The Sun—the heart of our solar system—is a yellow dwarf star, a hot ball of glowing gases.
Its gravity holds the solar system together, keeping everything from the biggest planets to the smallest particles of debris in its orbit. Electric currents in the Sun generate a magnetic field that is carried out through the solar system by the solar wind—a stream of electrically charged gas blowing outward from the Sun in all directions.
The connection and interactions between the Sun and Earth drive the seasons, ocean currents, weather, climate, radiation belts and aurorae. Though it is special to us, there are billions of stars like our Sun scattered across the Milky Way galaxy.
With a radius of 432,168.6 miles (695,508 kilometers), our Sun is not an especially large star—many are several times bigger—but it is still far more massive than our home planet: 332,946 Earths match the mass of the Sun. The Sun’s volume would need 1.3 million Earths to fill it.
I never get tired of seeing the Sun rise and the Sun set. Everyday I try and make it a point to watch the Sun Rise & Sun set. I am amazed at the splash of colors and contrast that Sun provides. I was fortunate to watch the Sun Rise from my apartment roof top on one fine morning. I have posted the video in the Photography Section of my blog.
Now, let us read carefully the above description of the Sun particularly on its critical role in the universe and relate them to the Verses that will follow on Sunday. From Verse 4 to Verse 25, Sage Agasthya brings out through his praise for Aditya, the features and characteristics of the Sun and its importance. One can see the striking similarity between the century old views to the scientific description. No wonder you will see temples for the Sun God in several States of India such as Orissa, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh , Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
rAvaNam – ravana (used as an object of the sentence)
ca – and
agrata: – in front of
dR^iShTvA – on seeing (Dhrusti – seeing)
yuddhAya – for the battle
Sam-upa-sthitam – standing prepared (‘Sam’ – popular prefix to indicate correctness/propreity – in this case, ravana is standing, correctly prepared to fight)
Meaning of the Verse
When Lord Rama (implicit subject of the sentence) is standing absorbed in thought, on the battlefield, as He is exhausted by the fight till now; seeing Ravana facing Him (in front of Him) duly prepared for the fight…
The Dictionary Definition of resilience is “ the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after defamation caused especially by compressive stress “ or “ the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change “. American Psychological Association defines it as a “ process of adapting well in the face of adversity “.
Resilience is always built through learning, not acquired as a gift. Harvard Business School professor Bill George in his book “ Discover your true North “ highlights the method of “revisiting your crucibles”, viz our earlier trials and tribulations to draw from our inner strengths and lessons learnt. This however is a post facto process. We survived the storm and then we realised that we survived. We use the learning in the next storm not knowing whether it helps or not.
In the thick of the adverse situations most of the times, we need someone to confirm to us that we have what it takes to be resilient. We long for help. Ancient Indian history brings out several such adverse situations where the Principal Character derives his/her inner strength through the advice from a either friend or a philosopher or guide. Arjuna in the Indian epic Mahabharata finds Lord himself as Krishna to help him with “Bhagwad Gita” to launch the successful war against the Kauravas.
On many occasions, Nature’s manifestations themselves will provide the necessary impetus to us to recharge ourselves and have a go at the challenges that we face. If such manifestations are explained by an eminent Philosopher/Saint/Guru at the adverse situation, then it is an accelerator for rejuvenation.
This is exactly the theme of my next series of blogs on “Aditya Hridayam” by the diminutive ancient Hindu Sage Agasthya where we will see how Lord Rama finds his inner strength to defeat the Lankan King Ravana on hearing the manifestations of Aditya (The Sun) in the other epic of Sage Valmiki’s “Ramayana”.
Again a word of caution – As a novice, I am neither an expert in languages nor have adequate knowledge of religion/spirituality. I am just a mind seeker.
Note: Based on the feedback received on my earlier blogs, I have added meaning of Sanskrit words & the meaning of the Verse in English. Needless to say that I haven’t put any effort in these two additions as they are reproduced with courtesy from the information available in books and the Worldwide web!
