The 'chit' Aspect of brahmn.

The ‘Chit’ Aspect- Consciousness  - prajnyanan brahmam

     One of the first unmanifest forms of ‘brahmn’-the ‘sat’, is the ‘chit’. The unmanifest ‘Supreme Being- ‘brahmn’, is known as ‘sat-chit-ananda’, meaning, ‘Existence’ (Truth/ Knowledge), ‘Consciousness’, and ‘Bliss’. The true nature (mula svarupa) of the entire universe is thus, ‘sacchidanada’ only. It is needless to say, this includes the human beings. Hence, we are basically ‘That’ in our soul, the Atman. The Atman has been variously described in the Upanishads as the Mind (manas), life-force (prana), consciousness (prajnya), Light (jyoti), Bird (pakshi), the Omniscient (all-knowing / ‘chit’), and ‘sat’ or ‘brahmn’. Nobody has ever seen this! But nobody can ever even breathe without ‘IT’! 

    It is ‘to know’ this unknowable, unseen, power (Shakti) that every jiva is working and looking for salvation. It is the embodiment of this supreme power that creates the numerous names of jivas, forms, and functions. Once, this is known, the cycle of bondage and the chain of births and deaths are shattered and the jiva is liberated once and for all! This is mukti or moksha, emancipation of the embodied soul.

   But, what is 'chit'? This 'chit' is a powerful forc that runs the universe and makes it possible to cognize. The jiva cannot even think of it without the help of 'chit' -Consciousness. But, nobody has ever defined what Consciousness is so far! It is not possible to define this since it is not something to be observed as an other and describe it. It is the very power (chit-shakti) that helps the jiva to know both itself as well as an other. Chit is a powerful force (Shakti) that takes different forms such as chiti (fire), chitta (mental power), chetasa (creative energy), chaitanya (prana shakti), prajnya (awareness), and the like. It is the very foundation of the universe. It is called Shiva.

   Consciousness can be aware of itself as well be aware of an other, the objective phenomenal world. When it aware of itself, it is called Shiva; when it is aware of the world, it is called Shakti. Shiva and Shakti are one and the same. However, it works inward or outward at any point of time, like the human beings who stay at home, go out for work, and come back. Consciousness plays different roles like a person who takes on himself different roles at home and outside.

   All that exists is Consciousness only. Hence it is called the brahmn- prajnyam brahmn |