Spark 20
TRANSMISSION OF THE FLAME
अनन्य-प्रोक्ते गतिः अत्र नास्ति । कठ 1.2.8
| ananya-prokte gatir-atra nāsti |
The transmission takes place without fail, when (the flame comes from) someone established in the Self.
(Katha Upanishad 1.2.8)
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There is a bad news and then there is good news too.
The bad news is that 999 out of 1000 people talking of Self-knowledge have their hearts somewhere else – in fame, name, wealth, power or popularity – that is expansion of their empire. They cannot help us.
Now the good news. There always are, though rare, some saints and sages for whom the ‘Self’ is ‘not other’ – ananya. Shri Ramana Maharshi was one such enlightened figure. (It is not desirable to judge anybody in the present times, so do not ask for someone in body to be named.) The Upanishad mantra says the insight dawns upon us when conveyed by such a master who is in Self-abidance (ātma-nisthā).
Others give long lectures, write huge volumes or preside over big projects on the scriptures. This sage, without all such din and roar, helps a seeker by a mere gaze. For others, the ‘Self’ is other than themselves. For this sage, the ‘Self’ (ātmā) is ‘not other’ (ananya).
The word ‘gati’ has three meanings, as Ādi Shankara explains in his commentary. ‘gati’ – literally meaning movement – can mean ‘moving / going in countless, wrong directions’. When the sage, established in the Truth, showers his grace upon us, we simply cannot move in any of those wrong directions. (gatih na asti).
‘gati’ can also mean ‘samsāra-gati’ – the ways of the world, numerous ways in which we remain shackled in worldly attachments. The anugraha of the mahātmā frees us from such worldliness. (gatih na asti).
Thirdly, by grammar, the sentence may be taken as – prokte agatih atra na asti– where the ‘a’ gets dropped because of ‘sandhi rules’. In such a case, ‘gati’ is in a complimentary sense – movement in the direction of Self-knowledge or even attainment of the Self-knowledge. ‘agati’ then is uncomplimentary –