Guest guest Report post Posted April 24, 2002 SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha // SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha // SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/ SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya// KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: / SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm// =============================================================== SRI RANGA SRI VOL 03 / ISSUE 26 dated 24th April 2002 =============================================================== EDITORIAL: Dear Bhagavatas: IIN THIS ISSUE: 1. REPORT ON BHAGAVAD RAMANUJA JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT SHIVA- VISHNU TEMPLE, LANHAM, MARYLAND ON 21ST APRIL 2002 JOINTLY BY SWAMI DESIKA DARSANA SATSANGAM (SDDS), SRI RAMANUJA MISSION OF SRIRANGAM SRIMATH ANDAVAN ASHRAMAM (SRM), SRI PARAKALA MATAM, SRI AHOBILA MATAM, SRI VEDANTA DESIKA SABHA, INTERNATIONAL RAMANUJA SOCIETY, VEDICS, AND NAMA UNDER THE AUSPICES OF SRI SIVA-VISHNU TEMPLE, WASHINGTON DC. ------ 2. “SRIMAD GOPALA DESIKA MAHA DESIKA VIMSATI” – PREFACE A POETIC TRIBUTE TO SRIMAD ANDAVAN OF SRI POUNDARIKAPRAM SWAMI ASHRAMAM By Sri C. G. Balaji - Part 1. {Sri Balaji is the grandson of Sri N.S. Anatha Rangachar Swami of Bangalore and a Sishya of Parakala Matam} ------ The first 4 Parts of the following series appeared in Volume 3 / Issues 22, 23, 24 and 25. 3. “RAMAPIRANAI KARPOM” EXCERPTS FROM BOOK BY H.H. SRIMAD ANDAVAN OF POUNDARIKAPURAM SWAMI ASHRAMAM” – Part 5 (Translation by Anbil Ramaswamy) in which we presented in the form of catechism, 11 questions raised and answered by H.H. In this Issue, we present the questions 12 to 17 and their answers by H.H. ------Q.12. There is a blessing, which says “padinaarum petru peu vaazhu vaazhavum” meaning, “May you acquire all the 16 auspicious things in your life and lead a wholesome life”. What are these 16 things? Q.13. If God is everywhere, why should we go to temples? Q.14. How long did Rama rule? Q.15. Srimad RamayaNa has 2 other names. What are they? Q.16. It is said that we are never alone, even while in solitude. There are witnesses that stand witness all our actions. Who are these witnesses? Q.17. Saastras condone uttering a lie in certain circumstances. What are those circumstances? ======================================================================= 4. DESIKAMRUTHAM – SWAMI DESIKA’S “SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SAARAM” –The Peerless Preceptor – Part 5 By Sri Sadagopan Iyengar Swami ------ 5. DESIKAMRUTHAM – SWAMI DESIKA’S SIMILES “UPAMA” –Part 5 (Anbil Ramaswamy) ======================================================================== 6. “FROM MAHABHARATA – “YAKSHA PRASNAM” (By Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami). In the last Issue (Issue #25), we commenced a series on this subject. In this Issue, we present Part 2 thereof. =============================================================== FOR YOUR INFORMATION: ====================== I. MEMBERSHIP: We are glad to inform that thanks to the recommendations of our existing members, the membership of “Sri Ranga Sri” has risen to over 1400. WE REPEAT OUR STANDING REQUEST: The issues have been archived for public view at . We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived in the “Files” Section and view the Contents at “srsindex.html” (Not the individual postings allowed to encourage "Reader participation"). We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the contents. IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of “Sri Ranga Sri”: IF you are NOT already a member- Please send an email to - "-Subscribe (AT) (DOT) com" IF you are a member and if you are satisfied with the quality and contents of “Sri Ranga Sri”: Tell your friends to join by sending an email to – "-Subscribe (AT) (DOT) com" IF not: Tell us, as to how we may improve. ------ II. INDEX OF FILES: We invite your kind attention to the Index of Files for Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of “Sri Ranga Sri” (uploaded and maintained by Sri Diwakar Kannan from California, USA Volume 1 (Issues 1 to 27): SrirangaSri%20Index/srs-vol1-ind\ ex.html Volume 2 (Issues 1 to 15): SrirangaSri%20Index/srs-vol2-ind\ ex.html Volume 3 (Issues 1 to 26 Current): SrirangaSri%20Index/srs-vol3-ind\ ex.html