Pranam to all devotees:

So far we have covered the first sloka of Ashtasloki.
In the First Sloka, Sri parasara bhattar covers the three letters contained in
the Pranavam,"OM".'ah', 'ooh' and 'ma'.
In this post we start with sloka 2:
This verse explains the meaning of the second word 'namaha'in Thiurmantram. ["Om
Namo Naaraayanaaya".]
Sloka 2:================================================ ==Mantra brahmaNi
madhyamEna namasA pumsa: swarUpam gati: gamyam SikshitamIkshitEna purata:
paschAdapi sthAnata: svAtantryam nijarakshaNam cha samuchitA vrttiScha
nAnyOchitA tasyaivEti harE: vivichya kathitam svasyApi nArham
tata:============================================= =====
Mantra brahmani: in the lofty mantra, ThirumantrumMadyamena : fixed
at the centre (middle part)Purathaha ekshithena namasa the word
'namaha'which is joined with the earlier
word, Pranavam 'om'
Pumsaha of the jeevatma (soul)Swaroopam the
original natureSikshitham is defined Sthanathaha ekshithene
namasa
by doubling itself in its own place the
word 'namaha' becomes 'namo namaha'Gathihi
sikshithaha the means is definedPaschathapi ekshithena namasa the
word 'namaha'by Joining with the next
word 'narayana'Gamiyam sikshitham the goal is defined
By these definitions we get the meanings
of:-==========================================(a)swath antriyam - how the
independence of the soul is to be understood(b)
Nijarakshanam – how can the soul look after itself or protect s
itself(c)Samuchitha vridhihi cha – the kind of service to be rendered akin to
the subservience of the soul and to whom the service is to be rendered. (all
these facts)
Thasya hahayhe-eva all belong to Lord only (all the three(a) (b)
and (c) mentioned above belong only to Lord is the meaning
Anyochitha-na these are not for anybody elseIthi
in this mannerVivichya gathitham
clarified and toldTha-tha-ha therefore
Swasya-api arham-na the three (a, b & c) are not for
self also is the deeper meaning
================================================== ==
This verse explains the meaning of the second word 'namaha' in the Thirumantram.
There are two ways of understanding the word. The two letters 'na' and 'ma' are
taken together as one word 'nama' or they are taken individually.
When taken individually the letter 'ma' means to me. The letter 'na' negates
this meaning. Thus not to me is the meaning.
The function of the word 'nama' is to identify and also remove the unwanted
meaning (virodhi kazidal). The obstacle in the way is removed.
There are three types of 'virodhi' or obstacles. The knowledge with which we are
concerned is about the nature of the soul (swaroopam of jeevatma), means to
attain the goal (upayam) and the goal itself (purushartham).
Each one has an obstacle or a limiting factor which are described as 'virodhi'.
The meaning derived for the word 'namaha' does dispel the doubt or blemish about
each and thus clears all misunderstandings.
Let us examine how this is achieved.
The syllable 'om' teaches us (covered in previous postings)that the nature of
jeevatma is to remain subservient to Paramatma (seshatvam). The obstacles for
this nature of the soul are ego and the feeling of mine. To remain subservient
one should get rid of ahankara and mamakara. The word 'nama' (not belong to me)
taken as one word along with 'om' asserts that the jeevatma does not belong to
itself and thereby establishes the position that => it belongs "only" to
Paramatma and remain subservient to Him onlyThe jeevan is dependent on
Paramatma and is looking /waiting for His grace for its liberation. If the soul
resorts to undertake any "self" action to reach the Lord, it is an obstacle for
achieving the goal.
The letter 'namaha' taken as one word (salutations to you) represent the means
(upayam) and the same word taken as 'na' and 'ma' gives the meaning that the
means does not belong to me.
If any feeling that the jeeva is trying for its liberation is entertained, then
it is an obstacle for the liberation.
The 'nama' removes this feeling and make the means (He alone is the saviour) free from any defect.
========================================
We continue with Verse 2 in the next post.Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar
Thiruvadigale SaranamRamanuja Dasan
VP Srinivasa Varadan