Kutastha

Kutastha is a concept in Hindu philosophy, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. It is often translated as "constant" or "permanent" and refers to the eternal and unchanging essence of the self. According to this philosophy, the Kutastha is the permanent and ever-existent core of the individual self, which is distinct from the transient and ephemeral aspects of the self.

In Advaita Vedanta, the Kutastha is considered to be the innermost, deepest, and most essential part of the self, which remains unchanged and unaffected by the fluctuations of the external world. It is the witness or the observer of the changing phenomena, including thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The Kutastha is said to be beyond temporal and spatial limits and is beyond the reach of dualistic thinking.

The discovery of Kutastha is considered to be the ultimate goal of spiritual practices in Advaita Vedanta, such as meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion. The realization of Kutastha is said to lead to a state of liberation or Moksha, where the individual self is reunited with the ultimate reality, Brahman. This realization is considered to be the culmination of spiritual growth and the ultimate state of human existence.

The concept of Kutastha has been explored by many influential philosophers and spiritual masters in the Advaita Vedanta tradition, including Adi Shankara and Ramana Maharshi. They have offered various interpretations and explanations of this concept, but the core idea remains the same: the Kutastha is the abiding and unchanging essence of the self, which is the birthright of all human beings.