Kindly also peruse the following files at the sites indicated: http://members.tripod.com/~sriramanujar (Maintained by Sri Madhava Kannan from Singapore) - Biography of Bhagavad Ramanuja - Biography of Swami Desika - Acharya Vamsa Vriksham and Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram and other links, http://www.srivaishnava.org/sgati/ (Maintained by Sri Venkatesh Elayavalli from California, USA) SDDS Volume 1 / Issues 1 to 33 SDDS Volume 2 / Issues 1 to 26 SDDS Volume 3 / Issue 1 SaraNAgati Vol. 1 / Issues 1 - 24 SaraNAgati Vol. 2 / Issues 1 - 04 “Hinduism Rediscovered” and other links http://www.srivaishnavam.com (Maintained by Sri R.M. Venkat from Bahrain) Dasavatara Stotram Meaning and other links (More to follow) Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy, Editor & Publisher, “Sri Ranga Sri” ==================================================================== 1. REPORT ON BHAGAVAD RAMANUJA JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT SHIVA- VISHNU TEMPLE, LANHAM, MARYLAND ON 21ST APRIL 2002 JOINTLY BY SWAMI DESIKA DARSANA SATSANGAM (SDDS), SRI RAMANUJA MISSION OF SRIRANGAM SRIMATH ANDAVAN ASHRAMAM (SRM), SRI PARAKALA MATAM, SRI AHOBILA MATAM, SRI VEDANTA DESIKA SABHA, INTERNATIONAL RAMANUJA SOCIETY, VEDICS, AND NAMA UNDER THE AUSPICES OF SRI SIVA-VISHNU TEMPLE, WASHINGTON DC. ------ FIRST TIME EVER A JOINT CELEBRATION OF ALL GROUPS: This is the first time ever when almost all the Srivaishnava groups in USA and elsewhere came together to jointly celebrate Sri Bhagavad Ramanuja Jayanti. It was well attended by devotees from Coast to Coast of the USA and was celebrated with great éclat. On a rough estimate, about 100 devotees with their family members and friends participated in the celebrations and stayed from beginning to end of the proceedings. SEVA KAALAM & TIRUMANJANAM: The functions started with Seva Kalam and Tirumanjanam to the moorthis of Bhagavad Ramanuja (brought by Sri Ramanuja Mission-SRM) and Swami Vedanta Desika (brought by Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam- SDDS) PAADUKA AARAADHANAM: Then followed Paaduka Aaraadhanam of Paadukas of all Acharyas belonging to Periyaashramam, Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam, Ahobila Matam, Parakala Matam, and Tennaacharyas brought to the venue by the Sishyas of the various Ashramams and Matams. This was a sight for Gods to see. SATRUMURAI & ACHARYA SAMBAVANAI The Satrumaurai and Acharya Sambavanais from Perumal and Thayar down to the Prakritam Acharyas of all the Srivaishnava institutions. VAZHI TIRUNAMAM & MANGALAM Vaazhi Tirunaamam and Mangalam followed this. PROCESSION TO THE SANCTUM OF TIRUNVENKATAMUDAIYAN The Moorthis of Bhagavad Ramanuja and Swami Desika were taken in procession with Goshtis reciting Divya Prabandams and Veda PaaraayaNams in the traditional manner. THEERTHA GOSHTI AND SATARI The religious events concluded with Theertha Goshti and SaTaari. CULTURAL PROGRAM Kids from 3 years to 12 years of age staged a presentation of Dasaavatarams of the Lord. The costumes were appropriate and offered a feast to the eyes while the music on the Avataras was melodious and was a real feast to the ears. PRASADAM: A fabulous feast of Prasadam prepared with great care and affection by the lady members was distributed to all the attendees. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Sri Nadadur Mathavan, Secretary of Sri Ramanuja Mission, delivered The Keynote address on Bhagavad Ramanuja. DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUAL KAINKARYA AWARDS Sri Poondi Vijayaraghavan, President Sri Ramanuja Mission (SRM) explained the background of the institution of the Annual recognition awards to 2 Bhagavatas who had done outstanding Kainkaryams. Sri Anbil Ramaswamy, President of Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam (SDDS) presented the plaques of awards to: - Sri Sundar Kidambi of “Prapatti.com” for his assembling all the Stotras in several languages for easy retrieval and Tele- Stotra classes he has been conducting to educate those interested and to - Smt. & Sri Deepak Raghavan for their unstinted help and encouragement to the release of the CDs 4, 5 and 6 of Swami Desika Stotras rendered by Sri Shyam Srinivasan and his brother Sri Venkat Srinivasan. VOTE OF THANKS The function concluded with a vote of thanks by Sri Kesavan Kannan, Treasurer, SRM. MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR GUESTS Sri Balaji Ramanujam, as the master of ceremonies conducted the proceedings with consummate skill and ensured a very orderly and serene atmosphere befitting the occasion. The numerous outstation attendees were placed as guests of local hosts who enthusiastically arranged for their pick up and drop off and comfortable stay and excelled in “Athithi Sathkaaram” ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ 2.