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Life History of Sages - Naradha
Learning about atma
 Once Naradha approached Sanathkumarar and requested him to enlighten him about 'atma gnanam'. Sanathkumarar wanted to know how much Naradha already knew. Naradha said, “I have learnt the four Vedas, Ithihasa Puranas, mathematics, astrology, vyakaranam, kaviya alangaram, science of medicine, geography, astronomy, dance, music and other subjects. But I have not learnt about atma. I have heard that one who attains atma gnana would be relieved from his suffering. Kindly preach about atma gnana, oh
Sanathkumara!”
Sanathkumarar consented and taught him about atma gnana - "What you have learnt so far are only the names. Word is greater than name. Mind is greater than word. Determination is greater than mind. Conviction is greater than determination. Meditation is greater than conviction. True knowledge is greater than meditation. Self-realisation is greater than true knowledge. Where sincerity is present, one will try to attain true knowledge. When one attains that pleasure, he will perform his duty with sincerity. What is infinite pleasure.
"There is no pleasure in small or minor aspects. Where one does not see anything, hear anything and know anything, that is 'bhooma' - the infinity. Infinity is indestructible. Atma is this indestructible infinity.
“One who finds pleasure, happiness, joy in atma becomes a 'swarat' i.e., one who has conquered himself. If food is clean, our body is clean. If the body is cleansed, the reflection about God is established firmly. When this is established, all bindings get slackened from one.”
Naradha’s confusion vanished and Sanathkumarar blessed him by showing the state beyond darkness. This preaching of atma gnana by Sanathkumarar is called as ‘Bhooma Viddhai’. (Saanthokya Upanishad – chapter 7).
Concluded
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