creation is Brahman&#39;s desire to know himself.
>
>
> What do you think? Is there anything &#39;advaitic&#39; about this?
>

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