Paśyaty-ātmānam-ātmanā
The text is from the Mokṣadharma section of the Mahābhārata. Continuing a classical upaniṣadic thought, it speaks of seers who control their senses and imagination, and who are thus ready to ‘see’ (paśyati), that is, experience the Ātman (Self), not through their minds but through their own ātman (self). This‘seeing’ takes places in an atmosphere brightened ‘by the kindled light of insight.’ The fuller text reads: jñāna-dīpena dīptena paśyaty-ātmānam-ātmanā –“by the kindled light of insight, the seer sees the Self through his own self” (Mahābhārata 12.242.10ab).
Jñāna, in the context, means insight. “Vedanta obliges us to recognize in man a level of consciousness deeper than that of reflective thought, more basic than man’s awakening to himself through a sense-perception or mental activity” (Swami Abhishiktananda).
The education which Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth offers is meant to lead to this insight into the mystery of God. It then leads to action in the service of people.
