Atman – Page 6 – Prabhu's Ponder

Sankara’s Smithy – An Introduction

Link to the Tamil Podcast

https://soundar53.substack.com/podcast

Introduction

The opening lines of a song from a popular Tamil movie released 63 years ago starts with a physically challenged hero, in contemplative mood asking question to his child

Why were you born son? Why were you born? Why did you come here and be born, son? Why were you born, before I knew the reason for my birth, dear son!
Kannadasan

It is no exaggeration to say that even after many years, these questions haunt each of us when trials and tribulations surround us and whenever we turn into a contemplative mood . Now let's analyze the philosophy behind this lyrics.

The Goal

Countless spiritualists, saints, sages, individuals, writers on ethical philosophy, poets, lyricists, and many others are still trying to answer this question. However, one truth they all agree on, even though they explored it on different paths, with different perspectives.

“All with six senses aim for unceasing permanent happiness without pains and suffering; they keep this aim as the target and carry on with their work day in and day out”.
Swami Omkarananda

There are no two opinions about this aim.

"alpa aayasham ananta Sugam" - Adi Sankara says in his Vishnu Sahasranama text (in Bhashyam).

Well, in the life of all of us who are trying to achieve that ananta sugam (bliss): there are three words that are very important; Man, Universe (or more broadly called Creation) & God.

All three of these words contain great philosophies. If we deeply examine these three words, many questions such as these given below, will arise in us.

Who am I? Why do I do what I do? How can I do what I do better?

What does birth and death really mean?

Who is God? What is His nature?

What is this world? What do I have to do with this world?

What is the relationship between me and God and this world?

One can ask “What is the benefit of finding answers to these questions?”. Such a question may arise for all of us. This is answered by the Tamil Saint “Thayumanavar”.

"If you know yourself, you will be attached to the Lord, the leader. After that, is there anything else to get attached”?

The path to the Goal

So, the purpose of human birth is to know oneself. If we want to know ourselves, we need to know what the meaning of our life is. “Purushartham “ is the word for this in Sanskrit. Here are two perspectives for this word.

1. “Purusha” means “Human”. "Artham" means "ideal" or "goal". The goal of unceasing peaceful bliss, and the efforts (prayatanam) we have to make to achieve this goal are called Purushartham.

There are many different species in this world. In this, only man is given the opportunity (wisdom) to choose. Other species do not have the opportunity to choose. The ideal or goal comes in when there is an opportunity to choose.

Thus, Purushartham can be divided into two types of power i.e Shakti (Icha Shakti, Kriya Shakti) which are the desire for the goal and the actions to achieve it.

Icha (pleasure) is of two kinds. One is cultivated by our senses - sense pleasure; that which are outward looking and initiated through the body mind intellect complex of us. This is peripheral and unstable. The other is cultivated by knowledge. An inward looking set of actions - Dharma, Bhakti, Gnana and Moksha are the highest goals. Actions that help you to undetermine who you are.

2. The great Mahaan Bhaskara Raya, from Bhaga in Maharashtra, explains that Purushartham means Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. These four Purusharthas are also considered as the vital modes of human life. 

The focus of this perspective is to stay on the path of virtue always , seek material things (through ethical means) required for supporting one’s family and the society, gradually start giving up and then reach the abode of the Lord.

Here are all four in Bharatiyar’s simple words:

Self-restraint is Dharma
Remove distress in others is Artha
Seeking the welfare of others is Kama
Praise the one who saves the world is Moksha

So far so good….Well, we know the reality of purpose, object and means. But what happens in our daily lives? What is the reality?

Goal v.s. Reality

Day in and day out we see human beings doing actions through their body, mouth and mind ; earn money,fame and do actions that give them what they call it as happiness. As we start ageing we start wondering as to what is that we have been doing so far and where are we heading; as age catches up and the body starts withering, this thinking turns into worries and finally we perish after worrying about men, materials and matter which have only “shelf life” and nothing else. Did we at any point of time have the time to ponder and compare our journey with our ultimate goal of pure and permanent happiness? Why is that our journey and our goal were not in sync?

For this question, here it is! Answers – in the form of questions:

1. We wander about ignorantly trying to experience the world without experiencing the experiencer. Isn't it! (Wow! It is like trying desperately to call our mobile number from our own cell phone. How foolish are we! How can we get an answer? That's the question).

2. We learn with the help of instruments of knowledge; have we ever inquired what instruments of knowledge are required to know about ourselves?

3. Why are we, not knowing that we are the embodiment of absolute happiness,running behind sufferings, thinking that there is happiness in sufferings?

The Course Correction

“What is this? When we want answers and ask questions, we are given questions to answer. This is a problem” - we all must be wondering.

Don’t worry. Let us visit a Forge Shop, a traditional Smithy owned by Adi Sankara. Answers are there for all our questions in the form of 31 hammer blows. There is a guarantee that comes along with these hammer blows. 

If we absorb these blows internally and contemplate, our transformation and subsequent happiness is ensured; just like the hot solid iron is worked into a wonderful product.

Avoid fear and come to Adi Sankara's workshop with that assurance.

What next?

Welcome! At least once a month, we will visit Sankara's workshop and get the hammer blows.

The first visit will be on November 11th. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Until then, take care. Start looking inwards. God Bless.

Important Note:

This post and all subsequent posts on this subject are inspired by Guru, Pujyasree Swami Omkarananda. Guruji's lectures in public domain and what I learnt from Swamiji’ Atma Vidya Course lectures are the principal source of reference.

All errors if any on these posts are entirely due to my ignorance and incapability to understand.

I seek your feedback which will be of immense help to me in my learning process.

Ganapathi Atharvashirsha – Ganapathi Upanishad

Video Link

https://youtu.be/PBP1UMmDsGo

Sanskrit Verses

ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये ॥१॥

त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं कर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं धर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं हर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मासि ।
त्वं साक्षादात्माऽसि नित्यम् ॥२॥

ऋतं वच्मि । सत्यं वच्मि ॥३॥

अव त्वं माम् ।
अव वक्तारम् ।
अव श्रोतारम् ।
अव दातारम् ।
अव धातारम् ।
अवानूचानमव शिष्यम् ।

अव पुरस्तात् ।
अव दक्षिणात्तात् ।
अव पश्चात्तात् ।
अवोत्तरात्तात् ।
अव चोर्ध्वात्तात् ।
अवाधरात्तात् ।
सर्वतो मां पाहि पाहि समन्तात् ॥४॥

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जायते ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति ।

त्वं भूमिरापोऽनलोऽनिलो नभः ।
त्वं चत्वारि वाक् {परिमिता} पदानि ।

त्वं गुणत्रयातीतः ।
त्वं अवस्थात्रयातीतः ।
त्वं देहत्रयातीतः ।
त्वं कालत्रयातीतः ।