True to the Indian name “Bhanu” for Sun & Sunday, I will try and update this blog every Sunday
After presenting his worries, fears and apprehensions in the earlier verses, Sri Adi Sankara now directly appeals to Lord Subramanya that he depends on Him solely for mitigation of his problems & none else ( Verse 24). Sri Sankara then brings out the miraculous healing powers of the Sacred Ash (Vibhuti) presented as “Prasadam” in a leaf to the devotees (Verse 25). It is the firm belief of the devotees that applying the Sacred Ash (received in the leaf) over the affected areas of the body will result in significant mitigation.
A small write up about this leaf is presented at the end of this blog .
பக்திமிகு உன் துதிதனை தடுக்கும் என் மனம் உறை மாசினை
அறுத்தாட்கொள்வாய் விரைவினிலே உமை மைந்தா சண்முகனே!
Verse 25
अपस्मारकुष्टक्षयार्शः प्रमेह_
ज्वरोन्मादगुल्मादिरोगा महान्तः ।
पिशाचाश्च सर्वे भवत्पत्रभूतिं
विलोक्य क्षणात्तारकारे द्रवन्ते ॥२५॥
Apasmaara-Kusstta-Kssaya-Arshah Prameha_
Jvaro[a-U]nmaada-Gulma-Adi-Rogaa Mahaantah |
Pishaacaash-Ca Sarve Bhavat-Patra-Bhuutim
Vilokya Kssannaat-Taaraka-Are Dravante ||
வலிப்பு குஷ்டம் சயம் கபம் மூலம் குன்மம் ஜூரம் பிளவை எனும்
எல்லாப்பிணியுடன் வல்ல பூதபிசாசுகளும், இயலாமல்
எனைவிட்டு ஓடுவர் நில்லாது, அருளும் தாரகவதையோன்
எனைஆளும் முருகன் உன் இலைமடிதிருநீறு அணிந்தால்
पत्रभूतिं Patra-Bhuutim இலைமடிதிருநீறு Sacred Ash in leaf
Patra Vibhuti (Sacred Ash in a leaf)
‘Patra’ means leaf in Sanskrit. In Tiruchendur temple the Sacred Ash (vibhuti ) is kept on a leaf from the “Paneer Tree” ( Guettarda speciosa, colloquially called beach gardenia, or zebra wood, is a species of shrub in the family Rubiaceae) and offered as “prasadam” to the devotees.
The large oval-shaped leaves are 15–23 cm (6–9 in) long by 10–18 cm (4–7 in) wide. Dark green and smooth above with prominent paler veins, they are finely hairy underneath.
“ Now let us delineate on the miraculous healing power of patra bhuti.
The fragrance of this vibhuti is unique. We wonder whether the paneer leaf enhances the fragrance of Tiruchendur vibhuti. No matter what contributes, it is a fact that Tiruchendur vibhuti has the fragrance of divine grace.
After His victory over demon Surapadman and his army, Lord Murugan settled on the coast of Tiruchendur, shining and guiding like a lighthouse. The scriptures stand as paneer trees bearing testimony to His glory. So it is believed that the leaves of those trees have Vedic magical powers. Vibhuti contained in those leaves has miraculous healing power. The veins running across the leaves remind us of Lord Murugan’s twelve hands.
Sage Viswamitra suffered from severe dyspepsia, which he got for killing Tarakai through Lord Rama. Rama appeared in his dream and asked him to smear Chenthilandavan’s patra bhuti as atonement.
There was a remarkable incident in the life of Sri Adi Sankara which revealed the glory of patra bhuti. Abhinav Gupthar, who lost in the argument with Adi Sanakara cast a black magic spell on Adi Sankara which caused a chronic disease. Adi Sankara was staying in Gokarna in north Karnataka at that time. Lord Siva of Gokarna appeared in his dream and instructed him to go to Tiruchendur, the holy abode of HIs son Lord Muruga and get rid of his disease. On getting up he saw vibhuti, kept near him.As ordained by Kokarneswar he set off for Chendur. On reaching Chendur he took a dip in the sea and proceeded towards the shrine of Chenthilandavan. When he was praying fervently to Lord Muruga he saw the serpent, Adiseshan crawling towards the sanctum. At the same time he was blessed with the holy vision and words gushed out extemporaneously in bhujanga metre. In Sanskrit ‘bhujanga’ means snake. Bhujanga metre suggests a snake gliding along. He smeared his body with the patra bhuti prasadam and was soon cured of his disease.“
In the Verses 20-25 of Sri Subramanya Bhujangam, Adi Sankara brings out with full emotions, his personal worries, pains and difficulties. Here in this blog, Verses 20-23 are listed. While trying to understand the meaning of the verses, I was trying to recollect some of my interesting interactions with elders.
