Brahmavid Brahmaeva bhavati – “One who realizes Brahma becomes Brahma.” I said yesterday that in the path of progress, there are three types of bondages: (1) ádhibhaotika (2) ádhidaevika, and ádhyátmika. The word adhi means “pervasively”; that is, any limited material object is called either quinquelemental or physical; but when something is pervasively related to all the quinquelemental factors, there the mere word “physical” or “material” will not suffice. We will have to use the term ádhibhaotika (“all-pervasive physicality”). Similarly, when some action or reaction is taking place in the psychic sphere as the requital of some previous action, it is not sufficient to call it daevika (psychic phenomenon): we will have to use the word ádhidaevika. Likewise, in the spiritual sphere, when there are some minor obstacles in individual life, we generally call them “spiritual” obstacles; but in a broader, more pervasive sense, they should be called ádhyátmika. As there are no proper synonyms for ádhibhaotika, ádhidaeviká and ádhyátmika, I am in favour of using the terms “metaphysical”, “metapsychic,” and “metaspiritual,” respectively. I have said that the spatial, temporal and personal obstacles come within the scope of the metaphysical sphere. So when we use the terms metaphysical, metapsychic and metaspiritual, it will not be necessary to additionally use the terms temporal, spatial and personal.

Now, human beings will have to persist in their untiring efforts to liberate themselves from these triple bondages; this is only natural. Animals also endeavour to do this, but due to their incapacity they cannot succeed. Yet as the result of their efforts, after lives together when these very same animals attain the human frame, they gradually overcome these obstacles due to their acquired momentum.

These three kinds of obstacles can also be described as triple afflictions or trividha klesha. We will have to analyse how much relief human beings can actually attain from these afflictions.

Now the question is, why is it not possible to conquer this metaphysical universe with the help of a physical body? Why can human beings not establish their supremacy over time, space and person? Humans may be able to expand their physical bodies by means of their efforts. You may have noticed that some animals, under some special circumstances, enlarge their bodies in anger or fear, just as a cat does when it is enraged or frightened. This is possible with the help of vital energy. And when human beings want to establish their supremacy over the metaphysical world with their physical bodies, then the interatomic and inter-molecular spaces of their bodies will increase, and ultimately due to internal clash the physical will no longer remain physical, it will be transformed into psychic: that is, by virtue of their psychic power, they will gain control over the quinquelemental world. And when human beings by means of their unit consciousness (jiivátma) seek to attain Parama Puruśa, then their unit consciousness will have to expand itself. In that stage the unit consciousness will no longer remain confined to the unit; it will be transformed into Paramátma, the Supreme Consciousness. That is why it is said, Brahmavid Brahmaeva bhavati, “One who realizes Brahma becomes Brahma”.

While performing meditation, when spiritual aspirants develop their intrinsic love for Parama Puruśa, there no longer remains any separate identity in them; they become completely identified with Parama Puruśa. In an old poem it is said, Ye ye ujuvát́e gelá anávat́t́á bhailá sai – “Those who have moved upwards towards Parama Shiva in the multipropensive plexus along the passage of shuśumná have not returned;” and they are not expected to return again. That is why I tell you to continue your sádhaná sincerely, and in the process you will one day become one with Parama Puruśa, you will finally attain eternal bliss. This is the absolute and supreme goal of human life.