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→Brahman is Distinct from Atman
== Brahman is Distinct from Atman ==
== Brahman is Distinct from Atman ==
Shvetasvatara Upanishad is one of the early texts that shows the difference between the Jivatma (variously called as Atman translated as individual soul) and Brahman. The upanishad first shows the distinction between the Individual Self (Jivatma) and the Supreme Self (Brahman) due to the limiting adjuncts in the observable state (empirical) and then reveals immortality as a consequence of the realization of that (supreme self):<ref name=":1">Swami Gambhirananda (2009 Fourth Edition) ''Svetasvara Upanishad With the Commentary of Sankaracharya.'' Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama (Page 75-77)</ref><blockquote>संयुक्तमेतत्क्षरमक्षरं च व्यक्ताव्यक्तं भरते विश्वमीशः । अनीशश्चात्मा बध्यते भोक्तृभावाज्ज्ञात्वा देवं मुच्यते सर्वपाशैः ॥ ८ ॥ (Shvet. Upan. 1.7)<ref>Shvetasvatara Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>Ishvara nourishes this universe consisting of effect and cause, the Vyaktam (व्यक्तम् । manifested) and Avyaktam (अव्यक्तम् । Unmanifested) which are respectively the Ksharam (क्षरम् । mutable, destructible) and Aksharam (अक्षरम् । immutable, indestructible) which are mutually associated (संयुक्तम्). The individual Atman, which is not independent, becomes bound due to its sense of being the Bhoktr (भोक्तृभावात् । enjoyer); realizing the effulgent Self (supreme), it becomes freed from all bondages.
Shvetasvatara Upanishad is one of the early texts that shows the difference between the Jivatma (variously called as Atman translated as individual soul) and Brahman. The upanishad first shows the distinction between the Individual Self (Jivatma) and the Supreme Self (Brahman) due to the limiting adjuncts in the observable state (empirical) and then reveals immortality as a consequence of the realization of that (supreme self):<ref name=":1">Swami Gambhirananda (2009 Fourth Edition) ''Svetasvara Upanishad With the Commentary of Sankaracharya.'' Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama (Page 75-78)</ref><blockquote>संयुक्तमेतत्क्षरमक्षरं च व्यक्ताव्यक्तं भरते विश्वमीशः । अनीशश्चात्मा बध्यते भोक्तृभावाज्ज्ञात्वा देवं मुच्यते सर्वपाशैः ॥ ८ ॥ (Shvet. Upan. 1.7)<ref>Shvetasvatara Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>Ishvara nourishes this universe consisting of effect and cause, the Vyaktam (व्यक्तम् । manifested) and Avyaktam (अव्यक्तम् । Unmanifested) which are respectively the Ksharam (क्षरम् । mutable, destructible) and Aksharam (अक्षरम् । immutable, indestructible) which are mutually associated (संयुक्तम्). The individual Atman, which is not independent, becomes bound due to its sense of being the Bhoktr (भोक्तृभावात् । enjoyer); realizing the effulgent Self (supreme), it becomes freed from all bondages.
Simply put the Upanishad expresses the difference between the Atman and Brahman due to the limiting adjuncts (Atman is possessed of the individual body and organs and is not independent) therefore the Atman becomes free by realising the Brahman (who is unconditioned or without limiting adjuncts) through meditation (on the Supreme) with the help of His limiting adjuncts. Thus the Upanishad clarifies the standpoint of unity of the (individual) enjoyer and the (supreme) Self.<ref name=":1" />
Simply put the Upanishad expresses the difference between the Atman and Brahman due to the limiting adjuncts (Atman is possessed of the individual body and organs and is not independent) therefore the Atman becomes free by realising the Brahman (who is unconditioned or without limiting adjuncts) through meditation (on the Supreme) with the help of His limiting adjuncts. Thus the Upanishad clarifies the standpoint of unity of the (individual) enjoyer and the (supreme) Self.<ref name=":1" />
The Puranas also reinforce the concept of Atman as distinct from the Brahman due to its attributes of Nature and the way to dissociate from them. According to Vishnudharmottara Purana, the individual Atman is imagined through ignorance. When that is dissipated the difference bewteen the individual Atma and supreme Brahman vanishes to be sure. Visnupurana (6.7.96) also points to Avidya or ignorance that creates a difference - which (really) does not exist - between the Self and Brahman.
It may be pointed out that the perspectives of various schools of Vedanta throw light on Self and Brahman.
==References==
==References==
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