Part 2 - SGS Universal Prayer-Sri Bala Swamiji's detailed explanation

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

This Universal Prayer -  Shiveti Shoureeti has been submitted for uploading at

dycusa.org/eresources/prayers/default.asp

with audio lesson and script in different languages. Hopefully tonight it will

get uploaded.

 

Sri Bala Swamiji's Explanation from Telugu Bhakti Mala:

Part 2

 

Verse 3.    Jala swaroopam dahana swaroopam ...

 

I seek refuge in that Paramatman who takes the form of Water, Fire, Earth, Air,

and Sky.

 

In the previous verse it was stated that the five elements are not independent.

This verse introduces us to the first step in the worship of the Five Elements

as the manifestations of Paramatman.

 

Worship of the Five Elements indicates that one is able to perceive the

Paramatman in the entire Creation. This worship indirectly protects Nature as

well. Just as we safeguard a thing that is very dear to our heart, as true

worshipers, we would tend to protect the five elements since they are the forms

of Paramatman.   

 

Without the five elements, we have no existence. Our world has no existence. We

all know how we struggle if we cannot catch our breath, if there is no air. Yet

we do not care to safeguard it.

 

It is only a few environmentalists who strive to protect Nature. But the rest of

the population is not concerned. Since the world consists more of devout people

than atheists, our seers thought that through such devotees if Nature could be

protected, then the world would be a safe and a comfortable place. They

described the five elements as different forms of the Paramatman, with the

wellbeing of the world in view.

 

Since our body consists mostly of water, this verse begins by mentioning Water

first.

 

The Veda described the Sky first. That is the Universal view. Here we are

talking about the bodily view. In the body, after water, the second most

important element is Fire. If the digestive fire does not digest the food,

regardless of how nutritious the food intake may be, it would be useless.

 

Next, it is the Earth element. This principle is so important that Lord Vishnu

gave Earth a form and seated Earth on His lap.

 

The Earth is the support for all activity. It is like the platform. That is why

Ganapati is referred to as the deity of  Mooladhara, the basic support. Without

the earth there is no Karma. To be able to perform actions, to reap the benefit

of actions, earth is essential. That is why it is said that Earth is a form of

Paramatman.

 

Now Air. It is not necessary to describe air. Because it is air that sustains

the Life Energy in us, Air is described as a form of Paramatman.

 

Next is Sky. Gagana is Sky or Space. Space gives all the other elements an

opportunity to express their existence.

 

Space is all-pervading. It is also referred to as “Viyat†and “Vishnu

Padamâ€. It is space that clearly shows that God is all pervading. In the

Dakshinamurthy stotram, Dakshinamurthy who is the presiding deity of spiritual

knowledge, extols God as being all pervading as the Lord, the Guru, and the

Soul.

 

If the Space principle is well understood, then it means that you have realized

Paramatman! That is why this verse concludes with the term “gagana

svaroopam†mentioning the Space element.

 

May you all understand and worship the one Paramatman who takes the form of the

five elements.

 

Sri Guru Datta