Talks on Mandukya K3.3-9: akasa

or Transcreating Nikhilananda

Say Atman is infinite space and Atman is manifesting in people like infinite space in clay pots. This is what birth is like.

Upon destruction of any clay pot, the infinite space contained in the pot merges with infinite space. So do people merge with Atman.

As the smoke-filled space in one clay pot doesn’t smudge the other spaces enclosed in other pots, so the emotions of one individual does not actually darken others.

Although a variety of names and forms of different spaces may be admitted, this does not imply there's any differentiation in space itself.

As the infinite space enclosed in a clay pot is neither an effect nor a part of infinite space, so an individual is neither a creation nor a part of Atman.

Only a child would think the actual dimension of space is being polluted by polluted air. Only the ignorant believe Atman can be similarly polluted.

Atman, in regard to its birth and death, its comings and goings, its dwelling in different bodies, is not unlike infinite space.