“There are in the Upanishads, intimations of Krama-Mukti or the progressive process of the liberation of the soul.
The Upanishads are emphatic in their statements that one who reaches through unselfish meditation and knowledge this Supreme Cause does not return to the mortal coil, but proceeds further to the Absolute Reality.
The Mundaka Upanishad says that the sages in the world of Brahma are liberated beyond death in the end of time. Those who attain the world of the Karya-Brahman remain there until the end of the universe, enjoying the effects of their "Satyakamas" and "Satyasankalpas", the fruits of their desires and willings based on Truth. Whatever they wish arises then and there instantaneously, for they are in harmony with the Universal Being. They enjoy the highest approximation to the bliss of the Lord of the universe”.
This is what Bhattathri is highlighting in this Sloka 11.
துருவமண்டலம், கிரமமுக்திவிழை உன் பக்தர்கள் பரமனே, !!
Meaning in English
O Lord! Thy devotee who follows the Krama Mukti path is led by the presiding deities of fire, day time, the bright fortnight, and Uttaraayana to the plane of the sun and enjoying in each of these spheres reaches the realm of Dhruva
The culmination of eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (Rajah Yoga) after passing through the other seven (the Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara and Dharana, Dhyana) is Samadhi.
Samadhi is attained through Samyama as discussed in previous posts, which is the combination of the last three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga ( Dharana, Dhyana , Samadhi). Samadhi is total absorption on the object being contemplated on using Dharana to keep the mind unwavering on the one object until the movement of the mind stops.
The eventual and ultimate form of Samadhi, is where there is no object to be contemplated on, and the movement of the mind (known in Sanskrit is vritti) stops.Through the previous eight Shlokas, Bhattathri outlined the steps of attaining Nirvikalpa samadhi, a meditative state of total absorption and bliss, through Ashtanga Yoga techniques.
This Samadhi is the eighth and final step on the path of ashtanga yoga.The state of nirvikalpa samadhi can only be attained by advanced practitioners, who have progressed through previous stages such as dharana (concentration) and dhyana(meditation).
In this and in the subsequent Slokas, Bhattathri now talks about two types of liberation (Mukti).
1. sadyomukti - sadyaH means immediate, at once, at the very moment. The moment referred to here is the instant of full, right knowledge of Brahman-Atman. 2. krama mukti --- meaning gradual mukti or mukti in stages; progressive effort towards liberation
Let us try to understand these Slokas in this and subsequent blogs.
Sanskrit Verse
त्वत्समाधिविजये तु य: पुनर्मङ्क्षु मोक्षरसिक: क्रमेण वा ।
உயர்த்திவிடுவர் தம் பிராணமதை பிறப்பிலா பெருமானே! 4.9
Meaning in English
O Birthless Lord! After one achieves Thee in Samaadhi, he can opt for immediate liberation or gradual liberation. Accordingly through the power of yoga he raises up his vital breath through the six centres along the Sushumnaa Naadi
Oh Lord of the universe, we would attain then the state of Samadhi,Which is the state, where Brahmam is experienced,And when we slip away from this perfect state , We would again restart for attaining it from beginning. 4.7
O Lord of the Universe! When I have attained that state of experiencing Thee as the Brahman, i.e. Nirvikalpa Samaadhi, if I slip down from that state, I shall again start the meditation process from Dhaarana onwards
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
तत्-समास्वदन-रूपिणीम् स्थितिं - the state of immediate experience of Brahman
त्वत्-समाधिम् - (thus established in) Samadhi in Thee
अयि विश्वनायक - O Lord of the Universe!
आश्रिता: - having attained (that Samadhi)
पुन:-अत: - again from there
परिच्युतौ - (when ever my mind) slips down from it
आरभेमहि च - then I shall resort (again)
धारणा-आदिकम् - (from) the practice of Dhaarna etc.