त्वं मूलाधारस्थितोऽसि नित्यम् ।
त्वं शक्तित्रयात्मकः ।
त्वां योगिनो ध्यायन्ति नित्यम् ।

त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं
रुद्रस्त्वमिन्द्रस्त्वमग्निस्त्वं
वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चन्द्रमास्त्वं
ब्रह्म भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ॥६॥

Meaning in Tamil

ஓம் கணபதி தாழினை பணிந்திடுவோம்

காட்சி தரும் மெய்ப்பொருளும் நீயே
பாரெல்லாம் படைத்த பரம்பொருளும் நீயே
தாரணி தாங்கும் தயாநிதியும் நீயே
ஆழிஅண்ட ஊழிநாயகனும் நீயே
ஆளும் அனைத்திலுமுறை பரமனும் நீயே
ஆன்மாவாய் எமை ஆண்டிடும் நிலையும் நீயே

உரைத்திடுவேன் இந்த இறைநீதியை
உரைத்திடுவேன் இந்த உண்மையையே

காத்திடு அடியேனை
காத்திடு வாய்மொழிபவரை
காத்திடு செவிமடுப்பவரை,
காத்திடு கொடுப்பவரை
காத்திடு ஆதரிப்பவரை,
காத்திடு ஆசானின் சீடனை

காத்திடு கீழ்த்திசையிலிருந்து,
காத்திடு தென்திசையிலிருந்து
காத்திடு மேற்திசையிலிருந்து
காத்திடு வடதிசையிலிருந்து
காத்திடு முடியிலிருந்து,
காத்திடு அடியிலிருந்து,
காத்திடு எத்திசையிலிருந்தும்

வாய்மொழியும் நீயே!
உள்ளுணர்வும் நீயே!
பேரின்பமும் நீயே
பரம்பொருளும் நீயே
சத் சித் ஆனந்தம் (சச்சிதானந்தமும்) நீயே
காட்சி தரும் பரமனும் நீயே
மெய்ப்பொருளும் பரம்பொருளும் நீயே

அண்டமனைத்தை ஆக்கியவனும் நீயே
அண்டமனைத்தையும் ஆதரிப்பவனும் நீயே
அண்டமனைத்தும் அழிந்துருகும் உன்னுள்ளே
அண்டமனைத்தும் அண்டிடும் உன்னிடமே

நிலம்,நீர்,நெருப்பு,காற்று,வெளியெனும் பஞ்ச பூதமும் நீயே
நால்வகை வாக்கும் நீயே

முக்குணங்களும் நீயே
மூநிலைகளும் நீயே
மூவுடலும் நீயே
முக்காலமும் நீயே

மூலாதார நிலையமும் நீயே
முச்சக்தியின் மூலமும் நீயே
முனிஞானியர் துதி சாரமும் நீயே

நான்முகனும் நீயே
திருமாலும் நீயே
ஈசனும் நீயே
இந்திரனும் நீயே
அழலும் நீயே
காற்றும் நீயே
பகலவனும் நீயே
குளிர்மதியும் நீயே
பரமனும் நீயே
மூவுலகும் நீயே

ஓம் ஓம் ஓம்…

Meaning in English

(Source – https://greenmesg.org/stotras/ganesha/ganapati_atharvashirsha.php)

Om, Salutations to You, O Ganapati,


2.1: (O Ganapati) You indeed are the visible Tattvam (Conscious Essence underlying everything),
2.2: (O Ganapati) You indeed are the only Creator (Karta) (by Whose Power the Universe is Created),
2.3: (O Ganapati) You indeed are the only Sustainer (Dharta) (by Whose Power the Universe is Sustained),
2.4: (O Ganapati) You indeed are the only Destroyer (Harta) (by Whose Power the Universe is finally Dissolved in its Conscious Essence),
2.5: (O Ganapati) You indeed are All This (The Universe); You verily are the Brahman (giving Consciousness to All),
2.6: (O Ganapati) You are the visible Atman, the Eternal (underlying Reality),


3.1: I declare the Ritam (Divine Law); I declare the Satyam (Absolute Reality) (that there is an Absolute Consciousness underlying everything, which I saw as Ganapati),


4.1: (Now) Protect me (O Ganapati) (Protect the Truth I declared),
4.2: Protect the Speaker (O Ganapati) (Protect the Teacher who declares this Truth),
4.3: Protect the Listener (O Ganapati) (Protect the Student who listens to this Truth),
4.4: Protect the Giver (O Ganapati) (Protect the Giver of knowledge who transmits this Truth),
4.5: Protect the Sustainer (O Ganapati) (Protect the Sustainer who retains this Truth in Memory),
4.6: Protect the Disciple (O Ganapati) (Protect the Disciple who repeats this Truth following the Teacher),
4.7: Protect this Truth from the East (O Ganapati),
4.8: Protect this Truth from the South (O Ganapati),
4.9: Protect this Truth from the West (O Ganapati),
4.10: Protect this Truth from the North (O Ganapati),
4.11: Protect this Truth from the Top (O Ganapati),
4.12: Protect this Truth from the Bottom (O Ganapati),
4.13: (Now) Please Protect me (O Ganapati) (Protect this Truth I declared) from all Sides,


5.1: You are of the nature of Words (Vangmaya), and You are of the nature of Consciousness (Chinmaya) (which is the source of all words) (Therefore, O Ganapati, the Absolute Truth I have spoken have come from You),
5.2: You are of the nature of Bliss (Anandamaya), and You are of the nature of Brahman (Brahmamaya) (which is the source of all Bliss) (Therefore, O Ganapati, the Absolute Truth I have spoken will give Bliss to all who realize it),
5.3: You are Sacchidananda (Sat-Chit-Ananda) (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss), and You are the One without a second (Therefore, O Ganapati, the Absolute Truth I have spoken will liberate all to the Greater Consciousness who realize it),
5.4: You are the visible Brahman (manifested as the Universe) (Therefore, O Ganapati, the Absolute Truth I have spoken will make the realized see this vast World as emanating from Sacchidananda),
5.5: You are of the nature of Gyana (Spiritual Knowledge) (Self-Manifesting within the Core of our Being as Bliss-Consciousness), and You are Vigyana (Giving the Spiritual Vision of the whole World from the standpoint of the Greater Consciousness),
(Therefore, O Ganapati, protect the Absolute Truth I have spoken for the welfare of all)


