Guest guest Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 SRIMATHE RAMANUJAYA NAMAHA. (Kindly note:- The reference texts are given in the next mail titled "Appendix to Part-13". The appropriate places are marked as *1 , *2 and so on. They can be referred in the next mail, as appendix.) Looking at the sky, it seems that many secrets are strewn over there – some completely hidden but many easily to be decoded – with the help of sruti and other vedantic texts as reference books. The texts speak of two routes, Devayana , the path for the Released souls and Pithruyana, the path of departed souls who are to be born again. They also say, that Uttharayana, the sun's northern sojourn hastens the route to Brahma loka, the land of Brahma. (Though however it has been established in Brahma sutras that the one who is Released, even if he dies in Dhakshinayana, or night etc as told in BG, will first go to the Moon's place (pithru loka) and then go in the Devayana once the sun turns to northern route.) An interesting feature that we see in the sky is that the uttharayana shows the route from Agni to Vayu. The Brahma sutras also say that the Released soul reaches Agni and then goes to Vayu or through Vayu marga goes to Devayana. Technically the uttharayana begins not on Makara shankarathi, but on Vaikunta Ekadasi when the earth reaches its farthest position away from the centre of our Milky way galaxy and turns northwards (or inwards into the galaxy) when earth enters the new position in space at 2 am the next morning. This happens in the month of Maargazhi (Sagittarius – the sun Sun will then be inwards and the earth at the outer fringe) which is a Firy sign in astrology. Placed exactly at the other end of this is Gemini, which is Vayu sign in astrology. On Vaikunta Ekadasi, the earth is on the side of Gemini only, towards outer space, away from the center of our galaxy. This route connects the center of our galaxy to some point in outer space which we have designated as Vaikunta. (Let me build it up – what this could be – in the course of this mail). Some interesting observations regarding this route is that the world's worst earthquakes or upheavals of the land had occurred when the sun, the moon and the earth had fallen in this axis. The earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami last year happened when this connection occurred. It might be perplexing why such bad events should happen in this axis. But it has to be viewed in this way. If only the Elements had not been rattled, this universe itself could not have been born. If only such upheavals have not happened, this earth could not have been lifted out of water. In other words, this is Bhagavan's technique / instrument to uplift the earth as He did as Varaha. Note the Agni connection in this aixs, which is the first of His Creation. This can be expressed in another way. There are alignments in this universe which are instrumental in causing newer alignments or the birth of newer elements or universes. When the already existing elements cross this path, they undergo changes. Again such alignments may also cause prosperity and growth in a calmer sense. One such probability is expected in 2012, as indicated by Mayan Calendar. Scientists have found out that during that time the alignment happens through a gap in the two arms of the galaxy, that is , we will be exactly peeping through outer space with not much visible material on the way to influence or upset this alignment. Thinking of this, I am reminded of the narration by Narada (as told by Vyasa to Arjuna when he was grieving over the death of Abhimanyu) of what happened in the very beginning after creation was started by Brahma deva. This is actually in the context of explaining the Birth of Death. Now the narration:- The creation proceeded with no change. Everything remained changeless though the universe was expanding. In other words, everything was two dimensional. Narada's description seems to give some amazing description about how it was before and after creation started. >From Uni- dimension, the birth of Universe became two dimensional. >From That One Brahman, something expanded. Initially it was not 'may I become many', but it became two, i.e., two dimensional! Brahma deva, concerned over the way the changelessness continued, thought of devouring everything and starting afresh again. But Shiva, his son requested him not to do so. The one who has created, should not destroy it, he said. Here are many clues on why Brahman remains always Auspiciousness, always the Protector because He can not and would not destroy – if at all He wants to, He would do it in another form, not as the Supreme protector as Brahman - and whatever other activity is to be done, He gets it done through His designated beings created by Him, though, It is He who remains in them