Sat-cit-ananda

The universe or 'Brahmanda' is supposed to be created by Brahman whose quality is sat (potency), cit (Consciousness/ Knowledge) and Bliss, ananda. These qualities are not that of Brahman, but what is attributed to Him by the human ingenuity due to his intense devotion (bhakti). These attributes or qualities are, in fact, that of the jiva's Self (Atman) only. The jivatman is essentially saccidananda. The sat and asat are existence and non-existence, respectively. "There was neither sat nor asat in the beginning says the Veda." (nasadiya sukta, Rk Veda).

   We do not know what is brahmn. Brahmn is not something to be known; the words cannot express it, the 'bruhat'. Brahmn is beyond words and, although the mind is the fastest, it, too, cannot reach there. So, there in no way of knowing brahmn. The learned sages, jnyani, called it simply 'tyat or tat, meaning 'That'. Thus, it came to be known as tat brahma. Since it is the all pervasive 'cit' or consciousness, it came to be known as tat vishnu. And, as it covers everything, it is called tat sarvam. Finally, it is the highest and hence, the "tat param padam".

  Hence, what is Brahmn? Brahmn is everything! Everything manifests from Brahmn and, finally, everything reverts ti IT.

   Thus, it is clear that brahmn pervades the universe like the thread in the fabrics, gold in the golden Jewellery, clay in the earthen pots and jars, There is nothing that is not pervaded by cit, consciousness.When Consciousness is aware of itself, it is Shiva, and when it becomes conscious of 'the other', it is jiva. Siva only becomes jiva. The same is true of Lakshmi; Lakshmi only becomes the jiva (Lakshmi Tantra).

  Once the jiva realizes this truth it becomes easy for the jiva to revert to its primordial state of saccidananda, even while living here in mortal embodied sate with the help of yoga.
  However, it is not easy to start the inward journey unless the outward one is discarded as trash, not worth enjoying any more. Most of the great works demand total renunciation, vairagya and sanyasa for this. However, we see our teachers approving enjoying life and still pursue spiritual path! This is like applying break at the same time pressing the accelerator, Either this or that is the option.It is only when a person realizes the futility of worldly enjoyment that the inward journey starts, provided there is divine intervention.
  Divine intervention comes when there is an ardent call for help. Most of the great sages have had this. They have come to a point where there is no signpost for further journey. Then God comes to help. Many have taken to sanyas after they have had such dead end! Many go to sacred places like Mantralayam and sit before the Saint Raghavendra Swami and pray. For some lucky ones, the guru comes to his/her door! There is no doubt about this, provided there is an inner clamor for liberation and crying for help.
  Thus, what we see today, for almost all of us, it is just a normal worldly way of life, an endless journey. This goes on and on unless there is a turning point. The jiva suffers in the course of this mundane existence and finally craves for liberation. Then the inward journey takes to the sat-cit-ananda- an eternal fountain of joy and bliss.