6.1: The Entire Universe has Manifested (Born) from You (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
6.2: The Entire Universe is Sustained by Your Power (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
6.3: The Entire Universe will Dissolve in You (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
6.4: The Entire Universe will thus finally Return to You (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
6.5: You have manifested as Bhumi (Earth),
You have manifested as Apas (Water),
You have manifested as Anala (Fire),
You have manifested as Anila (Wind),
and You have manifested as Nabha (Sky or Space),
(Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence in the manifested World),
6.6: You are the Four Types of Speech (Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari),
(Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence as the source of Speech),
6.7: You are beyond the Three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your Conscious Essence beyond all the variations of the Mind due to the play of Gunas),
6.8: You are beyond the Three States (Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep) (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your Conscious Essence beyond the three States),
6.9: You are beyond the Three Bodies (Gross Body, Subtle Body and Causal Body) (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your Conscious Essence beyond the three Bodies),
6.10: You are beyond the Three Times (Past, Present and Future) (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your Eternal Essence beyond all Times),
6.11: You always abide in the Muladhara (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us in awakening our Kundalini Shakti),
6.12: You are the source of the Three Shaktis (Iccha Shakti, Kriya Shakti and Gyana Shakti) (Will Power, Power of Action and the Power of Knowledge) (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us in awakening these Shaktis to realize Your Conscious Essence),
6.13: The Yogis always meditate on You (to realize Your Conscious Essence, which is the aim of Human Life),
6.14: (O Ganapati) You are Brahma, You are Vishnu, You are ...
6.15: ... Rudra, You are Indra, You are Agni (God of Fire), You are ...
6.16: ... Vayu (God of Wind), You are Surya (The Sun God), You are Chandrama (The Moon God), You are ...
6.17: ... Brahman (Absolute Consciousness), You pervade the Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvar Lokas; You are the Om Itself (Parabrahman).

Mahara Sankaranthi – Pongal Special

Sivananda Lahari & Dakshinamurthy Stothram

Adi Sankaracharya’s Sivananda Lahari and Dakshinamurthy Stothram – All the Sanskrit Verses with Transliteration, translation and meaning in English and Tamil is available at Amzon Kindle and will be available at

speciallydiscounted price of 0.99 USD (From USD 2.99) each

from Jan 10th to Jan 16 for Mahara Sankaranthi & Pongal.

Happy New Year 2022

The Year 2021 is coming to an end shortly. The threat of Covid-19 and its variants continues and as we find ways and means to mitigate the consequences of this pandemic, we should continue our vigil and care.

On a personal note, God has been extremely kind. With His Grace and blessings from elders, I could continue my journey of learning. Whatever I could assimilate, I could bring them out through my blogs and books and they have been well received.

From a modest beginning in 2019, prabhusponder.com now has over 250 followers, 18000 visitors from around the world (over 35 countries) and 36000 views. This only reinforces that I need to learn more and share more.

So, here is a big THANK YOU and a sincere prayer for the New Year 2022.

GOD BLESS

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 10

Preamble

Having brought out the distinct advantages of Bhakti Yoga in the previous Slokas, Bhattathri concludes this Dasakam with a fervent prayer to Lord Guruvayurappan in Sloka 10.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xzjy6aktmvhbodb/Verse%202.10.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

त्वद्भक्तिस्तु कथारसामृतझरीनिर्मज्जनेन स्वयं

सिद्ध्यन्ती विमलप्रबोधपदवीमक्लेशतस्तन्वती ।

सद्यस्सिद्धिकरी जयत्ययि विभो सैवास्तु मे त्वत्पद-

प्रेमप्रौढिरसार्द्रता द्रुततरं वातालयाधीश्वर ॥१०॥

English Transliteration

tvadbhaktistu kathaarasaamR^itajhariinirmajjanena svayaM

siddhyantii vimalaprabOdhapadaviimakleshatastanvatii |

sadyassiddhikarii jayatyayi vibhO saivaastu me tvatpadapremaprauDhirasaardrataadrutataraM vaataalayaadhiishvara

Tamil Transliteration

த்வத்₃ப₄க்திஸ்து கதா₂ரஸாம்ருதஜ₂ரீநிர்மஜ்ஜநேந ஸ்வயம்

ஸித்₃த்₄யந்தீ விமலப்ரபோ₃த₄பத₃வீமக்லேஶதஸ்தந்வதீ |

ஸத்₃யஸ்ஸித்₃தி₄கரீ ஜயத்யயி விபோ₄ ஸைவாஸ்து மே த்வத்பத₃-

ப்ரேமப்ரௌடி₄ரஸார்த்₃ரதா த்₃ருததரம் வாதாலயாதீ₄ஶ்வர || 10||

Meaning in Tamil

உன் சரிதமெனும் அமுத வெள்ளப் பேரின்பமதில் மூழ்கி யாம்
உளம் திளைத்தால் எளிதினில் அடைய வல்லது பக்தி நிலை
உடனடி கிட்டிடுமே மேலான மாசிலாப் பேரின்ப ஞான நிலை
அளவிலா பற்றுடன் அடியேன் உன் திருவடி போற்றி
உளமுருகி புளகிதம் பெற அருளிடுவாய் விரைவினிலே
உலகாளோனே அந்நிலை எனக்கு குருவாயூரப்பனே 2.10

Meaning in English

O all pervading Lord! Devotion to Thee is easily attainable just by submerging oneself in the nectarine flood of Thy stories. This can be done without much effort and it instantly leads to pure Knowledge – Bliss. O Lord of Guruvaayur! May I soon experience that state of melting of the heart in intense love for Thy lotus feet.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

त्वद्भक्तिः तु = त्वत्-भक्तिः तु = devotion to Thee, indeed

कथारसामृतझरीनिर्मज्जनेन = कथायाः + रसः + अमृतम् + झरी = कथारस-अमृतझरी = in the flow of nectar showering from Thy stories

निमज्जनम् = by submerging in its bliss =

स्वयम् सिद्ध्यन्ती = is self attainable, directly

विमलप्रबोधपदवीम् = विमल-प्रबोध-पदवीम् = the state of pure knowledge and enlightenment

अक्लेशतः = (नक्लेशः = अक्लेशः) = without any effort

तन्वती = bestows (because it gives)

सद्यः सिद्धिकरी = instant achievement

जयति = (and) is superior (to the other two paths)

अयि विभो = O Thou Universal Lord!

सा एव अस्तु मे = may I have that (Bhakti)

त्वत्पदप्रेमप्रौढिरसार्द्रता = त्वत्-पद-प्रेम-प्रौढि-रस-आर्द्रता = the state of melting of the heart from the bliss of intense love for Thy feet

द्रुततरम् = very soon

वातालयाधीश्वर = O Lord of Guruvaayur!

