"Aparokshanubhuti": Direct experience of the Truth

ब्रह्मैवाहं समः शान्तः सच्चिदानन्दलक्षणः ||  नाहं देहो ह्यसद्रुपः ज्ञानमित्युच्यते बुधैः  || २४ ||

I am that Brahman , the ever equanimous, tranquil and of the nature of Pure Existence-Consciousness-Bliss. Not this body; the unreal. This is called real knowledge by the wise. || 24 ||

निर्विकारो निराकारः निरवद्योअहमव्ययः ||  नाहं देहो ह्यसद्रुपः ज्ञानमित्युच्यते बुधैः  || २५ || 

I am the formless, changeless, without blemish and undecaying. Not this body; the unreal. This is called real knowledge by the wise. || 25 ||

निरामयो निराभासः निर्विकल्पोअहमाततः ||  नाहं देहो ह्यसद्रुपः ज्ञानमित्युच्यते बुधैः  || २६ || 

I am devoid of all diseases, without any appearance, modification and all pervading. Not this body; the unreal. This is called real knowledge by the wise. || 26 ||

निर्गुणो निष्क्रियो नित्यः नित्यमुक्तोअहम्च्युतः ||  नाहं देहो ह्यसद्रुपः ज्ञानमित्युच्यते बुधैः  || २७ ||

I am without any qualities, actionless, eternal, ever liberated and I am immutable. Not this body; the unreal. This is called real knowledge by the wise. || 27 ||

निर्मलो निश्चलो अनंत: शुद्धोहमजरोअमरः ||  नाहं देहो ह्यसद्रुपः ज्ञानमित्युच्यते बुधैः  || २८ ||

I am stainless, immobile, endless, ever pure, ageless and deathless. Not this body; the unreal. This is called real knowledge by the wise. || 28 || 

These verses are from "Aparokshaanubhuti" a text by Adi Shankara. 'Aksha' means eyes. 'Para-aksha' (paroksha) means through somebody else's eyes or second hand knowledge. 'Apara-aksha' (aparoksha) means through direct perception i.e, first hand. 'Anubhuti' means experience. Hence, 'Aparokshaanubhuti' means direct experience of the Self within ourselves. The very name indicates emphasis is more on experience than on theory. The text gives enough material to convince us that the emphasis is not a theoretical explanation but a practical guide book to those who can live the spiritual values and come to experience the Self within oneself.

The verses are a ready vehicle to enter the path of meditation. The ideas in the verses as well as the text being fundamental points of Vedanta, help an advanced seeker to directly perceive or experience the truth of the Self. 

Vedanta - 'experience the joy of clarity of thought'

Swami Nirguna Akshara being received at the inauguration of the one year basic course in Vedanta on Sept 3, 2011 at the Aiyyappa Temple, Koparkhairne, Navi Mumbai.

The inaugural ceremony well attended by people in Navi Mumbai who got the oppurtunity  to hear the Master’s words of wisdom. Swamiji in his inimitable, simple and lucid style explained Advaita Vedanta. His talk on the benefits of the course, clearly motivated all those present to learn more about Vedanta. He used the analogy of clothes being tumble washed in a washing machine and explained how Vedanta similarly can remove all doubts and unanswered questions and help us experience the joy of “clarity of thought”. He was a source of inspiration to all the participants who have enrolled for the course. Swamiji blessed each of the participants who also received their books from Him. 

Swamiji addresses the participants.