Aptavani-8
195
For instance, if you put a light inside this pot, and fix a lid
over it, there would not be any light pouring out on the outside,
it would only light the inside of the pot. Then if you break the
pot, how far will the light go? The light will spread around
whatever receptacles it is placed in, and throughout whatever
room it is put in.
In the same way, if the Atma becomes free of coverings
(niravaran), it can pervade all the regions of the universe and
beyond (lok-alok). But the Atma only gives enough light to
illuminate the worlds and planes of existence (lok). There are no
objects to be known (gneya) in the space beyond the world -
the limitless space (alok); therefore the Atma’s light, that of the
Knower (Gnata) does not go there. There is lok (worlds; planes
of existence), which is why the other part is referred to as alok
(space beyond the world; limitless space). In the space beyond
the world (alok), there are no objects to be known (gneya)
whatsoever. There is only space (aakash). And because there
is no object to be known, the light of the Atma cannot illuminate
anything over there, which is why it can illuminate the entire
universe (lok). And that includes every Atma, provided that the
coverings are destroyed!
Just as if you place a light inside a pot, and you pierce
however many holes in the pot, that much light would gradually
come out of it. In the same way, the light of the Atma comes
out through the five senses. Now in the full and complete (purna)
state, when the body disappears, this light spreads throughout
the entire universe. That is its nature (swabhav).
Right now, it is in the body. Therefore, first you have to
know the knowledge of the Self. Once you know that, it means
that the ignorance over the Soul is lifted. Thereafter, all the
karmas will move away by themselves and gradually things will
become more clear to you. There are infinite locations (pradesh)
on the Atma that are covered by veils of layers of karma. As
the karmas gradually begin to discharge, the veils begin to shed.