Ashtasloki 2: Verse 2: "namaha" in ["Om Namo Naaraayanaaya"]

November 18, 2005

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Pranam to all devotees:

This verse explains the meaning of the second word 'namaha'

in Thiurmantram. ["Om Namo Naaraayanaaya".]

Sloka 2 ("namaha") continued from previous post:

The jeevan is dependent on Paramatma and is looking /waiting for His grace

for its liberation.

If the soul resorts to undertake any "self" action to reach the Lord, it is

an obstacle for achieving the goal.

The letter 'namaha' taken as one word (salutations to you) represent the

means (upayam) and the same word taken as 'na' and 'ma' gives the meaning

that the means does not belong to me.

If any feeling that the jeeva is trying for its liberation is entertained,

then it is an obstacle for the liberation.

The 'nama' removes this feeling and make the means (He alone is the saviour)

free from any defect.

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The same 'namaha' when joined with the next word 'narayanaya' gives the

meaning that the service rendered to Narayana is for the happiness of Lord

and not for the happiness of jeeva. Any self benefit in the form of

happiness is derived to jeeva while performing the service (kainkaryam) to

Lord.

Swathantriyam thas-yaiva subservient to Lord

Nija-rakshanam thas-yaiva responsibility for protection is with Lord

Samuchitha vriththich thas-yaiva the happiness due to rendering

of service is to Lord only

In none of the above 'jeevan' has any role to play.

Tha-tha-ha swasyapi narham – the above mentioned three things, subservience,

right to try for liberation and deriving pleasure during rendering of

service are for the not common for both Paramatma and Jeevatma.

Ithi vivichaya gadhi-tham – in this way all the issues are clarified with

the insertion of 'namaha' in the middle of Thirumanthram.

We continue with Verse 3 in the next post.

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Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam

Ramanuja Dasan

VP Srinivasa Varadan

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