It has been three years and three months, since I started my inward journey here in WordPress. The objective was, is and continues to be “learning” and understanding mySELF.
In these three years, more than 27000 visitors from more than 30 countries with more than 50000 views have helped me in my inward journey, supporting me and encouraging me to continue this journey. I am indebted to everyone of you.
Here is my prayer for all of us in the coming New Year 2023.
May God Bless you all.
எனது ஆன்மீக பயணத்தை இந்த பதிவுகள் வழியாகத் தொடங்கி மூன்று வருடம், மூன்று மாதங்களாகின்றன. என்னை அறிய யான் முற்படும் முயற்சிகளில் இதுவும் ஒன்று.
இந்தப் பயணத்தில் எனக்கு இதுவரை, முப்பதிற்கும் மேற்பட்ட நாடுகளிலிருந்து இருபத்தெழாயிரத்துக்கும் அதிகமான (27000) நண்பர்கள், தங்களது ஐம்பதாயிரத்திற்கும் (50000) மேற்பட்ட பார்வைகளின் மூலம், ஆதரவு வழங்கி நல்லாசி வழங்கியுள்ளனர். அவர்கள் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் நன்றிக்கடன் பட்டுள்ளேன் அடியேன்.
நம் அனைவருக்கும் இந்த இனிய புத்தாண்டில் இறையருளும், மன மகிழ்வும் பெற எனது பிரார்த்தனைகள் இதோ.
The term Avatāra (अवतार) in Sanskrit means 1) Descent, alighting; descending or going down into; 2) Form, manifestation; 3) Descent of a deity upon earth, incarnation in general.
The Vedas, the Puranas, the Epics and the Bhagavadgita acknowledge the incarnations of Vishnu as an essential and important function of creation to ensure the order and regularity of the worlds and keep the chaos and demonic forces under control.
An incarnation of God is also different in many respects from a manifestation (vibhuti) or an aspect (amsa) of God. Practically, everything is a manifestation of God. A manifestation may or may not be aware of its divine nature. Its purpose may be limited in scope and influence, and it may represent only some qualities or aspects of God such as his knowledge, intelligence, power, wealth, beauty, aura, grace, etc. Secondly, a manifestation of God may happen with or without a form, not necessarily upon earth, whereas an incarnation always happens upon earth and in corporeal form only.
Technically, all living beings are incarnations of God only, since the soul or the Self is an aspect of Brahman and identical to him in all aspects. However, there is a fundamental difference. The incarnations of God are full-fledged. He manifests all his power and knows inherently his divine purpose upon earth. In contrast, the living beings are subject to the impurities of egoism, delusion and attachments.
With the above introduction, let us now study a wonderful Sloka which depicts the qualities of Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Audio Link
Pl. Listen to a wonderful recitation of the Sloka by the young Carnatic Musician Sri. Ashwath Narayanan in Ragamalika as a Virutham (approx 9 mts).
1. SAntaM SaSvatam apramEyaM anaghaM - him, the embodiment of tranquility, the eternal one, the causeless one, sinless one.
2. nirvANa SAntipradaM - him who confers liberation and peace.
3. brahmAviShNu phaNIndra sEvyaM aniSaM - the lord to whom Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva offer service.
4. vEdAnta vEdyaM vibhuM - the one knowable through Vedas, the Cosmic one.
5. rAmAkhyaM jagdISvaraM suraguruM mAyAmanuSyaM hariM - named Rama, the lord of the world, the preceptor of gods, the one incarnated by Hari as a man as an act of Maya.
6. vandEhaM karunAkaraM - I bow down to him, the ocean of mercy.
7. raghuvaraM bhUpAlacUDAmaNiM - the scion of Raghus, and a crest jewel among kings.
“The magic of music can bring about that experience of contention-free connectedness to the whole …
I see music as a blessing of Ishvara for the self-conscious, self-judgmental human to survive and experience, for the time being, the reality of the oneness with the total, the Lord, without any qualifications for it.”
Swami Dayanananda Saraswati, the composer thus spoke about music. His compositions have simple, yet soul stirring verses.
Here is one on Lord Rama. My understanding of the composition and translation in Tamil is presented here for the Rama Navami Festival.
Pray the rain bearing cloud coloured Lord Rama Hey mind
Pray the rain bearing cloud coloured Lord Rama by words
Anupallavi
He is the essence of all the Vedas. He is the cause for everything in the Universe.
Charanam 1
Vibheeshana and Anjaneya are delighted by offering their obeisance to his lotus feet.
