"The Goal of Humanity is to attain that Brahmam; Aksharam and Brahmam signify the same goal. They indicate the Saguna and the Nirguna aspects of the same truth. For Akshara means also a letter, the Pranava, Om, which is a symbol of Brahmam. That is why it is called Aksharaparabrahma Yoga. Brahmam has two adjectives, Paramam and Aksharam. Akshara indicates the Pranava as well as Maya. Maya too is subsumed by Pranava. These two are "attribute-ful," qualified; Savisesha. Brahmam, however, is Nir-visesha, qualificationless, attribute-less, pure, in its own right. He who understands this attains me.

"Now for a second point: It is Brahmam that dwells in every body in the form of 'I'. In fact, every body hangs around this entity called 'I'. In the body, each part and organ in the organisation performs one chief task. Each sense contacts and informs about one particular set of impressions from the outer world. But though related to the senses, there is an 'I' shining in the body, above and behind all of them. If that relationship is broken, everything becomes inert material!

When the 'I' power flows through the senses, they are able to carry on their allotted tasks. That power is Aashyaathmam; it cannot be known without great effort. Use the sharpest discrimination and you know it to some small extent. Brahmam is the "Thath" entity; Aadhyaathmam is the "Thwam" entity. To make the matter clearer to you, take these two as appearance and character, form and substance. Brahmam is the form, Aadhyaathmam is substance," said Krishna.

Let us dwell on this matter a little. The Sastras describe Brahmam as Sath-chid-aananda. This is a way of denoting it, in Vedanthic vocabulary. It is also described as Asthi-bhaathi-priyam. Are both the same? Or do they mean differently? Sath means that which persists in the past, present and future. The same meaning is conveyed by the word, Asthi. Chith means that which is conscious of everything; the same meaning is conveyed by the word Bhaathi. Ananda means unending source of joy; Priyam also means the same. These three are found in every human being; why, in every beast and bird.

Take the first of these - Sath, and this will become clearer. The body is subject to destruction, sooner or later. Every one is aware of this; no one is ignorant of this elementary fact. Nevertheless, everyone is apprehensive of death! No one welcomes death, or is eager to meet it. Death is inevitable; you have to meet with it, even though you do not welcome it, or try to avoid it. All that is born has to die some day; still, no one likes to die.