"Ajati vada" of Gaudapada Acharya (about 7th C.E.). It is based out and out on incisive logic and unbiased Self-inquiry

I found another topic of discussion on various karmas and aspects of karma.

I started off to get all the scholarly oldies to come up with some interesting stuff and that has proved really fruitful and good . Especially this particular mail in the link  below with all the details of the last question and a wonderful answer given by the gentleman. Read and enjoy.

Dear All,

Thank you for the interesting Question.

I am grateful to Dr. Srinivasa Rao Garu for considering a reference to one of my articles as useful in this debate. (Incidentally the article is also available online at: http://www.advaita.org.uk/discourses/teachers/karma_ramesam.htm).

The long discussion that apparently led you to ask your question must have been going on for quite some time. Because of time restrictions, I may not be able to go through the whole discussion.  So without the benefit of the wisdom already expressed therein by the others, I am trying here to answer your question directly.

Q1:  "........... if you can clarify purpose of Human birth. Is it to clear

karma? Or is every human being is born to complete or execute a role assigned to
him or her?"

Ramesam: At the outset, the answer will depend on whom you are asking -- Dvaita, Visishtadvaita, Advaita, Charvaka etc. etc. teachers.  Each person will answer depending on the system he/she follows/advocates. Every one of the explanations requires certain unverifiable assumptions to be made upfront, particularly the monotheistic concept (a God as the Creator).

Within Advaita too, there are minor differences amongst different schools. The most logical one that does not invoke "faith" at one point or other or ask you to just believe is the "Ajati vada" of Gaudapada Acharya (about 7th C.E.). It is based out and out on incisive logic and unbiased Self-inquiry (i.e. you have to examine your own mind and belief systems in order to arrive at the final answer). Ajati vada is spelt out in his Karika on Mandukya Upanishad. The subtle and the Ultimate kernel of all Upanishadic teachings is this Ajativada only.  This is the final message of Sage Vasishta in the 32,000 sloka strong Yogavaasishta also. Ramana Maharshi, Nisargasdatta Maharaj, J Krishanmurti, Atmananda Krishna Menon, Jillellamudi Amma, Mata Amritananda Mayi, a host of other teachers of Non-duality speak of Ajativada only.

My response here is also based on Ajati vada. 

Ajati vada means "Nothing is ever born!!!"

When it becomes clear that no "thing", including Space, Time, human beings, is ever born, where is the question of asking the purpose of birth or talk about karma or roles to be fulfilled? 

Obviously, then, the question needs to be re-formulated to "What is all this that we see -- the world, the multiple creatures, diverse actions etc etc.?" This will then becomes a question on our perception, experience, cognition etc.

The answer is too involved.  To save time and space, I shall quickly give here a few links:

I happened to make three part posting – “Excerpts taken from Yogavaasishta" at my Blog ( http://beyond-advaita.blogspot.in/ ) in the months of April, May and June 2012 that give the Essence of Advaita. Please have a look at them or the article "Prajnapti's Questions.”  If these appear too dense, please have a look at the YouTube Video link given at the Blog about a Talk of mine on Non-duality.

If you like to pursue further on “causation, purpose etc” as per Advaita, please take a look at: 

http://www.advaita-vision.org/a-question-on-causality-purpose-and-suffering-in-non-duality/

When a young Seeker asked me once the question on what was the "reason" assigned in our scriptures to explain the creation, I could list more than 17 or 18 viewpoints that emerged from our scriptural texts.  Mind you, all these end up saying finally that these are all "merely explanatory artifacts" invented just for appeasing a curious mind – the explanations have no inherent real value. I can send that list if you want me to.

Q2:  What is the view of the Gita?

R:  Bhagavad-Gita can be called, in one sense, a "Life Strategy Manual"  -- it contains, philosophy, Vedanta, Psychology, Psychiatry, pep-up talk, social engineering, conflict resolution etc. etc. It is not, strictly speaking, a primary text - it is referred to as a 'smriti.' It has got in its way of narration, a lot of flexibility built into it.  So different schools of experts (Dualists,  Qualified Non-dualists, and Advaitins) interpret it to suit their own respective opinions.

Sorry, this is a bit longish answer. But you can appreciate the subject is also a tricky one.

The best "metaphor" provided by Advaita is that of dream to explain the world of objects that you see. Your dream is your own. You, as your mind, are the creator of your dream and also surprisingly, the material of the objects in the dream world. Your dream world comprises you as the dreamer, the various objects in the dream, the scary things in the dream, dream enemies/friends etc, and all their actions.  All these are made up of you only as your mind !!).   And what is the reality of the dream creation and where are all the objects seen in the dream when viewed from your awakened  state?

Mandukya Upanishad

Mandukya Upanishad

This Upanishad is the briefest of all the Upanishads, yet as per Shankara, if one could study a single Upanishad, it should be this one. Once again, this Upanishad aligns with the mainstream Upanishadic view, that there is a Brahman that is one Reality which became the infinite variety of things around us. But the USP of this Upanishad is in its way of suggesting how to get there, through the dream world.

