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sac-cid-Ananda: SAT (eternity)
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To: alt-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: sac-cid-Ananda: SAT (eternity)
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From: nparker@crl.com (Nathan Parker)
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Date: 10 Apr 1995 10:31:47 -0700
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From nparker@crl.com Mon Apr 10 14: 02:23 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [Login: guest]
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sac-cid-Ananda: SAT
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SAT (eternity):
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SB 7.5.5, Purport:
So called educated philosophers and scientists who are simply on
the mental platform cannot distinguish between what is actually sat,
eternal, and what is asat, temporary. The Vedic injunction is asato ma
jyotir gamma: everyone should give up the platf orm of temporary
existence and approach the eternal platform. The soul is eternal, and
topics concerning the eternal soul are actually knowledge.
SB 17.23
om-tat-sad iti nirdeso
brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah
brahmanas tena vedas ca
yajnas ca vihitah pura
Translation:
From the beginning of creation, the three syllables - om tat sat -
have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They
were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during
sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Purport:
It has been explained that penance, sacrifice, charity and foods
are divided into three categories: the modes of goodness, passion and
ignorance. But whether first class, second class or third class, they are
all conditioned, contaminated by the material modes of nature. When they
are aimed at the Supreme - om tat sat, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
the eternal - they become means for spiritual elevation. In the
scriptural injunctions such an objective is indicated. These three words,
om tat sat , particularly indicate the Absolute Truth, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. In the Vedic hymns, the word om is always found.
One who acts without following the regulations of the scriptures
will not attain the Absolute Truth. He will get some temporary result, but
not the ultimate end of life. The conclusion is that the performance of
charities, sacrifice and penance must be d one in the mode of goodness.
Performed in the modes of passion or ignorance, they are certainly
inferior in quality. The three words om tat sat are uttered in conjunction
with the holy name of the Supreme Lord, e.g., om tad visnoh. Whenever a
Vedic hymn or the holy name of the Supreme Lord is uttered, om is added.
This is the indication of Vedic literature. These three words are taken
from Vedic hymns. Om ity etad brahmano nedistam nama indicates the first
goal. Then tattvamasi indicates the second goa l. And sad eva saumya
indicates the third goal. Combined they become om tat sat. Formerly when
Brahma, the first created living entity, performed sacrifices, he spoke
these three names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The same
principle hold by dis ciplic succession. So this hymn has great
significance. Bhagavad-gita recommends, therefore, that any work done
should be done for om tat sat, or for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
When one performs penance, charity, and sacrifice with these three words,
he is acting in Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is a scientific
execution of transcendental activities which enables one to return, home,
back to Godhead. There is no loss of energy in acting in such a
transcendental way.
SB 17.26-27
sad-bhave sadhu-bhave ca
sad ity etat prayujyate
prasaste karmani tatha
cac-chabdah partha yujyate
yajne tapasi dane ca
sthitih sad iti cocyate
karma caiva tad-arthiyam
sad ity evabhidhyyate
Translation:
The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, and
it is indicated by the word sat. These works of sacrifice, of penance and
of charity, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please the
Supreme Person, O son of Prtha.
Purport:
The words prasaste karmani, or prescribed duties, indicate that
there are many activities prescribed in the Veic literature which are
pruificatory processes beginning from parental care up to the end of ones
life. Such purificatory processes are adopte d for the ultimate
liveration of the living entity. In all such activities it is recommended
that one one should vibrate om tat sat. The words sad-bhave and
sadhu-bhave indicate the transcendental situation. One who is acting in
Krsna consciousness is called sattva, and one who is fully conscious of
activities in Krsna consciousness is called svarupa. In the
Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that the transcendental subject matter
becomes clear in the association of the devotees. Without good
association, one cannot achieve transcendental knowledge. When initiating
a person or offering the sacred thread, on vibrates the words om tat sat.
Similarly, in all kinds of yogic performances, the supreme object, om tat
sat is invoked. These words om tat sat are used to perfect all
activities. This supreme om tat sat makes everything complete.
SB 3.25.12, Purport:
Those who have actual spiritual interest are called sat, or
devotees. Satam prasangat. Sat means "that which eternally exists," and
asat means "that which is not eternal". Unless one is situated on the
spiritual platform, he is not sat; he is asat. T he asat stands on the
platform which will not exist, but anyone who stands on the spiritual
platform will exist eternally. As spirit soul, everyone exists eternally,
but the asat has accepted the material world as his shelter, and therefore
he is full of anxiety. Asad-grahan, the incompatible situation of the
spirit soul who has the false idea of enjoying matter, is the cause of the
souls being asat. Actually, the spirit soul is not asat. As soon as one
is conscious of this fact and takes to Krsna co nsciousness, he becomes
sat. Satam gatih, the path of the eternal, is very interesting to persons
who are after liberation, and His Lordship Kapila began to speak about
that path.
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Note: Translations and Purports of Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and
Caitanya-caritamrita are those of His Divine Grave A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness, and are copyrighted by the Bhaktivedanta Book
Trust.
