(A story from Chandogya Upanishad.
Narrated by Grandpa. Edited by Bibha Mukherjee)
This short story, quoting the conversation between Svetaketu and his father, attempts
to disclose a profound and subtle teaching of Vedas - "Thou Art That (Twam
Tat Asi)."
All people, have in themselves an eternal truth and reality called Atman, which
corresponds to an identical but greater all-encompassing reality called Brahman.
The life in this world is actually an illusion (maya) and the only way to escape
the wheel of suffering between life and death is to realize that unchanging reality within
one’s individual self, through devotion, penance and meditation.
"Believe me, my son," said Svetketu’s father, a sage. "An invisible
and subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole Universe. That is Reality. That is Atman.
Thou Art That."
"Explain more to me, father," said Svetaketu.
"So be it, my son. Place this lump of salt in water and return tomorrow
morning."
Svetaketu did as he was commanded.
In the morning his father asked him to take out the lump of salt. Svetketu looked into
the water, but could not find the salt, as it had dissolved.
His father then said, "Taste the water. How is it?"
"It is salty" replied Svetketu.
"Look for the salt again" the father addressed.
"I cannot see the salt, father. I only see water that tastes salty" commented
Svetketu.
Svetketu’s father then said, "In the same way, O my son, you cannot see the
Sprit. But in truth he is here. An invisible and subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole
universe. That is Reality. That is Truth. Thou art that (Twam Tat Asi)."