as In-dweller and gets them done. He is In-Dweller because everything is Him, in Him or He is in them. He, as Brahman having all this in Him, would always BE as BEING , as Satyam, Gyaanam and Ananatham, in giving Bliss as Protector but not as destroyer nor even a creator – that is why He has assigned these duties to others but retained Protection directly to Himself. (A reference to His paalanam activity (alone) and entrusting other activities to other deities is described in 3000-padi vyakhyaanam for the line "aazhi mazhi-k-kaNNa" of Thiruppavai.) That is why, Vishnu of the three moorthys is Sriman Narayana Himself and He as Brahma deva creates and He as Rudra destroys. (refer Hanuman's Hitopadesham in Sundhara khandam). The one who fails to see this has not actually seen or known Him though he may claim himself to be a follower of Vishnu. It is the one who knows Him as Sarvam VasudEvam iti, comes to be Loved by Him. It is not enough that we show prEmai to Him. He too must reciprocate that prEmai. He will, only when one realizes His Real Supreme nature which He has said as 'I am in all.' Bhagavad Ramanuja demonstrated this highest order of prEmai, when he prostrated at the feet of the daughter of Peria Nambhi, seeing Nappinnai piratti in her, when she came to open the door for –"senthaamarai-k-kaiyaal seeraar vaLai olippa vandu thiravaai." Coming to the narration by Narada, change was brought into beings, by means of three, the past, the present and the future!! This shows that newer dimensions were injected into the already created, non-changing Universe. Until then there was change only with reference to the length of the day. The number of days remained the same. Now the length of the day became connected to the number of days. In other words, the rotational movement or circumbulatory movement started, giving rise to days and nights, seasons and relative changes. Any scientist working on cosmic origins, can take a leaf out of Vedanta and construct theories which I am sure would lead him into the right direction. (*1) >From then on, I suppose the dimensions at different levels, perhaps 24 in number evolved (the 24th and 25 th being individual soul and the Brahman) giving rise to a lively bubble of this universe. By all this what is implied is that this axis between Sagittarius and Gemini has some celestial importance, connected to outer space. It is worthwhile to remind ourselves here that these two months (Maargazhi and Aadi – or Aani- Aadi cusp) corresponding to these two positions / constellations are completely dedicated to Bhagavad aaradhana. If you look at the horoscope, you can see these two signs Sagittarius and Gemini at opposite corners. This signifies the Devayana, a two- dimensional route. – start here and end there. That's all. Just at right angles to this is the Virgo- Pisces axis and we have already established that Virgo is the center of Pithru loka. This connection in the other two corners of the horoscope joining Virgo and Pisces signifies Pithruyana. The amazing correlation is that Virgo stands for Earthly element and Pisces for Watery element. The earth and water has a direct correlation. The very first manthra of Sandhyavandana glorifies Water as the one responsible for jananam (birth.) It is Paramaartha swarUpam. This glorification of water as the very basis of Life on earth is further extolled in these manthras. In Bhrigu- Bharadwaja discussion as told by Bheeshma in Shanti parva, it is said that the earthern and jala connections of the departed soul stay on earth itself whereas the agni, vayu and akashas tattwas stay in heavens. Even in the constellations we find this direct axial contact with earthern element and jala element. Similarly, Agni and Vayu go together. The one entering this Virgo – Pisces stays connected to earth. The one entering Agni –Vayu moves straight in his onward journey. This route as seen in our galaxy signifies a clear inside –out route, whereas the Virgo- pisces route shows a drawing-inward route. In other words, the pithruyana is more than two dimensional or multi-dimensional, there is this going round and round - a cyclical motion. This makes me wonder whether even the kolams we put in our homes have been so designed to remind us all about these two levels of movement! Our elders used to be very strict about having kolams in circular or sweeping modes. They never encouraged dotted ones (puLLi kolam). "Aahaadu" – they used to stay. What is this aahaadu? In puLLI kolam, the hand pauses at every puLLi (dot). It is as if to say that you are stuck at one place. This means stagnation. This means status quo. But when we make circular ones, it s seems to signify change and movement from death to next birth just goes about in circular paths be it in the Path of the manes, or within this Virgo-Pisces axis. At the same time the kolam