The Enigma of 'I' in Hindu Philosophical Texts

The letter 'I' in the context of Hindu scriptures holds profound significance beyond its simple grammatical usage. It serves as a profound symbol of various concepts that are central to Hindu philosophy, particularly in the Vedas, Vedanta, and the Bhagavad Gita.

The Letter 'I': Multiple Layers of Meaning

The letter 'I' is multifaceted, symbolizing different concepts such as Ego, Supreme Self, Cosmic Consciousness, and Personal Deity, as seen in the Vedas. Each of these interpretations is crucial to understanding the spiritual journey of self-discovery and growth described in these ancient texts.

The Letter 'I' in Vedanta

In the philosophical tradition of Vedanta, the concept of 'I' is deeply intertwined with understanding the nature of the individual self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). The Bhagavad Gita, a significant composition in Hindu scriptures, often uses the letter 'I' to signify Lord Krishna Himself, who is not only the Supreme Kshetrajna (detector of fields) but also the Antaratma (inner soul) within all entities.

Key Concepts in Vedanta

Atman: The true self or soul of an individual, which is eternal and beyond physical existence. It is considered identical to Brahman, the ultimate reality in Vedanta.

Brahman: The universal consciousness or the absolute reality that underlies all existence, described as infinite, formless, and beyond human comprehension.

Maya: The illusion or the phenomenal world that obscures the true nature of reality. The individual self, bound by ignorance, perceives the world as real because of the illusion of Maya.

Self-Realization: The ultimate goal in Vedanta is to achieve the realization of the oneness of Atman and Brahman. This process involves transcending the ego or the limited sense of self.

Advaita Vedanta: A sub-school of Vedanta popularized by philosopher Adi Shankaracharya that emphasizes non-duality, asserting that there is no real distinction between Atman and Brahman.

The Supreme 'I' in the Bhagavad Gita

In the Bhagavad Gita, the letter 'I' serves as a title for Lord Krishna, the Supreme Kshetrajna and Antaratma within all living entities. This is not to be confused with the self (aham) of ordinary individuals, who are bound by ignorance and limited by their senses.

The letter 'I' in the Bhagavad Gita is the confidential name of Brahman. Here are several quotations from ancient texts to illustrate this concept:

yena sohasmto bhāva paramātmā sanātanasa vāsudevo bhagavān ketraja paramo mata

-"Lakmī tantra 2.5" - This verse indicates that the person indicated by 'aham' (I) is the eternal Paramātmā, the Supersoul situated in the hearts of all living entities. That Supersoul is indeed Bhagavān Vāsudeva for He is the supreme Ketraja, the knower of all the field and activities.

aham nāma harir nityam aheyatvāt prakīrtitahI am the eternal name of Lord Hari. Since He cannot ever be discarded (aheya: a - not ha - discard), He is known as 'aham' or 'I'.

-"Nārāyaa ruti, Quoted in Viu tattva Niraya [267]" - Lord Viu is called 'I' because He cannot be discarded.

aheyatvad aham viu

-"Brahmānda Purāna, quoted by rīpāda Madhvācārya in his commentary on the īopaniad Mantra [16]" - Lord Viu is called 'I' because He cannot be discarded.

The letter 'I' in all its cases (vibhaktis) refers to Lord Hari, since He is the Antaryāmī (inner controller) of all living entities.

aham cāsāvaheyatah

-"Brahmānda Purāna, quoted by rīpāda Madhvācārya in his commentary on the īopaniad Mantra [16]" - Lord Hari is called 'I' because He cannot be discarded.

The Non-Duality of Lord Krishna and the Absolute Truth

A significant aspect of Hindu philosophy is the understanding that the Supreme Lord Brahman and the individual soul are non-different. The nature of the Supreme Brahman is devoid of any internal and external differences. Those who perceive any difference between the transcendental personality of the Lord and His inner self have a large deficit of Brahma jnana and won't attain liberation from the samsara (cycle of birth and death).

For example:

neha nānāsti ki canamtyo sa mtyum āpnoti ya iha nāneva payati

-"Bhad-ārayaka Upaniad 4.4.19" - Within the Supreme Lord, there is no difference whatsoever. One who perceives the difference simply attains death after death in this world.

yad-ātmako bhagavās tad-ātmikā vyakti

-"ruti mantra cited by rīpāda Madhvācārya in his commentary on the Brahma-sūtra 2.2.41" - The Supreme Lord's personality consists of the same substance as His very Self.

deha-dehi-vibheda ca na pare vidyate kvacit

-"Mahā samhitā, Bhagavad Gita" - There exists no difference between the body and the soul of the Supreme Lord.

deha-dehi-vibhedo ’ya nevare vidyate kvacit

-"Kurma Purāa" - There is no difference between body and soul in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

dehi-deha-bhidācātra nevare vidyate kvacit

-"Mahā-varāha Purāa" - There is no difference between body and soul in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Conclusion

The letter 'I', as used in Hindu scriptures, holds a deep and multifaceted significance. It is an emblem of the eternal self (Atman) and the ultimate truth (Brahman). Understanding the letter 'I' in the context of Hindu philosophy can provide profound insights into the essence of spiritual realization and the non-dual nature of the Supreme Lord and the individual soul.