Slokam 2

This slokam has a key statement that we should understand thoroughly. 

Brahma is alone,  just like all of us are, deep within ourselves.  He is not aware that there can be other beings. It is when we are in isolation that we begin to reach within ourselves to grasp our true identities.  The effort is nothing but an attempt of the mind to reach to and establish communication with the Paramathma, who is within us and yet apart from us, and who drives all our actions.  But curiosity does not know what it is looking for or what it is expecting to see. 

In isolation, we begin to be very truthful about ourselves.  We also become acutely aware of our different  component parts.  Most importantly, we ask the question as to which of these component parts represents our true self.  This question arises because most of our component parts seem to have an agenda of their own and are not under the control of our will power. We assume that we can control all our component parts through our will power, (which is supposed to be our true identity).

So that aspect of us which controls all other component parts is assumed to be our true identity.  In trying to understand and locate our true identity, we split ourselves into component parts. However,  in understanding the Paramathma, we have to view the whole as one, all inclusive, entity. This is a fundamental difference in approach.

The Paramathma’s universal consciousness permeates all perceivable objects and He is considered indivisible and has to be understood as the whole.  In other words, the Paramathma can be thought of as  having complete control over all His aspects, and most importantly these aspects and component parts were designed and evolved by the Paramathma’s own prowess. Whereas all our component parts are endowments.  Since we are not responsible for the creation of our component parts, both physical and mental, we are also not in control of the parts.

The Paramathma also resides within us and represents our true identity.  He resides within us and has the complete capability to control us. However, we have to recognize His being situated within us and we should completely surrender to the Paramathma. 

The Paramathma says in Srimad Bhagavatham, that should we try to take on our different aspects (worldly desire, needs, wants),  without having any control,  we will be lost, because will try to navigate the ocean of life because we are blinded by ignorance. 

This is why our scriptures clearly emphasis on the importance of recognizing and surrendering to the Paramathma, within us. This smoothens the path of our lives and gives us the strength to transcend the ocean of life.

Brahma asks two questions in this Slokam;

1. Who am I who is alone in the midst of this Lotus?
2. Where did this lotus come from?

Sri Bhattadri touches on the key point that Brahma did not yet see or know, that it was the Paramathma that was holding the swaying lotus in the ocean.