we put on nilai-p-padi (at entrance) signifying movement from one room to another or from inside to outside or vice versa, particularly in perumaL sannidhi, it is in straight lines as though one is just transformed from one plane to another. The straight path of Devayana, signified by the Sagittarius – Gemini axis seems to be denoted by this. Even if the perumaL sannidhi is only made of a plank or a shelf in a cup-board, it is customary to place straight lines in two extremes. It seems to remind us or give us hope that some day we will also go into that straight mode – something aazhwar assured us " Vaikuntham puguvadu mannavar vidhiyE" – every being of this earth is destined to enter Vaikuntham!! The straight line also denotes the changeless state of Brahmanhood. The padi kolam with four sides which always takes the center-stage (with decoratives from one's imagination which are mostly like lotuses (SrI or Lakshmi) in various forms) is indeed the four footed Brahman. He is 4-footed in 4 ways as per Upanishads (*2) and it is these various forms that one worships in sandhyavandana. If anyone says that he disregards the worship of other Gods but worships Sriman Narayana only, know then that either he is not doing Sandhya vandana or if he is doing, he is doing it without knowing the meaning of it. Every devatha or god of this created Universe is being worshiped and propitiated in sandhya vandana. The one who sees Sriman Narayana in them all, becomes qualified to be loved by Sriman Narayana Himself. That is why every being around us is to be seen as Him, not as a chethana or achethana or this God or that God. To think of it, we glorify other gods too in our kolams. The star shaped kolam with pointed ends of 5 corners onwards, seem to denote stars or Devas in various formations (the first formed adhi devathas are only 5 in number who later diversified into many, according to Aithareya Upanishad). This is usually placed in between straight lines in nilai-p-padi – the center being decorated with a circular 'chuzhi' denoting our existence in the changing world. Coming to the horoscopic position of constellations, another surprise is that all the 4 constellations of the two axis are Ubhaya rasis! Ubhaya means both or together or in pairs. What is in pairs? Agni & Vayu? Or Earth & water? There is one more. It is about chara and sthira positions. Except these 4 all the others are either chara (moving) or Sthira (non-moving). But these Ubhaya ones are both moving and non- moving – a characteristic of Brahman. Brahman as anchor of two extremities or contradictions is something peculiar to Him alone, as seen in verses "aNubruhat…." of Sahasra nama (refer to my earlier mail on paditthadai-ch-cholgirEn). Thus Pithruyana and Devayana signify Brahman only. (That He is worshipped as pithru has already been discussed.) Here again another surprisingly contradicting matter is that the so-called northern journey of the Sun is not northern for the sun. The sun is in fact moving then towards the other side. It is perhaps known as 'utthara' as the movement is across a region that is supposedly upper to our plane of existence - sweeping across the outer space, or in other words looking across the area outside our galaxy. Most of the stars in this stretch are faint and much farther off. It is as though we are then looking at outer space – the farther reaches of God's creation. But the southern sojourn of the sun indeed marks the earth's close encounters with the stars or lokas within our own galaxy or regions connected to our immediate neighbourhood. It is in this period, the sun-moon predominance comes into play. The actions of celestial / spiritual importance all occur in this period. It begins in Aadi when we are closest to the center of our galaxy – something opposite in position to what we are on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. The full moon in AvaNi (Leo) – a Firy constellation close to Pithru loka in Virgo seems to have a circuit with the land of Rishis – therefore Rishi tarpaNam or Upakarma is being done then. Since it is a sthira raasi, they remain there. The full moon in Purattasi (Virgo) signifies the home-coming of pithrus themselves. This area being Ubhaya rasi, they move out or they remain stay put. The full moon of kaarthigai (scorpio) again a sthira raasi signifies Light. This is a jala-tattwa raasi again signifying Brahman connection! This seems to be placed next to the route to Vaikuntham , in its being next to Margazhi, which is the maargam for salvation. This month / constellation of Karthigai seems to denote Devas - as Div means light, these devas are all luminous, always in close proximity to Brahman, seeing Him (sadhaa pashyanthi). This reminds me another connection. In astrological texts, it has been said that lighting a lamp removes all kinds of sins