Consciousness: The Eternal Mystery

Dr.PKCHHETRI

      Among all questions that have occupied the human mind, few are as profound as the question: What is consciousness? We experience the world through consciousness, think through consciousness, and seek knowledge through consciousness; yet the nature of this very awareness remains one of the greatest mysteries of existence.

      Modern science studies consciousness through the functioning of the brain (which functions with the help of its around 86 billion neurons), psychology examines thoughts and emotions, and philosophy investigates the relationship between mind and reality. However, the ancient wisdom traditions of India approached this question from a different direction. The sages of the Vedas and Upanishads considered consciousness not merely as a function of the body or brain, but as the fundamental reality through which all experience becomes possible.

      The Hindu understanding of consciousness is expressed through the Sanskrit terms Chit and Chaitanya, meaning pure awareness and living consciousness. According to this vision, consciousness is not something that a human being possesses like a physical object; rather, consciousness is the deepest nature of the human being.

      The earliest reflections on consciousness appear in the Vedic hymns. The Vedic seers viewed the universe not as a meaningless arrangement of matter but as a reality governed by an underlying order called ?ita—the cosmic principle of harmony, truth, and balance.

The famous N?sad?yaS?kta of the ?igveda (10.129) reflects on the mystery of creation and asks what existed before the universe appeared. It speaks of an original reality beyond ordinary categories of existence and non-existence. The hymn suggests that the origin of manifestation is connected with a subtle principle of awareness and intention.

      The PurushaS?kta (?igveda 10.90) presents the universe as arising from the Cosmic Person (Purusha), symbolizing the idea that all beings are expressions of a deeper unity. This vision later develops into the Upanishadic understanding that the same consciousness exists within all forms of life.

The Upanishads represent the highest philosophical development of Vedic thought. Their central inquiry is not merely “What is the universe made of?” but “Who am I?”

The Upanishadic sages observed that everything in human experience is changing. The body changes from childhood to old age. Thoughts and emotions continuously rise and disappear. Memories come and go. Yet there remains a continuous awareness that observes these changes.

This witnessing awareness is called ?tman, the inner Self.

      The B?had?ranyakaUpanisad describes the Self as the ultimate “seer” who cannot itself become an object of observation. We can see objects, hear sounds, and observe thoughts, but the awareness by which all these are known is of a different order.

The famous teaching of the Ch?ndogyaUpanishad, “Tat Tvam Asi” (“That Thou Art”), declares that the deepest Self within the individual is connected with the ultimate reality of the universe, known as Brahman.

The Aitareya Upanishad expresses this idea through the profound statement:

“Prajñ?nam Brahma” — “Consciousness is Brahman.”

This means that consciousness is not a secondary quality produced by the universe; rather, consciousness is the foundation through which the universe is experienced.

      Consciousness is considered beyond the mind.One of the most subtle insights of Hindu philosophy is the distinction between consciousness and the mind.The mind thinks, remembers, imagines, and feels. But how do we know that the mind is functioning, since there is an awareness that observes the activity of the mind.

Therefore the Kena Upanishad asks:

“By whom does the mind think? By whom is speech inspired?”

The answer is that there is a deeper principle of awareness beyond mental activity.

This idea has great relevance today. Modern neuroscience can explain many functions of the brain, but the deeper question remains: why do physical processes give rise to subjective experience? Why is there an inner sense of “being”?

The ancient Indian thinkers addressed this mystery by suggesting that consciousness cannot simply be reduced to physical processes because it is the very condition that allows all physical processes to be known.

The M?an?kya Upanishad provides one of the most remarkable analyses of consciousness in world philosophy. It identifies four dimensions of awareness:

1. Waking consciousness (J?grat)

This is our ordinary experience of the external world through the senses.

2. Dream consciousness (Svapna)

Here the mind creates an inner world independent of external sensory input.

3. Deep sleep (Sushupti)

In deep sleep, ordinary thoughts and perceptions disappear, yet upon waking we recognize that we experienced rest and peace.

4. Tur?ya

The fourth state is pure consciousness itself—the awareness underlying waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

The significance of this teaching is that consciousness is not identical with thought. Thoughts come and go, but awareness remains.

The Bhagavad G?t? presents consciousness as the immortal essence of the human being. In the second chapter, ?r? Krishna teaches that the Self is never born and never dies.

The body changes, but the conscious Self remains constant.

In Chapter 13, the G?t? introduces the distinction between Kshetra (the field) and Kshetrajña (the knower of the field). The body, senses, and mind belong to the field, while consciousness is the knower who experiences them.

This teaching encourages human beings to move beyond limited identification with the body and recognize the deeper dimension of existence.

Hindu philosophy contains several interpretations of consciousness.

Advaita Ved?nta, associated with ?di ?ankar?c?rya, teaches that consciousness is the ultimate reality and that the deepest Self is one with Brahman.

Vi?ist?dvaita Ved?nta, associated with R?m?nuja, teaches that individual consciousness exists in a relationship of unity and dependence upon the Supreme Reality.

Dvaita Ved?nta, associated with Madhva, emphasizes the distinction between individual souls and the Supreme Being.

The S?nkhya tradition distinguishes between Purusha, pure consciousness, and Prakriti, the material world. Yoga philosophy builds upon this distinction and teaches that through meditation the mind can become calm enough for the true nature of consciousness to be realized.

Though these traditions differ, they share the conviction that consciousness is not merely a physical phenomenon.

The Pur?nas express philosophical truths through stories and devotion. In Vaishnava traditions, Lord Vishnu represents the supreme consciousness sustaining the universe. In ?aiva traditions, ?iva symbolizes pure awareness beyond limitation.

The Bh?gavataPur?na teaches that devotion (bhakti) transforms consciousness by removing ego and awakening love for the Divine.

Thus, consciousness is not only a subject of philosophical analysis but also a reality to be experienced through spiritual practice.

The realization of universal consciousness has profound ethical implications.

If the same divine consciousness exists in all beings, then compassion and respect for life become natural expressions of wisdom.

The Bhagavad G?t? describes the enlightened person as one who sees the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self.This vision supports values such as non-violence, kindness, service, and harmony with nature.

On the whole,the mystery of consciousness remains one of humanity’s greatest questions. Modern science continues to explore the relationship between the brain and awareness, while ancient Hindu philosophy offers a profound inner investigation into the nature of the Self.From the Vedas and Upanishads to the Bhagavad G?t? and Pur?nas, the central message is that consciousness is not merely an accidental feature of life. It is the deepest reality through which existence becomes meaningful.To understand consciousness is therefore not only to solve a philosophical problem; it is to understand the very foundation of our own being.The ancient Upanishadic declaration, “Consciousness is Brahman,” (Consciousness is God) continues to invite humanity toward a deeper exploration of who we truly are!

                                                                                (drpkchhetri7@gmail.com)