11. Because of Its association with different conditionings
(Upadhis) such ideas as caste, colour and position are super-imposed upon the Atman,
as flavour, colour, etc., are super-imposed on water.
12. Determined for each individual by his own past actions
and made up of the Five elements – that have gone through the process of
“five-fold self-division and mutual combination” (Pancheekarana) – are born the
gross-body, the medium through which pleasure and pain are experienced, the
tent-of-experiences.
13. The five Pranas, the ten organs and the Manas and the
Buddhi, formed from the rudimentary elements (Tanmatras) before their “five-fold
division and mutual combination with one another” (Pancheekarana) and this is
the subtle body, the instruments-of-experience (of the individual).
14. Avidya which is indescribable and beginningless is the
Causal Body. Know for certain that the Atman is other than these three
conditioning bodies (Upadhis).
15. In its identification with the five-sheaths the
Immaculate Atman appears to have borrowed their qualities upon Itself; as in
the case of a crystal which appears to gather unto itself colour of its
vicinity (blue cloth, etc.,).
16. Through discriminative self-analysis and logical
thinking one should separate the Pure self within from the sheaths as one
separates the rice from the husk, bran, etc., that are covering it.
17. The Atman does not shine in everything although He is
All-pervading. He is manifest only in the inner equipment, the intellect
(Buddhi): just as the reflection in a clean mirror.
18. One should understand that the Atman is always like the
King, distinct from the body, senses, mind and intellect, all of which
constitute the matter (Prakriti); and is the witness of their functions.
19. The moon appears to be running when the clouds move in
the sky. Likewise to the non-discriminating person the Atman appears to be
active when It is observed through the functions of the sense-organs.
20. Depending upon the energy of vitality of Consciousness
(Atma Chaitanya) the body, senses, mind and intellect engage themselves in
their respective activities, just as men work depending upon the light of the
Sun.
- By Adi Sankaracharya, 788-820 CE,
- Translated by Swami Chinmayananda
- Translated by Swami Chinmayananda