as this means that all the 33 crore devas reside in the lamp. They are the ones who are in constant company of Brahman. Where Brahman is, there they are. When one lights a lamp ( of some earthern material – of mud or metal, as maN- agal or viLakku, it stands for svah, gigelly oil (or ghee) for bhuvah and the agni as light for Bhuh), he is not only worshipping the 3 vyahruthis, but also bringing down the devas to his place. As devas are in constant company of Bhagavan, Saakshaath Vaikunta naathan Himself descends at his place where he lights this lamp of 3 vyahruthis with the devas residing in them. This is why round the clock lighting of oil lamp is to be done in all temples. In the absence of these lamps, Bhagavan can not be said to have come down in His supreme form. This is why aaradhana by lamps is being done in temples. The devas do personal aaradhana when lamps are shown for aaradhana. Therefore it is my opinion that the deepa- aaradhana, when brought near the devotees, must however be worshipped by the devotees, for they being the devas who have Bhagavan also with them or for they having just worshipped and come near us bringing His Blessings. The karpoora (camphor) also has the 3 vyahruthis in it, in that though it sublimes in contact with agni, it's watery nature can be seen just before the agni goes off, showing its Bhuvah constitution. The importance of maa-viLakku to Thirumalaippan in Purattasi can be interpreted in similar lines. The choice of Purattasi (pithru yana) shows that it is to do with immai and marumai (this and next birth) as has been told in Nanmugan Thiruvandhadi. (Mei vinai nOi theerpaduvum -48). The lamp is lit with maamadhi (Vaippan maNi viLakkaa maamadhiyai –45), the moon or the mind. The Lunar connection is with Purattasi, Virgo. The lamp is lit because He is the treasure for both people and devas (vaanOrkkum, maNNorkkum vaippu –44) This shows that it is here both deva and mankind congregate, this being the Ubhaya sthaan. The lamp lit for Malayappan is one lit by both maNNOr and ViNNOr. But the lamp lit in Karthigai is lit by maNNOr for or on behalf of viNNOr. In the month of kaarthigai, full moon comes in alignment with the star group Kaarthigai which is nothing but by itself another galaxy (or nebula?), supposedly very former created ones who always remain closer with Bhagavan. At that time we do what they do, worship Him by means of the Light what they are. This continues in Margazhi too, as worship by light in pre-dawn, as we will be looking at that distant part in the sky which denotes Vaikuntham. Few more thoughts in this connection. It is by accidentally helping in kindling a dying a lamp that a mouse, got the bhagyam of being born as a princess. (Sri vachana bhooshanam). Then imagine what will be in store for all those who light lamps with awareness! Lighting lamps at temples is a supreme service, as they are the special abodes of Bhagavan. Lighting lamps at Divya desa is even more supreme seva, as these are the places where He Himself has descended along with His parivar, the Devas or nithya sUrIs. Those places are already shining with their presence. By lighting lamps or by helping in lighting lamps throughout day and night, we are bringing in Vaikuntham in those places. He can be easily reached. To make it all easier, He has for us these ways such as lighting lamps. ThiruviLakku is also known as Lakshmi. But the celestial importance in the choice of this month Kaarthigai shows that it is about worshipping Him through the devas who are always beside Him. Moreover, Lakshmi means the one who shows what your lakshyam or goal is. Therefore, when one worships Lakshmi in ThiruviLAkku, it is to know or train one's mind that one must concentrate on Him. This is bringing my thoughts to domains outside this sphere of existence of ours. This entire universe, the womb contains all sesha (refer sandhyavandana manthras) There is no end or beginning for this creation – which means this must be circular. Only in a circle, there can be no beginning, and no end. Since this is said to be immeasurable, this must be of spherical vastness. As a cross section, we can take any point, but we can not say whether it is the point of origin or the point of end. So the Universe is happening in a circular motion. This is denoted as cosmic egg in texts. Some interesting clues emerge from Purusha sukhtham and Gayathri manthra that only one fourth of this universe or cosmic egg is in manifest form (*3) and the ¾ are in un-manifest form. This means only a 90 degree segment of this universe is brimming with activity and the other depicts what is explained in the Creation Hymn of Rig veda (* 4) or the state occurring before such activity. Imagine the cross section of this 90 degree segment. The limitation is only in terms of the distance of the arc. This is confirmed