O Lord! By thus performing dhyaana on Thee and getting captivated by the sweetness of Thy formful aspect (Saguna), I shall enjoy the concentrated bliss of Thy impersonal aspect (Nirguna), which shines as the Brahman.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
ध्यायतां – to those who meditate (on)
सकल-मूर्तिम्-ईदृशीम् – such a formful aspect (the Saguna form)
उन्मिषन्-मधुरता-हृत्-आत्मनाम् – (and so) experiencing sweetness whose minds are captivated
सान्द्र-मोद-रस-रूपम् – (of that) form which is concentrated inward joy and bliss
अन्तरम् – introvert (not based on contacts with external objects)
ब्रह्म रूपम्-अयि ते – O Lord! Thy (Nirguna) aspect as Brahman
O Lord! I, Thy devotee, by long practice will be able to visualize in my mind Thy beautiful form with all limbs clear and vivid. So I will devote myself to meditation, without any effort, always surrendering to Thee.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
विस्फुट-अवयव-भेद-सुन्दरं - with distinctly clear limbs and very beautiful
त्वत्-वपु:- Thy form
सुचिर-शीलनावशात् - by long practice
अश्रमं मनसि - without any effort in the mind
चिन्तयाम - (I) we shall contemplate
ध्यान-योग-निरता:- intent on meditation
त्वत्-आश्रयाः - (I) we who have taken refuge in Thee
asphuTe vapuShi te prayatnatO dhaarayema dhiShaNaaM muhurmuhuH |
tena bhaktirasamantaraardrataamudvahema bhavadanghrichintakaaH || 4
Meaning in Tamil
துவக்கத்தில் தெளிவிலா யானறிந்த உன் வடிவமதில் துவங்கிடுவேன் என் மனதை நிலை நிறுத்தி தியானம் தொடருவேன் கடின அப் பணிதனை இடைவிடாது அடிபற்றுவேன் உன்னிரு திருப்பாதம் அதன் முடிவில் அடைவேன் பக்திப் பேரின்பமுடன் கனிவான மனது 4.4
Meaning in English
O Lord! I will then start meditating on Thee. Initially with great effort I shall try to fix my mind on Thy form, which will be vague in the beginning. Practicing thus again and again I shall attain bliss of devotion and tenderness of heart
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
अस्फुटे वपुषि ते - on the hazily perceived form of Thine
प्रयत्नत: - with great effort
धारये - (I) we shall fix
धिषणां - the mind
मुहु: मुहु: - again and again
तेन - by (doing) this
भक्तिरसम्-अन्त: - आर्द्रताम् - melting of the heart through the bliss of devotion
उद्वहेम - shall attain
भवत्-अङ्घ्रिचिन्तका: - (I) (we who) meditate on Thy holy feet
O Lord! by regulating my breath through Pranayama and having purified myself I will continuously chant the Pranava (Om) mantra mentally. Thus, withdrawing my senses from the sense objects, and being purified, I will prepare myself for meditation on Thee.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
तारम्-अन्तरम्-अनुचिन्त्य Pranava (Om) in the mind repeating
सन्ततं continuously
प्राण-वायुम्-अभियम्य the breath thus regulating
निर्मला: and being purified
इन्द्रियाणि विषयात्- sense organs from the sense objects
अथ-अपहृत्य then withdrawing
आस्महे (I) we will be
भवत् उपासन-उन्मुखा: for meditating on Thee, prepared
Self control and purity of Body/Mind (“Yama and Niyama”) are the “sine qua non” for beginning Ashtanga Yoga. This is followed by correct postures (“aasanaas”).
After seeking the Divine Grace, Bhattathri outlines these steps in Sloka 2 of Dasakam 4 of Sriman Narayaneeyam.
சுய கட்டுப்பாடு மற்றும் உடல்/மனத்தின் தூய்மை (“யமா மற்றும் நியமா”) – இவை இரண்டும், அட்டசித்தி (அஷ்டாங்க) யோகத்தின் முதல் படிகள். இதைத் தொடர்ந்து சரியான “ஆசனங்கள்”.
ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணீயத்தின் தசகம் 4, முதல் ஸ்லோகத்தில் தெய்வீக அருளை வேண்டிய பிறகு, இரண்டாவது ஸ்லோகத்தில், பட்டத்திரி இந்த வழிமுறைகளை கோடிட்டுக் காட்டுகிறார்.
ஈரைது இயமமுடன் தன்னடக்கநிலைபூண்டு அனுதின நியமமுடன் தூயநிலை அடைந்து சுக, கமல ஆசனங்கள் புரிந்து உனை துதித்து உளம் உன்னில் நிறுத்திடுவாம் உலகுய்வோனே! 4.2
Meaning in English
O Lord!I (we all (the devotees) will strictly follow the discipline of Yama (self control) by practice of Brahmcharya etc. and also the discipline of Niyama (rules of right conduct) through routines of daily bath etc. and attain purity of body and mind. I (we) will then practice steady postures (Asanaa) like Sukhaasanaa and Padmaasanaa etc. for meditating on Thee.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
ब्रह्मचर्य-ढृढता-आदिभि:-यमै:- through the observances of disciplines of self control like strict continence etc.
आप्लव-आदि-नियमै:-च and daily bath like rules of right conduct
O Lord! Bestow on me just that much of health necessary to worship Thee. Then I shall practice the eight-limbed yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) and earn Thy grace.
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
कल्यतां – health; मम – for me; कुरुष्व – kindly bestow; तावतीं – (at least) that much; कल्यते – (by which) I can perform; भवत्-उपासनं – worship of Thee; यया – by which; स्पष्टम्- definitely; अष्ट-विध-योग-चर्यया – by practicing the eight limbed yoga (Ashtanga Yoga); पुष्टय-आशु – (I will) be nourished soon; तव तुष्टिम् – (with) Thy grace; आप्नुयाम् – I will attain i
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