Experience of bliss

The Upanishads speak of the ineffable experience of the Supreme Brahman. It is known as Brahma Jnana or the state of Realisation and it is gained through constant enquiry and meditation. They reiterate that this search itself is a penance in the form of meditation and is the only path for every seeker, the preceptor and disciple alike, pointed out Sri V. Abhiramasundaram in a discourse.

The terms Jnana, Vijnana and Prajnana refer to the stages by which the individual seeker gains realisation. Jnana is the ability to see any object or being pertaining to this creation. Vijnana is the ability to identify the object by its nature and characteristics. Prajnana is the awareness that the atma swaroopa itself is the jnana and this transcendental experience is revealed in one’s inner being with no ambiguity. No words can describe this. The disciple Brighu is asked to practise meditation and penance to search for what is unchanging in creation. He introspects on the gross and subtle aspects that constitute the individual, that is, pancha kosas enveloping the atma, the annamaya, the pranamaya, the vijnanamaya, the mano maya and finally the ananda maya kosas. When the truth of the atma is intuitively grasped, he is immersed in the fullness of this experience and does not get back to the Guru. There are many instances in devotional literature and poetry that indicate this ecstatic experience of bliss when the devout soul is graced by the Lord and the vision is revealed. For instance, in the Kandar Anubhuti, Arunagirinathar tries to convey the overwhelming experience of being blessed directly by Muruga. The all encompassing revelation granted to him through the Lord’s love and grace, makes him speechless. Unable to describe it in words, he merely calls this experience ‘Pesa Anubhuti.’