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 9

Preamble

There are six important Slokas (Slokas 9-14) of Isavasya Upanishad that clearly bring out the limitations of following the paths of Karma, Upasana and Gnana in isolation, in our spiritual journey. A seamless integrated approach is what is recommended for ordinary mortals like us in our journey. I get a feeling that Bhattathri echoes this philosophy in Sloka 9. Let us study this Sloka.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/67ztrum4updugn9/Verse%202.9.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

अत्यायासकराणि कर्मपटलान्याचर्य निर्यन्मला

बोधे भक्तिपथेऽथवाऽप्युचिततामायान्ति किं तावता ।

क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे परं तव वपुर्ब्रह्माख्यमन्ये पुन–

श्चित्तार्द्रत्वमृते विचिन्त्य बहुभिस्सिद्ध्यन्ति जन्मान्तरैः॥९॥

English Transliteration

atyaayaasakaraaNi karmapaTalaanyaacharya niryanmalaaH

bOdhe bhaktipathe(a)thavaa(a)pyuchitataamaayaanti kiM taavataa |

kliShTvaa tarkapathe paraM tava vapurbrahmaakhyamanye punashchittaardratvamR^

ite vichintya bahubhissiddhyanti janmaantaraiH ||

Tamil Transliteration

அத்யாயாஸகராணி கர்மபடலாந்யாசர்ய நிர்யந்மலா

போ₃தே₄ ப₄க்திபதே₂(அ)த₂வா(அ)ப்யுசிததாமாயாந்தி கிம் தாவதா |

க்லிஷ்ட்வா தர்கபதே₂ பரம் தவ வபுர்ப்₃ரஹ்மாக்₂யமந்யே புந-

ஶ்சித்தார்த்₃ரத்வம்ருதே விசிந்த்ய ப₃ஹுபி₄ஸ்ஸித்₃த்₄யந்தி ஜந்மாந்தரை: || 9||

Meaning in Tamil

முழுமுயல்வும் மிகு சிரமமும் ஏற்று கர்மயோகம்தனைப் புரிந்து
மும்மலமகற்றி ஞான பக்தி யோகம் புரிய தகுதி பெறுவர் சிலர்.
இத்துனை முயன்றினும் அவர்தம் பெற்றிடும் பயன்தான் என்ன !
உளஅழுத்தமிகு தருக்கம் பல புரிந்து பிரமமெனும் பரம்பொருளை
உணர உழையும் பலர்; எனினும் உளமுருகி உனைப்பாடா அவர்
பல பிறவி எடுத்து அல்லல் எனும் மாசு அறுத்தடைவர் உனையே !

2.9

Meaning in English

O Lord! Some people follow the path of Karma Yoga,and perform the various disciplines for long and attain mental purity. This only entitles them to become fit for the practice of Gyaana or Bhakti yoga. Some others strive hard pondering over the attributeless Supreme Brahman, based on logic and reason. They, without melting their hearts in love for Thee, take a long time to reach their goal of perfection.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

अत्यायासकराणि = अति-आयास-कराणि = great + effort + to be done = demanding great effort –

कर्मपटलानि = कर्मणाम् पटलम् कर्मपटलम् = Karma + portion/piece/section/chapter = the disciplines of Karma (yoga) = கர்மயோக

आचर्य = to be approached = by performing = புரிந்து

निर्यन्मलाः = निर्यन्तः + मलाः = set free + impurity = become purified (in mind) = மலமகற்றி

बोधे = awakening/knowledge = (required) for following the path of Gyaana (yoga) = ஞானோதயம்

भक्तिपथे अथवा अपि = भक्ते: + पथम् + अथवा + अपि = devotee + path + rather/and + also = and also for the path of Bhakti (yoga) = பக்தி மாரக்கமதிலும்

उचितताम् आयान्ति = उचितताम् + आयान्ति = fitness + gain = (one) gains fitness – தகுதி பெற்று

किम् तावता = किं + तावता = why + to that extent = what is the use (after spending so much effort) = இத்துனை முயற்சியின் பலன் என்ன

क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे = क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे = क्लिष्ट्वा + (तर्कस्य पथम् ) तर्कपथम् = distress/strain + logical reasoning + path = of straining in the path of logical reasoning (Gyaana yoga) = மிகை முயல் தருக்க விளை ஞான யோகம்

परम् तव वपुः ब्रह्माख्यम् = परं + तव + वपु: + ब्रह्म + आख्यम्- = Supreme + You + body + Brahman + name/known = (because) Thy unmanifested aspect known as Supreme Brahman = பிரமனெனும் பரம் பொருள்

अन्ये पुनः = others, however மற்றோர் எனினும்

चित्तार्द्रत्वम् ऋते = चित्त + आर्द्रत्वम् + ऋते = mind/heart + wet/moist/ + without = without melting of the heart (in love) – உளம் உருகி

विचिन्त्य = pondering over (trying to fathom)= தீர எண்ணி

बहुभिः = (take) a lot of (time) – வெகு நேரம்

सिद्ध्यन्ति = मनसः आर्द्रता = accomplishing = attain அடைவர்

जन्मान्तरैः = जन्मन: + अन्तर: = life + another = अनेकजन्मभिः = after many lives – பல பிறவி எடுத்த பின்

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 8

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8z35twv6eldlvvd/Verse%202.8.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

निष्कामं नियतस्वधर्मचरणं यत् कर्मयोगाभिधं

तद्दूरेत्यफलं यदौपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यं पुनः ।

तत्त्वव्यक्ततया सुदुर्गमतरं चित्तस्य तस्माद्विभो

त्वत्प्रेमात्मकभक्तिरेव सततं स्वादीयसी श्रेयसी ॥८॥

English Transliteration

niShkaamaM niyatasvadharmacharaNaM yat karmayOgaabhidhaM

tadduuretyaphalaM yadaupaniShadaj~naanOpalabhyaM punaH |

tattvavyaktatayaa sudurgamataraM chittasya tasmaadvibhO

tvatpremaatmakabhaktireva satataM svaadiiyasii shreyasii 8

Tamil Transliteration

நிஷ்காமம் நியதஸ்வத₄ர்மசரணம் யத் கர்மயோகா₃பி₄த₄ம்

தத்₃தூ₃ரேத்யப₂லம் யதௌ₃பநிஷத₃ஜ்ஞாநோபலப்₄யம் புந: |

தத்த்வவ்யக்ததயா ஸுது₃ர்க₃மதரம் சித்தஸ்ய தஸ்மாத்₃விபோ₄

த்வத்ப்ரேமாத்மகப₄க்திரேவ ஸததம் ஸ்வாதீ₃யஸீ ஶ்ரேயஸீ || 8||

Meaning in Tamil

பற்றிலா புரி வரைபணியெனும் கர்மயோகம்
பலனளிக்க காலம் வெகு கடந்திடும்
உபநிடதச்சாறெனும் பரம்பொருள் கண்டறியும் ஞானயோகம்
முதிர்வடையா மூலபாடமதனால், முனைய மனம் கானும் கடினம்
காதலாகி உளமுருகி உனைத் துதிக்கும் பக்தியோகம்
அளவிலா இனிமையுடன் என்றும் பேரின்பம் உலகோனே 2.8

