Shiveti Shoureeti (Universal Prayer composed by SGS), Meaning-Part 6-Conclusion

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

 

Part 6 –

 

Conclusion of the English translation of the detailed Explanation given by Sri

Bala Swamiji (Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji) of The Universal Prayer,

“Shiveti Shoureetiâ€, composed by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati

Sachchidananda Swamiji published as a series in Telugu Bhakti Mala monthly

spiritual magazine published by Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore, India.

 

For lyrics of the Universal Prayer in different language scripts, audio lesson,

and brief and detailed meaning pls. visit

www.dycusa.org/eresources/prayers/default.asp

 

To to Bhakti Mala magazine, being published in 6 languages, please

visit

www.dattapeetham.com or www.dycusa.org or send email to: mail,

dattatemple or dycusa.

 

verse 8. Igirju Masjid ..

 

I surrender to that one Supreme Soul, Paramatman, whose glories are sung by

Christians in churches in prayer services, by Muslims in mosques during Namaz,

and by Hindus in temples during archana.

 

It is natural to praise God, whose attributes are infinite, by using countless

different descriptive names. Unfortunate consequences occur when people fail to

recognize and acknowledge this eternal Truth.  God is one. His powers manifest

as various celestial forms. Failure to understand this results in problems in

society, and in preventing spiritual growth.

 

In order to progress spiritually, one must practice an unbiased view. Spiritual

seekers should not get influenced by hearsay. Some selfish individuals serve

their ends by provoking others in the name of religion. Those who allow

themselves to get incited will fall to ruin. Once fallen in God’s eyes it is

very difficult to rise again. In order to remain in God’s favor, it is

important to maintain the understanding that the entire world is His Creation,

and that all are equal.

 

The Bhagavadgita teaches the concept of equality. It even defines Yoga as

“Samatvam yoga ucyateâ€, Yoga is Equal-mindedness. To become an accomplished

Yogi, to earn God’s grace, it is essential to develop the understanding that

all are equal.

 

verse 9. Ananta naamnaa ...

 

We attain that one God who is Sat (Existence), Chit (Consciousness), and Ananda

(Bliss), whose glory is described in infinite names, whose radiance is

manifested in innumerable forms, and whose absolute powers are demonstrated as

countless qualities.

 

The Veda declares that all the names that exist in this world are His names; all

the forms that are seen are His; all the qualities emanate from Him alone.

 

In worldly affairs, a name is crucial. In spiritual learning also, the name is

the first step. The practice of devotion begins and ends with praising God using

various names.

 

In the five methods of practicing devotion, form takes a predominant role. In

ritual worship, in surrendering at the feet of the Lord, and in bowing down in

prostration, the form is very important.

 

We recognize the ten forms (incarnations) of God, the Dasha avataras as being

very important (aquatic-fish, amphibian-turtle, animal-boar,

man/beast-Narasimha, dwarf-Vamana, man-Rama, Krishna, etc.). In those ten forms,

God’s divine play (as evolution in Creation) is clearly seen. However, God’s

forms are by no means limited to just these. In the Bhagavatam, once Lord Brahma

made the cows and the cowherds disappear, using his power of illusion (Maya).

Then Lord Krishna Himself assumed the forms of all the cows and the cowherds.

This episode shows that all forms are He Himself.

 

One should make a habit of appreciating every small virtue that one sees in

another. The Shastras proclaim that this is the quality of great souls

(Mahatmas). Since God is the source of all qualities, God is praised by the

Vishishtadvaitas as being “samasta kalyana gunabhiramaâ€, one who possesses

all auspicious qualities.

 

It is to be noted that in this last verse, instead of the refrain, “Tameka

devam sharanam vrajamahaâ€, “Tam Sachchidananda vibhum vrajamaha†has been

used. To know the word “Sachchidananda†is to know God. This word is a

combination of the three words, Sat, Chit, and Ananda. ‘Sat’ is Truth.

Whatever may perish, even if the five elements themselves perish, Paramatman

still remains. That is why He is called Truth or ‘Sat’. He is the

‘Satpurusha’ or the True Being. How does He appear? His form is Knowledge,

Jnana. Knowledge has no form. It appears as Light. That is why Knowledge is also

called the Light of Consciousness or Chaitanya. His form is radiance. Radiance

gives happiness, Ananda. He is of the form of Bliss. Paramatman (God) is

Eternal. He exists as Consciousness. He exists as Bliss. He keeps giving Bliss.

 

There is no such thing as seeking refuge in Sachchidananda. One can only merge

in Him. That is why the last stanza of this Universal Prayer, instead of using

the phrase, “I seek refuge in†(sharanam vrajamaha) has used the phrase,

“Sachchidananda vibhum vrajamahaâ€. ‘Vibhu’ is the all peravading Supreme

Soul, Paramatman. If the preceding eight stanzas are properly understood and put

into practice, the experience of Paramatman, the Supreme Self will definitely

occur. May you all attain that Self Realization!

 

Jaya Guru Datta