Irrespective of country, religion or gender, I have heard everyone say “I know that as a human being I have to die one day. All I want is to have a peaceful end. Without being a burden to anyone, I would like to live the rest of my life and reach the feet of Lord without prolonged illness”. Incidentally as a fellow senior citizen, my own view is precisely the same.
This 21st Century views of the elders, reinforces the sentiments that Sankara brought out in these Verses in the 8th Century, Sankara at his young age brings out the potential scenario that one faces in life at the time of death and seeks Divine interventions to ease one’s pains.
Needless to say that I was truly blank, speechless and emotional as I completed my work on these Verses and recollected the cool, calm and composed manner in which my own mother at her age of 94 and father at his age of 100, closed their eyes and faced the inevitable smilingly; while the former remained silent for 2 days before the end, the later even told me in the hospital bed 48 hours before the end, that he will reach the Lord’s feet in two days time!
அழிக்கவில்லை நீ அவனை, என் செய்வேன் எங்கு செல்வேன் நான்?
One can easily come out with an argument that Sankara wrote these verses out fear of his own death (due the acute distress he had due to the illness): a more insightful look at the verses will bring out clearly that Sankara brings out the fact the Lord will be there with you at the time of your end and there is no need to be afraid of the end.
In the previous two blogs we saw Adi Sankaracharya bringing out the locational significance about the place Thiruchendur, a panchayat town located at the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, in the Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district of Tamil Nadu and then moving over to the description of the principal deity Lord Subramanya, focusing on harnessing the organs with the power of God.
In the blogs to follow, Sri Sankara starts his Prayers of the deity. First he focuses on the Lord, then submits his personal difficulties and issues and finally seeks His grace and compassion.
Let us go through the first set of his prayers that focuses on the Lord.
Verse 17
स्फुरद्रत्नकेयूरहाराभिरामः
चलत्कुण्डलश्रीलसद्गण्डभागः ।
कटौ पीतवास करे चारुशक्ति
पुरस्तान्ममास्तां पुरारेस्तनूज ॥१७॥
Sphurad-Ratna-Keyuura-Haara-Abhiraamah
Calat-Kunnddala-Shrii-Lasad-Ganndda-Bhaagah |
Kattau Piita-Vaasa Kare Caaru-Shakti
Purastaan-Mamaas-Taam Puraares-Tanuuja ||
ஒளி மிகு ரத்தினக் காப்பணிந்து எழில் மிகு முத்து மாலையுடன்
Verses 8-16 provides the description of the Lord Subramanya’s beautiful form “Paadaadikesam” (from his feet to his crown). Very often, as a novice I wonder as to why in most of the Slokas (Verses) about the Hindu Gods, a section is devoted to describe the form of the God in His/Her full splendor. Perhaps it signifies that the five action and five sense organs of human beings are directly related to the five elements of Nature and it is the bounden duty of the human being to identify & tune his senses and actions with Nature. But one common thread that I see in these Slokas is the unequivocal “affectionate mental disposition and purity of thoughts, a “sine qua non” for Devotion. Here is Sankara’ description of Karthikeya.
Verse 8
लसत्स्वर्णगेहे नृणां कामदोहे
सुमस्तोमसंछत्रमाणिक्यमञ्चे ।
समुद्यत्सहस्रार्कतुल्यप्रकाशं
सदा भावये कार्तिकेयं सुरेशम् ॥८॥
Lasat-Svarnna-Gehe Nrnnaam Kaama-Dohe
Suma-Stoma-Samchatra-Maannikya-Man.ce |
Sam-Udyat-Sahasra-Arka-Tulya-Prakaasham
Sadaa Bhaavaye Kaartikeyam Sure[a-Ii]sham ||8||
பொலிக்கும் தங்க உறைவினிலே நிறையும் அன்பர்க்கருள்புரியோனே
Aadi Sankaracharya the proponent of the Advaitha (Advaitha – not two in the literal meaning) philosophy, encouraged people to follow the route of Devotion (Bhakti) to the Lord for salvation by writing several Slokas about Hindu Gods.
