Summary:
Atma Bodha, Verse 53: For the jivanmukta, body-mind becomes an instrument for expressing fullness rather than gaining it. Though recognized as one with Ishvara, the body-mind remains limited (alpavid, alpa–shakti). Like a wave recognizing its water-nature while maintaining devotion to the Ocean, the jivanmukta maintains alignment with Ishvara's dharma, avoiding careless conduct. Upon videhamukti (death of body), with no more karma for rebirth, one merges completely like pot-water into total water.
Verse 53: Merge with Brahman after upadhis dissolve
उपाधिविलयात् विष्णौ निर्विशेषम् विशेत् मुनिः ।
जले जलम् वियद् व्योम्नि तेजः तेजसि वा यथा ॥
upādhi vilayāt viṣṇau nirviśeṣam viśet muniḥ
jale jalam viyat vyomni tejaḥ tejasi vā yathā
When the upādhis are resolved in Viṣṇu (Ishvara) [via satya-mithya], the wise becomes totally one (with Brahman). Like (the pot) water in water (merges with well water when pot is broken), space into space and light into light.
Jivanmukta: (Liberated person free from upadhi while living)
Purpose of body-mind:
Body-mind is no longer to gain fullness, but fullness is expressed through it. EG: Rama was crying to trees/creatures asking, “Have you seen my Sita?”. Rama is, despite being the Lord incarnate, allowed to express human emotions — knowing it’s happening at level of the mind. This is real freedom. No pretense. Unlike some who actually put a show to prove to themselves and the world they're not moved by anything.
Why do scriptures say jivamukta has become One with Ishvara (sarvavid, sarva-shakti)?
Because truth of jivanmukta and Ishvara is Brahman. The jivanmukta's body-mind remains alpavid, alpa–shakti (limited in knowledge/power) — because the instrument is programmed to be limited.
Metaphor:
Wave remains wave. Ocean remains ocean. As wave listens to Vedanta, it recognizes it is within the same Ocean as every other wave, thus automatically changes relationship to other waves. And enters into a healthy relationship with Ocean (through the waves). Finally Ocean says, “Now that you’re connected/aligned to Me, I will show you that my and your truth is Water”.
After knowing the truth, devotion to Ocean continues:
Enlightened wave understands both wave/Ocean are upadhis. Meaning, the wise wave doesn’t forget the Ocean, thereby remaining a devotee, as devotion is natural expression of relating to the Total.
Jivanmukta’s conduct is aligned to Bhagavan even more after enlightenment. Any spirituality that encourages or implies you can act carelessly (because you’re above Ishvara/maya) — hasn’t understood.
Why can’t you bypass Ishwara?
If your mind is not abiding to dharma (vyavaharika), it’s living in jiva–srsti (customizing everything to suit its preferences how things should be).
Videhamukti: (After jivanmukta's physical body dies)
There’s no more karma to take another body-mind. Means you no longer experience life through one given body-mind.
Verse backs this up: Just as pot-water/space merges with total water/space. All that remains is Ishvara and Brahman. Meaning I am now everything. Before I was one thing.
Objection: Both wise/unwise wave enter water upon death, so what’s the difference? Answer: Wave/ocean example is limited as wave doesn’t have a subtle-body (which doesn’t merge but continues seeing itself as a separate entity from the water).
Summary:
Suppose knowledge takes place, what happens to this person? Divided into 2 parts.
- Jivanmukti:
- While alive, they’re free. Karmas are no longer “mine”. Continues to conduct oneself without mistaking body-mind attributes for atman. Thus able to use the instrument freely and wisely.
- What is relationship between Jivanmukti and Ishvara? While body is alive, relationship with Ishvara deepens owing to understand all forms are within Isvhara – and because of gratitude to Ishvara for lifting the veil via guru/pramana. Jivanmukta becomes instrument through which knowledge is passed on.
- Videhamukti:
- After breaking of pot, pot space as-though merges with total space. It was one space all along. Since Causal Body isn’t there for jnani, one doesn’t return connected to a body-mind.
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Recorded 16 Jan, 2025