The Nectar of Gita…for you, me and all! Essay 17 - “Aatman is just a witness to the actions done by the Body”

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaayaa!

“Aatman is just a witness to the actions done by the Body”

Chapter 2; Sankhya Yoga

After explaining what is Real (Aatman) and what is Unreal (The sensory world), Krishna begins to elaborate on Aatman.

“Oh Arjuna, whichever is pervading the whole world as cosmic energy (Aatman) is indestructible. No one can destroy it” (2/17)

The above statement implies that Aatman which is the cosmic energy, is present in everything in the world. It is an energy that is indestructible. It has no death. It can not be destroyed by anybody.

“Oh Arjuna, the Aatman which is eternal, indestructible and which can not be known by any physical standard, occupies a form or body which is mortal. Therefore, get ready to fight” (2/18)

In the above statement, Krishna says that though the Aatman is eternal, it occupies a body that is mortal. So, one is basically the Aatman and not the Body. There is no point in lamenting about either Aatman or the Body. So, Arjuna should come over this unnecessary grief and get ready to fight the enemy.

“Whoever thinks that this Aatman is killing somebody and whoever thinks that somebody is getting killed, both are considered ignorant. In reality, Aatman is neither killing nor getting killed” (2/19)

This statement on the face of it looks very confusing and disturbing. This requires further understanding that comes as we progress in this study. Krishna says, thinking that one is killing and the other is getting killed is in reality, a myth. Aatman does not do any action (Karma) and does not influence doing of any action (Karma). All actions are done or initiated by Budhhi or Intellect. Aatman stands witness to the actions done by Buddhi.

By emphasizing that Aatman is permanent, Krishna implies, one should realize that one is in reality immortal. Death occurs to the physical body only which is anyway destructible.  Throwing in more clarity, Krishna goes about saying why Aatman cannot be killed.

“This Aatman has no birth or death, it was never non-existent so that it can be said to be existing now. It is immortal, eternal and ancient. Even when the body dies, Aatman doesn’t die” (2/20)

This statement throws some light in the direction of clearing our confusion. It says that Aatman is just a witness to the actions done by the body. It’s a cardinal statement that goes to establish that Aatman is different from the body. One should not get unduly attached to the physical form which is anyway destructible; but should think oneself to be the manifestation of cosmic energy (Aatman)  which is immortal.

This helps one to stay detached, unperturbed, blissful and fearless. Then one will have no fear of death. Now Krishna hits the nail on the head by saying that the enlightened can never kill or arrange to kill others.

“Oh Arjuna, whoever realizes that Aatman is immortal and has no birth or death, indestructible and eternal, how could he resort to killing someone or arrange to kill someone?” (2/21)

This is the essence of truth. When this enlightenment dawns, one sees all as manifestation of the same cosmic energy in different forms. Such an enlightened person will have no desire to kill somebody.