by Narada's narration (in *1) that only length of days is illimitable but not growth of days. This is also confirmed by the textual fact that Brahma's life is for 100 years. That means, starting from the point of entry into this segment, it takes 100 Brahma years to reach the other end of this segment. There is no change in this. Also implied is that the vastness is in directions up and down and in sideways. Imagining this scenario, we can understand the meaning of every word that Geethacharyan says. On one side of this segment, manifestation is constantly happening. Brahmas are constantly and continuously being created. Not just one Brahma deva but countless ones throughout the breadth and width of this side of the segment. They start creating their respective universes. Since because they grow upon creation they too are called Brahman. (Brahman means one who grows). The growth can be in illimitable occupation of space – but not connected with expansion in terms of age! Those universes close to the center of this segment (cosmic egg) immediately cross the segment and pass into dissolution or un-manifest regions. That is why it has been said that many universes die soon after they are born. There are many, countless ones, which are in-between the sphere of ours and the centre . They can be said to have a life time of lesser than 100 Brahma years. Those universes may be born and die before we complete ours. And there are other universes whose life span will be more than ours. They are the ones placed beyond or towards the outer edge of the arc of the segment. And there are universes above us and below us. And this model also indicates that every moment universes are being born. Every moment Bhagavan is busy creating Brahmas and giving them upadesam of how to go about. There is no rest for Him! And simultaneously every moment the universes are getting dissolved at the other side of this segment. This is where Rudra or Shiva is! Since the width and breadth of this side of the segment is also infinite, what is happening here is an infinite wall of fire and destruction. That is how it is said no one, not even Brahma deva nor Vishnu can see Shiva's feet or head! It is here Brahman as In-Dweller of Shiva is conducting destruction. It is in this scenario, just imagine where we are and how we are. Just specks, nay, even lesser than the size of an atom we are here compared to the massive activity going around our / outside our universe. That is why it has become MANDATORY to express our SANKALPA (*5) for any activity, starting from describing the universe where we live, to which part of kalpa of Brahma we are in till down the line details of where we are, who we are and for what we do a particular sankalpa. (readers please recall the very first mail in this series on relevance of darbhai in sankalpa). It is because of this, every effort is being made to make sure that we are 'heard' properly and correctly and our action is properly being done without hindrance. The sankalpa part is given extreme attention by employing all safe guards, such as holding the darbhai then, to ward off any obstacles. This sankalpa and the details of whom we are inviting are given all safe guards in pithru tarpaNam too so that we do invite the persons whom we want and pay them back without wasting anything in the process. It is in this context, I understand why vEdiks ask us to discard the pavithram after the karma is over. This universe is changing every moment. The conditions that existed at one moment need not be there the very next moment. The forces that were nullified by the pavithram at one moment for one particular kriya, may not be there at the time of another kriya. The pavithram has to have the potency to nullify them at another moment too. That might perhaps be the reason a new pavithram is sought every time. >From this Vedantic model of Universe another insight also emerges. Since everything is born of Him, every universe with every being or non-being in it are HIS children! The Brahma is His first child and the subsequent born ones are also His children. All devas, rishis, Indra, saptha rishis, manvanthra rishis et al are His children. All chethanas born of His creation are His children. So it is not proper to say one is a vaishnavan and another, somebody else. The nigantu explanation for vaishnava is "VishNurdEvathAsya tasyEdham vaa aNN) or that relates to VishNu. The children of Vishnu are therefore Vaishnavas. So all that has proceeded from all the universes of this segment are Vaishnavas. That means one is born a Vaishnavite. It is not to be thought that a vaishnava is different from a Sri Vaishnava. All vaishnavas are Sri vaishnavas as there is no Vishnu without SrI. Wherever Vishnu is, there resides SrI. So every child or created thing of all the universes is a Sri vaishnava! The