“SRIMAD GOPALA DESIKA MAHA DESIKA VIMSATI” – PREFACE A POETIC TRIBUTE TO SRIMAD ANDAVAN OF SRI POUNDARIKAPRAM SWAMI ASHRAMAM By Sri C. G. Balaji - Part 1. {Sri Balaji is the grandson of Sri N.S. Ananta Rangachar Swami of Bangalore and a Sishya of Parakala Matam} ------ A hymn sung on the glories of Asmadacharyar Shrimath Paravakkottai Poundarikapuram Shrimad Andavan, Shrimath Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan (Panguni – Rohini) "SRIMATH GOPALA DESHIKA VIMSHATI" - PREFACE This is a small work with 32 verses in English along with commentary. This work has been delineated to celebrate asmad swamy’s twenty years of acharya peetaadhipatyam. The first few verses glorify the acharya paramparai or preceptor lineage. This is then continued with the Vimshati (20 verses) sung on asmadacharyar, Paramahamsetyadi Paravakkottai Poundarikapuram Srimath Andavan, Srimath Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan. The work is finally concluded by acharya vandanam and acharya mangalam. This work has six sections. The structure of this work is as follows - Section 1 - Sriman Narayana and Sri Maha Lakshmi - 2 verses Section 2 - Aasthana Perumal - Lakshmi Hayavadana - 1 verse Section 3 - Nammazhwar, Ramanuja and Deshikan - 3 verses Section 4 - Thirukkudanthai Gopalaarya Deshikan - 1 verse Section 5 - The three acharyas of asmad acharyar – 3 verses Section 6 – Vimshati on asmadacharyar, Srimath Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan, celebrating his glories – 20 verses Lastly acharya vandanam and acharya mangalam - 2 verses. Totally, 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 20 + 2 = 32 verses. It is only the parama kataaksham and anugraham of Swamy that has made adiyen attempt to celebrate Swamy’s glories. Swamy’s anugraham is so powerful that it can even make an unworthy being like adiyen attempt to extol him. Adiyen takes responsibility for all the mistakes present in this work and at the same time requests the merciful indulgence of asmad Swamy and Bhaagavathas in forgiving the same. With these words adiyen humbly presents this garland of verses at the feet of his master, Srimath Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan. Achaarya-charanaambuja-daasa: 08-02-2002 Maasi poorvaashada Rajivaaksha dasan, (Balaji C G) (To Continue) ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ 2. “RAMAPIRANAI KARPOM” EXCERPTS FROM BOOK BY H.H. SRIMAD ANDAVAN OF POUNDARIKAPURAM SWAMI ASHRAMAM” (Translation by Anbil Ramaswamy) in which we presented in the form of catechism, 11 questions raised and answered by H.H. In this Issue, we present questions 12 to 17 and their answers by H.H. ------ Q.12. There is a blessing, which says “padinaarum petru peu vaazhu vaazhavum” meaning, “May you acquire all the 16 beneficial things in your life and lead a wholesome life”. What are these 16 things? Answer: They are: - 1. Fame (Pugazh) 2. Education (Kalvi) 3. Firmness of mind (Mana Urudi) 4. Victory (Vetri) 5. Progeny ( Puthra Santhadi) 6. Bravery (ThuNivu) 7. Wealth (Dana Sampath) 8. Granary ( Dhaanya Sampath) 9. Prosperity Soubaaghyam) 10. Comforts (Sukhaanubhavam) 11. Intelligence (Arivu) 12. Greatness (Perumai) 13. Good family life (NarkuDi) 14. Health ( AarOghyam) 15. Longevity ( Dheergha aayus) and 16. Discernment (Buddhi koormai) Q. 13. If god is everywhere, why should we go to temples? Answer: Though there is water everywhere, we dig wells etc. and draw water from there for consumption. Likewise, though God is everywhere (even in our heart as antharyaami), we need temples to constantly remind us of His presence. Q.14. How long did Rama rule? Answer: Rama ruled for 11,000 years as seen from the Sloka Dasa varsha sahasraaNi Dasa varsha sathaani cha / Vatsyaami maanushE lOkE paalayan prithveem imaam // Q.15. Srimad Ramayana has 2 other names. What are