The ancient text of Sri Isopanisad, one of the 108 Upanisads, explains very simply the natural order of things. The invocation explains the inconceivable nature of the absolute in a way that is somewhat conceivable:
The Supreme Lord is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance.
This is transcendental mathematics: 1 – 100 = 1; or even 1 – 1,000,000 = 1
This is inconceivable to our limited understanding. But how can the limited accommodate the unlimited? We must simply admit that the Supreme is beyond our comprehension. However, many aspects of the Absolute Truth can be revealed to us when we give up our effort to challenge the Lord for His natural position as the Supreme Enjoyer, Proprietor, and as the dearmost friend of everyone. When we acknowledge our subordinate and dependent position and act accordingly He will show Himself to us. And this is the destiny of us all – to one day to know Him personally and be united with Him in a loving relationship.
The first verse of Isopanisad explains what is called the “Isavasyam Principle” – that God is the owner of everything and maintainer of everyone. He has thus arranged for everything we require for our sustenance. However, if we take more than we require others will be left without. As Gandhi put it: there is enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed. The Isavasyam principle warns against the extreme disparity that we see in the world today, at the same time explains how we can live sustainably – by using only what we need. This satisfied way of living can be realized when we feed our spiritual nature by spiritual practices, such as glorifying the Lord by chanting His holy names. The Lord and His names are non-different, and by this spiritual association the individual soul can find satisfaction. I have chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra as my own personal meditation for more than 40 years and can testify to its efficacy. Chanting done with music is called kirtan—check out the many kirtan videos on YouTube—you will find many that you like from the hundreds of choices.
The remaining 17 verses in the Isopanisad go on to describe the inexplicable, yet personal, nature of God. This text is the introduction to a personal conception of the Lord. Bhagavad-gita continues to explain more. The Isopanisad was translated into English by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and is available as an ebook and audio-book from Krishnapath.org.
One young devotee of Krishna has a beautiful poetic way of describing this. His name is Mikey Jay. He is undertaking a record album that explains and glorifies the Isopanisad, and several cuts are available now on YouTube. I found them very enjoyable and think you will too.
Here he is — Mikey Jay:
