Sage Sankara said: ~ Just as the snake is superimposed on the rope, this world and this body, are superimposed on Brahman or the Soul, the Self’.+

Sage Sankara said: ~ Just as the snake is superimposed on the rope, this world and this body, are superimposed on Brahman or the Soul, the  Self’. If one gets knowledge of the rope, the illusion of the snake will vanish. Even so, if he gets knowledge of Brahman, the illusion of the body and the world will vanish. 

The snake is only an idea: it disappears on inquiry, but deeper self -search reveals the fact that the rope is also an idea and its reality will be exposed when wisdom dawns. There is neither snake nor the rope in reality because from the ultimate standpoint the duality is a mere mirage created out of consciousness. 

Consciousness is the root element of the universe. From the consciousness, the universe comes into existence. In consciousness, the universe resides. And into the consciousness, the universe is dissolved. The consciousness is the parent of all that is there is. 

Consciousness is the only reality, and the universe too but an illusory manifestation. 

The world in which we exist (waking) is a mere superimposition like seeing a snake superimposed on a rope on a dark night.

The snake has no independent existence, apart from the rope, it exists because of the rope, and it ceases to exist as soon as a light is brought. The snake then dissolves into the rope. In the same way, when the Soul remains in its own awareness, the mind (I)    merges into it.  

The mind and Soul are one in essence. To attain this knowledge is the goal of the truth seeker. The three states then cannot taint the Soul, the  Self.

Thus, Gnani’s contact with it is merely like that of a piece of sandalwood, which has long been underwater and has thereby come to acquire a bad odor. For a while, the fragrance of the sandalwood been suppressed and the bad odor prevails. However, if the sandalwood is rubbed a little, the bad odor disappears and the natural fragrance of the sandalwood becomes predominant. Similarly, the Soul, the  Self’s attachment to the three states is temporary. It cannot be permanent. 

Think of the Self as the Soul or consciousness. When one thinks intensely and constantly in this way, the attachment to the three states will then go.

 One can attain the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana by the practice of renunciation of the three states. 

One has to keep reminding himself that the three states, with all its allurements, are not real, that is, it is not real in the sense that it is transitory. 

Only the formless Soul is real because it is imperishable. One must mentally renounce these three states and concentrate on the Soul, the  Self. 

Seeker of truth should never run after things, which are ephemeral. Never become attached to the three states, which are ephemeral.

To one who knows the fact that these three states are transitory, the world is not the world and any form of sense pleasure is repugnant. 

Seeker of truth must be concerned only with the Soul, the Self, become steeped in the Soul. 

The Soul alone is real and the Self is that Soul. The Soul is in the form of consciousness and becomes oblivious to everything else. :~Santthosh Kumaar