they? Answer: They are- (1) “Sitaayaa; Charitam” (Sirai IrundavaL Yetram) and (2) “Poulatsya vadam” Q.16. It is said that we are never alone, even while in solitude those are witnesses to all our actions. Who are these witnesses? Answer: There are 14 witnesses as seen from the following Sloka: “ Aaditya chandrou anila analas cha dhyou bhoomi aapa: hridayam yamas cha / ahas cha raatris cha ubhE cha sandhyE dharmOpi jaanaati narasya vriththam //” 1. Aaditya (Sun) 2. Chandra: (Moon) 3. Anila: (Windgod) 4. Anala: (Firegod) 5. Dhyou (Celestials) 6. Bhoomi (Earth) 7. Aapa: (Deity presiding over the Waters) 8. Hridayam (One’s own heart or conscience) 9. Yama: (God of death) 10. Ahas: (Presiding deity of the day) 11. Raatri: (Presiding deity of night) 12 & 13 UbhE cha SandhyE (Deities presiding over Dawn and Dusk) and 14. Dharama: (Justice) Q.17. Saastras provide for uttering lie in certain circumstances. What are those circumstances? Answer: There are 5 circumstances when a lie is not considered a lie, as per the following Sloka in Dharma Saastra. Vivaaha kaalE rathi samprayOgE praaNaathyayE sarva dhanaapahaarE / Mitrasyacha aarthEpi anrutham vadEyu: pancha anrutaani aahuh a-paatakaani // 1. Wedding (vivaha kaalE) 2. Conjugal enjoyment (rathi samprayOgE) 3. When faced with danger for life (PraaNathyayE) 4. When one is robbed of all one possesses (Sarva DhanaapahaarE) 5. For protecting a friend from danger (Mitrasya aarththE) In these circumstances, a lie is considered harmless (a-paatakaani)! (To Continue) ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ 4. DESIKAMRUTHAM – SWAMI DESIKA’S “SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SAARAM” By Sri Sadagopan Iyengar Swami The Peerless Preceptor- Part 5 ------------------------------- The greatest efforts of Emperuman at emancipating mankind is through the Azhwars, who, through their divya prabandas, made the ordinary mortals realize what a great treasure awaited them during and after this life of trials and tribulations, if only they cared to learn about and develop devotion for the Lord. Perhaps the Lord realized that His incarnations as Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, etc. had but a limited effect on samsArIs, and while they listened to Him in awe while He was with them, they quickly forgot Him and returned to their errant ways, once the avatara was concluded. Realizing the inefficacy of being born as a Supreme Being for the purpose of uplifting people, the Lord devised the ploy of taking birth as one of the proletariat, so to say, in the hope that people would listen to their peers. And thus were born the Azhwars, some of them in superior castes, some in inferior ones, and belonging to diverse occupations, having but two things in common-intense love for SrIman Narayana, and the immensely generous intellects that made them share their experiences in divinity with anybody who would listen. Occasionally, when we are subject to an uplifting experience, we feel like sharing it with our near and dear, to make them too experience our thrills, at least secondhand. This was the state of Azhwars too- they were not content to keep their enlightening experiences to themselves, but invited everybody from the rooftop, to partake of the nectar they had discovered. “ToNdeer elleerum vAreer, tozhudu tozhudu nindru Artthum” invites Sri Nammazhwar. “EngaL kuzhAm pugundu koodu manam udai tondar uLLEEr vandu ollai kooduminO” adds Sri PeriAzhwar. “SonnAl virOdham idu, Agilum solluvan kELminO”- Sri Nammazhwar exhorts all to listen to words of wisdom, though unpalatable. The more one goes through the Divya Prabandas, the more one is convinced about their being UpadEsa GranthAs (manuals of instruction) rather than Anubhava GranthAs (Records of Experience). And as the Azhwars themselves attest, they spoke and sang but as a voice of the Lord, and it was He who entered them and made them sing His praise. Sri Nammazhwar says so at several places in TiruvAimozhi- “ paNNAr pAdal inkavigaL YanAi tannai tAn pAdi”, “en nAvinuLAnE” etc. It is thus clear that Emperuman’s greatest instructional effort was to be born again as Azhwars. Swami Desikan graphically describes the immeasurable contribution of the Azhwars thus- “MeghangaL samudra jalatthai vAngi sarva upajeevyamAna taNNeerAga umizhumA pOlE” Seawater is salty and unfit for