Ashtasloki 4: Verse 2: "namaha" in ["Om Namo Naaraayanaaya"]

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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.Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar

Thiruvadigale SaranamRamanuja Dasan

VP Srinivasa Varadan