In his work “ Sivananda Lahari”, Adi Sankara defines Devotion (Bhakti) in several Verses quoting examples of both Advaitha and Dwaitha philosophy (bhava). Pl ref Verse 61 in my earlier blog wherein Sri Sankara brings out the relationship between the Ankola tree & its seeds, the Magnet & iron particles as the “Dwaitha Bhava” approach and the example of river & sea as the “Advaitha Bhava” approach to Devotion (Bhakti). He also reiterated that ““Affectionate mental disposition and the purity of the devotion is the key” to salvation by quoting example of the actions of a hunter as an ardent devotee in Verse 63 of Sivananda Lahari
Sri Subramanya Bhujangam is a classic example of that affectionate mental disposition and purity wherein Sri Sankara was drawn to the abode of Lord Subramanya in the coastal village of Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu & comes out with brilliant smooth flowing verses like the serpentine moves.
Let us examine the Verses
Verse 2
न जानामि शब्दं न जानामि चार्थं
न जानामि पद्यं न जानामि गद्यम् ।
चिदेका षडास्या हृदि द्योतते मे
मुखान्निःसरन्ते गिरश्चापि चित्रम् ॥२॥
Na Jaanaami Shabdam Na Jaanaami Ca-Artham
Na Jaanaami Padyam Na Jaanaami Gadyam |
Cid-Ekaa Ssaddaasyaa Hrdi Dyota-Te Me
Mukhaan-Nihsarante Girash-Ca-Api Citram ||
சொல் அறியேன் உட்பொருள் அறியேன்
கவி அறியேன் உரைநடையறியேன் – என்
உள்ளமுறை இதயத்தில் ஆறுமுகம் கண்டேனாதலால்
சொற்பல உதிர்த்திட்டேன் வாய்வழியாய் !
—————————————————
Verse 3
मयूराधिरूढं महावाक्यगूढं
मनोहारिदेहं महच्चित्तगेहम् ।
महीदेवदेवं महावेदभावं
महादेवबालं भजे लोकपालम् ॥३॥
Mayuura-Adhiruuddham Mahaa-Vaakya-Guuddham
Manohaari-Deham Mahac-Citta-Geham |
Mahii-Deva-Devam Mahaa-Veda-Bhaavam
Mahaa-Deva-Baalam Bhaje Loka-Paalam ||
மயில் வாகனமேறி உயர்வாக்கின் உட்பொருளாகி
அழகுடல் கொண்டு அடியோரின் உளம் உறைந்து
அமரர்தம் தலையாகி ஆதிநூட்களின் உணர்வாகி
உமையோனின் மகனாகி உலகோரைக் காப்போனே
———————————————————
Verse 4
यदा संनिधानं गता मानवा मे
भवाम्भोधिपारं गतास्ते तदैव ।
इति व्यञ्जयन्सिन्धुतीरे य आस्ते
तमीडे पवित्रं पराशक्तिपुत्रम् ॥४॥
Yadaa Samnidhaanam Gataa Maanavaa Me
Bhava-Ambhodhi-Paaram Gataas-Te Tadai[a-E]va |
Iti Vyan.jayan-Sindhu-Tiire Ya Aaste
Tam-Iidde Pavitram Paraashakti-Putram ||
உன்னடி பணிந்தோர் கடந்தனர் பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் எனும் உண்மையை
Recently I was going through a series of “challenges” in life. Quite naturally I was forced to think as to how on earth others manage when they face challenges in life.
As my focus prior to the “challenges” was Srimad Bhagwadpada Adi Sankaracharya, I was wondering as to what he would have done. The answer was there right for me in the origin of his yet another legendary flow of Bhakti in Sanskrit language this time on Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Siva – “Subramanya Bhujangam”
Tamil Scholars such as Sri. A.V.R. Krishnaswamy have already written in Tamil all the Verses. Yet as a novice I wanted to venture and seek the Blessings of Lord Subramanya.
I have started studying the Slokas and will post my blogs as and when I am confident of my work.
Prabhu's Ponder 