The quest for the Self is a perennial one and the Upanishads speak of it as unique and enigmatic as well. They emphasise both explicitly and implicitly
that tremendous effort and an equally great amount of patience from the aspirant are indispensable.
In a lecture, Sri K. Srinivasan pointed out that it also
becomes clear that there is no one clear-cut path in this search — there are as many ways to gain this knowledge as there are individuals both as Gurus and disciples.
The main message of the Upanishads is that “He who
knows the Atma/Self crosses sorrow.” In the Chandogya Upanishad, it is said that once Prajapati
made the following statement that was heard by everyone:
“The Atman (Self) is free from every kind of evil. It does not get affected by old age nor does it decay or die. It remains untouched by grief, hunger or thirst. It lives. It is eternally true and is not affected by the limits of time and space. Its nature has to be
meditated upon if one has to reap the benefit from knowing its true nature.” Spurred by this proclamation, Indra and Virochana went to Brahma’s presence to seek the import of this statement. Neither did they ask explicitly ask Prajapati about it,
nor did the latter tell them anything.
They just spent 32 years serving him with total dedication. Then Brahma told them: “That which you see in your eye is the Atman.” The depth and
significance of this instruction is highlighted in the way Indra and Virochana misconstrue its meaning. Both of them think the body is the Atman.
Virochana deems the body as the Atma and is happy with this understanding; but Indra soon realises the fallacy in this since the body is perishable. Indra
goes back to Brahma and spends more time in austerity and service. Gradually Brahma initiates
Indra into realising the Self that remains beyond the states of wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.
The path to realisation is rough but the discovery of truth is rewarding in its own way to the individual who seeks it relentlessly. The way one interprets
the statement is the key to knowledge and this depends on the level of knowledge.
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