Meaning in English

While Karma yoga consisting of all actions without desire for results,

Would yield results only after a very long time and while Jnana Yoga,

ஸWhich is available in the concepts enunciated in the Upanishads,

Is extremely difficult to follow, due to its being not in the grip of various sensory organs,

Oh Lord, the devotion to you based on love to you is very sweet and satisfying. 2.8

காதலாகிக் கசிந்து கண்ணீர் மல்கி
ஓதுவார் தமை நன்நெறிக்கு உய்ப்பது
வேதம் நான்கினும் மெய்ப்பொருளாவது
நாதன் நாமம் நமச்சிவாயவே.

என்ற திருஞானசம்பந்தரின் திருப்பதிகம் என் நினைவிற்கு வருகிறது.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

निष्कामम् – desire less, without self desire

नियतस्वधर्मचरणम् – नियतः + स्वधर्मः (स्वस्य ध) + चरणम् = assigned/laid down + one’s own duty + practice/follow = performance of one’s duties

यत् कर्मयोगाभिधम् = यत् + कर्मयोगः + इति + अभिधम् = that + karma yoga + which is + named = that which is called Karma yoga – கர்மயோகம்

तत् दूरेत्यफलम् = तत् + दूरात्एत्यम् + फलं = that + distant + fruitful = that becomes fruitful only in a distant future

यत् औपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यम् पुनः = यत् + औपनिषदः + उपलभ्यम् + ज्ञानं + पुनः = (Note – औपनिषदोपलभ्यं च तत् ज्ञानं च = औपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यम्) = that which + the fruit of the Upanishad which is Brahman + knowledge + again = (again) that which consists in attaining knowledge of Brahman as described in the Upanishads

तत् तु अव्यक्ततया = तत् + तु + न व्यक्तता = अव्यक्त = that + indeed + not evolved = तत्-तु-अव्यक्ततया = that indeed being abstract

सुदुर्गमतरम् चित्तस्य = सुदुर्गमतरम् + चित्तस्य = very difficult to cross + for the mind = is very difficult for the mind to pursue

तस्मात् विभो = hence, O All pervading Lord

त्वत्प्रेमात्मकभक्तिः एव = त्वत्प्रेम (त्वयि प्रेम ) + आत्मा + भक्तिः + एव = Love for you + soul + devotion + only = the Bhakti yoga which consists only in love for Thee

सततम् = is always

स्वादीयसी = अतिमधुरा = the sweetest

श्रेयसी = most beneficial

Dakshinamuthy Stothram – Sloka 10 – The Gains – தோத்திர பலன்

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vc32217p3kznqt0/Sloka%2010%20-%20Sarvaatmatvam%20Iti%20Sphutti.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Sloka

सर्वात्मत्वमिति स्फुटीकृतमिदं यस्मादमुष्मिन् स्तवे
तेनास्य श्रवणात्तदर्थमननाद्ध्यानाच्च संकीर्तनात् ।
सर्वात्मत्वमहाविभूतिसहितं स्यादीश्वरत्वं स्वतः
सिद्ध्येत्तत्पुनरष्टधा परिणतं चैश्वर्यमव्याहतम् ॥१०॥

Meaning in Tamil

அருட் பெரும் ஜோதியாம் பரம்பொருளே ஆன்மா எனும் அறிவு பூட்டும்
கருவூலமாம் சங்கரனின் இத்தோத்திரம்தனை செவிமடுத்து சிந்தித்து
தியானித்து புகழ்பாடினால் இறையருளின் இருநான்கு வடிவதனின்
நிலையறிந்து மோனஆசானின் அருளுடனே நாலிரு சித்தி பெற்று
பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் தாண்டி ஈடேறி வீடுபேறு பெற்றிடலாம்

Meaning in English:

Since the Divine Essence in all is made clear in this hymn, hence by listening to it, contemplating on its meaning, meditating on it, and glorifying it, one becomes endowed with the greatness of the knowledge of the Divine Essence ( present in all ); perhaps the Divine Essence by Itself will awaken within him after that again, the eightfold manifestations of Divine powers (Siddhis) unimpeded.

Understanding the Sloka:

Extracted from Swami Paramarthananda’s lectures

iti idam sarvātvamiti spūṭikritam. – In this manner, in nine verses, the sarvātva bhāva which is the essence of all the Upanishads has been taught by me. Adi Śankarācārya says in this manner, in 9 verses, I have taught or condensed the essence of all the upanishads; the essence of prastāna trayam I have given and What is the essence? sarvātmatvam. And what do you mean by sarvātmatvam, sarvam ātma eva. Everything in the creation is ātma alone; other than ātma there is nothing. The so-called anātma is also mithya, which has the content of ātma alone; Just as the so-called ornaments also are not separate substances, they are also nothing but gold with different names. Similarly, the so-called anātma prapancha also is also ātma only, with a different name; Names are different, but the substance is only ātma. And this is called sarvātmatvam, sarvam ātma iti bhavaha, sarvātmatvam. If you want to put in our own language, जीवात्म परमात्म ऐक्र्म् jīvātma paramātma aikyam,; we can also say brahma satya jagat mityā, jīvo brahmaiva na parāḥ. This vedantic essence has been taught by me; Śankarā says:

Where did I teach it? अमुक्षष्मन् स्तवे amuṣmin stave, in this sthoram called dakṣiṇāmūrti Sthothram; here he did not use the word ashtake; because two more added, therefore no more Ashtakam, instead of using the word ashtakam, he uses the word sthavam; Sthavam is the same as sthoram; sthoram means a hymn or praise of the Lord.

In this dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram, that has been taught and therefore, study of dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram is equal to the study of the प्रस्तान त्रर्म् prastāna trayam; because the content of dakṣiṇāmūrti sthothram is the same as the content of the prastāna trayam; means upanishads, geetha and brahma sutram. In all the upanishads, Geetha and brahma sutra, whatever has been taught; that is given in capsule form

“Thena”, therefore since dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram is equal to प्रस्तान त्रर्म् prastāna trayam; अस्र् श्रवणा asya śravaṇā, a person, a seeker of moksha, should do the śravaṇam of this work. (Systematic and consistent study of this work for a length of time under the guidance of a competent teacher). So śrava ṇat; and not only śravaṇam, tat artha mananāt, one should also do the mananam, to find out whether there are any doubts in accepting this teaching. And what is this teaching? There is nothing other than me; the ātma; सवात्य मत्वम sarvātmatvam that means, I alone am in the form of everything; I am all.