differentiation begins only after the soul touches the earth, or born as baby. Some of them by kulam, continues as Srivaishnavites. Others gain memory of Vishnu and become Srivaishnavas as though they are twice born. These beings are to be respected more for their twice born status. Their method of worship may be different. They may sing a different song. But they are all about Him is what must be taken note of. Everyone from Shiva onwards have sung about Him. The best of all Manthras, The Manthra raja pada sthothram on Narasimha was composed by Shiva. That does not mean one should not recite it.. The Lakshmi Ashtothram which we customarily sing along with Vishnu sahasra nama (Devyuvaacha..) was composed by, again, Shiva. We all recite it with devotion. Any Srivaishnava will and every srivaishnava will have to. That Rama nama was the supreme of all names, making it equivalent to 1000 naamas of Vishnu has been said so by, again, Shiva. No one has stopped saying Rama naama. No Srivaishnava will. The Vishnu sahasra naama has been revealed to the world by Bheeshma. We are hardly thinking of who has said them when we recite sahasra naama. No srivaishnava will. It is not from whose mouth, the songs are coming. It is about whom we are singing. Narayana is a common property of all. Anyone can sing of Him and anyone can adopt those songs of Him as he wills. Narayana is impressed ONLY with the prEmai you exhibit in singing verses or songs, not with other details of the songs. Even if a speech-disabled person makes meaningless sounds with PrEmai for Him, He will rush to him to enjoy his prEmai. If one is obsessed with other details, chances are there that He will train His ears to the one who expresses prEmai only through those words – be it a prostitute who has always thought about Him, in contrast to a rishi who was always thinking about what that prostitute was doing than diverting his mind to saadhana. All are srivaishnavas and some are born as such by contact with kulam. But others become Srivaishnavas as twice born. These beings are to be respected more for their twice born status. Their method of worship may be different. They may go to a different Guru. The born srivaishnavas too may go after a different guru. But that does not disqualify them from Lord's point of view!! This is another insight from the Vedantic model of universe. Herein I wish to make two points. (1) The 'Aru vaarthai' – '6 words' given by Lord Deva-perumaL is not meant for bhagavad Ramanuja alone. Bhagavan would not give anything as exclusive right to some one. It is for all seshas. Ramanuja as chief of all seshas, as Adhi Sesha received on behalf of mankind and for the sake of mankind. Of the 6 words, the 6th word on whom to surrender is the only advice meant for Bhagavad Ramanuja only. It also indicates that anyone wishing to learn more can approach a guru (refer BG also) with whom they have the attachment. Anything or anyone of this Creation can be a guru, for a guru is one who removes darkness. Avadhuta had no teacher in the strictest meaning of the term. Everything he saw around himself helped in removing some part of darkness and thus he came to have 24 gurus. Bahgavan Krishna extols this in Srimad bhagavatham. (2) If it is asked how can one attain salvation without Ramanuja sambhandam or without acharya sambhandam because only those who have this sambhandam will attain, here is another insight! To say that those who go to other gurus can not have this sambhandam or get salvation is to admit our failure to notice things. The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we have failed to notice, there is little we can do about knowing what we have failed to notice. But once we notice what we have failed to notice, our thoughts, precepts and deeds can certainly be taken up to their realms where they rightly belong. What we have failed to notice is that every chethana and achethana of this creation has Ramanuja sambhandam!! While in avatara rupa as Ramanuja, he blessed us the sambhandam of one kind. While outside this plane of avatara, he IS sesha and since every being is this sesha or enveloped by this sesha (see sandhya vandana manthras), it is right to say that everyone is having Ramanuja sambhandam and therefore connected by him to reach Him. "vaikuntham pugudal maNNAvar vidhiyE." Mannavar here includes all chethanas and achethanas too. Because "andru chara- acharatthaiyum vaikunttatthu yEttrinavan" avan – IrAman. IrAmAnusan, as His anujan will do the same for the sake of all seshas enveloped by him!!! UdayavarE! Neer ingu uLLa ellavattrraiyum udaiyavar! NaangaLum vummai Udaiyavar aanOm! Udaiyavar thiruvadigaLE sharaNAm, Emmai udaiyavar thiruvadigaLE sharaNAm. (to be continued - to the last mail) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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