Sat-darshana Bhashya (translation)

THE EQUALITY OF THE JNANIN

D. — You have said that the jnanin can be and is active, and deals with men and things. I have no doubt about it now. But you say at the same time, that he has no difference भेदभाव ; to him all is one, he is always in the Consciousness. if so, how does he deal with differences, with men, with things which are surely different?

M. — He sees these differences as but appearances, he sees them as not separate from the Truth the Real, with which he is one.

D. — The jnanin seems to be more accurate in his expressions, he appreciates the differences better than the ordinary man.. If sugar is sweet and wormwood is bitter to me, he too seems to realise it so. In fact, all forms, all sounds, all tastes, etc., are the same to him as they are to others. If so, how can it be said that these are mere appearances? Do they not form part of his life-experience ?

M. I have said that equality is the true sign of jnano. The very term equality समत्व implies the existence of differences. It is a unity that the jnanin perceives in all differences, which I call equality. Equality does not mean ignorance of distinctions. When you have the Realisation, you can see that these differences are very formal, they are not at all substantial, or permanent, and what is essential in all these appearances is the one Truth, the Real. That I call unity . . . You referred to sound, taste, form, smell, etc. True the jnanin appreciates the distinctions, but he always perceives and experiences the one Real in all of them. That is why he has no preferences, whether he moves about, or talks, or does, it is all the one Real in which he does or moves or talks. He has nothing apart from the one supreme Truth.