And then dhyānāt; and later this has to be assimilated, so that it becomes my second nature; So śravaṇa manana nididhyāsana sādanāni. And then सङ्कीतयनात् saṅkīrtanāt. The word saṅkīrtanāt is given two meanings; for those people who are not fit for śravaṇa manana nididhyāsanam; because they do not have साधना चतुष्टर् संपवत्त sādhanā catuṣṭaya saṃpatti and therefore everything goes above their head, for those unprepared people; the word संकीतयनम saṃkīrtanam means by mere पारार्णम् pārāyaṇam itself they will gradually grow. They need not know the meaning. Let them daily chant this dakṣiṇāmūrti sthothram; that itself will give them sadhana catuṣṭaya saṃpatti; later opportunity for śravaṇam, manana nididhyāsanam. This sthotra will make you climb all those steps. Therefore even pārāyaṇam is a form of sādhana.

On the other hand, if a person is a qualified person and therefore, he has gone through śravaṇa manana nididhyāsanam; for those people, what is the next sādhana? If you call it sādhana, saṃkīrtanam, means after I assimilate this wisdom, I communicate this to others. Communication or sharing is another form of nididhyāsanam. It is a very beautiful form of nididhyāsanam.

And thus by following all these sādhanas, he will get the result; What is the result; सवात्य मत्वमहाववभूशत स्र्ात ् sarvātmatvamahāvibhūti syāt, he will attain the greatest glory, called sarvātmatvam, sarvātmatvam means the wisdom that I am everything. There is no second thing to frighten me; to harass; to torture me; to hurt me, to limit me, to isolate me, there is no second thing at all; this wisdom and this non-dual status is called sarvātmatvam, which is mahāvibhūti, which is the greatest glory called kaivalyam; Non-dual state.

And not only that. Look at the fourth line, aṣṭadāpariṇadam aiśvaryam ca; aṣṭadāpariṇadam aiśvaryam means aṣṭamūrti dakṣiṇāmūrti aikyam. aṣṭadāpariṇadam means eight-fold; ऐश्वर्मय् aiśvaryam is ईश्वरत्वम् īśvaratvam, which means the dakṣiṇāmūrti भावः bhāvaḥ. So, I will attain this status of ashta Moorthy dakṣiṇāmūrti . That means vishvaroopa dakṣiṇāmūrti aikyam;

This equanity is called svamitvam. And this mokṣaḥ is also svastāha, it has come from outside, it is only discovery of the very nature. svastāha means natural freedom; he claims. This is called jīvanmukti which will lead to videhamukti; which is the फलम् phalam.

Dakshinamurthy Stothram Sloka 8 – காயப் பறவையின் ஒப்பனை கலந்த உறவுகள் – Illusionary Transactions of the Self

Preamble

We saw in the introductory blog earlier that this “jivatma” which was “relation less” and who is otherwise a witness “Saakshi” becomes related due to the influence of Maya, becomes an actor and the misery starts with transactions and continues till we know our true self through “atma gnanam”. Adi Sankara outlines a few relationships in this Sloka.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnp6fmu9ps0gip3/Sloka%208%20-%20Vishwam%20Pashyati%20Kaarya.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Sloka

विश्वं पश्यति कार्यकारणतया स्वस्वामिसम्बन्धतः
शिष्याचार्यतया तथैव पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः ।
स्वप्ने जाग्रति वा य एष पुरुषो मायापरिभ्रामितः
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥८॥

Meaning in Tamil

மாயையவள் வசப்பட்டு உழலும்,
காயமுறை சீவன், கனவிலும் நனவிலும்
காரிய காரண தன்மை கொண்டு,
உடையான் உடமை எனவும்
ஆசான் சீடன் எனவும்,
அருமை தந்தை மகன் எனவும்,
பேதம் பல ஈண்டு
பாடிடுமே பல உறவு கொண்டு.
மோடம் போட்ட அப்பேதம் நீக்கி,
காயமுறை பற்றிலா அச்சீவனே
மாசிலா முழுநிறை இறையென உரை,
ஆதிஅந்தமிலா மோனநிலை ஆசானாம் அந்த அருள்மிகு
தக்ஷிணாமூர்த்தி பொற்பாதம் பணிந்திடுவோம்

Meaning in English

The differentiations that we see in the world as Cause and Effect, as possessor-possession, relations as the disciple & teacher, and also as father & son etc., are all differentiations within the one Ātman. In Dream or Waking state, He, the One Puruṣaḥ is always present, and (as if) Maya wanders over Him and gives rise to all these Differentiations. Salutations to Him, the Personification of Our Inner Guru Who Awakens This Knowledge through His Profound Silence; Salutation to Sri Dakṣiṇāmurty.

Understanding the Sloka

The Role of Maya

Let us look at the third line first: य एष पुरुषो मायापरिभ्रामितः eṣa: puruṣaḥ māyā paribhrāmitaḥ;

1. It means – This ordinary person in the world; even though he may be worldly-educated; who is spiritually and scripturally-illiterate; he is māyā paribhrāmitaḥ; { माया māyā means avidya परिभ्रम Paribhrama = Moving To and Fro, Wander/drift}. மாயையவள் வசப்பட்டு உழலும்

2. This means that he is confused because of avidya and therefore instead of taking original sākṣi svarūpam as himself; he mistakes the incidental-ahaṃkāra as himself drifts into the attached-self called ahaṃkāra I; I am going to certainly become a relative individual, related to the external world; asaṃga sākṣi (the unattached witness), becomes ससंगजीवः sasaṃga jīvaḥ (attached soul); relationless pure sākṣi-I, have now drifted and fallen down to a relative samsāri-I;

3. This means that every relation is causing one form of samsāra or the other. There is no relationship which is free from problems; In fact, if there is a relationship free from problems then the end of the relationship will cause problems; If there is a relationship so beautiful and wonderful and enjoyable, even that wonderful relationship becomes a problem when the relationship has to end because of time/kala, because of prarabdhaḥ, because of any reason. Therefore, a problem free relationship is an oxymoron; it does not exist. And therefore, the sākṣi-I, who is ever free, now has fallen down to ahaṃkāra-I, with varieties of problems.

