The Absolute Self Is Indestructible

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |

विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति || 2.17||

Meaning of the Shloka: That which pervades everything is indestructible. No one can destroy the imperishable Absolute Self. (Bhagvad Gita 2.17)

Context: Arjuna was afraid of the war because he didn’t want to bring destruction and death upon his own loved ones. Krishna explained that material is fleeting and the Absolute Self is indestructible.

The goal was to help Arjuna see things for what they are so he can remain equanimous in difficult times and do the right thing over the easy one.

What is the Absolute Self

The Absolute Self is another name for God, knowledge, and the truth. It is an eternal entity that is the source and destination of everything. All that exists emerges from it or from the alchemy of entities that emerge from it.

It is also represented as the multiverse. Universes are created and destroyed, but the multiverse, as a whole, always exists. Lord Vishnu is the personification of the Multiverse.

I have used the terms Absolute Self, God, knowledge, and the truth interchangeably as they represent the same thing.

Everything tangible and intangible, comprehensible and incomprehensible, and real and imaginary emerge from the Absolute Self. If you think about it, the only thing that exists is God and the truth. The rest are mere material manifestations of portions of it.

How the Absolute Self creates material

The device you are reading this off of now was once an idea in someone’s mind. Eventually, that idea became an object with physical dimensions. Similarly, the truth exists in infinite forms and material is just one of them.

For instance, the statement “before death comes decline” exists in many forms. You can see it with human beings, trees, animals, buildings, and civilizations.

Another question that may pop up in your head is that if the truth (=knowledge, God, or the Absolute Self) is a soft entity, how did it give rise to the objects around us? How did the atoms and molecules that consist of everything that we comprehend come about?

How did we come to be?

So, here is the story of creation.

First, everything was still. It was asleep. There was no movement or signs thereof.

Then, it opened its eyes which were determination (Sankalpa) and alternative (Vikalpa). The coexistence of both translates to — if something exists, so does its opposite. These formed the two sides of anything. The good and bad, birth and death, and so on.

Collectively, all the variations of Sankalpa and Vikalpa, their definitions, and other corresponding or related details formulated the eternal truth. Something that we also understand as knowledge or God. The Sanskrit word for this is Vishnu which translates to “all-pervading.” It is everywhere.

It is also known as the Absolute Self. Yes, it pervades us as well. In many cultures, it is understood as the one unifying entity that ties everyone and everything together.

Vishnu, with the help of Maaya (illusion or imagination), created the first of the Five Supreme Elements (Panchamahabhut) — Aakasa (Ether/BEC). The Aakasa created Vaayu (Air/Gas) which led to the creation of Agni (Fire/Plasma). Agni, the God of Fire, created Jala (Water/liquid) who then created Prithvi (Earth/Solid).

You may be thinking about how they created one another. 

Well, it is a mixture of many principles and axioms. For instance, fire and water are the opposite of one another. As mentioned earlier, Sankalpa (determination) and Vikalpa (alternative) are the two eyes of the Absolute Self or Vishnu. It means if something exists, so does its opposite.

Another principle is the truth is formless, that is, it exists in infinite forms. A piece of truth can be letters on the screen (visual form, corresponding to fire or plasma) or a speech from a wise man (sound waves, corresponding to gas or air).

Finally, the Five Supreme Elements (Panchamahabhut) had an orgy (AKA alchemy) which produced everything around us. It’s like churning milk to get butter and buttermilk.

You have experienced this many times in your life as well. A common example that comes into mind is when you put two and two together to get four.

Eventually, as one thing led to another, it created us and here we are.

And by the way, imagination (Maaya) exists because the truth (Satya) also exists. This, again, links back to Sankalpa and Vikalpa.

Conclusion: Look past the fleeting

The material world is temporary but real. While we participate in it based on our biological and social programming, we need to remind ourselves of this truth. Everything will dissipate into the darkness.

At the same time, the truth directs us to ignore the fleeting feelings and keep on the righteous path. The only way we can become permanent is by embodying the truth in our thoughts, speech, and actions.

That’s the path to salvation.

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Next Chapter: The Material Self Is Expendable

Previous Chapter: The Temporary Is to Be Ignored

Index (with Prologue): Krishna Said That: Prologue