Archiradhi - part 5 - Chapter 2: Description of the path taken by the soul

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Dear Members,

 

We continue the translation of Sri Pillai Lokacharya's Archiradhi by Ms

M. S. Ramesh.

 

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Chapter 2

 

This chapter says that the soul which has started on its paramapada

prayan first becomes bright like a Sun. Later Sukla paksha devata and

Uttarayana devata, Samvatsara, Vayu devas accompany and show the route

to this soul. Later it breaks through Sniyamandala and proceeds further.

It is said that while passing through sniya mandala. Sun God with his

bright golden effulgence is seen riding in his chariot which has Time as

its wheels (kala chakram). The Surya mandala is so bright that one

cannot open one's eyes. This soul breaks through Surya mandala and then

enters Chandra mandala, the abode of Lord Chandra who has the amrutham

with him. Such a moon god also does upacharam to this soul. This Moon

god is the master (thalaivan) of the Navagrahas, the 27 and other

millions of stars and guides this soul through his land to the next part

of the journey. Later Varuna devata and Indra who is looking after the

three worlds also meet this soul which is traversing towards Paramapada.

Next the soul crosses the world of Prajapathis who are the masters of

Gandharvas, Yakshas and other rakshasas. Later it passes on to

Brahmandam. 14 lokas constitute one anda and avarana is an area which is

ten times an anda. The soul after having crossed brahmandam crosses the

17 avaranas. These avaranas are like roof over each anda. Finally, it is

heading towards Moolaprakruti.

 

At that stage of the description of the roof, the author describes what

are all the sufferings in the Yama dhootha world which was avoided by

the soul which is going through the Archiradhi gathi. In short, having

described the joy and the happenings and the welcome that awaited the

soul which took the path of archiradhi gathi, the troubles and turmoils

that await tie soul which goes to hell because of its sins is described.

It is a natural reaction of those who have had a safe sailing through

this world, to value their problemless path more, by knowing what are

the pitfalls which they have avoided in not having taken the other

route! Perhaps, that explains why in this book which describes the path

to Paramapada taken by the punyatmas, mention is also made of the path

taken by sinners - which is to be avoided.