Question : I read in a book on Karma and rebirth by Swamy Muninarayana Prasad that in the final analysis, concept of karma and rebirth is not consistent with the scriptures and Advaita Philosophy. Irrespective of the fact that one is realized or not at the time of death the elements of the body, mind etc will merge with the elements from which they were formed and the atma will merge with Brahma. If it is so why should one make all the efforts to understand spirituality and attain the final goal of realization?
Answer :
Dear and blessed J:
Harih Om Tat Sat. Your email of 31st Aug is before me and I am reading it again.
Scriptures have to treat the assorted humanity. Each individual has a level of grasp and also psychology. We should not deride this variety. Scriptures are thus considerate and comprehensive in their approach and treatment.
It is to tempt and motivate the ignorant, deluded, that they speak of the other world and its promises. All of them are post-death possibilities, about which none will be able to say anything any time. Is there any one who has died and will say ‘I am dead’? Death is a concept, imagination, like birth too.
Scriptures first speak of the soul, different from the body, but which migrates.
Later they say that the Soul, being different from body, does not get born and does not die, because it is different from the body. Whatever the body does, it does not and cannot do. That is, it is not born, and it will not die. It is birthless and deathless, a presence that is the same in past, present and future. This final position is what one should grasp and rest on firmly.
Your doubts, Uddhava also raises to Krishna, and Krishna answers. I shall speak on it in Muktisudhakaram telecast (on Asianet Channel), in the 20th chapter (yet to come).
Scriptures speak indirectly, not directly. Their statements have ‘implied meaning’ and relevance. That is the best to arrest one’s imagination and interest. God is not evident. His non-evident character is what makes people seek Him continually.
The final position is that: Scriptures speak about things experiential, which give no room for doubt. Doubts will linger for ever about in-experiential facts (anubhava an-aaroodha vishayaas. Heaven and the like are in this group. Being so, leave the doubtful and take to the doubtless.
Take to the experiential (anubhava-aaroodha). What is that? You are not the body, but the Soul. Soul is unborn, undying, eternal and blissful. Realize it and become free.
Even if you fear or hope for a period beyond death, this path of self-seeking will be sufficient to get you the best of such rewards, assures Krishna in Bhagavadgeeta, 6th chapter.
What more do you want?
Dear son, the world is not more than what your mind perceives in itself. So it is mental, like thought and emotion. ‘Outside and inside’ are also mental notions. If this is so, what about life after death, birth and life here? All are mind-born. Krishna makes it clear to Uddhava. Is it clear to you as well?
So be firm. If your life here becomes joyful, fulfilled, what if the body falls or not? The benefit will be ever-lasting. If a bulb fuses, does it affect electricity?
Death is nothing; but sleep prolonged, says Sreemad Bhagavatam.
You say darkness. Is there anything like darkness at all? To see anything, you need light. Take a light and look at darkness. Will it be there? This is the truth about the world and conditions within it. Is it too much?
Love and aashirvaad.
Antaratmaa
Swami Bhooomananda Tirtha.