Relationship

A few empirical relationships are enumerated in the sloka i.e., कार्यकारण संबन्धः kāryakāraṇa saṃbandhaḥ; cause and effect relationship. I-as-jīvātma, the ahaṃkāra-I, am a product of my own past karma; my prarabdhaḥ karma has given me this personality; this physical, this emotional, this social personality. Therefore, I am never a free person; I am tossed up and down; by my own karma; thus I am a कार्मय kāryam; my karma becomes the kāranam for my situation.

Let us see a few of the cause & effect relationships.

1. स्वस्वामिसम्बन्धतः svasvāmisambandhataḥ; स्वस्वामि (Svasvaami = Possessor and Possession & सम्बन्ध (Sambandha = Relation). That means as ahaṃkāra, I am related to several possession, as owner-owned sambandhataḥ; and ownership means, there is a yogakṣema samsāra. yogakṣema samsāra means acquisition-maintenance samsāra is there like. உடையவன் – உடமை உறவுகள்.

2-3. शिष्याचार्यतया तथैव पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः Shissya-[A]acaarya-Tayaa Tatha-Eva Pitr-Putraady[i]-Aātmanaa Bhedatah |

शिष्याचार्यतया śiṣyacāryatayā; means guru-śiṣya sambandhataḥ. ஆசான் – சீடன் உறவுகள்.
पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना pitṛ putrādyātmanā; means father son adhi etc. தந்தை – மகன் உறவுகள் (சொந்தம் எப்போதும் தொடர் கதைதான், முடிவே இல்லாதது)

So, the māyā paribhrāmitaḥ puruṣaḥ drifted and fallen down from a relationless pure sākṣi-I, to relative samsāri-I in either of the स्वप्ने जाग्रति वा Svapne Jaagrati Vaa avastha, whether it is waking state or dream state, gets into the inevitable saṃsāraḥ.

Of course we get some interval and relief in सुषुशि अवस्त suṣupti avasta, wherein we do not worry about the family members and society and other problems, and unfortunately we cannot sleep for long. The sleep is only for a few hours and older we grow, lesser the sleep also. Therefore even sleep is not a permanent solution; even death is not a permanent solution, because punarjanma brings in punaha sambandhataḥ and samsāra; And therefore this jeevathama, puruṣaḥ ha; who is really a sākṣi; that purushā, māyā paribhrāmitaḥ; as is confused because of māya.

Relationships & The Birds on a Tree – A Vedic Perspective

Talking about the relationships of the unattached witness and the attached soul, the famous two birds in one tree Sloka from the Upanishads provides the classic conceptual framework for this Sloka in Dakshinamurthy Stothram.

The Shruti, says: By Mâyâ, Siva became two birds always associated together; the One, clinging to the one unborn (Prakriti), became many as it were (vide Mundaka- Up. 3-1; Yâjniki-Upanishad 12–5).

The Mundakopanishad Sloka 3.1.1:

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते ।

तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ॥ १ ॥

dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṃ vṛkṣaṃ pariṣasvajāte |

tayoranyaḥ pippalaṃ svādvattyanaśnannanyo abhicākaśīti || 1 ||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words – “Suparnau – two of good motion or two birds; (the “word Suparna” being used to denote birds generally); Sayujau – inseparable, constant, companions; Sakhayau – bearing the same name or having the same cause of manifestation. Being thus, they are perched on the same tree (‘same,’ because the place where they could be perceived is identical). ‘Tree’ here means ‘body;’ because of the similitude in their liability to be cut or destroyed. Parishasvajate – embraced; just as birds go to the same tree for tasting the fruits.

Two birds bound to each other in close friendship are perched on a tree. While one of the birds is busy consuming the fruits of the tree with great relish, the other seems to be in a state of detached equanimity just looking at its compatriot. The tree in this example represents the body. The bird busying itself with the material pleasures accorded by the tree is the ‘Jivātma’ (individual soul), that has an inextricable identification with the body and mind. Such an identification makes the Jivātma both the ‘karta’ (doer) and the ‘Bhokta’ (enjoyer). The observing bird on the other hand, represents the ‘Paramātma’ (the Supreme Self). The Supreme Self remains uninfluenced and untainted by any material pleasures and possessions and remains a still tranquil witness.

Adi Śankarācārya in his commentary to this sloka says – This tree as is well known has its root high up (i.e., in Brahman) and its branches (prana, etc..) downwards; it is transitory and has its source in Avyakta (maya). It is named Kshetra and in it hang the fruits of the karma of all living things. It is here that the Ātman, conditioned in the subtle body to which ignorance, desire, karma and their unmanifested tendencies cling, and Isvara are perched like birds. Of these two so perched, one, i.e., kshetrajna occupying the subtle body eats, i.e., tastes from ignorance the fruits of karma marked as happiness and misery, palatable in many and diversified modes; the other, i.e., tbe lord, eternal, pure, intelligent and free in his nature, omniscient and conditioned by maya does not eat; for, He is the director of both the eater and the thing eaten, by the fact of His mere existence as the eternal witness (of all); not tasting, he merely looks on; for, his mere witnessing is direction, as in the case of a king.”

The Way Forward

Swami Dayananda Saraswathi in his lecture says that in all but one relationship listed by Adi Sankara , the “bedha”- the difference between the Atma and the Maya influenced Jeeva continues to exist eternally irrespective of the transactions. The guru-shishya relationship even though is a cause and effect relationship is the only one which ensures that the influence of Maya is nullified and the true nature of Jeeva is revealed through the guru’s teachings. In that state, even the guru-shishya relationship withers away and so too the other relationships.

And that is perhaps why Adi Śankarācārya says, even this confused jeeva is really none other than that dakṣiṇāmūrti only and therefore he says Tasmai Shri Gurumoorthaye; To that Gurumoorthy, dakṣiṇāmūrti , my namaskaraha.

அன்பு சிவமிரண் டென்ப ரறிவிலார்

அன்பே சிவமாவ தாரு மறிகிலார்

அன்பே சிவமாவ தாரு மறிந்தபின்

அன்பே சிவமா யமர்ந்திருந் தாரே

என்ற திருமந்திரப் பண் இக்கருத்தினைப் பிரதிபலிக்கிறது.

This, in essence is the eighth Sloka.

Long distance shoot using iPhone from the balcony of my house.

