264
Aptavani-1
The relation between gnata and gneya is only of the Knower
and circumstance and if this relationship remains confined to this
parameter, then the Self remains unbound.
People become ‘married’ to their circumstances and
therefore entrapped by them so much so that try as they may,
they cannot free themselves from them.
The Self is absolutely distinct. It is such that it can see
and know circumstances from all aspects, but what can anyone
do if the Self becomes married to these circumstances?
All circumstances are pudgalic (integrating and
disintegrating through intake and output); they belong to the
non-self. A donkey is not considered pudgalic, because the
donkey is the mixture of the Self and the non-Self. In reality the
Self never becomes one with the non-Self, but through illusion
and wrong belief you see them as one. This is a grave mistake
on your part.
All circumstances automatically come together and because
of this phenomenon, Knowledge (svabhavik - the knowledge of
the Self) too has automatically become distinct and separate
from its own nature (vibhavik, worldly). However its substance
(dravya) and attributes have not changed, only its phases
(paryaya) have changed. It is the phases of vision and knowledge
that have become distinct (worldly) and have attained different
properties.
A scientist accidentally inhales some gas, which leaks out
while he is conducting an experiment and becomes
unconsciousness. For the duration of the time he is unconscious,
he forgets everything but as he regains consciousness and comes
around, he slowly begins to recall and understand everything.
Initially he feels that he was in control of everything and then as
he becomes more aware, he realizes that he was not in control,