The Journey from the Finite to the Infinite

Knowing Oneself: The Key to Understanding Life

To truly understand the Indian psyche, one must delve into the teachings of the Upanishads. These ancient texts are essential because they address the core of our existence: understanding oneself. The journey of the Upanishads is a journey inward—an exploration of the self—and before we can understand the external world, we must first understand who we truly are.

The Upanishads guide us to know ourselves beyond what can be seen. They speak not of the material world but of the one who perceives it, both outwardly and inwardly. Without understanding our own sorrow, fear, misery, and illusions, we cannot reach fulfilment. The Upanishads are therefore the answer to humanity’s quest for truth and happiness. They address the constant struggle to overcome grief, fear, and bondage. They are the key to resolving the dilemmas and incongruities of life, offering answers to questions that plague our hearts.

The Upanishads teach that there is another being within us—an individual who struggles day and night to express himself, to break free from shackles, to find peace, and to experience true joy. This inner self is the part of us that rebels against restrictions, whether it’s ignoring a traffic signal or defying societal norms. But what drives this rebellion? Why is there a constant sense of dissatisfaction? We all seek happiness, but have we truly found it?

The Journey from the Finite to the Infinite

We are all on a journey—a journey from the finite to the infinite, from mortality to immortality. Yet we remain unaware of this deeper truth. Therefore, the Upanishads exhort us: “Arise! Awake! Realize the Truth!”

Why does a person wish to measure the depth of the ocean, the distance to the sun and moon, or conquer the heights of mountains? Why do we strive to break all barriers and conquer the world? Because, deep within, we know that we are infinite. We want to transcend limits because our true nature is boundless. We yearn for immortality because, at our core, we know that we are immortal.

But what is this truth, this Brahman? We often hear the phrase “Aham Brahmasmi”—I am Brahman. You are Brahman. The essence of the universe is within each of us. Brahman is formless, both subtle and vast, like the ocean and the cosmos. It is the essence that pervades all of existence.

Many of us, like Dhritarashtra, remain blindfolded by ignorance. Who can untie this blindfold? Who creates our world—is it someone else, or is it us? We are the creators of our own struggles, our joys, and our sorrows. When we ask the right questions, the answers lie within the depth of those very questions.

Wise people share the same truth in different ways. Life is like a book, and each of us must turn its pages to learn and grow. I have started turning those pages now, embarking on my own journey to understand myself and the universe.

The Transformative Power of Self-Realization: The Story of Ratnakar

In ancient India, a ruthless dacoit named Ratnakar terrorized travellers in the forest to provide for his family. One day, he encountered the sage Narada, who, instead of showing fear, asked Ratnakar why he committed such sinful acts. Ratnakar replied that he did it for his family, to feed and support them.

Narada then posed a life-changing question: “Have you asked your family if they are willing to share the burden of your sins?” Confused, Ratnakar returned home to ask them. To his shock, his family refused, stating that his actions were his own responsibility. This revelation shattered Ratnakar, and he realized that he alone was accountable for his deeds.

Filled with remorse, Ratnakar returned to Narada, seeking guidance. Narada instructed him to meditate on the name of Lord Rama until he found peace. Ratnakar dedicated himself to this task, chanting for years, until an anthill grew around him. His deep penance transformed him into a sage filled with wisdom and compassion.

Ratnakar became known as Valmiki, the sage who composed the Ramayana. His transformation from a feared dacoit to a revered sage shows the power of repentance and the possibility of change, no matter one’s past.

uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet

ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ (B.G. 6.5)

Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, and not degrade yourself, for the mind can be the friend and also the enemy of the self.

You alone are your friend, and you alone are your enemy. You alone were the creator of your previous world. You alone shall create your new world too. So, get up and write your future with your own enterprise, like Ratnakar the dacoit who left his old ways and created the Ramayana.

The lesson is that man is the master of infinite possibilities—if only he could know himself.