Real and unchanging

Visishtadvaita does not accept the concept of the world being an illusion. Everything is satya, according to Visishtadvaita. When a mud pot breaks, we say there are broken pieces of the pot. Suppose the pieces are further powdered down. Then, we say the pot has been reduced to mud. So, the pot came from mud, and has gone back to being mud. But there is nothing unreal, explained T.S.R. Narayanachariar in a discourse. A man may find a shining stone and thinks it might be a diamond. On close inspection, he finds it is just an ordinary stone. How did he first think it could be a diamond? That is because the aspects of everything are to be found in everything else. There is an attribute of diamonds, perhaps a glow, even in the ordinary pebble.

Chandogya Upanishad says Tejas (fire), Ap (water) and anna (food) are the three basic elements. The Supreme Brahman entered Tejas and Ap and they were then divided into further entities. Portions from the three — Tejas, Ap and anna — were combined when such a division took place. Half of Agni, for instance, comes from Tejas, one quarter comes from water and one quarter comes from earth. The red colour of Agni is because of Tejas, while its white colour is due to water and its dark hue is due to earth.

Taittiriya Upanishad says satyam, jnanam, anantam are the attributes of the Supreme One. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says of Brahman — satyasaya satyam. This unchanging reality is also all pervasive — Isavasyam idam sarvam. The Supreme One is nirvikAra. He has the same rupa always. Valmiki says that even when He is asleep, Rama is beautiful. The Lord’s beauty is never marred by anything. The Lord with all these attributes is within the reach of His devotees, and this is His most marvellous quality.