Hindu Article-Nature of the Reality

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Nature of the Reality

CHENNAI: The Narayaneeyam of Narayana Bhattathri is revered in

tradition as the very essence of the Bhagavata Purana. The beginning

and the closing sections of this devotional poem highlight the nature

of the Supreme Reality, which is the theme of the Purana. The

Narayaneeyam identifies the Supreme Being with the Lord of Guruvayur.

Tradition relates that this poet-devotee composed this hymn before

the deity and He acknowledged every question Bhattathri raised about

His glorious deeds thus giving His approval to his composition.

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said Bhattathri had in a verse

adopted a unique literary symmetry by describing the Reality in 10

sets of three. The Almighty manifests the three worlds through the

three qualities (Gunas) — Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Everything in

creation is a combination of these three Gunas and only the Lord is

beyond them.

The Pranava (Om) comprising the three syllables (A, U, M) denotes the

Supreme Being. These syllables represent the Trinity — Brahma, Vishnu

and Siva. Hence, it is the Almighty Himself who is manifest as the

three Gods for different purposes. The three Vedas, Rig, Yajur and

Sama, (though the Vedas are four, three are popular in tradition)

glorify the Lord. The Supreme, as the Self within, is the knower in

the three states of consciousness — waking, dream and sleep.

The Almighty incarnated during the three Yugas and in His

manifestation as Trivikrama He measured the whole universe in three

strides. It is said that it was because the blessed feet of the Lord

sanctified the Earth during His incarnations that the bounties of

nature continue to sustain life on this planet. The Ultimate Reality

remains untouched by time, which we experience as past, present and

future. The Lord can be realised by means of the three Yoga's — Karma

(action), Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana (knowledge).

In the Bhagavad Gita also Lord Krishna outlined these paths and

assured that He blesses the sincere spiritual seeker by strengthening

his faith. The description of the Ultimate Reality is reminiscent of

the Upanishads in the Narayaneeyam.

 

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[Guest guest]

advaitin, "B VAIDYANATHAN"

<vaidyanathiyer> wrote:

> Nature of the Reality

> In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said Bhattathri had in a

verse

> adopted a unique literary symmetry by describing the Reality in 10

> sets of three.

 

Namaste

 

Kamban, (9th century or 13th century) in Tamil, has a similar

description of the Infinite Absolute, through the mouth of

Prahlada, in in sets of three:

 

His qualities are three (satva, rajas and tamas);

His actions are three (Creation, Protection and Dissolution);

His forms are three (BrahmA, Vishnu and Shiva);

His eyes are three (the Sun, Moon and Fire);

His worlds are three (bhU, bhuvaH and suvaH).

All that have a beginning, a middle and an end

Constitute a monumental proof of His existence.

This is also the bottomline of all the Vedas.

 

MunRu avan guNangaL cheigai mUnRu avan uruvaM mUnRu

mUnRu kaN chuDar koL joti mUnRu avan ulagaM mUnRu

tOnRaluM iDaiyuM IruM toDangiya poruLgaL ellAM

shAnRu avan iduve veda muDivu idu cadaM enRAn

(Kamba Ramayanam : Iraniyan vadaip-paDalam Verse 251).

 

PraNAms to all advaitins.

profvk