Dakshinamurthy Stothram – Sloka 8 – ஒப்பனை கலந்த உறவுகள் – Illusionary Transactions

ஒப்பனை கலந்த உறவுப் பரிமாற்றங்கள் – Illusionary Relational Transactions – An illustration

Preamble:

In the 7th verse, Śankarācārya pointed out that aham or “I am” alone is inherent in and through all the states of experience and therefore that I am or sat chit ātma alone must be taken as the real I. And since all the other states are subject to arrival and departure, he should be taken as my real nature; I am Satcidātma. And relevant to every particular state, I take the attribute to myself; like the youthful-I, youth-I; old-I, waker-I, etc.; even those attributes should not be taken as an integral part of I; because even the attributes are subject to arrival and departure, which means the attributeless-I alone is the ātma and this attributeless-I alone is called Sakshi. On the other hand, if I take the incidental attributes also as my intrinsic nature, then I mistake myself as an attributed-I, which is called ahaṃkāra. So, because of ignorance when I add attributes to myself it is called ahaṃkāra; through wisdom when I see the attribute as distinct from me, then I am called Sakshi. So, the difference between ahaṃkāra and साक्षि sākṣi is caused by ignorance and wisdom; in ignorance attributes are added; I am ahaṃkāra. In wisdom attributes are not added; I am sākṣi. This was the content of the teaching of the 7th verse

Maya – ஒப்பனை – An overview

Now in the 8th verse; Adi Śankarācārya says unfortunately most people are in a state of ignorance; and therefore they do not own up the sākṣi-I, and therefore they remain the empirical ahaṃkāra-I.

Two questions arises immediately –

1. “How come? Why are most of us ignorant?”.
2. The moment I become empirical ahaṃkāra, what happens?

For this we should try and understand the concept of Maya (Illusion). The subject of “Maya” is Vedantic Student’s delight. So much literature is available on the subject. However for our study, we will take the verses given in Sureshwaracharya’s Mānasollāsa (text and translated by Alladi Mahadeva Sastry first in 1899).

The excerpts reproduced here are from Mānasollāsa.

Puranas say that Rahu and Ketu** are, respectively, the head and the trunk of one Rakshasa’s body severed into two; so that, when one speaks of the head of Rahu, we cannot suppose that the head exists distinct from Rahu. The two are, in fact, one. Similarly when Paramesvara is spoken of as the cause of the universe, we should not understand that the universe is distinct from Paramesvara. There is only one existence, namely, Paramesvara. That Isvara amuses Himself assuming, of His own accord, the forms of worshipper and the worshipped, of teacher and disciple, of master and servant, and so on. He who is a son with reference to his father is himself the father with reference to his son; one alone, indeed, is imagined in various ways according to mere words. Therefore, on investigating supreme truth, we find that the Light alone exists. False (mithyâ) indeed is all notion of difference in Ātman, caused as it is by Mâyâ. All our mundane experience is a display of Mâyâ. Like unto suṣupti, Mâyâ is nullified by knowledge of Ātman. The name ‘mâya’ is given to an appearance which cannot be accounted for. It is not non-existent, because it appears; neither is it existent, because it is nullified. It is not distinct from the Light, as the dark shadow is distinct from the sun. Neither is it identical with the Light because it is insentient. Nor can it be both distinct from and identical with the Light, because it is a contradiction in terms. Or, Maya may be compared to the shadow which conceals the sun from the view of those who are blind by day. Here the sun’s light itself appears to be a shadow; and the shadow, therefore, has no distinct existence from the light. It is not said to be made up of parts, because no parts caused it. Neither is it devoid of parts, since in the effects it is made up of parts. This harlot of a Mâyâ, appearing only so long as not scrutinised, does deceive the Ātman by her false affectations of coquetry.
Mānasollāsa Chapter 8 Slokas 5-16

(** – Ref: Introduction to Sloka 6 for the story about Rahu & Ketu from the Puranas).

கண்ணன், மம மாயா என்றும் தைவீ மாயா என்றும் இந்த மாயையைப் பற்றிக் குறிப்பிடுகிறான். மம என்றால் என்னுடைய என்றும் தைவீ என்றால் தெய்வீகமான என்றும் பொருள்படும்.

ஏஷா என்றும் மாயைக்கு ஒரு அடைமொழி கொடுக்கிறான். அதாவது புலன்களால் உணரக் கூடியது. கண்களால் காணவும், செவிகளால் கேட்கவும், சருமத்தால் உணரவும், மனதால் புரிந்துகொள்ளக் கூடியதுமான மாயை. ஆக, மாயையின் வடிவில் உனக்கு எந்நேரமும் நான் காட்சியளித்துக் கொண்டுதான் இருக்கிறேன் என்று கண்ணன் நமக்கு உறுதி கூறுவதாக இதைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்.என்னை வெளிப்படுத்திக்கொள்ளாத பிரம்மமாக இருக்கையில், நானே மாயையாக இருக்கிறேன் என்றும் கண்ணன் கீதையில் தெளிவாகவே குறிப்பிடுகிறான். அவனே மாயையாய் நம்மை மருள வைக்கிறான்.

இருள்நீங்கி இன்பம் பயக்கும் மருள்நீங்கி
மாசுஅறு காட்சி யவர்க்கு

என்று திருக்குறளில், மெய் உணர்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், திருவள்ளுவர் கூறியது என் நினைவிற்கு வருகிறது.

So the answer to the first question is clear. We are ignorant thanks to Maya. Now the second question.

Relations and Transactions – உறவுகளும் பரிமாற்றங்களும்

The moment I become empirical ahaṃkāra, I cannot avoid relationships with the relevant world. So the “relationless” Atma becomes “related” or “relationed”. It is a never ending story of relationships.

நானாக நானில்லை, ஏனெனில்
மாயையவள் தரும் ஒப்பனையிட்டு
நானெனும் உள்ளொளி மறைந்து
நானெனும் உறவுகள் மலர்ந்தன – பின்
நானெனும் பொய்யை நானே
நடத்தினேன் உறவுகளுடனே !

அந்த உறவுகள் ஒரு தொடர் கதை; அந்த ஒப்பனை கலந்த உறவுகள் எத்துனை எத்துனை ! இவ்வுறவெனும் உலகத்தில் வரவொன்றும் இல்லாததால் வறுமையின் வாரிசாகி வாசலோடு துரத்தபடுகிறோம். ஒப்பனையைக் கலைத்து உள்ளிருக்கும் மெய்ப்பொருளை உணர்ந்தால் நிலையான வீடுபேறு. இதுவே இப்பண்ணின் சாரம்.

இப் பண்ணில் எடுத்துக் காட்டாக ஓரிரு உறவுகளை ஆதி சங்கரர் விவரிக்கிறார். அவைதனை அடுத்த பதிவில் காண்போம்.

What all relationships? Plenty.

A few examples are discussed in the Sloka which we will see subsequently. What essentially happens is that this “jivatma” which was “relation less” and who is otherwise a witness “Saakshi” becomes related and the misery starts with transactions and continues till we know our true self through “atma gnanam”.

With this understanding let us get into the Sloka in the next blog.