The Nasadiya Sukta suggests that desires are the seed cause of existence. You may have heard stories where Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or other devatas appear before a sadhaka and ask, “What do you desire?”

What does this imply? What is the connection between Brahman and desires? The Chandogya Upanishad identifies OM as the fulfiller of desires, and many other texts echo this sentiment. But who or what is the fulfiller of desires? Is it a higher being watching over you, or is it your own self?

When we speak of Brahman, the Purusha of Sankhya, the Atman of the Upanishads, or awareness as described in Buddhist teachings, what do these terms actually mean? In Jiddu Krishnamurti’s language, it would be referred to as “the observer.” But how do the observer and desires relate to one another? Let’s explore this.

Brahman or Purusha is described as the Drashta (the Seer) or Sakshi (the Witness) of all actions within an individual. This concept defies the confines of modern scientific definition, as it pertains to consciousness, a qualitative rather than quantitative aspect of existence.

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Observing the Observer

Consider your dreams. When dreaming, you often see yourself in the dream.

Repeat this: you see yourself in the dream.

Some part of your consciousness is aware that “you” are within the dream. But what portion of your awareness observes you in action during the dream?

Now shift to the waking state (Jagrit). Close your eyes and calm your mind. Thoughts will arise and pass. However, there is a portion of your consciousness that observes these thoughts. You are not your thoughts because you are aware of their coming and going. So, what part of your awareness is this observer that perceives even the movement of thoughts?

If you’ve followed so far, you’ve grasped the core idea. However, to fully realize this, regular practice of dhyana (meditation) or sadhana is essential. Techniques like Vipassana, Yoga Nidra, Samyama (Dharana-Dhyana-Samadhi), or Kriya can help you connect with your true self—the observer within.

This observer is your actual self, the Atman, which is synonymous with the ultimate observer: Brahman.

Desire and Its Role in Existence

Now, let’s return to the topic of desires.

Close your eyes and ask yourself: what exists?

Thoughts may arise—family, money, fame, and so on. These thoughts are valid, yet as we’ve established, thoughts are not the self; they are not the observer.

Let’s delve deeper.

How does a family come into being? It is born from a desire for creation. Even in the extreme scenario where one is married forcibly, this too stems from someone’s desire.

How is wealth acquired? Through the desire to attain it, often to fulfill other desires.

You might argue that earning money is for your family—but wait! how did that family exist in the first place?

Again, desire.

What about fame? Fame is achieved through a desire for recognition, followed by actions driven by your willpower.

And now, its all about the will power.

Desire and Willpower

Desires are always accompanied by willpower. Interestingly, the Shiva Sutras identify willpower (Iccha Shakti) as none other than Uma. The sutra states: इच्छा शक्तिरुमा कुमारी icchā śaktir umā kumārī—Willpower is Uma herself.

Desire is thus the seed cause of existence. When there is sufficient willpower, the fulfillment of desire manifests through your actions.

And in this fulfillment, you find yourself most aligned with the observer, your true self. Through consistent practice, you begin to understand that the ultimate observer—Brahman—is “nothingness” or Shunyata.