62. Transformation of Matters, Power of Omni-Present, Absolute

In the continuation of conversation between Uddalaka and his son Svetaketu on “TAT TVAM ASI,” the Svetaketu asked his father how come this vast Universe which is enormous could emerge from Absolute which is subtle and incognito. Sage Uddalaka, without becoming frustrate or furious over these questions asks Svetaketu to fetch a fruit of the Nyagrodha (Banyan) tree, asks him to break it and see what is inside. The inside of the fruit is filled with cluster of seeds. He asked him to take an individual seed and crush it and tell what he could see inside it. “Nothing at all” replied Svetaketu after crushing one. Sage Uddalaka says, “It is practically invisible and non-existent from your point of view but that non-existent subtle jelly like essence that is there inside that little seed has become this vast tree in front of you. 

Do you know how this is possible? It is indeed a marvel that a large tree grows from this little speck of jelly which cannot even be seen with your naked eyes. ” This little so-called subtle jelly like essence is the entire tree in front of you. Yet, there is nothing in this tree which is not to be found in the speck of jelly. How is it possible? How can an atomic little iota encompass the large stretch of the tree? Have you ever thought about how a small seed grows into a big tree? Well, it is known that as a seed it sprouts into a plant and this plant creates food from the sunlight for it to grow as a tree, but what really happens is that the cells grow and divide. 

The division of cells is required to grow, to repair damaged cells, or to replace old cells. As this large tree is nothing but the invisible speck inside the seed, so is this vast universe. We say this universe is so huge, so vast or so immeasurable, so gross, so bulky. This is exactly like saying this tree is so vast once it is grown that big. But if one contemplates on where this vast universe has come from? We will know that it has indeed come from a very small, atomic, subtle seed called Hiranyagarbha, the primordial atom. This Hiranyagarbha has over the years emanated to becoming this vast universe. This is the very essence of this vast universe and the power of the Omni-Present Absolute. Even so is the Absolute of the whole universe including that of your own Self. “TAT TVAM ASI” You are That, says Sage Uddalaka to Svetaketu. We can tell every branch, leaf, flower and fruit of the tree, “You are That”. And there is no mistake in saying so as it is very true. Exactly also we can say to every individual on this planet, “TAT TVAM ASI” “You are That,” because we all emerged from that indistinguishable, homogeneous Absolute. Upon hearing this manifestation of the Absolute in the tree and in the vast universe, Svetaketu comes up with another question, “If Absolute is the pervading the whole of this vast universe, then why is it not revealing itself or why is it not perceived by us?” What is the analogy given for the non-revealtion of Absolute?? …………. In the next blog!