Commentary on Paramahansa Nityananda's Chidakasha Gita–Number 6
by Swami Nirmalananda Giri

Chidakasha Gita 14-19

14. The sunlight is reflected in the salt water of the sea. It is also reflected in the clear water of a tank at the top of a hill. It is not enough if we see with the eye but we should experience it.

This is a continuation of aphorism thirteen. Sunlight is the same whether it shines on sea water or fresh water, whether it is at sea level or on top of a hill. If, however, our attention is on the water or the location, we will miss this fact. Light is light, wherever it is–and light is everywhere. Those who think they alone possess the light are in profound darkness.

Again, we are reminded that if light is what we are after, then no matter what the environment or the source–it will all be the same to us. But this will only be the situation if we have truly experienced light–come to know its nature and purpose. Just to see something with the eye is not enough. Consider how many people have seen great saints and masters, yet have not known what they were seeing–not at all. The capacity people have for seeing but not seeing is remarkable, especially in the spiritual realms. Few indeed have the eyes to really see. “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:16).

15. On a tree grow numberless flowers. The flowers all perish, but the tree does not perish for a long time. The visible is like flowers, the invisible is like the tree.

Impermanence is the nature of this visible world. Things in the subtler astral and causal worlds last much longer–many times more than on earth–yet they too break up and dissolve. The “flowers” are the material objects of this material world, and the “tree” represents the subtle worlds behind them. But they, too, eventually perish. So although the invisible lasts longer, the wise seek to transcend the visible and invisible and enter into the Imperishable Reality.

16. There are matches in a match-box. Fire is produced only when the match is rubbed against the side of the box. So also, the manas is the match; buddhi (intelligence) is the side of the box. We should rub the manas against buddhi and then we get the kingdom of atman which is the same as the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

This is a very special teaching that is relevant to all spiritual aspirants.

The manas–usually translated as “mind”–is the sensory mind; the perceiving faculty that receives the messages of the senses. It has no intelligence, only perception and instinctual, emotional response. Most people live centered in the manas and as a result their lives are disordered, foolish, and pain-filled. They seek all kinds of remedies, none of which solve the problem. In our time psychotropic drugs are a positive curse in many people’s lives, for they are the most destructive of false remedies. Religion, too, is a completely pointless resort for those who are manas-driven in their lives.

The buddhi–usually translated “intellect” or “intelligence”–embraces intellect, understanding, and reason. It is the higher, thinking mind which is the seat of wisdom. The manas is completely material in orientation, whereas the buddhi can enter into communication with the Self and be so transmuted by such contact that it virtually becomes spirit. That is why Krishna speaks several times of Buddhi Yoga in the Gita.

If we continually subordinate the manas to the buddhi, ignoring its responses and listening only to our illumined intelligence, we will in time become adept in yoga sadhana, and through that we will fully enter into our Self and attain that mastery we call moksha (liberation), and thus be free forever from the cycle of birth and death.

17. A man should be quite indifferent to honor and dishonor. He should not have the least love for his body. Such a man will see the Supreme Being in everything and everywhere.

Previous aphorisms have urged us to be intent on what a thing really is–not how it merely appears. Now this one tells us that honor and dishonor are not realities, but only the opinions of fallible human beings. We are never what people think or say we are–we are what we are, which is the Atman-self. So we also need not bother with what we think about ourselves if it is based on externals and our ego-centered ideas. Basically, we should ignore our ego and the egos of others and pursue the Self.

Nityananda does not say we should not respect or care for our physical vehicle, for it is the instrument of yoga and enlightenment–of evolution. But a delusive attachment for (moha) it and a kind of body-worship is folly of the worst sort. That is because such attitudes arise from identification with the body, which is as silly as identifying our body with a mirror in which it is reflected. The body, too, is a mirror, a fleeting image in the greater mirror of the cosmos. It is never “us” at any time. We should not have the slightest selfish, egoic attachment to it–or to anything else, for that matter.

Such a high ideal can only be attained by one who transfers his identity to the Self through the practice of yoga. And he who knows the Self comes to know the Supreme Being–in everything and everywhere.

18. The Supreme Light and the Universal Light are identical.

In the beginning of sadhana we assiduously turn from the world, reminding ourselves that it is unreal. But once we experience the Light of Spirit we will see that the entire universe of made of that Light. That is why the opening verse of the Isha Upanishad says: “All this should be covered by the Lord, whatsoever moves on the earth.” In other words, we should not see God inside material objects, but rather see them within God–there is a profound difference. The first view comes to the progressing yogi, but the second one comes to the perfected yogi.

19. From a plank are manufactured tables, chairs, etc., etc. So also, Brahman is the primordial tattwa (substance) from which numberless worlds are formed.

This follows from the previous aphorism. Brahman is the Sole Substance of all things–all the worlds and whatever is within them. Simple!