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Re: Earlier Posting on NATURE OF SELF AND Dharmi Jnanam

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Nagarajan,Vasumathi,Ashwin • February 28, 1999 


Dear Bhagavatas,

Special reference to Sri. Vasudevan Madhavkkannan and Sri. Murli
Rajagopalan

Dharmi Jnanam is never contracted;  I used inappropriate terminology.  In
the introduction to Sri. Ramanuja's Gita Bashyam, written by Swami
TapasyaNanda of Ramakrishna Mutt, it is stated that in the state of bondage
the jiva is almost one with inanimate matter,  I took this to mean that
dharmi jnanam is itself contracted; a misinterpretation. It was not
apparent in that introduction that Dahrma jnanam (attributive knowledge) is
inherent in the substratum of the atma; may be due to the terse nature of
the discussion or my not scrutinizing the material properly.   As per the
guidance of Sri. Krishna Kalale, I obtained S.M.S. Chari's books "Advaita
and Vasistadvaita: A study based on Satadusani" and "Philosophy and
Theistic Mysticism of the Alvars" to enlighten myself on the nature of the
self.  

After reading the relevant sections from the books, the rudimentary
definition of the self I get is as follows:

The substratum (dharmi) of the self is itself Jnanam (all revealing
knowledge.)   The atman also has Dharma  jnanam (or attributive knowledge)
which inheres in the dharmi.  However, this attributive knowledge expands
(manifests) and contracts (non manifests)depending on the load of karma.  
The jiva is unable to realize that its true nature is all revealing
knowledge because the manifestation of dharma jnanam is qualified (limited)
by Karma.  As Karma is overcome, it dharama jnanam expands.   Realizing
that the atma is self  luminous (or the state of kaivalya), only represents
a partial expansion of dharma jnanam.  The process of dharma bhuta jnanam
expansion is not complete while the soul is still in the body.  

* The term attributive knowledge can be thought of as the ("quality of that
which is known ".) 

This is a very rudimentary explanation of the nature of the self.   I am
still refining my understanding by reading over the relevant sections again
and again and contemplating on the matter.   

Queries:

Dharma jnanam manifests itself thorough the mind.  The mind is composed of 
Cit 
(source of memories), ahamkarum (false ego; sense of ownership and
doership), manas (where emotions originate), and budhhi (intellect.)  Does
it manifest in the Cit and how?

*Please excuse any misinterpretations of concepts and terms.

Respectfully Yours,
Venkat