He is the Vedic heart of Sage Vasishta and other great Seers and Saints
He is the controller in Human form of the seductive Maya. He is the Lord of the three types of bodies of all humans (sthula, sukshma and karana sareera)
Charanam 2
He is blue like a rain bearing cloud. He forever maintains Dharma.
He is the protector of Humans and holds the mighty bow “Kodandam”.
He vanquishes evil forces. He is the one who liberates us from the cycle of birth and death and provides relief from Old age , disease , sorrow and sins.
I meditate (bhAvayEham) on Lord Sadachaleshvara, He who has his abode (geham) in Chamatkarapura, and is the beloved (moham) of Girija.
Like a Kalpa tree (vrksha), He is always (sadA) a refuge (Ashrita) for everyone(samUham=group), including the celestials (dEvatA samUham) who seek sanctuary(sharanAgata = literally, they who come to His feet), he who is known (nAmadhEya, literally titled) as the one who turned water (uda) to ghee (Ajya), he is like a flow (pravAham) of nectar (amrtam) of bliss (chidAnanda).
He is Mahalinga (shiva) who causes (karaNa) the well-being (prasAda) of king (bhUpAla) Chamatkara etc (Adi).
His shadow-less (chAyA rahita) sanctum (garbhagRha madhya rangam=the inner room in the middle of the house) is lit by a lamp (dIpa prakAsha).
He removes (hetu bhoota, literally causes to be past) all sorrows (dukha) etc (Adi) and removes fear (bhaya bhanga) of this ocean (sAgaram) like life (samsAra).
Like a bee (bhRnga) which hovers (implied) over a lotus (sarasija), He hovers over the hearts (hrdaya) of good people (sAdu jana) who are tranquil (shama) and self-controlled (dama), senses etc (unsure: cannot findpavrti in dictionary) in unison (samyukta).
His lotus-like (kamala) victory-giving (vijaya kara) hands (implied) holds (vidhRta) a deer (kurangam),
he is like a nectar-filled (sudha maya) wave (taranga) of compassion (karuna rasa).
He is worshipped (vinuta) by Vishnu (kamalesha), he is mounted (turangam) on a bull (vRshabha), he is dear to the lotus-faced (kamala vadana) Guruguha (subrahmanya).
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
पल्लवि
सदा – always
अचल- mountain (that which doesn’t move)
ईश्वरं – lord
भावये- worship
अहं – i
चमत्कार पुर – According to the Skanda Purana, Tiruvarur is also called Chamatkara-pura, after a king who ruled the place
गेहं – resides
गिरिजा – மலைமகள், Goddess Parvati
मोहम्. – loves
अनुपल्लवि
सदा- always
आश्रित – to the surrendered
कल्प वृक्ष समूहं – grove of wish fulfilling trees
शरण आगत देवता समूहं – (the one in whom) the legions of Devas seek refuge,
उद-आज्य कृत नामधेय वाहं – the one bearing the name and fame of converting water to ghee,
चित्-आनन्द-अमृत प्रवाहम् – the flood of bliss of consciousness
चरणम्
चमत्कार भू-पाल-आदि प्रसाद -करण निपुण महा-लिङ्गं – the one in the form of a great Linga, adept at bestowing grace to the King Chamatkara,
छाया रहित दीप प्रकाश -गर्भ गृह मध्य रङ्गम् – the one at the centre of the sanctum lit by a lamp that casts no shadow,
समस्त दुःख-आदि हेतु भूत -संसार सागर भय भङ्गं
शम दम-उपवृत्ति-आदि संयुक्त -the one who removes the fear of the ocean of Samsara (worldly existence) which is the root cause of all misery,
साधु जन हृदय सरसिज भृङ्गम् – the honey bee that hovers in the heart-lotus of saints endowed with tranquility, self-restraint, endeavour etc.
कमल विजय कर विधृत कुरङ्गं – the one who holds a deer in his hand that surpasses a lotus (in beauty)
करुणा रस सुधा-अर्णव तरङ्गं – the wave from the ambrosial ocean of compassion,
कमला-ईश विनुत – the one worshipped by Vishnu (lord of Lakshmi),
वृषभ तुरङ्गं – the one who rides a bull,
कमल वदन गुरु गुह-अन्तरङ्गम् – the one dear to the lotus-faced Guruguha.
• The phrase ‘camatkAra bhU-pAla-Adi prasAda’ contains the Raga Mudra
• According to the Skanda Purana, Tiruvarur is also called Chamatkara-pura, after a king who ruled the place
• The reference to converting water to ghee is connected to the Saivite saint Nami Nandi aDigaL (one of the 63 Nayanmars), who took up a challenge from the Jains who were occupying the place to light a lamp with water.
