Narayaneeyam – Daskam 5 – Preface

Introduction

Sri. Narayana Bhattathri starts Narayaneeyam with description and the glory of Lord Guruvayurappan in Dasakam 1, where he establishes the identity of the Lord with the Ultimate Reality called Brahman, the embodiment of Pure Existence, Pure Consciousness and Pure Bliss (Sat, Cit, Anandam).

In the next Dasakam 2, he brings out the charming form of the Lord and the superiority of the path of devotion in one’s goal of realising Sat Cit Anandam. 

He follows it up by identifying the traits and true characteristics of a devotee in Daskam 3. Having conditioned the mind of the devotees with these overall preparations, Bhattathri then addresses the techniques of establishing their minds on Lord Guruvayurappan through Ashtanga Yoga (the eightfold discipline) in Dasakam 4.

In Dasakam 5, Sri Narayana Bhattathri elevates the plane of inquiry to the Cosmos. After all what happens in Cosmos and what happens inside each of us can’t be entirely different when it comes to spiritual progress towards the Ultimate Reality.

Cosmos – Coexistence of tradition and modernity in understanding the “Poornam” (Infinity)

Talking about Cosmos, on a clear and fog free day, during the “सन्ध्या काल" "sandhya kaala” (translated as “twilight” in English) the brightest stars and planets can be seen, the horizon and terrestrial objects can be discerned. During this period, have you ever gazed observantly and reflectively the outer space?

1. Why is there something rather than nothing?

2. How did these come into existence?

3. Is there an order in this process?

When we do Cosmos gazing and contemplate, it is not difficult for a rational mind to “inescapably impose upon us the comprehension that an infinite intelligence rules this wonderful cosmos”. This is what our Rishis observed and studied in depth. This is what Narayana Bhattathri is outlining in Dasakam 5.

Before we get on with Dasakam 5, an overview of the Cosmic Evolution as explained by our Rishis in our Scriptures is vital to appreciate the Slokas in the correct perspective.

We must bear in our minds that our ancestors did not have any of the modern scientific equipment and tools to explain the origin of this universe. The amount of data that they had was limited.

All that were there, were only positive thinking rational individuals with a firm grit and determination to understand the relationships between individual, the universe and the creator. The tools and equipment they had were super computers called brain and an operating system called “manas” or the mind in each of them. They modelled the cosmological events in the form of mythical stories.

In the modern times, being so confident in our present theory of creation we disregard these mythical stories as superstition. Taken literally these stories do not make any sense, however if we contemplate deeper one can make sense of the philosophy behind it.

After all today’s science uses outward looking means to probe Cosmos using mathematical models while Seers and Saints used inward looking means to understand what is happening deep down inside us and relate it to what is happening outside through mythical stories as models.

What next?

In the next few blogs, we will have a quick overview of the modern and traditional perspectives of the Cosmic Evolution. This will help us to understand the Dasakam 5 better.

These blogs will also appear as newsletter in my Substack page 

https://soundar53.substack.com