The concept of Mind in the Major Upanishads
by Gisha K. Narayanan | 2018 | 35,220 words
This page relates ‘The Upanishadic View on Self and Personality� of the study on the concept of Mind as found in the Major Upanishads: the philosophical backbone of the four Vedas. This study explores the various characteristics and psychological aspects of the mind (described by the Seers of ancient India thousands of years ago) including awareness (samjna), understanding (vijnana) and knowledge (prajnana).
Go directly to: Footnotes.
14. The Upaniṣadic View on Self and Personality
The 貹Ծṣa generally state that the heart-cave or heart-ether is the seat of the self. It is noted in the ԻDzⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa Body or Brahamn is a small lotus-like small space and within it a small internal space called Գٲś. That self is more minute than barley, seed and rice and greater than the earth, sky and the heaven. And also self is exists in the heart, in the body,[1] that is, the ability of the body to do everything depends upon mind[2].
The ṻ-ܱ貹Ծṣa declares that the self is joined with sense organs and mind is joined with the experience. The self, as a person is seated in a chariot and the body is the chariot. The intellect and the mind are the driver and the bridle, respectively, and the sense organs are the horses.[3]
The self is superior to intellect in this Up. and body is the agent and it is subordinate to the self. Self is the active agent and it is the knower, the enjoyer. A self-controlled person can win his feelings by knowing the self through spirituality.
The ղٳپīⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa declares the self as resides in the space within the heart:
sa ya eṣo antahṛdayākāśa tasminnaya� puruṣo Դdzⲹ� amṛto hiraṇyamaya� || [4]
The same point is stated in the ԻDzⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa The ṣītī-ṇa-ܱ貹Ծṣa says that the self pervades the whole body, even as a razor is placed in a razor-case, or as fire is placed in an oven. Likewise the sense organs depend upon the self.[5]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid-8.1.2 (�ṣāmԳٲṛd� 3.14.3)
[4]:
ղٳپīⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa-1.6.1
[5]:
ṣītī-ṇa-ܱ貹Ծṣa-4.20