Ratha Sapthami-AruNam : Part XVIII ( 8th AnuvAkam : mantram 26).

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SrI:

 

Dear VedhAbhimAnis:

 

The 8th anuvAkam has 8 PanchAtis (Mantrams 26-33) .The First mantram gives rise to a famous mantram in

MahA NaarAyaNOpanishad and the last mantram connects to the frequently used and famous mantram , " AgnE naya supathA rAyE asmAn" .

 

Many questions are asked in this anuvAkam about the origin of units of time and the power that propels them . Answer is given that Kaalam enters Jalam and waters in turn enter Sooryan and takes its abode in Soorya NArAyaNan.

 

The 28th Mantram of this anuvAkam points out that Soorya BhagavAn sporting the name of VishNu bears both BhU lOkam and upper lOkam.

 

The 29th mantram explores the causes for Mrutyu ( death) in general and akAla

( untimely) mrutyu in particular.What happens to the sinners and PuNyavAns after death are explored here and it is pointed out that the seven Sooryans originating from the 8th Sooryan, Kasyapar play their roles as Karma Saakshis and grant the jeevans the fruits of their KarmAs.We are reminded that son of one of the Sooryans , VivasvAn , is Yama Dharmarajan , who punishes the sinners . We are instructed that the sufferings of the sinners purify them.

 

In the concluding 33rd mantram of this

anuvAkam , the glories of Agni with 8 forms are praised and the prayer is made to Agni to free the Jeevans from their sins and lead the Jeevans in an auspcious path to enjoy their wealth ( AgnE naya supathA raayE asmAn). The link between Kasyapar with the seven sooryans forming an octet of Suryans and Agni with 8 forms is suggested here.

The 26th PanchAti Text

 

kkvEdhamabhrannivaviSatE ?

kkvAyagum samvatsarO mitha: ?

kkvAha: kkvEyam dEvarAtree?

kkvA mAsA rutava: SritA:?

ardhamAsA muhUrtA:

nimEshAstruDibhissaha

kkvEmA AapO niviSantE ?

yadheetO yAnti samprati

KaalA apsu niviSantE

AapassooryE samAhitaa:

 

 

 

26th Mantram: Word by word Meaning:

 

kkvEdham-abhram niviSatE( idham abhram kkva niviSatE) ?

kkva nivaSatE idham abhram ?(where does this cloud enter and stay)?

 

kkvAyagum samvatsarO mitha: ? Where does Samvatsaram( the Year) , the assembly of various units of time( Kaalam) , enter and reside ?

 

aha: kkva? What is the AadhAram( base or foundation) for the day ?

 

kkvEyam dEvarAtree? Oh Lord ! What about this raatree ?

 

kkvamAsA rutava: SritA: ? (kkva) ardhamAsA MuhUrtA: nimEshAs-truDibhissaha? What entity do the months , the ruthus , pakshams , muhUrtams , minutes along with Dhrudees ( time to wink an eye) seek as their abodes ?

 

The time in between the wink of the eyes is a Dhrudee . Eighteen nimisham make a Kaashtai; Eighteen Kaashtais make up a kalai; thirty kalais make one KshaNam ; Twelve kshaNam makes up a MuhUrtam or two Naazhikais ; Two and half Naazhikai makes an hour .Twenty four minutes make thus a Naazhikai .

 

kkvEmaa AapO niviSantE ? yadheetO yAnti samprati , kkva niviSantE ? =

" imA Aapa: samprati yath ita: yAnti ? kkva niviSantE" in prose order( anvaya

kramam)

 

these watery bodies (assembly of waters) now dry and disappear ( yata ita yaanti); where do they go and enter now ? Which is the power that operates these ?

 

kAlA apsu niviSantE= Kaalam enters into Jalam .

 

Aapas-sooryE samAhitA:= The waters ( jalam) enter in to Sooryan and reside there.

 

MahA NaarAyaNa Upanishad elaborates on this tattvam: " SamvatsarAsccha kalpantaram , sa Aapa: pratukE upE imE

antarikshamaTO suva: ".{The nimishams, Kalais, MuhUrtams , Kaashtais, days

and nights, pakshams, months/Maasams,

and the years arose form this Self- luminous ( Svayam JyOti) PurushaN.He used the Kaala sakti that nourishes the universe to create Jalam.He created as well the heaven and the interspace between the heaven and earth.

 

NamO Veda PurushAya ,Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan