LT-171 haardasaMtamasaapahaa

December 19, 2002

AUM haardasaMtamasaapahaayai namo namaH

Salutations to HER who dispels the great darkness of ignorance (that veils

Atmaan) in the heart.

(I will post the shankara bhaashhyam and a close translation later).

Following is based on the shankara bhaashhyam.

- What is haarda?

haarda indicates pertaining to heart or particularized in it.

(hR^idaya-avachchhinaH haardaH). When we speak of heart, we normally do not

speak of the physical heart. But it indicates the spiritual heart in the

suuxma shariira.

- What is the great darkness?

saMatamas means great darkness or ignorance. shankara quotes the shruti

statement "tama aasit" in this regard. This space of darkness is known as

avyAkR^ita-aakasha.

- What does this conceal?

It conceals HER. The indweller and witness of all -- brahman/aatman.

Shankara quotes "yo veda nihitam guhaayam". SHE is there seated in the cave

of the heart and is celebrated as daharaakaasha ruupiNi.

-What does SHE do?

When meditated upon, SHE dispels the darkness and reveals HERSELF. That is

why SHE is called the dispeller or remover of this darkness.

-How does this happen?

Typically, by conditioning of this darkness. One thinks "I am a samsaari",

"I am bound", "there is no brahman" and "it does not shine" and so on. The

only thing that contradicts this darkness of ignorance is the light of

knowledge. SHE as jnAna svaruupiNi - guides the devotee through a guru to

meditate upon mahaa-vaakya-s such as "I am brahman" - my laxaNa is

sat-chit-aananda, etc. and dispels this ignorance. This leads to

understanding that there is no plularity (neha naanaa) and realize brahman.

This process is very nicely explained in the first paragraph of sanat

sujaatiiya bhaashhyam - which beautifully summarizes the essence of vedAnta.

--

ambaaL daasan

Ravi

www.ambaa.org

Recommended Posts