"Nadi Samudra Nyaya" is a profound analogy often used in Hinduism, particularly within the framework of Advaita Vedanta, to illustrate the concept of the individual soul merging with the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase translates to "Maxim of the River and the Ocean."
In this analogy, a river represents the individual soul, or
jiva, and the ocean represents Brahman, the ultimate reality or God. When a
river flows into the ocean, it loses its separate identity; it merges
completely with the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, when the individual soul
realizes its true nature as Brahman, it transcends its individuality and merges
with the infinite consciousness. This realization typically occurs after the
death of the physical body, according to Advaita Vedanta.
The analogy beautifully encapsulates the idea of unity and
oneness in Hindu philosophy. It teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to
realize the true nature of oneself, which is identical to the supreme reality,
Brahman. Through spiritual practice and self-inquiry, one can attain this
realization and experience the bliss of unity with the divine.