consumption. However, clouds absorb the essence from the sea and bring it to the thirsty mankind and crops in the form of rain, which represents the purest form of water. Similarly, Vedas and other scriptures are in Sanskrit, which is difficult of comprehension t the average man. Azhwars, in their infinite mercy, translated the essence of Vedas into Tamil, the common man’s language, making it easy for him to benefit there from. This is why Sri Nammazhwar is hailed as “Vedam Tamizh seida Maran Satakopan”. Further only people fortunate enough to be born in the upper castes were eligible to learn the scriptures, putting them beyond the reach of others. But ”Maran marai” or the Dravida Vedam” enabled even the lowliest to partake of the treasure in its accessible form. A thorough study of the Vedas would involve several lifetimes, and even then would perhaps never be complete; for the Vedas are indeed endless-“anantA vai veda:” confirms the Shruti itself. The Kataka Prasnam recounts the story of Sri BharadvAja Maharshi, who devoted three lifetimes to Vedic studies. At the end of his third life span, Indra, appearing before the Rishi, inquired what the latter would do if he were to be given another lifer. Bharadvaja replied that he would devote the fourth lifetime too to Veda adhyayanam. Indra then showed the Maharshi the quantum of scriptures the latter had imbibed- a mere three handfuls- and the quantum yet to be learnt-three towering mountains. Indra tells Bharadvaja that however many life spans he might be provided with, he would never be able to master the Scripture fully, for knowledge is simply endless. The moral of the story is to learn, within the short lifetime available to us, the quintessence of knowledge, by knowing which everything else is known. Exhorts a seer- As the time available is short and hurdles to learning are so many, do learn only that which is of the essence, taking a leaf out of the book of the Swan, which, when faced with a container of watery milk, separates the milk from the water and imbibes only the milk. “alpascha kAlO bahavascha vignA; yat sArabhootam tat upAdhadheeta, HamsO yatA ksheeram iva ambu mishram”. The quintessence of the Vedas and other scriptures has been summarized by Azhwars in the form of Divya Prabandas, for ready absorption by our frail faculties, in a capsule form, so to say. Just as sugarcane tastes sweet all over, these prabandas too can enlighten and emancipate. It is somewhat difficult to determine the identity of the Ultimate, from a superficial perusal of the Vedas, which contain Stotras addressed to various deities. The true nature of the Lord and His attributes can be devined only with the aid of “UpabrahmanAs” like itihAsAs and PurAnAs. The “Tamizh Marai” or Divya PrabandAs suffer from no such malady, for they clearly and categorically state that Sriman Narayana is the Para Brahmam. Further, the Shruti often talks in analogies, riddles and allegories, so that only the well initiated understand its true purport. The Azhwars, on the other hand, in their anxiety to ensure upliftment of the maximum numbers, are crystal clear in their expounding of the nature of the Lord and that of the individual soul, and the strategy to be adopted by the latter for emancipation. Swami Desikan declares that apparently incomprehensible Vedic passages are clarified by a perusal of the Divya Prabandas- (“Seyya Tamizh mAlaigaL nAm teLiya Odi TeLiyAda marai nilangaL teLgindrOmE”). Hence the analogy of Swami Desikan comparing the Vedas to seawater and Divya Prabandas to sweet rainwater. Swami Desikan’s reverence for Azhwars and their works is so high that he takes pride in calling himself “Chandam migu Tamizh marayOn”. It would be clear from the above that the Cosmic Teacher met with considerably more success in His instructional efforts through the Azhwars, than when He attempted personal upadEsa. (To Continue) ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ 5.DESIKAMRUTHAM – SWAMI DESIKA’S SIMILES “UPAMA” (Anbil Ramaswamy) ------ CHAPTER 13: KRITAKRITYA ADHIKARAM 44. akinchanan ayatnamaaga mahaa nidhiyaip perumaap pOlE thaan perap pOgira parama purushaarthathaiyum paarthu hrishTamanaavaai” “Like a poor man who has received a great treasure without any effort, a kritakritya (One who has done what ought to be done) would rejoice at the prospect of