Nirguna Manasa Puja - Shankaracharya - 21/33

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

My two cents, Sundderji, with trepidation! It may not be more

accurate.

 

I think the key lies in the word upasechanaM. Sechana as well as

upasechana are found to have the meaning of a bowl, spoon or ladle –

something that helps in eating/serving. UpasechanaM can therefore

mean the act of consuming/serving food with an eating/serving aid.

In this verse, therefore, mR^ityuH offers that aid or is the very

serving of food (the offering).

 

This is a beautiful verse. The variety food of brahmANda is relished

with AnandarasaM (the juice of happiness) to wash it down. Sounds

(tastes!) like typical South Indian rasam-rice! Rasam is the

happiness inherent in creation that confirms Atman's being Bliss.

MR^ityuH serves in the process as the spoon or ladle!

 

Once brahmAnda is created, its consumption (dissolution) is a decided

fact. That takes place in kAla (mR^ityuH). Aided by mR^ityuH (time),

here is taking place an eternal offering of rasam rice or consumption

of rasam-rice without even a trace of gluttony.

 

Thus, the verse could mean:

 

"The big dish of boiled rice, in the form of the universe, is called

the food offered to the idol of the Self. The drink (offered) is the

delicious juice of happiness (enjoyed in the world). Death (time) is

the offerer."

 

Strangely coincidnetal that this has come in the midst of a

discussion on fasting!

 

PraNAms to the Eternal Eater and to all Advaitins.

 

Madathil Nair

______________________________

 

 

 

advaitin, "Sunder Hattangadi" <sunderh>

wrote:

>

> Namaste,

>

> naivedyamaatmaliN^gasya brahmaaNDaakhyaM mahodanam.h .

> pibaanandarasaM svaadu mR^ityurasyopasechanam.h .. 21..

>

> The big dish of boiled rice, in the form of the universe, is called

> the food

> offering of the symbol of the Self. Its ritual sprinkling is the

> drinking of the

> sweet ambrosial bliss of Death.***

>.....

 

.....

*** I would appreciate a more accurate translation of this sentence.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Madathilji,

 

Thank you! That is a very inspired and intuitive

interpretation which I can readily relate to.

 

Regards,

 

Sunder

 

 

advaitin, "Madathil Rajendran Nair"

<madathilnair> wrote:

> In this verse, therefore, mR^ityuH offers that aid or is the very

> serving of food (the offering).

>

> "The big dish of boiled rice, in the form of the universe, is called

> the food offered to the idol of the Self. The drink (offered) is the

> delicious juice of happiness (enjoyed in the world). Death (time) is

> the offerer."

>