The Sanskrit term Ajativada can be translated as "non-creation". Ajativada is one of several alternately-held creation theories in Hindu Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
According to Advaita Vedanta, the world of appearances is considered an illusion, and not to "exist". The idea that the illusory world was not created is called ajativada, or non-creation. The
concept implies that searching for a source of the origin of
the world in a creator is futile. Some Advaitins translate the concept of ajativada with the phrase: "nothing ever
happened" or: "Not even the appearance of creation exists". That is to say, not even the illusion of the world
"exists". Some claim, Y K Menon, that Sankara said that the goal is attainment of oneness with Sat-Cit-Ananda, or Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Others claim that these are actually qualities, according
to Ramana Maharshi, and therefore attributes and still within illusion. In other words not NirGuna Brahman but still Saguna
Brahman;According to some the realisation of Saguna Brahman and NirGuna is simultaneous, unless the person is a Bhakta and a
believer in form. Another term for Ajativada could be ParaAdvaita, comprising the fourth level of Vedanta, above Dvaita,
Visishtadvaita, and Advaita; Being duality, partial duality and non duality respectively and finally above non duality.
According to the 8th century Advaitin Gaudapada, and
his Mandukya Karikas,a treatment or commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad, Ajativada
means that causality is internally incoherent and entails the belief that Atman is eternally unborn. Adi Shankara wrote the following in verse 426 of his work Viveka
Chudamani (The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination):
On account of constant absorption in Brahman, freed from the sense of reality of external objects, only seemingly enjoying them when offered by others, like a sleepy baby, perceiving
the world as that seen in a dream and recognising it only now and then, such a man is indeed rare.
He is the enjoyer of the fruits of untold merit and is truly held blessed and revered on earth.
The 20th century sage Ramana Maharshi was a particularly articulate adherent to the concept of ajativada. On Sri
Ramana's view, ajativada or non-creation is a part of the highest form of consciousness
that can be attained. Sri Ramana described three consecutive steps, each of which corresponds to a different understanding of
reality:
- That somebody or some god created the world
- That the world arises simultaneously with our perception of it
- Finally, ajativada, that the world never happened at all. ('Be as you are'.The Teachings of Sri Ramana
Maharshi..David Godman..Arakana.London and New York...1986).
This is supported by the great Sage Nisargadatta Maharaj, who indicated that
individuals begin with: first believing they are making things happen; then they move to realising things are in fact happening
to them; and finally, that nothing is happening at all ('I am That', Acorn Press. N.C. 1999).
Further reading
References
- I am That Acorn Press. N.C., 1999
- David Godman, Be as you are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Arakana.London
and New York, 1986
- Mohini M Chatterji, Viveka-Cudamani, Adyar, Chennai, 1973
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