the Supreme goal of life which he is to attain” 45. “Prajaapati-pasupati enrarr pOle pEriTTuk koNDirukkira sajaatheeyaraana KshEtrajnaraip patra OrOre avasarangaLilE kaikkooli pOlE sila upaadhigaL aDiyaaga ezhudaa maraiyilE yEriTTuk kiDakkira aDimai theeTTum mudal maaLaadE polisai iTTup pOrugira thanisu theeTTum kizhithavan aagaiyaalE panchamahaa yajnaadigaLaana nitya-naimittigangaLil avargaL pEr sollum pOdu…” “Like one whose promissory note registered in the unwritten Vedas under certain conditions (upaadhi relating to caste etc.) and requiring service as interest for the principal (borrowed by him from them) has been fully discharged (torn off). Therefore, when a Kritakritya has to pronounce their names such as prajaapati- pasupati etc in the Panchamahaa yajnas, he would realize that these names really refer to ONLY Bhagavaan etymologically” 46. “raaja sEvakar Raajaavukku saTTai mElE maalaiyaiyum aabharaNathaiyum iTTaalum saTTaiyil thuvakkatru Raajaavin preethiyE prayOjanamaaga theLindu irukkumaap pOlE” “ Like when the servants of the King place a garland and a jewel on the garment worn by the King, their object is not to please the garment but to gain the favour of the King, so also, when a Kritakritya utters the names of these demigods as part of the recitals prescribed in the Sastras, it is not to please them but only to please Bhagavaan who is their indweller (antharyaami)” Chapter 14: SVA NISHTA ABHIJNAANA ADHIKARAM Nil (To Continue Chapter 15: UTTARA KRITYA ADHIKARAM) ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ 6. “FROM MAHABHARATA – “YAKSHA PRASNAM” – Part 2 (Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami). ------ EDITOR’s NOTE: {Though Yaksha’s questions and Yudishtira’s replies may appear on the face of it simple and commonplace, there are deeper philosophical significance beneath them. The author who has done intense research on the subject brings to light these esoteric aspects in simple, clear and understandable English, for our benefit} ------ Yakshasya Prasnaani yudhishtarasya uattaraaNi cha YAKSHA’S QUESTIONS AND YUDHISHTRA’S REPLIES QUESTION 1: Yaksha: kimsvit aadityam unnayati? Who causes the Sun to rise? Yudishtira: Brahma Aadityam Unnayati. It is Brahman, the unborn and imperishable which causes the Sun to rise. NOTES: YAKSHA: Is generally considered as an attendant of Kubera, the God of wealth and the presiding deity of the northern direction. Here, the Yaksha is none other than God Dharma, the deity of righteousness of whom Yudishtira was born. For some reason, God Dharma appeared in the disguise of a Yaksha. AADITYA: Literally means the Sun. The Aaditya mentioned by Yaksha refers to the self or the Atman. It is a spark of the divine and self-luminous. It is awareness in its purest and most complete form. The self inhabits everything, everywhere. As the Sun, it traverses the entire space. (KaTopanishad Chapter 5 – Sloka 2) What happens to the self which is self-luminous and all pervading? It gets ensnared due to the action of the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. What can free the self from the play of the senses? What can restore to it, its luminosity and make it ‘rise’ and attain its pristine glory? This was the purport of Yaksha’s question. BRAHMAN: The Brahmam or Brahman cannot be defined. It defies definition. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna described it as “aksharam brahma paramam” (Chapter 8.13). It is imperishable and supreme. According to Kena Upanishad, “it is not understood by those who understand it; it is understood by those who do not understand it!” (2nd KhaaNDa verse 5). First, there should be a quest, a humble quest that can lead to knowledge as to which causes an awakening. This in turn leads to true knowledge of the self. By this knowledge, immortality is gained; the self ‘rises’ and merges with the Cosmic consciousness. The Yakshaa enquires in a subtle manner about the self indwelling in the body and how to become aware of it. Yudishtira answers that it can be known only through sincere aspiration towards Brahman. (To Continue) ================================================================ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ================================================================ _______________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