• The reference to the lamp not casting a shadow is again from the Skanda Purana. Shiva appeared before King Camatkara and told him that the lamp would not cast a shadow in the sanctum sanctorum.
Around the Christmas period in the month Marghazhi (December 26th to be precise), we were travelling by road from Dindigul to Coimbatore via the holy place of Palani. We saw a continuous stream of people walking on barefoot all along the stretch of the highway that led to Palani. It was clearly an indication that the bhakti filled festival of Thaipoosam is not far away.
“Thaipoosam is an important festival observed by the Hindus of southern India during the Tamil month of Thai (January – February). Outside of India, it is celebrated mainly by the Tamil speaking community settled in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and elsewhere around the world. Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Murugan is also known as Karttikeya, Subrahmanya, Sanmukha, Shadanana, Skanda and Guha. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army of Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds. Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Thaipusam is celebrated during the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai and commemorates the birthday of the Hindu deity Murugan.”
All along the drive I was thinking if I could relate this bhakti oriented activity with the Advaita Vedantic mindset that I have been focusing on over the last couple of years and come out with some learning that will be immensely satisfying. In other words, I need to link Guha (Bhakti) with Sankara (Advaita); the Manifest with the Unmanifest; the Son with the Father. Looks simple; but impossible without a Guru.
That thinking took me to another Guruguha, one of the trinity in Carnatic music world. Yes, Muthuswamy Dikshithar provided me, the link for relating Bhakti with Vedanta.
Oh mind, worship the form of Guruguhan. Give up the agony of the heart caused by illusion.When human birth has been obtained, attain the perfect unsurpassed bliss of the Supreme Being ( don’t waste the opportunity) He is SADASIVA, full of SATVAGUNA;All living beings are born out of Him as the result of the impact of AVIDYA. The universe with its TAMASIC qualities is again a manifestation of His greatness; He is TARAKESVARA and ANANDA BHAIRAVA. Prostrate on His feet ; Mediate on His name; Conquer the veil of illusion and Think of Him as your sole refuge.
Meaning in Tamil
பல்லவி
போற்றிடுவாய்மனமேகுருகுகன்வடிவம்தனையே
அகற்றிடுவாய்மாயைவிளைஇதயநோவதனையே
அனுபல்லவி
அரியமானிடப்பிறவியெடுத்தநீ,
அடைந்திடுநாடிஇறையருட்பேரின்பம்தனை
சரணம்
நற்குணப்பண்பின்வடிவானசதாசிவன்அவன்
அகஇருள் விளை உயிரின உருவகமூலம் அவன்
இருள்நிறை இவ்வண்டம்கடந்தபேரொளிஅவன்
காக்கும்கடவுளாம்ஆனந்தபைரவன்அவன்
மத்தியமகாலசாகித்யம்
குருகுகனின்பாதம்பணிந்துநாமம்துதித்து
இருள்மாயத்திரையகற்றி அடைக்கலம்அவன்
ஒருவனேஎனநினைந்து ….போற்றிடுவாய்மனமே
Understanding the Kriti
Right at the beginning of the Kriti (Pallavi), Muthuswamy Dikshithar relates Jiva, Jagat and Isvara through their manifestations Mind, Maya and Guha. He “straight away instructs the mind to strive for higher goals – “Oh mind!!(“rE mAnasa”) meditate on (“bhajarE”) guha, the form of guru and abandon (“tyajarE”) the delusionary (“mAya-maya”) sorrows and afflictions of the heart/mind (“hRttApam”). He straightaway equates a guru as a form of the Lord Himself and commands the mind to worship him and meditate on him.”
Continuing, Dikshithar in the anupallavi, says “Having obtained the human birth form, go,take the path and try to attain the unsurpassed bliss associated with the supreme consciousness” – a reference to the Isavasya Upanishad Slokas which outline the paths that one can pursue for understanding the “Atma Svaroopam”.
In the caraNam, dIkshitar describes the Lord as ” The form of everlasting consciousness (“sadASivaM”), the one endowed with (“sahita”) with qualities of (“guNOpAdhi”) satva. The one from whom all the living beings (“jIva”) are born (“udbhavam”) as a result of their own ignorance (“sva avidya”). His greatness (“vaibhavaM”) symbolises the truth (“tatvam”) that lies beyond this world (“viSva”) filled with tamasic qualities (“tAmasa yuta”). He is tArakEswara, the Lord who helps cross this ocean of samsara. He is the form of Anandabhairava, radiating ever-lasting bliss”. Again I am reminded of the Shanthi Sloka and the first Sloka of Isavasya Upanishad – Isavasyam idham sarvam.
