Chapter-IV
Parameshwaran (the Lord) has created the sense organs with a basic interest for material objects. Hence, the man sees only the outward appearances alone (also that he sees only outside himself and not within himself). Rarely a wise man who aspires for liberation controls his mind, concentrates inward and sees the Supreme Soul inside (himself).
The idiots and the unwise run after the worldly objects and the material desires. And they fall into the death trap that is wide open. Contrarily, the wise men get to understand the immortal one (through rigorous meditation and concentration). Knowing fully well that there is nothing stable in this transient world, they do not run after anything like the others.
The intellect with which a man enjoys the various objects of his desire in the forms of sound, feel, vision, taste and smell is the one which is also capable of going beyond all such worldly objects and distinguishing them from the immortal. What is there that is beyond such intellect (or the knowledge)? This is that (this intellect or knowledge itself is that Atma or the Supreme Soul).
Having understood that huge and all pervading Atma (the Soul) by means of which one is able to see that within dream and reality, the wise one gets rid of all sorrows.
That one who recognizes the Atma, which is residing very close to oneself in the form of Jiva drinking the honey (which is the result of the deeds performed earlier), and which is the master for all those which came and went, he does not worry about saving himself (since there will be no fear or joy as he identifies himself with everything else). That is that state which we are contemplating about (the state of no fear – arising out of knowledge of the Self).
That one who sees the Atma, which arose from the Brahman even before the creation of all the five components of life (the pancha bhuthas – viz., the water, fire, earth, air and space) and which resides in the heart cave of all beings, in everything else – only he sees the truth. That is that state which we are contemplating about.
That which is in the form of all Gods and Goddesses, and which is called as the aditi (because it eats up all), and that which is born as the chief life-breath out of the Brahman and which resides in the heart cave of all beings, and which is created along with all other things that are created, is the thing (that we are contemplating about).
Like the sparks of fire hidden in the fire-sticks dug out of a bunch burning in a yagna and like the embryo well hidden and protected by the pregnant women, like the incessant fire carefully protected and hidden by those who perform their rites very carefully and devoutly, the Atma is hidden and protected within the heart. That is the thing (that we are contemplating about).
From where the sun rises and unto where it returns on set, upon that vital energetic force of the Atma do rest all the Devas. (In other words, all the Gods and Goddesses are founded only on that force or power without which they would cease to exist). No one can go beyond that. That is the thing (that we are contemplating about).
Whatever is here, (only) that is there; whatever is there, (only) that is here. Whoever distinguishes it here (not understanding the all pervading principle of Atma while living in this world), he goes from death to death again. He is caught in the cycle of deaths.
This can be attained only by the mind. There is no difference here; not even a little. Whoever distinguishes it here (not understanding the all pervading principle of Atma while living in this world), he goes from death to death again. He is caught in the cycle of deaths.
The Purusha (or the Atma), who is of the size of one’s thumb, resides in the center of one’s body (within the cave of heart). He is the Lord for all that comes and goes. That one who knows it to be so will never worry about saving or protecting himself (since there is no second thing to be protected against – all are seen as one and the same there being no distinction).
The Purusha residing in the heart cave, who is of the size of one’s thumb is like a flame without a smoke, crystal-clear. He, who is the Lord of all that was created and those to be created, is the one present now and in the hereafter (conveying the immortality principle).
As water poured upon the mountain tops comes down in numerous branches in all sides (with increasingly lesser strength), that one who distinguishes between various dharmas (life-codes propounded by different religious doctrines) runs after each of such variants with increasingly lesser understanding and knowledge of the Self.
As pure water poured in to pure water merging and becoming one and the same, so becomes the soul of a sage who has understood the truth of the Self. (He, on identifying the true Self, and getting into it, merges with it and becomes one with it. That is the state of liberation).