Amazingly, the stages of sleep that the Upanishad talks about are quite similar to what modern science shows us. Except that the latter derives no higher goal from sleep. As we saw in the Mundaka Upanishad, such a knowledge about the material world is only lower knowledge. (Note: The Upanishads do not despise a lower knowledge) Just as the Mundaka suggests that there is a higher knowledge which is Self Realization, the Mandukya also strives to know about the Self, and the mode of this realization is through sleep.

As per the Upanishad, consciousness is in four stages, awakeness, dreaming, sleep, deep sleep and an even deeper super conscious state. It associates the sounds of the three letters 'AUM' to the first three stages, and the complete "AUM" to the fourth stage. The following is the English translation of the Upanishad.

1) AUM stands for the Supreme Reality.
It is a symbol for what was, what is,
And what shall be. AUM represents also
What lies beyond past, present and future.

2) 2) Brahman is all, and the Self is Brahman.
This Self has four states of consciousness.

3) The first is called Vaishvanara, in which
One lives with all the senses turned outward,
Aware only of the external world.

4) Taijasa is the name of the second,
The dreaming state in which, with the senses
Turned inward, one enacts the impressions
Of past deeds and present desires.

5) The third state is called Prajna, of deep sleep,
In which one neither dreams nor desires.
There is no mind in Prajna, there is no
Separateness; but the sleeper is not
Conscious of this. Let him become conscious
In Prajna and it will open the door
To the state of abiding joy.

6) Prajna, all - powerful and all - knowing,
Dwells in the hearts of all as the ruler.
Prajna is the source and end of all.

7) The fourth is the superconscious state called
Turiya, neither inward nor outward,
Beyond the senses and the intellect,
In which there is none other than the Lord.
He is the supreme goal of life. He is
Infinite peace and love. Realize him!

8) Turiya is represented by AUM.
Though indivisible, it has three sounds.

9) A stands for Vaishvanara. Those who know this,
Through mastery of the senses, obtain
The fruit of their desires and attain greatness.

10) U indicates Taijasa. Those who know this,
By mastering even their dreams, become
Established in wisdom. In their family
Everyone leads the spiritual life.

11) M corresponds to Prajna. Those who know this,
By stilling the mind, find their true stature
And inspire everyone around to grow.

12) The mantram AUM stands for the supreme state
Of turiya, without parts, beyond birth
And death, symbol of everlasting joy.
Those who know AUM as the Self become the Self;
Truly they become the Self.

OM’-The symbol is comprised of three syllables put into one. In Sanskrit the vowel "o" is constitutionally a diphthong compound of a + u; hence OM is representatively written as AUM. The symbol of AUM is formed by three curves (curves 1, 2, and 3), one semicircle (curve 4), and a dot.

Symbolism behind the three Curves of OM:

Large Lower Curve:

The large lower curve forms the waking state (jagrat), in this state the consciousness of a human is turned towards the gate of sense. The larger size of the curve signifies state of human consciousness.

The Upper Curve:

The upper curve represents the state of deep slumber (sushupti) in other words, the unconscious state. This is a state where the human has no desire of anything nor does he have a dream.

The Middle Curve:

The middle curve implies the dream state (swapna). In this state the consciousness of a person is turned inwards, and the person who dreams holds an exciting view of the world.

The above-mentioned signs are the three states of a person's consciousness, and thus these three curves represent the whole physical phenomenon.

Symbolism behind the Dot:

The dot in the Aum signifies the fourth state of consciousness, which in Sanskrit is known as ‘turiya.’ This state signifies the coming to rest of all relative existence. This quiet and peaceful state is the ultimate goal of all Hindus.

Symbolism behind the Semi Circle:

Finally, the semi circle in the OM symbolizes "Maya" (illusion). This illusion or maya prevents us from the achievement of bliss. This effect is used to prevent the seeker from reaching his ultimate goal, the realization of the One, and all-pervading, absolute principle.

Symbolism behind the Sound of OM:

As regards the sound and form, AUM is symbolic of Brahma and the whole universe.

§ A symbolizes Creation

§ U symbolizes Preservation

§ M symbolizes Destruction

The three sounds also symbolize the three Vedas (Rig-Veda, Sam Veda, and Yajur Veda).

This is in other words represents the Trinity in Hindu Dharma namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Other Symbolism behind OM:

§ The three letters in AUM also indicate three planes of existence, called heaven, earth and netherworld.

§ AUM can represent all the words produced by the human vocal organ. This can be said because; A is produced by the throat and U & M by the lips.

§ According to the Vedas, AUM is associated with the sound of the Sun and also the sound of Light.

§ It symbolizes the sound of the infinite.

But overall the nature of OM is threefold. It is a sacred sound. It forms the essence of all mantras. It is the ultimate reality (Brahma). It is also said to be the central essence of the Vedas.

While meditating, if we chant OM, we create within ourselves a vibration that connects us with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The silence between each chant becomes felt physically. The Mind moves from the opposites of sound and silence until the sound ceases. In this silence, there is no thought. This is the state of trance.