The concept of Creation in the Major Upanisads
by C. Poulose | 2009 | 39,559 words
This study deals with the Concept of Creation according to the Major Upanishads—ancient Indian scriptures that form a crucial part of Vedic literature and Indian philosophy. The present research investigates the Upanisadic philosophy in general as well as the school of Advaita Vedanta and other Indian philosophical traditions that incorporate Upani...
5. The Subtle organs
The subtle organs are the organs in the subtle body. They are called organs because they function in the subtle body like physical organs do in the physical body. They are called subtle because they are matterless like mind. They are deemed to have originated when 159
the principles of consciousness reflected on ego when it thought of means to attain particular purpose. They are subtle organs of action, five that of sense. They are eye, ear, hand, leg, tongue and seeing, These ten organs are said hearing, grasping, moving, tasting etc. 31 to have evolved in transformation of ego. The normal experience of dreams prove the existence of the subtle organ within us. 32 In dream we see, talk, hear, walk, etc. these works are primarily the works of organs. If they are not been through physical organs there must necessarily be others like organs in our systems to enable us to experience them. Those organs are not visible they must be subtle like mind and intellect so they are called subtle organs. According to the [Katha-upanisad] , Brahman is the efficient cause of the sense organs. This Upanisad expressed the idea that the Brahman who inspire the creation of mind, sense organs and its 33 respective functions of thinking, seeing, hearing etc. In [Kena-upanisad] srotrasya srotram manasomanoyad- vaco ha vacam supranasya pranah | caksusascaksuratimucya dhirah pretyasmallokadamrta bhavanti || 34 160
It means that Brahman is the efficient cause of all the activities of the mind, the prana and the other senses. This Upanisad express the idea that the Brahman inspires the creation of the mind and sense organs and its respective functions of thinking, hearing, seeing, speaking, and breathing. The Brahman is the Prana of pranas, the Mind of mind, the Ear of ears, the Eye of eyes, and the speech of speech. Subtle elements were the last in the series of sensitive elements, Intellect, ego and mind are highly sensitive. From the brain to the subtle organs received sensations and they come from the physical organs and transmitted them into the mind. From the mind they receive impulse for detailed actions and pass them to the brain to be relayed to the physical organs. In the case of extra sensory perceptions direct from external sources without the help of physical organs and brain.