(Swetaketu- an excellent story from Chandogya Upanishad.)
In Mahabharata (Adi Parva- Paushya Parva), Aruni, a disciple of Ayoda Dhoumya had given the name of Uddalaka in the later part of his life. He became a great Rishi and he had many disciples under his guidance.
Uddalaka had a son named Swetaketu. He performed the thread ceremony of his son at the proper age. He noticed that Swetaketu was wasting most of his time with his friends. Once Uddalaka called him and said, ‘Swetaketu! In our family no one was merely called a Brahmana! They all studied Vedas, Vedanga and they were Brahmagyani. So, it is time for you to go to a Gurukula and get proper education under the guidance of a good preceptor.’Â
Thus, Swetaketu was sent to Gurukula at the age of twelve. After the completion of his education for twelve years, he came back to his father Uddalaka. He thought that he had acquired all the knowledge in Vedas, Vedangas and scriptures! No more knowledge to be gained. His heart was filled with pride. Rishi Uddalaka could sense his pride. He was aware that if one’s heart is stricken with pride and egoism, then he cannot get the wisdom or Self realisation! There is more knowledge to gain which is beyond the scriptures- a mystical knowledge.Â
He then decided to test his son's intellectual knowledge and teach him the great value of humility! He called his son and asked, ‘O son! O Swetaketu! Have you got that knowledge by which you hear which can not be heard, by which you know which are unknown and by which you think which are unthinkable? Do you know that knowledge by which, you can understand all?'
Hearing his question, Swetaketu was stunned! He humbly said, ‘O Father! These are impossible things which I never heard from my preceptors. Maybe, my teachers were not aware of these things because they never taught me these. If you know, sir, please teach me. I want to know.Â
Uddalaka understood the problem with his son and he tried to simplify it. He said, ‘O son! Think about a simple example of a lump of clay. Whatever objects are made out of clay, they may vary in name, shape, size or colour, but fundamentally they are all made of clay only! They all belong to the same substance. Like clay, same is true for anything made of iron or gold. And likewise, it is true for everything in this world, son! Everything has that divine subtle essence- Brahman within them! This is the ultimate knowledge by knowing which, you can understand all.’
Swetaketu immediately said, ‘O Sir! Would you please give me that knowledge?’
‘So be it,’ said his father. He explained, 'In the beginning of the creation there was only one Being existed without any second. He wished to create multiple things in this universe. Thus, He manifested himself in the form of fire, water and food. Gradually, life appeared in multiple forms and human beings came to existance. While Uddalaka was explaining about the Being, Swetaketu stopped him and asked his father to explain him what was that Power which pervades everywhere and what happens to human during his sleep. Uddalaka explained but Swetaketu was not satisfied with that answer. Then Uddalaka cited beautifull examples about the relationship of One and many. He said, 'O Swetaketu, like rivers when merged in ocean, they don't know whence they come and they all became one Ocean! Similarly all these beings when merge into the ocean of Being, they lose their identity and all become One Being. That becomes the Absolute Reality, or Atma or (Self)! That is called Consciousness! Thou Art That, Swetaketu!'
Swetaketu again requested his father to give him more knowkedge.
Then Rishi Uddalaka said, ‘Bring me the fruit of the banyan tree.’
‘Here it is, father.’
‘Break it.’
‘Yes father, it is broken.’
‘What do you see?’Â
‘Tiny seeds.’
‘Break one of the seeds.’
‘It is broken, sir.’
‘What do you see now?’
‘Nothing!’
Then Uddalaka said, ‘ O Swetaketu! That which you could not see, couldn't perceive is the subtle essence from which the huge banyan tree grows. That is the Self, son! That's the Absolute Reality! Understand this! Thou art That! You are also a form of God!’
Still Swetaketu's doubt was not clear. ‘Teach me more, father,’ he pleaded.
Be it so. He said,‘Bring some water.’
‘Here it is?’
‘Well, put some salt on it.’
‘It is done, father.’
‘Now taste the water from the surface, from the middle and from the bottom.’
‘Yes, father.’
‘How does it taste?’Â
‘It is salty all the time.’Â
Uddalaka said, ‘O son! Likewise, God that Supreme Soul pervades everywhere though you cannot see that subtle essence. Everything that exists has its Self in that subtle essence, This is the Truth, Thou Art that, Swetaketu! You are that. O child! He alone is all-power! Whatever forms you perceive belong to others. They are the reflections of His form. He is the only one without a second. He is called Sat or True Being. And He is present everywhere though you do not see Him.’
At last, Swetaketu understood the truth that the universe we see, comes from the subtle, unmanifest form of that Absolute Reality called Brahman! Swetaketu became a great rishi and taught the knowledge of Consciousness to the whole world!
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