Adhyatma

There are three ways to comprehend our surroundings -:

Aadhi-Bhautik - which means to see world in literal form. It is akin to scientific way of seeing the world. For example, instead of saying that a beautiful flower is gift of God or gift of nature, Aadhi-Bahutik person says that this flower is a part of a-sexual reproduction process of a plant. And, flower has to be beautiful in order to attract insects and there by spreading the spores.

Aadhi-Daivik - People of this category believes that there is certain unknown reason why a flower is so beautiful. There has to be certain Devata that governs the beauty of the nature. Perhaps, Nisarga-Devata. Thus these people see the nature or world as amalgamation of various Devatas. For example - Varun-Devata for rain, Surya-Devata, Vaayu-Devata etc. Basically, these Devatas runs 'business' of Srishti.

Adhyatmik - Instead of saying there is Varun Devata or Vayu Devata or Nisarga-Devata, Adhyatmikata believes that there is all pervading Sat-Chit energy transcends everything. This energy governs natural order. It resides in human body too. I think attaining Moksha basically means leaving this world -which can only be sensed through sensory organs - and becoming part of this energy which is supreme. The idea that the supreme energy that we worship as 'God' in varoius forms and essence of human life is same is similar to Advait philosophy.

In a way there is nothing wrong in either of the three philosophies. We can think these three philosophies as steps towards Moksha i.e. understanding the reason and goal of our existance. First way is more of Naastik. With Second way we can understand that the world we see is not result of chemical and physical interactions but there is certain underlying entity that governs our existance. Worshipping different Devi-Devatas and following different rituals is an attempt to be in sync with this energy.

While third way i.e. Adhyatmik is realizing that we are in fact part of underlying entity and our final aim is to assimilate with this energy.


(Source -: Geeta-Rahasya by Shri Lokamanya Tilak)