Brahman - The Transcendental Motive Force

All movements take place in the domain of mind. Mind senses the movements or the absence of it through sense organs and contribute to the movements through the organs of action. It seems that the entire manifested universe is supported by mind. But then the mind itself can be an instrument for alienation. When the universe conceived by my mind is at variance with the universe conceived by others I find myself surrounded by enemies. Then my visions, thoughts, actions and understandings differ from that of my neighbors. But we seem to be able to share the universe together. Barring the occasional discordant notes the world seems to operate like a grand symphony. So there has to be a higher motive force that transcends mind and its accessories.

Keneshitam patati preshitam manah
Kena pranah prathmah praiti yuktah
Keneshitaam vachamimaam vadanti
Chakshuh shrotram ka u devo yunakti

Mind is the receptacle that holds knowledge. It is also the source from which all actions emanate. Mind captures the objects being known through the sense organs. And it moves towards the objects it desires through the organs for action. Mind thus captures objects and pursues objectives. What directs the mind to will the pursuit of an objective? What conceives the appropriate things on to which the life forces may be engaged to generate movements? What constitutes the ideals to set a frame of reference for the meaningful integration of the information brought in by sense organs?

Shrotrasya shrotram manaso mano yad
Vacho ha vacham sa u pranasya pranam
Chakshushchakshuratimuchya dheerah
Pretyasmallokadamruta bhavanti

Whatever it may be, it is something which transcends the domain of the manifested universe perceived by sense organs and subject to manipulations by the organs of action. It is the eye that oversees the eye that sees the forms in the manifested universe. It is the ear that overhears the ear that hears the sounds in the manifested universe. It is the expression of intent behind the words that preludes the human will. It is the moving spirit behind all life forces. It is the mind that transcends the mind. It cannot be conceived as long as one remains bound to the mind and its accessories. By disengaging from the grip of mind and sense organs one transcends this world. Such a person becomes immortal as he is no more affected by what is happening in this world.

Na tatra chakshurgachchati
Na vaggachchati no manah
Na vidmo na vijaneemo
Yathaitadanushishyat

Sense organs cannot perceive it as it is beyond the domain of sense organs. Words cannot manipulate it as it is beyond the domain of the organs of action. Mind cannot conceive it as it is beyond all categorizations that make understanding possible. It cannot be known by any worldly means and hence there is no known process by which it can be conveyed from one to another. The awareness of it can only be spontaneously communicated by a discerning Guru to a deserving disciple.

Anyadeva tadviditadatho
Aviditadathi
Itishushruma poorvesham
Ye nastadvyachachakshire

It is beyond the domain of knowledge. It appears different from whatever is known so far. It also exceeds the vastness of what is not known till now. We have glimpses of it from the enlightened ancient sages.

Yadvacha/nabhyuditam
Yena vagbhyudyate
Tadeva brahma tvam vidhi
Nedam yadidamupaste

It is the unuttered word from which all spoken words came out. This unspoken word, which is beyond the categorizations in the domain of mind, is itself to be understood as Brahman. None of the words on which the mind dwells upon is to be misunderstood as Brahman.

Yanmanasa na manute
Yenahur mano matam
Tadeva brahma tvam vidhi
Nedam yadidamupasate

It cannot be comprehended by mind even though mind considers it as the essential principle ingrained it. This principle which transcends mind itself is to be understood as Brahman. None of the principle on which the mind broods upon is to be misunderstood as Brahman.

Yaschachakshusha na pashyati
Yena chakshoomshi pashyati
Tadeva brahma tam vidhi
Nedam yadidamupasate

It cannot be seen by eyes. In fact it empowers the eyes to see objects. This presence that transcends all forms itself is to be understood as Brahman. Brahman is not to be mistaken as any form on which the eyes keep dwelling upon.

Yachchotrena na shrunute
Yena shrotramidam shrutam
Tadeva brahma tvam vidhi
Nedam yadidamupasate

It cannot be heard by ears. In fact it empowers the ears to hear the sounds of this world. This presence that transcends all sounds itself is to be understood as Brahman. Brahman is not be misunderstood as any sound on which the ears keep dwelling upon.

Yat pranena na praanti
Yena pranah praneeyati
Tadeva brahma tvam vidhi
Nedam yadidamupasate

It does not get activated by life forces. In fact the life forces themselves are activated by it. This principle which is not affected by the life forces itself is to be understood as Brahman. It is not to be mistaken as anything which captures the attention of life forces.