Beyond Aadhaar Blog by V S Krishnan

 

Beyond Aadhaar Blog by V S Krishnan

Beyond Aadhaar Blog by V S KrishnanUnique Identification project was introduced by the Government of India in order to provide a distinct identification to every citizen of India.   Apart from giving the Government agencies a clear proof about the identity of the recipients in its welfare programme, the Aadhaar card also helps the individual in his dealings with the various agencies of the Government.  This identification is issued based on the individual's date of birth, place of birth, location etc.   He may be performing different duties at different places but this Aadhaar card with a number and image on it clearly authenticates the genuineness of his identity.  

But apart from giving an authentic fact about the location, age or image of the individual, the Aadhaar card does not go beyond.  These are identifications which pertain to his personality and the role he performs as member of the family and society and as citizen of a country.  Do these functions reveal his true identity?  They do not, because what they reveal are matters material and what they do not reveal are matters spiritual. 

Normally, we identify a person by various means of his name, his profession, his relation, his character, interest etc.  In other words, we identify him by the functions he carries out by means of his body and mind.  Are these criteria enough to identify a person?  Is the individual consists of only his body and mind?  Body is merely an instrument by which one performs certain duties.  Body is the instrument one possesses and the body cannot become the possessor.   Body can only feel the sensation but body cannot perceive.  Nor mind is the cognizer.  Body and mind are only aids by which the individual perceives a truth.  There is 'somebody' beyond the body who is conscious of the working of the body and mind.  There is 'somebody' behind the eyes who sees, there is 'somebody' behind the mind who thinks and there is somebody behind the ears who listens.  Kena Upanishad says:  “That which is not thought by the mind and that by which mind is thought, is the unique identity of the person, the Self. 

But the individual does not agree.  Having identified himself with the body, he thinks that his true identity consists of what his mind tells him: "I am the body".  It is this misconception that lands him in sorrows and miseries.  Though he listens to discourses, goes to temple and read scriptures, his plight is miserable because he is not able to transcend his personality beyond the realm of his body and mind.   His personality is divine, vast and universal which is beyond barriers.  It transcends to infinite regions, but just because he associates himself with his mind and body, he becomes a localized personality.  He should stop mixing up of his body and mind with his unique identity.  He should realize that it is his Consciousness, illuminated by the Self that gives him the awareness of his existence.  It is this Consciousness that serves as the mind behind the mind, the hearer behind the ears, and the seer behind the eyes.  It is this consciousness that forms his true identity.  But the individual does not agree. 

A lion cub got separated from its mother in the jungle.    Having separated from its flock, it wandered here and there.  It grew up in the midst of some sheep and gradually acquired all the characteristics of a sheep.  The other sheep also accepted the lion-cub to their fold.  The lion-cub went along with other sheep seeking greener pastures.  Though, over the years, the cub grew up as a big lion, it showed only the qualities of sheep.  It was always fearful and never daring to strike.  One day, when another lion came to attack, the entire flock of sheep ran away and this lion too ran along with other sheep.  The offensive lion managed to keep abreast of this lion and asked:  “Why are you afraid?  You are also a lion just like me”.  “No, I am a sheep”, replied the defending lion.  “Look at the pond below”, the offensive lion said. “You will see your image.  Fearlessness and courage are your qualities.  Do not get identified with qualities that are not yours”.

Just as the lion does not realize its natural state, character and strength, the individual too does not realize his true natural state, the Atmaswarupa, the Self.   The Upanishad says: “You are That”.  “You are the Brahman who symbolizes the eternal reality.   The Self (Atman) within you is the manifestation of Brahman, the Supreme Power.  The Self is Knowledge- Absolute by which all your perceptions and experiences become possible. It is ever-existing and self-effulgent (Nitya Chaitanya). Realize your greatness, the Self.”

Though it would be necessary for us all to possess the Aadhaar card as proof of our identity in this material world, it would be equally necessary for us to realize our natural state, our unique identity, the pure Self, the manifestation of Brahman, which alone would liberate us to a state beyond normal identities