Chapter 4.13 - Reality in Advaita (c): Reality as Pure Consciousness

The world is unreal in its empirical phenomenal point of views. The world cannot depend separately out of consciousness. The ultimate reality is consciousness as it is mentioned in the Aithareyopanishad 3:3 “prajnam brahma”. Brahman is the substratum of all. Only the realized people understand the true nature of Brahman, i.e. sat-cit-ananda. All the phenomenal world is derived from this consciousness of the supreme. Pure consciousness is the background of everything. The external objects are not the creation of the individual self. This empirical existence is not real. Consciousness is immanent in the subject and object. The Upanishadic texts such as Tatvamasi, (Candogyopanishad 6:8:7) Aham Brahmasmi (Brihdaranyakopanishad 1:4:10) etc. give the knowledge of the transcendental entity as the all-pervading principle and designate it as Brahman and at other times they represents it as the inner consciousness of the individual soul and designate it as Atman. The term Tat gives us a knowledge of Brahman while the term tvam or aham gives us a knowledge of Atman. And the Upanishadic texts Tatvamasi and the like as a whole, signifies the identity of Brahman and Atman, that is, the spiritual reality which is in and beyond all particular facts and which explains all that is in the universe including the individual soul. It may be added here that the Upanishadic texts such as Tatvamasi, Aham Brahmasmi etc. are characterized as major texts (mahavakyas) as they convey the identity of Brahman and Atman which is ‘akhanda’.

Brahman by itself is free from all attributes; but by its association with the limiting adjunct it acquires qualities and forms which are unreal. Of the two aspects of Brahman described in the Upanishads, we have to accept that which is non-determinate (nirvishesha) as its pure nature. The other aspect of Brahman is only superimposed on it by avidya, and hence it is not real. It transcends known, knower and knowledge. Consciousness transcends the three and excels all. Pure consciousness exists inside and outside of the subject and object. Pure consciousness, the only reality, which manifests all and transcends the subject-object duality.

Reality according to Gaudapada, is eternal and unborn, ajati, and that is object of spiritual quest. It is to be understood as supreme truth. It is that which is discussed in the Turiya state, deep sleep state. It is non dual peace, Shantam, advayam. It is ever luminous and all knowledge (Sarvajnana). Self-luminous shining by itself, requiring no other light. It is the nature of Supreme happiness, Sukham uttamam and perfect release (Sarvanirvana—sarvanirvanam). It is really indescribable by words. It is describing by negative terms and expression like not this.