Guest guest Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Om Namah Sivaya “When attachment for wealth and sex is wiped out from the mind, what else is left in the soul? Only the bliss of Brahman.” ---- Sri Ramakrishna Saint Appar Appar flourished in the 7th century A. D. He is one of the four great Saiva Samaya Acharyas (Saivite spiritual teachers). He was a celibate. He sang the glories of Lord Siva at all the sacred places that he visited. These hymns are called Thevaram. They have been collected into a book-form. All devotees sing the Thevaram even today. Appar spent his days in worshipping and serving the Lord in various ways, to set an example even to saints that they should not relax their eternal spiritual vigilance, lest they should fall a prey to Maya and to exhort them to lead the ideal life of a devotee for the guidance of others. He also visited many sacred shrines, thus emphasising the glory of pilgrimage. Lord Siva wanted to test him. When Appar was doing his services in a temple (cutting grasses, etc), the Lord made the entire floor appear as though it was strewn with gold and diamonds. To Appar, gold and diamonds were worthless ‘straw’. He collected all of them and threw them in a near-by tank. Again, the Lord made celestial damsels appear before him and tempt him with their charms. Appar remained undisturbed. His entire heart and soul was centred on the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Appar spent the rest of his life there and at the age of 81 merged himself in Siva. Tirumantiram by Rishi Tirumular Verse 172: Wealth is a Flood that Ebbs and Flows Weigh well the pros and cons, and having weighed, waver not,Lose not your bearings, caught in wealth's eddy;Fling aside the transient trappings of earthly treasuresAnd thus when the Pale Sargeant comes, for the great leap be ready. Commentary: Wealth comes like the flood of waters and flour away. Put not your trust in it. Fling it aside and think of the Lord. You can defy death in triumphant joy. Verse 175: Worldly Desires are Never-Ending Our desires grow, but none the truth to find;There's one stake to hold but nine exits to leave;The old familiar faces come smiling to greet and bow;Deceivers ever, they abandon us without a reprieve. Verse 176: All Your Wealth Cannot Bribe Death Away When the vital spark leaves this mortal mould,Bribe be none to lure it back; think, think of the Lord;Death's loyal servants on restless mission bent,Do nothing consider that with hot breath you pulse. Commentary: When life takes its flight from the body, think of the Lord. You cannot bribe death to stay his hands. The Lord alone shall be our refuge then. Verse 205: Incontinent Passion Spells Ruin The worldly folk who seek connubial delightsAre, like eddying water, sucked into whirling pool;Such is passion, incontinent, fleeting as a dream;Real it is not; let not its siren spell you befool. Verse 208: Irretrievable Loss in Lust Those unfirm of mind who, in folly vain,Struggle to plant seeds deep in moss-covered tank--If such betimes we bind not and restrain,Irretrievably lost are they in lust of sex, sordid and rank. Commentary: Indulgence in lust gets you into irretrievable waters. The deeper you plunge, the surer you perish. Sivaya Namah The all-new Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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