In the madhyamakAla sAhityam, Dikshithar says “Worship (“natvA”) the feet (“caraNam”) of the auspicious preceptor (“shrI guru”). Chant and meditate on his name (“nAmasmaraNam”). Conquer (“jitvA”) the sheath/veil (“AvaraNam”) of delusion/desire (“mOha”). Surrender to him as the sole (“twadEka”) refuge (“SaraNam”).” Pray, meditate, get mind control, come out of ignorance, surrender and reach Sat Cit Ananda – the very process that takes you to your SELF and reveals that “Tat Tvam Asi” which is the essence of Vedanta.
Oh mind, worship the form of Guruguhan. Give up the agony of the heart caused by illusion.When human birth has been obtained, attain the perfect unsurpassed bliss of the Supreme Being ( don’t waste the opportunity) He is SADASIVA, full of SATVAGUNA;All living beings are born out of Him as the result of the impact of AVIDYA. The universe with its TAMASIC qualities is again a manifestation of His greatness; He is TARAKESVARA and ANANDA BHAIRAVA. Prostrate on His feet ; Mediate on His name; Conquer the veil of illusion and Think of Him as your sole refuge.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
पल्लवि
मानस – mind
गुरु गुह – Guru Guha – Lord Subramanya (also pen name of Dikshithar)
This is how most of us feel as we hit the bed at night after a long working day.
There is a very nice way to relax immediately.
Play this song. Close your eyes. Look at no one else except yourselves and recollect the meaning of this verse.
Video Link
In this Verse, if you desire, substitute Mahadeva/Siva with the God of your choice. If you don’t believe in God, substitute it with whatever rationale your “SELF” wants. The core is to contemplate and own the responsibility for your actions or otherwise.
You, for sure will chill out immediately and off you sleep peacefully ! I do it everyday.
Remember- There are no rights and wrongs; there are only consequences and there is only one TRUTH. Crisis of Contrition in us is the path for progress.
I am the slave forever of Lord Saravana, the handsome one holding the powerful spear as weapon and who showers wealth and grains
He is the one:
who is bathed with pitchers filled with the waters of Ganga, with very tender feet which are glorified in prose and poetry, worshipped by the nine planets led by Angaraka, with neither beginning nor middle nor end,immeasurable eminent one, who charms all the celestials beginning with Parvati(the universal mother), expert at shattering the sorrow caused by birth etc. delights the hearts of Parvati, Nandi, Nava-nandanas and other devotees. He is Guruguha
Comments:
• This Kriti is in the sixth Vibhakti
• “SRngAra SaktyAyudha dhara” translates to Singaravelan in Tamil, as the lord is known in the Sikkal temple
• The Nava-Nandanas or Nava-Veeras are the sons of the Nava-Shaktis born by the grace of Shiva, and are Subrahmanya’s brothers. The eldest of them is Veerabahu. They assist him in war.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
पल्लवि
शृङ्गार – handsome
शक्ति-आयुध – Spear (Vel in Tamil) as the weapon
धर – holding
शरवणस्य – Saravana
दासो-अहं – Servant, I am
अनिशं – for ever
धन धान्य – wealth and grains
प्रदस्य – giver
समष्टि चरणम्
गङ्गा अमृत – The Ganga River water
पूरित घट- Filled pot
अभिषेकस्य – the one who is bathed in
गद्य – prose
पद्य- poetry
आदि – etc
नुत – euologise/glorify
कोमळ-तर पदस्य – lotus like feet
अङ्गारक-आदि – Planet mars etc
नव ग्रह – nine planets
वन्दितस्य – worshipped
आदि मध्य-अन्त रहित- beginning, middle and end
अप्रमेय – immeay
वरस्य – eminent
जगद्-अम्बिका- the Goddess of the world – Parvati
आदि सकल देवता – and all celestials included
मोहित – charms
जनन-आदि खेद भञ्जन चतुर-तरस्य – the expert at shattering the sorrow caused by birth etc.
नग राज सुता – the consort of the king of serpents – i.e., consort of Siva viz. – Parvati
नन्दि-ईश – the God Nandi
नव नन्द-आदि – भक्त जन- all devitees including the the sons of the nine Shaktis of Siva
अन्तः-करण- minds
आनन्द – pleasing
गुरु गुहस्य – Guru Guha (signature name of the composer)
The Panchakshara (पञ्चाक्षर) literally means “five letters” in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters Na, Ma, Śi, Vā and Ya. This is prayer to Lord Siva and is associated with Siva’s Mantra , OM Namah Sivaya of which is also called the Panchakshari Mantra.
Here is a translation in Tamil of the epic Sthothram by Adi Sankaracharya
Prabhu's Ponder 